Toilet system

Abstract

We provide a toilet system that can notify users of information that helps resolve obstacles in the toilet space. [Solution] The toilet system 1 includes a measurement unit 22 that measures the current state of the toilet space TS, an acquisition unit 52 that acquires fault information regarding past faults of the toilet space TS and maintenance information regarding past maintenance corresponding to said faults, and a notification unit 54 that notifies maintenance support information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current fault of the toilet space TS based on the measurement information regarding the current state of the toilet space TS measured by the measurement unit 22, the fault information, and the maintenance information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in public toilets, there has been known a toilet system that detects a clogged state or the like and notifies an administrator of information for cleaning management.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a management device that detects a failure such as the current clogged state of a toilet and notifies that the failure needs to be resolved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the method for resolving a toilet failure is unclear, unnecessary costs may occur in dealing with the failure.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet system that can notify information suggesting a method for resolving a toilet failure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the following toilet system is provided. This toilet system comprises: a measuring unit for measuring the current state of the toilet space; an acquisition unit for acquiring fault information relating to past faults in the toilet space and maintenance information relating to past maintenance corresponding to said faults; and a notification unit for notifying maintenance assistance information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current fault in the toilet space, based on the measurement information relating to the current state of the toilet space measured by the measuring unit, the fault information, and the maintenance information.

[0008] This configuration makes it possible to provide information suggesting how to resolve the current toilet malfunction, such as the details of maintenance performed for past malfunctions related to the current toilet malfunction, compared to providing notifications without relying on malfunction information from past malfunctions and maintenance information from past maintenance.

[0009] Furthermore, in the toilet system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the measurement unit is capable of measuring the state of the toilet space as waveform information using a radio wave sensor, and the fault information includes past waveform information measured by the radio wave sensor in the measurement unit.

[0010] This configuration allows for a more accurate estimation of current toilet space malfunctions compared to cases where maintenance assistance information is not provided based on past and present waveform information.

[0011] Furthermore, in the toilet system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the maintenance information includes the cause of the malfunction in the toilet space, the maintenance method, the maintenance time, or an image of the location where the malfunction occurred.

[0012] This configuration makes it possible to provide information that is more appropriate for addressing the current problem in the toilet space compared to when maintenance assistance information is provided based on maintenance information that does not include the cause of the problem in the toilet space, the maintenance method, the maintenance time, or an image of the location where the problem occurred.

[0013] Furthermore, in the toilet system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the notification unit notifies the maintenance assistance information for assisting in maintenance corresponding to the malfunctions in the multiple toilet spaces.

[0014] This configuration allows for the creation of cleaning plans and calculations of necessary personnel across multiple toilets, compared to simply notifying maintenance assistance information for a single toilet space.

[0015] Furthermore, in a toilet system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit acquires user information which is information of multiple users of the toilet space, and further comprises a control unit which selects a user from the multiple users to whom the maintenance assistance information is to be notified based on the maintenance assistance information and the user information, and the notification unit notifies the selected user of the maintenance assistance information based on the user information.

[0016] This configuration makes it possible to notify users who need maintenance assistance information, based on the condition of the toilet space, compared to selecting users to notify based on maintenance assistance information and user information.

[0017] Furthermore, in the toilet system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit acquires user information, which is information about the user of the toilet space, and further comprises a control unit that selects a method for notifying the maintenance assistance information based on the maintenance assistance information and the user information, and the notification unit notifies the user of the maintenance assistance information based on the user information using the selected notification method.

[0018] This configuration allows for the notification of maintenance assistance information to be delivered to recipients using a more appropriate means, tailored to the condition of the toilet space, compared to selecting a notification method for maintenance assistance information without considering maintenance assistance information or user information.

[0019] Also, in the toilet system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the maintenance assistance information includes information regarding advertisements of necessary personnel, necessary equipment, or products or services useful for dealing with clogs.

[0020] According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the notification destination of more necessary information according to the state of the toilet space.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the toilet system of the present invention, it is possible to notify information suggesting a method for eliminating toilet failures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a toilet system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of a toilet system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing an example of various functions in a toilet system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in a storage unit. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the job fields of notification destinations and the toilet abnormality contents stored in a storage unit. [Figure 6] It shows an example of toilet information, which is information of each toilet stored in a storage unit. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a toilet system.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] [ Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in each drawing as much as possible, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0024] First, a toilet system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0025] <Overall Structure> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a toilet system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet system 1 comprises a toilet device 10, an information processing device 40, and a user terminal 70.

[0027] The toilet equipment 10 is installed in a toilet room TR within a toilet space TS. The toilet space TS is a toilet space in a public restroom that can be used by many people, such as in a train station, airport, commercial facility, or office building. One or more toilet rooms TR are provided in this toilet space TS. Toilet doors TD are provided in the toilet rooms TR for entry and exit.

[0028] The toilet system 10 is a device for processing the user's excrement. This toilet system 10 comprises a toilet bowl 11, an operating device 14, and a display device 16.

[0029] The toilet bowl 11 is, for example, a ceramic toilet bowl. A toilet seat is provided on the top surface of this toilet bowl 11.

[0030] The operating device 14 is a device for operating the toilet equipment 10 and is installed, for example, on the wall of the toilet room TR. The operating device 14 can communicate with the toilet equipment 10 etc. via wired or wireless means and can send and receive information. The operating device 14 receives various operations from the user via a touch panel or buttons and executes the processing.

[0031] The display device 16 is a device that displays various information and is installed, for example, on the wall of the toilet space TS. The display device 16 may be the same device as the operating device 14, or it may be provided as a different device. The display device 16 may be, for example, a digital signage, liquid crystal panel, or organic EL display.

[0032] The information processing device 40 is configured to communicate with the toilet device 10 and the user terminal 70 via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0033] The user terminal 70 is, for example, a smartphone. The user terminal 70 may also be a PC (personal computer) or a digital signage device. The user terminal 70 may be, for example, the personal property of the user, or it may be attached to the toilet device 10. The user terminal 70 is configured to communicate with the toilet device 10.

[0034] <Hardware configuration of toilet system 1> Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a toilet system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet system 10 includes an operating device 14, a display device 16, and a communication device 18.

[0036] The communication device 18 consists of a communication interface for communicating with external devices. The communication device 18 can communicate with various devices, for example. In the case of wired communication, the communication device 18 may use connection standards such as a wired LAN network based on IEEE 802.3, USB, or Thunderbolt. In the case of wireless communication, the communication device 18 may use wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®, or the TCP / IP protocol used for these communications.

[0037] The information processing device 40 comprises a control device 42 and a communication device 48. The control device 42 mainly consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 44 and memory 46. The communication device 48 has substantially the same configuration as the communication device 18, so its description is omitted.

[0038] In the control device 42, the CPU 44 executes a predetermined program stored in the memory 46, thereby performing various functional configurations. The CPU 44 stores various programs and information necessary for executing processing in the control device 42, as well as information on processing results.

[0039] Furthermore, the information processing device 40 may be implemented using a dedicated or general-purpose computer or other information processing device. Also, the information processing device 40 may consist of a single information processing device or multiple information processing devices. Moreover, Figure 2 only shows a part of the main hardware configuration of the information processing device 40, and the information processing device 40 may have other configurations.

[0040] <Functional configuration of toilet system 1> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of various functions in the toilet system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the toilet device 10 includes a control unit 20, a measurement unit 22, a communication unit 24, and a storage unit 26.

[0042] The control unit 20 processes and controls the overall operation related to the toilet device 10. The control unit 20 realizes various functions related to the information processing device 40 by reading predetermined programs stored in the memory unit 28. Note that the control unit 20 is not limited to a single unit, and there may be multiple control units 20 for each function, or a combination thereof.

[0043] The measurement unit 22 is a functional unit that measures the current state of the toilet space TS. The measurement information regarding the state of the toilet space TS measured by the measurement unit 22 is stored in the storage unit 26. The measurement information is also sent to the information processing device 40 via the communication unit 24. The measurement unit 22 is, for example, a radio wave sensor capable of measuring the state of the toilet space TS as waveform information. Specifically, the measurement unit 22 measures the flow of flushing water flowing into the toilet device 10 as waveform information. Specifically, the measurement unit 22 is a Doppler sensor that detects the distance between the flushing water wave and the Doppler sensor (water level of the flushing water) and the flow velocity of the flushing water wave. In addition to information measuring the state of the toilet space TS, the measurement information may also include information such as the measurement time and the location of the toilet where the measurement was taken. Since radio waves easily penetrate resin and reflect water, if the measurement unit 22 is a radio wave sensor, the state of the flushing water can be measured with high accuracy. The measurement unit 22 is not limited to one sensor, but may be multiple sensors or sensors of different types.

[0044] For example, the measurement unit 22 may be an entry / exit sensor that detects when a user enters or leaves the toilet space TS. For example, the measurement unit 22 may be an open / close sensor installed on the toilet door, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of people in the toilet space TS, etc. The measurement unit 22 may also detect the presence or absence of users waiting outside the toilet room TR to use the toilet (waiting status). The measurement unit 22 may be an identification sensor that identifies each of multiple users in the toilet space TS. The identification method can be, for example, image recognition, and the specific method is not limited. The measurement unit 22 may be, for example, an infrared sensor, a camera, etc.

[0045] Furthermore, the measurement unit 22 may also detect the degree of wear and tear on supplies, including toilet paper, and whether or not there are spares. It may also detect the condition of the toilet space TS other than the toilet equipment 10, such as the degree of soiling of the toilet floor. In addition, the measurement unit 22 may be a fault sensor that detects malfunctions in the flushing mechanism of the toilet equipment 10 or in the measurement unit 22 itself.

[0046] The communication unit 24 transmits and receives signals to and from the outside of the toilet device 10, such as the information processing device 40 or the user terminal 70, via a network. The communication unit 24 transmits, for example, measurement information measured by the measurement unit 22. The communication unit 24 may be a wired communication means such as USB, IEEE1394, Thunderbolt, or wired LAN network communication, or a wireless communication means such as wireless LAN network communication, LTE / 5G or other mobile communication, or Bluetooth® communication, and may include both as needed. In other words, it may be implemented as a collection of these multiple communication means.

[0047] The storage unit 26 stores user information, measurement information, various setting information and parameters, etc. This can be implemented, for example, as a storage device such as a solid-state drive that stores various programs related to the toilet device 10 executed by the control unit 20, or as a memory such as a random-access memory that stores temporarily necessary information related to program calculations. A combination of these may also be used. In addition to the above, the storage unit 26 also stores various programs related to the toilet device 10 executed by the control unit 20.

[0048] The information processing device 40 mainly comprises a control unit 50, an acquisition unit 52, a notification unit 54, a communication unit 56, and a storage unit 58. The explanation of the control unit 50, communication unit 56, and storage unit 58 will be omitted as they are the same as those for the control unit 20, communication unit 24, and storage unit 26 in the toilet device 10.

[0049] The control unit 50 estimates the current state of the toilet based on the measurement information measured by the measurement unit 22. The control unit 50 also generates fault information regarding the estimated current toilet malfunction. Specifically, the control unit 50 compares the waveform information of the water level and flow velocity of the flushing water with predetermined thresholds to estimate the toilet's blockage state as completely blocked, normal, or partially blocked with paper making flushing difficult. If the control unit 50 estimates the toilet's blockage state to be completely blocked, it generates fault information indicating that the toilet is completely blocked. The fault information may also include the time of the malfunction in the toilet space TS, as well as other information.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may perform frequency analysis on the waveform information and compare the spectral intensity in a predetermined frequency range with a predetermined threshold to estimate the current state of the toilet. In addition, the control unit 50 may apply machine learning processing based on past failure information stored in the memory unit 58 to estimate the current state of the toilet. For example, the control unit 50 may calculate the time until the toilet becomes completely clogged. The control unit 50 may also estimate the cause of the current toilet abnormality from the time of past abnormalities and the number of flushes. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may estimate that the toilet may become completely clogged in the future, given that some paper is clogged and not flushing well, and estimate the time until the toilet becomes completely clogged, and generate this as failure information. Based on the failure information, the control unit 50 may calculate the future cleaning time for the user. The control unit 50 may also estimate the cause of the toilet clog based on the measurement information. For example, the control unit 50 may estimate whether the object stuck in the toilet is excrement, paper, a pen, a smartphone, etc., by comparing the measured waveform information with past waveform information stored in the storage unit 58.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may estimate the current state of the toilet based on the state of the toilet space TS other than the toilet itself. For example, the control unit 50 estimates the current congestion rate of the toilet based on whether the number of people entering and exiting within a predetermined time period, as detected by the measurement unit 22 which is an entry / exit sensor, exceeds a threshold. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may estimate the future congestion rate of the toilet based on the congestion rates of multiple time periods. The congestion rate may be estimated for each toilet room TR provided in the toilet space TS, or it may be estimated for the toilet space TS as a whole. In addition, the control unit 50 may estimate the current equipment status of the toilet based on the degree of wear and tear of the equipment detected by the measurement unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may estimate the future equipment status of the toilet based on the current equipment status and past equipment status.

[0052] The acquisition unit 52 acquires fault information relating to past failures in the toilet space TS and maintenance information relating to past maintenance corresponding to those failures. The past fault information and past maintenance information are stored in the storage unit 58, which will be described later. The maintenance information may include, for example, the cause of the failure in the toilet space TS, the maintenance content and time for that failure, the location where the failure occurred, an image of the location or toilet equipment 10 at the time of maintenance for the failure, the maintenance time, etc. More specifically, the control unit 50 may acquire the cause of the toilet blockage, the maintenance content and time for the toilet blockage, the location where the blockage occurred, an image of the location or toilet equipment 10 at the time of maintenance for the blockage, the time corresponding to the blockage, etc. In addition, the acquisition unit 52 may acquire multiple past fault information and multiple maintenance information. For example, it may acquire the number of times a particular failure occurred in the toilet space TS.

[0053] Here, the control unit 50 generates maintenance support information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current problem in the toilet space, based on measurement information regarding the current state of the toilet space TS measured by the measurement unit 22 or problem information based on said measurement information, past problem information, and past maintenance information. For example, the control unit 50 generates maintenance support information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current problem of the toilet being clogged, based on problem information indicating that the toilet is currently clogged, problem information indicating that the toilet was clogged in the past, and maintenance information from when the toilet was clogged in the past. Specifically, the maintenance support information includes the cause of the current toilet clog estimated from past and current problem information, the content and time of past maintenance, the location where the clog occurred in the past, the location where the clog occurred during maintenance in the past, or an image of the toilet device 10, etc.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may generate maintenance support information based on current measurement information or fault information, multiple past fault information, and multiple maintenance information. For example, the control unit 50 may estimate multiple causes of the current toilet blockage from past fault information and current fault information, and identify the most likely cause from among the multiple causes of blockage, for example, based on the degree of agreement between past and current waveform information. The control unit 50 may also calculate the average time required for maintenance corresponding to the estimated fault cause from multiple past maintenance information, and may identify the maximum and minimum values ​​of the time required for such maintenance. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may identify the most efficient maintenance content from past maintenance corresponding to the estimated fault cause from multiple past maintenance information. For example, the control unit 50 may identify the maintenance content that took the shortest time from past maintenance corresponding to the estimated fault cause. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 50 may estimate multiple locations where the current blockage occurred according to the estimated cause of blockage, and identify the most likely cause from among the multiple locations where the blockage occurred, for example, based on the degree of agreement between past and current waveform information.

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may identify the equipment required for maintenance based on past maintenance records. In addition, the control unit 50 may associate the equipment required for maintenance with the inventory status of said equipment based on measurement information. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may identify users who can perform maintenance based on past maintenance records. Furthermore, the control unit 50 may identify recommended maintenance methods based on past maintenance information according to the estimated cause of the failure.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may determine the urgency of maintenance for a given problem based on the time of past failures, the time of maintenance, and the duration of maintenance. For example, the control unit 50 may determine that addressing a toilet blockage is highly urgent if the time elapsed between the occurrence of a toilet blockage and the response to the blockage is long, leading to the expansion of secondary problems such as overflowing flushing water, which in turn prolongs the maintenance time.

[0057] The acquisition unit 52 acquires user information, which is information about the users of the toilet space TS. User information may be information for one user or multiple users. The acquisition unit 52 may acquire user information from the storage unit 58 or from an external terminal including the user terminal 70. User information may include, for example, information indicating a "user ID" and "user name" that can identify the user. User information may also include information indicating a "password" used when using the toilet system 1, a "job area" indicating the user's duties, a "responsible area" which is the area the user is in charge of, a "notification method" which is a method of notifying the user, and a "cleaning plan" which records the toilets and time slots that the user is in charge of cleaning, etc. "Job area" may be, for example, information indicating the duties of a person in charge such as a manager or a cleaning person, or information indicating the duties of a business unit such as a management company, a cleaning company, or a supplies company, or it may be information indicating that the user is a user. User information may also be current location information. Furthermore, user information may also be cleaning plan information including the scheduled cleaning time and the name of the toilet to be cleaned.

[0058] The notification unit 54 notifies the user of the toilet space TS via the communication unit 56 of maintenance assistance information. For example, the notification unit 54 notifies the user that the toilet is currently clogged, the estimated cause of the current toilet clog, the recommended maintenance, and the time required for the maintenance. Furthermore, the notification unit 54 may also notify the user of the current toilet congestion rate and the current equipment status of the toilet. The notification unit 54 may notify the user of maintenance assistance information by any notification method. For example, the notification unit 54 may notify the user of maintenance assistance information by email to the user terminal 70, by app notification, by display on the management screen, by telephone, etc. Alternatively, the notification unit 54 may notify the user of maintenance assistance information by displaying it on the screen of a signage installed in the toilet space TS. In addition, the notification unit 54 may notify the user of the maintenance that took the shortest time in past maintenance corresponding to the cause of the current failure.

[0059] Furthermore, the notification unit 54 may select any user and notify them of maintenance assistance information. The notification unit 54 may select one or more users from among, for example, the administrator, cleaning staff, management company, cleaning company, equipment supplier, or user, and notify them of maintenance assistance information. Furthermore, the notification unit 54 may notify users of maintenance assistance information for multiple toilet spaces TS. For example, if the cause of blockages in multiple toilets can be estimated based on past and present waveform information, the notification unit 54 may sort the causes of the blockages in descending order of the degree of agreement between the past and present waveform information and notify them.

[0060] Here, the control unit 50 may select a notification method for maintenance assistance information based on maintenance assistance information and user information. The notification unit 54 may then notify the user of maintenance assistance information using the notification method selected by the control unit 50, based on the user information. For example, the notification unit 54 may notify the user of maintenance assistance information indicating that the toilet is currently clogged via an app, and notify the user of maintenance assistance information indicating that the toilet is partially clogged via email. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may select a notification method for maintenance assistance information based solely on user information. For example, the control unit 50 may estimate whether the cleaning staff member is cleaning or on standby based on their current location. If the control unit 50 estimates that the cleaning staff member is cleaning, it may select a notification method via an app, and if it estimates that the cleaning staff member is on standby, it may select a notification method via email. The notification unit 54 may then notify the cleaning staff member of maintenance assistance information via an app if it estimates that the cleaning staff member is cleaning, and may also notify the cleaning staff member of maintenance assistance information via email if it estimates that the cleaning staff member is on standby.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may select users from among multiple users to whom maintenance assistance information should be notified, based on the maintenance assistance information and user information. The notification unit 54 may then notify the selected users of the maintenance assistance information based on the user information.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may select a method for notifying maintenance assistance information and a combination of users to whom maintenance assistance information will be notified, based on the maintenance assistance information and user information. The notification unit 54 may then notify the selected users of the maintenance assistance information using the selected notification method, based on the user information acquired by the acquisition unit 52. For example, the control unit 50 may choose to notify the cleaning staff and users that the toilet is currently clogged, and further, depending on the toilet waiting situation, may choose to notify users via signage outside the toilet room if there are users waiting to use the toilet. The notification unit 54 may then notify users via the selected signage outside the toilet room that the toilet is currently unusable as maintenance assistance information.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may select advertisements or information for products or services corresponding to the current toilet malfunction, and the notification unit 54 may notify the user of the selected advertisements or information. In addition, the control unit 50 may calculate the introduction cost or cost reduction effect if the product or service is adopted, and the notification unit 54 may notify the user of the introduction cost or cost reduction effect.

[0064] The memory unit 58 stores measurement information, fault information, notification content, maintenance information, maintenance assistance information, user information, toilet information (information for each toilet), various setting information and parameters, etc. In addition, the memory unit 58 stores fault information in association with maintenance information related to the maintenance required for that fault.

[0065] Furthermore, the memory unit 58 may store fault information relating to the current fault in the toilet space TS, maintenance information relating to the current maintenance corresponding to the fault, and measurement information indicating the state of the toilet space TS after the maintenance, in association with each other. For example, after a cleaner performs maintenance to clear a blockage, the measurement unit 22 measures the state of the toilet after the maintenance is completed. The memory unit 58 then stores the state of the toilet after the maintenance is completed, in association with the maintenance and the blockage information corresponding to the maintenance. In other words, the state of the toilet during the fault, the content of the maintenance for that fault, and the state of the toilet after the maintenance are stored in association with each other.

[0066] The user terminal 70 mainly comprises a control unit 72, a display unit 74, a communication unit 76, a storage unit 78, and an input unit 80. The descriptions of the control unit 72, communication unit 76, and storage unit 78 are the same as those for the control unit 20, communication unit 24, and storage unit 26 in the toilet device 10, so these points will be omitted.

[0067] The display unit 74 displays maintenance assistance information to be notified to the user. The display unit 74 also displays an operation screen for the user to operate the user terminal 70. The display unit 74 may be, for example, included in the casing of the user terminal 70, or it may be an external component. The display unit 74 displays a graphical user interface (GUI) screen that the user can operate. The display unit 74 may be a display device such as a CRT display, liquid crystal display, organic EL display, or plasma display.

[0068] The user inputs maintenance information corresponding to the current problem in the toilet space TS via the input unit 80. The input maintenance information is sent to the information processing device 40 via the communication unit 76. The maintenance information may be input in text format, for example. Specifically, the user may input the cause of the toilet blockage, cleaning method, cleaning time, etc., via the input unit 80. The maintenance information may also be input according to the current location of the user terminal 70. Specifically, the time from when the user enters the toilet space TS until when they leave the toilet space TS may be recorded by the user terminal 70 and input as the cleaning time, or it may be input as the cleaning time after the user approves that the above time should be input as the cleaning time. The maintenance information may also be input using images taken by the user terminal 70. Specifically, the user may take pictures of the blockage location or the entire toilet before and after dealing with the toilet blockage and input the captured images as maintenance information. The maintenance information may also be input using videos taken by the user terminal 70.

[0069] The input unit 80 may be included in the casing of the user terminal 70 or it may be an external component. For example, the input unit 80 may be integrated with the display unit 74 and implemented as a touch panel. If it is a touch panel, the user can input tap operations, swipe operations, etc. Alternatively, a switch button, mouse, QWERTY keyboard, etc., may be used instead of a touch panel. In other words, the input unit 80 receives operation input made by the user. This input is transmitted as a command signal to the control unit 72, and the control unit 72 can perform predetermined controls and calculations as needed.

[0070] Furthermore, the software modules incorporated into the toilet device 10, the information processing device 40, and the user terminal 70 do not necessarily need to be divided into functional blocks as shown in Figure 3. In other words, the actual analog circuits and modules may be configured to perform the functions of multiple functional blocks as shown in Figure 3, or they may be further subdivided. The configuration of the toilet device 10, the information processing device 40, and the user terminal 70 can be modified as appropriate by a person skilled in the art, as long as they are configured to perform the processing described later.

[0071] Figure 4 shows an example of user information stored in the memory unit 58.

[0072] Specifically, user "A" with user ID "0001" has the password "A01" and is stored as "Administrator". This user is responsible for areas "a" and "b". User information for notifying toilet users may also be stored. Specifically, a user who uses area "a" may be user "F" with user ID "0006" and be stored as "User". Such user information is pre-stored in the storage unit 58 for all users of the toilet system 1. Each piece of data may be entered, for example, by the administrator of the information processing device 40, or by reading a card containing each piece of data.

[0073] Figure 5 shows an example of the correspondence between the workplace of the notification recipient and the details of the toilet malfunction stored in the memory unit 58.

[0074] For example, if the estimated cause of the blockage and the recommended maintenance require specialized equipment and maintenance using equipment stored in the toilet space TS is difficult, the notification unit 54 will notify the manager, cleaning company, and users of maintenance assistance information. If maintenance using equipment stored in the toilet space TS is possible, the notification unit 54 will notify the manager, cleaning staff, and users of maintenance assistance information.

[0075] Figure 6 shows an example of toilet information, which is information about each toilet stored in the memory unit 58.

[0076] Toilet information includes an "ID" that identifies the toilet, the toilet's "name," and information indicating the toilet's "location." It also includes information indicating the "area" to which the toilet belongs, such as the facility to which the toilet belongs. Furthermore, toilet information may also include the toilet's occupancy rate and equipment information. Equipment information indicates the remaining amount of equipment in each individual toilet stall, such as the amount of toilet paper remaining. In addition, toilet information may include information on past toilet malfunctions, maintenance information, or maintenance assistance information.

[0077] Specifically, the toilet with ID "001" will be stored in the toilet information as follows: name "1F Toilet (Women's)" and location "1F". The area to which the toilet belongs is set to "a".

[0078] For example, the control unit 50 may select users to be notified of maintenance assistance information for each toilet malfunction based on the nature of the malfunction currently occurring in the toilet on the 1st floor and the estimated maintenance time, the malfunction currently occurring in the toilet on the 2nd floor and the estimated maintenance time, and user information. The control unit 50 may also calculate the travel time between toilets based on the locations of multiple toilets and estimate the allocation of personnel and the order of maintenance for efficient maintenance based on that travel time.

[0079] <Processing flow> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of toilet system 1.

[0080] The following example of a processing flow for notifying users of information to assist with maintenance, based on accumulated information about toilet space TS malfunctions and maintenance information corresponding to those malfunctions, is explained using Figure 7.

[0081] (Step SP10) The measurement unit 22 measures the state of the toilet space TS. The measured information is sent to the information processing device 40 via the communication device 18. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP12.

[0082] (Step SP12) The acquisition unit 52 acquires past failure information and maintenance information corresponding to that failure information. Here, the acquisition unit 52 may also acquire failure information that is not associated with maintenance information. Then, the process proceeds to step SP14.

[0083] (Step SP14) The control unit 50 generates fault information regarding the current fault in the toilet space TS based on the measurement information. Here, the control unit 50 may further generate fault information regarding the current fault in the toilet space TS based on past fault information. Then, the process moves to step SP16.

[0084] (Step SP16) Based on the fault information generated in step SP14, the control unit 50 determines whether or not an abnormality requiring attention is currently occurring in the toilet space TS. For example, based on the estimated information, the control unit 50 determines whether or not a toilet blockage has occurred.

[0085] Then, if the result in step SP16 is "YES," meaning that an abnormality requiring attention is currently occurring in the toilet space TS, the process proceeds to step SP18. On the other hand, if the result in step SP16 is "NO," meaning that no abnormality requiring attention is currently occurring in the toilet space TS, the process proceeds to step SP10.

[0086] (Step SP18) The control unit 50 generates maintenance support information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current problem in the toilet space, based on measurement information, past or present fault information, and maintenance information. Then, the process moves to step SP20.

[0087] (Step SP20) The acquisition unit 52 acquires user information. Here, the acquisition unit 52 may acquire user information stored in the storage unit 58, or it may acquire user information from an external terminal, including the user terminal 70. Then, the process moves to step SP22.

[0088] (Step SP22) The control unit 50 selects the recipients for notification of the current fault information and maintenance support information based on the current fault information and user information. Then, the process proceeds to step SP24.

[0089] (Step SP24) The control unit 50 selects a notification method for the current fault information and maintenance assistance information based on the current fault information and user information. For example, the control unit 50 determines whether the cleaner is cleaning or on standby based on the cleaner's current location information, and the notification unit 54 sends an audio notification to the cleaner via the app if the cleaner is cleaning, or an email notification to the cleaner if the cleaner is on standby. Then the process moves to step SP26.

[0090] (Step SP26) The notification unit 54 notifies the selected user of the current failure information and maintenance assistance information via the user terminal 70 using the selected notification method. Then, the process proceeds to steps SP28 and SP30.

[0091] (Step SP28) The memory unit 58 stores the notification content. Then, the process proceeds to step SP32.

[0092] (Step SP30) The input unit 80 of the user terminal 70 receives maintenance information corresponding to the current malfunction of the toilet space TS. The input maintenance information is sent to the information processing device 40 by the communication unit 76. Then, the process proceeds to step SP32.

[0093] (Step SP32) The memory unit 58 stores fault information relating to the current fault in the toilet space TS and maintenance information relating to the current maintenance corresponding to that fault, in association with each other. Then the process proceeds to step SP34.

[0094] (Step SP34) The notification unit 54 notifies the toilet device 10 that maintenance is complete. Then the process proceeds to step SP36.

[0095] (Step SP36) The measurement unit 22 measures the state of the toilet space TS. The measurement information is sent to the information processing device 40 via the communication device 18. Then, the processing proceeds to step SP38.

[0096] (Step SP38) The memory unit 58 stores fault information relating to the current fault in the toilet space TS, maintenance information relating to the current maintenance corresponding to the fault, and measurement information indicating the state of the toilet space TS after the maintenance, in association with each other. Then, the series of processes shown in Figure 7 is completed.

[0097] Steps SP20, SP22, SP24, SP28, SP34, SP36, or SP38 described above may be omitted. Also, step SP12 may be executed after step SP16. Also, step SP24 may be executed after step SP22.

[0098] <Effects and Effects> As described above, the toilet system 1 according to this embodiment includes a measurement unit 22 that measures the current state of the toilet space TS, an acquisition unit 52 that acquires fault information relating to past faults of the toilet space TS and maintenance information relating to past maintenance corresponding to said faults, and a notification unit 54 that notifies maintenance support information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current fault of the toilet space TS based on the measurement information relating to the current state of the toilet space TS measured by the measurement unit 22, the fault information, and the maintenance information.

[0099] This configuration allows for the notification of information suggesting how to resolve toilet malfunctions, such as the details of maintenance performed for past malfunctions that correspond to the current malfunction, compared to cases where notifications are made without relying on malfunction information related to past malfunctions and maintenance information related to past maintenance.

[0100] Furthermore, in toilet system 1, the measurement unit 22 can measure the state of the toilet space TS as waveform information using a radio wave sensor, and the fault information includes past waveform information measured by the radio wave sensor in the measurement unit 22.

[0101] This configuration allows for a more accurate estimation of current toilet space TS (Toilet Space System) failures compared to cases where maintenance assistance information is not provided based on past and present waveform information.

[0102] Furthermore, in toilet system 1, maintenance information includes the cause of the malfunction in the toilet space, the maintenance method, the maintenance time, or images of the location where the malfunction occurred.

[0103] This configuration makes it possible to provide information that is more appropriate for addressing current problems in the toilet space compared to when maintenance assistance information is provided based on maintenance information that does not include the cause of the toilet space malfunction, maintenance method, maintenance time, or images of the location of the malfunction.

[0104] Furthermore, in the toilet system 1, the notification unit 54 notifies maintenance assistance information to support maintenance in response to malfunctions in multiple toilet spaces.

[0105] This configuration allows for the calculation of cleaning plans and necessary personnel across multiple toilets, compared to notifying maintenance assistance information for only one toilet space (TS).

[0106] Furthermore, in the toilet system 1, the acquisition unit 52 acquires user information, which is information of multiple users of the toilet space TS, and the control unit further includes a unit that selects a user from among the multiple users to whom maintenance assistance information should be notified, based on the maintenance assistance information and user information, and the notification unit 54 notifies the selected user of the maintenance assistance information based on the user information.

[0107] This configuration makes it possible to notify users who need maintenance assistance information, in accordance with the status of the toilet space TS, compared to selecting users to notify based on maintenance assistance information and user information.

[0108] Furthermore, in the toilet system 1, the acquisition unit 52 acquires user information, which is information about the user of the toilet space TS, and the control unit further includes a unit that selects a method for notifying the maintenance assistance information based on the maintenance assistance information and the user information, and the notification unit 54 notifies the user of the maintenance assistance information based on the user information using the selected notification method.

[0109] With this configuration, compared to selecting a notification method for maintenance assistance information without considering maintenance assistance information or user information, it is possible to notify recipients of maintenance assistance information using a more appropriate means according to the status of the toilet space TS.

[0110] Furthermore, in toilet system 1, maintenance support information includes information regarding necessary personnel, necessary equipment, or advertisements for products or services useful for dealing with blockages.

[0111] This configuration allows for the notification of more necessary information to be sent to the recipient based on the status of the toilet space (TS).

[0112] <Variation> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, any design modifications made to the embodiments described above by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined to the extent that it is technically possible, and any combination thereof is also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as it retains the features of the present invention.

[0113] For example, the measurement unit 22 may be a vibration sensor that detects vibration components based on the water flow of the flushing water, or a water flow sensor that detects the water flow of the flushing water from the amount of movement of a string-like member extending into the toilet drainpipe.

[0114] Furthermore, fault information may include measurement information. For example, fault information may include waveform information of the water level and flow velocity of the flushing water, and information that the toilet is completely clogged, estimated based on said waveform information. Furthermore, maintenance support information may include past or present fault information and maintenance information. For example, fault information may include waveform information of the water level and flow velocity of the flushing water, and information that the toilet is completely clogged, estimated based on said waveform information.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the notification unit 54 may, for example, notify maintenance assistance information for multiple toilet spaces TS in the women's restroom on the 1st floor, or it may notify maintenance assistance information for multiple toilet spaces TS in the women's and men's restrooms on the 1st floor, or it may notify maintenance assistance information for multiple toilet spaces TS in men's restrooms belonging to multiple areas. In addition, the notification unit 54 may notify maintenance assistance information for multiple toilets in one or more areas, or it may notify maintenance assistance information for multiple urinals. In addition, the notification unit 54 may notify maintenance assistance information for only one toilet space TS. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1: Toilet system, 22: Measurement unit, 52: Acquisition unit, 54: Notification unit

Claims

1. A measuring unit that measures the current state of the toilet space, An acquisition unit that acquires fault information regarding past malfunctions in the toilet space and maintenance information regarding past maintenance corresponding to said malfunctions, A notification unit notifies maintenance support information to assist in maintenance corresponding to the current malfunction of the toilet space, based on measurement information regarding the current state of the toilet space measured by the measurement unit, the malfunction information, and the maintenance information. A toilet system equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The aforementioned measurement unit can measure the state of the toilet space as waveform information using a radio wave sensor. The fault information includes past waveform information measured by the radio wave sensor in the measurement unit. The toilet system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned maintenance information includes the cause of the malfunction in the toilet space, the maintenance method, the maintenance time, or an image of the location where the malfunction occurred. The toilet system according to claim 1.

4. The notification unit notifies the maintenance support information for assisting maintenance in response to the malfunctions in multiple toilet spaces. The toilet system according to claim 1.

5. The acquisition unit acquires user information, which is information of multiple users in the toilet space. The system further includes a control unit that selects a user from the plurality of users to notify of the maintenance assistance information based on the maintenance assistance information and the user information, The notification unit notifies the selected user of the maintenance assistance information based on the user information. A toilet system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The acquisition unit acquires user information, which is information about the user of the toilet space. The system further includes a control unit that selects a method for notifying the maintenance assistance information based on the maintenance assistance information and the user information, The notification unit notifies the user of the maintenance assistance information using the selected notification method based on the user information. A toilet system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The aforementioned maintenance support information includes information regarding necessary personnel, necessary equipment, or advertisements for products or services useful for dealing with blockages. A toilet system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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