Toilet system

Abstract

Provide appropriate recommendations. [Solution] The toilet system according to the embodiment includes a toilet seat having a seating surface on which a toilet user sits, a blood flow sensor provided on the toilet seat for acquiring blood flow information of the toilet user, a data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of the toilet user obtained based on the output of the blood flow sensor, and a recommendation output means for outputting recommendation data related to health or services to a preset destination based on at least one of the blood flow information of the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information included in the analysis results of the data analysis means.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a toilet system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies for detecting various information related to human health have been provided to toilet users and the like. For example, a system for detecting information related to the blood flow rate of a user using a biosensor has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has room for improvement. For example, when assuming a scene where recommendations are made to promote the improvement of the user's health based on the blood flow rate, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, only a single blood flow rate is detected, so appropriate recommendations cannot be made.

[0005] The disclosed embodiments aim to provide a toilet system capable of making appropriate recommendations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A toilet system according to one embodiment of the system is characterized by comprising: a toilet seat having a seating surface on which a toilet user sits; a blood flow sensor provided on the toilet seat for acquiring blood flow information of the toilet user; a data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of the toilet user obtained based on the output of the blood flow sensor; and a recommendation output means for outputting recommendation data related to health or services to a preset destination based on at least one of the blood flow information of the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information included in the analysis results of the data analysis means.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the toilet system, by separating and analyzing blood flow information into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information, it is possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition than can be provided by mere blood flow information alone.

[0008] In a toilet system according to one embodiment, the recommendation output means further has a first mode in which it outputs first recommendation data based on the first blood flow information or the second blood flow information based on the analysis results of the data analysis means, and a second mode in which it outputs second recommendation data based on information combining the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the toilet system, by separating and analyzing blood flow information into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information, it is possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition than can be provided by mere blood flow information alone.

[0010] In a toilet system according to one embodiment, the recommendation output means outputs the recommendation data based on the relative relationship between the output value for the first blood flow information and the output value for the second blood flow information.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the toilet system, by separating blood flow information into capillary blood flow information and arteriole blood flow information, and analyzing the combination of the two blood flow information obtained, and then analyzing the relative changes between them, it is possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0012] In a toilet system according to one embodiment, the blood flow sensor is characterized by irradiating infrared light and detecting scattered light that has been affected by a Doppler shift due to the movement of red blood cells.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the toilet system, by separating and analyzing blood flow information obtained by a laser Doppler blood flow sensor into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information, it is possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0014] In a toilet system according to one embodiment, the blood flow sensor is provided on the seating surface that flexes and deforms within the toilet seat.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the toilet system, in order to avoid the inability to properly evaluate blood flow due to compression of blood vessels when localized pressure is present, sensors are installed at a position where the toilet seat flexes and the pressure of sitting is distributed. This makes it possible to more accurately separate and analyze blood flow information, and to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0016] A toilet system according to one embodiment of the system is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring blood flow information obtained from a blood flow sensor installed in the toilet space; a data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of a user of the toilet space obtained by the acquisition means; and a recommendation output means for outputting recommendation data related to health or services to a preset destination based on at least one of the blood flow information, the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, included in the analysis results of the data analysis means.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the toilet system, by separating and analyzing blood flow information obtained from a blood flow sensor installed in the toilet space into capillary blood flow information and arteriole blood flow information, it is possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition than can be provided by mere blood flow information alone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to one embodiment, appropriate recommendations can be made. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the toilet room according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic side view (1) of a toilet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view (2) of the toilet device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of a toilet system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram that provides a more detailed explanation of the biosensor. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of blood flow information acquired by a biosensor. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing arterioles and capillaries. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the process of calculating the blood flow rates of arterioles and capillaries from the power spectrum. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the blood flow rate of capillaries obtained from the power spectrum. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the blood flow rate of arterioles obtained from the power spectrum. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the determination table. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the first merit. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the second merit. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the process executed by the toilet system.

Embodiments for Implementing the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the toilet system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments shown below.

[0021] <1. Configuration of the toilet system> The configuration of the toilet system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration inside the toilet room R according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (i) of the toilet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view (ii) of the toilet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the toilet system according to the embodiment.

[0022] The toilet system 1 according to each embodiment described below measures various information about the toilet user using sensors, performs health analysis on the user using the measured information, and displays information based on the results of the analysis. The processing described below with the toilet system 1 as the processing unit may be performed by any device capable of performing the processing, depending on the device configuration included in the toilet system 1.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the toilet system 1 includes a toilet device 10, a remote control device 11, a terminal device 100, and a cloud 500. The outlines of each component included in the toilet system 1 are briefly described below.

[0024] The toilet device 10 is configured for use by toilet users to perform excretory acts and collects usage data, including biometric data. The toilet device 10 also uses user identification information (user ID, etc.) received from the remote control device 11 to identify which of the registered users the user is. The toilet device 10 transmits the usage data to the terminal device 100 used by the user. For example, the toilet device 10 is connected to the terminal device 100 via Bluetooth® and transmits the usage data to the terminal device 100. However, the toilet device 10 may be connected to the terminal device 100 via any wireless communication function other than Bluetooth, as long as the desired function can be realized.

[0025] The toilet device 10 transmits usage data corresponding to a user to a terminal device 100 in response to a request from that terminal device 100. In this case, the toilet device 10 may also transmit the user's usage data, along with the date and time information on when the usage data was acquired, to the user's terminal device 100. Further details regarding the transmission of information from the toilet device 10 to the terminal device 100 will be described later.

[0026] The remote control device 11 is configured to receive toilet-related operations from toilet users and issues various control instructions to the toilet device 10 in response to user operations. The remote control device 11 is connected to the toilet device 10 via a predetermined network, either by wire or wireless communication. For example, the connection between the toilet device 10 and the remote control device 11 can be any connection that allows for the transmission and reception of information, and may be wired or wireless.

[0027] Furthermore, the remote control device 11 may identify which of the pre-registered users the user is. For example, the remote control device 11 may display a list of registered users as a list of candidate users, and accept a selection from the user from the displayed list of candidate users. The remote control device 11 transmits user identification information (such as a user ID), which is identification information that identifies the candidate specified by the user, to the toilet device 10.

[0028] The terminal device 100 is a device (computer) used by the user. The terminal device 100 can be implemented as, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet device, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer). In the following explanation, the case where the terminal device 100 is a smartphone will be used as an example.

[0029] The terminal device 100 displays various types of information. The terminal device 100 displays information generated using analysis results based on information received from the toilet device 10. For example, the terminal device 100 performs processing to display various health-related information, such as content related to the user's health status, using an application (also called a "health management application") for displaying various health-related information, such as a stool check application or content related to the user's health status.

[0030] Cloud 500 is a server device that provides cloud services. For example, Cloud 500 may be a server managed by a service provider that provides services related to user health management.

[0031] Cloud 500 can communicate with external information processing devices such as terminal devices 100 via a communication unit implemented by communication devices, communication circuits, etc. Cloud 500 is connected to a predetermined network such as the Internet by wired or wireless connection and transmits and receives information with external information processing devices. Cloud 500 may also be connected to external information processing devices via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0032] For example, Cloud 500 sends and receives information to and from terminal device 100 via the internet. For example, Cloud 500 receives information from terminal device 100 via the internet.

[0033] Cloud 500 manages information acquired from terminal device 100. Cloud 500 has a storage unit implemented by semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks and optical discs, and stores the information acquired from terminal device 100 in the storage unit.

[0034] The cloud 500 has a control unit (control device) and may perform some of the functions that the terminal device 100 performs. For example, the control unit of the cloud 500 may perform analysis processing of usage data. In this case, the cloud 500 may receive usage data from the terminal device 100, perform analysis processing of the received usage data, and transmit the results of the analysis processing to the terminal device 100.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit of the cloud 500 may perform content generation processing using the results of the analysis processing of usage data. In this case, the cloud 500 may receive the results of the analysis processing of usage data from the terminal device 100, generate recommendations using the received analysis processing results, and send the generated recommendations to the terminal device 100.

[0036] The above-described device configuration is merely an example, and for example, toilet system 1 may include various other devices besides those mentioned above. Toilet system 1 may include multiple toilet devices 10, multiple remote control devices 11, multiple terminal devices 100, multiple clouds 500, etc.

[0037] <1-1. Example of layout within toilet room R> From here, an example of the device configuration arranged in the toilet room R of the toilet system 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 10, remote control device 11, etc. are arranged in the toilet room R. In the following, "up," "down," "forward," "backward," "left side," and "right side" refer to the directions as seen from the perspective of a toilet user sitting on the toilet seat 20 with their back to the open toilet lid 14. For example, the direction from the floor surface F towards the space of the toilet room R is indicated as up, the direction from the space of the toilet room R towards the floor surface F is indicated as down, the direction from the back to the chest of a user sitting on the toilet seat 20 is indicated as forward, the direction from the chest to the back of a user sitting on the toilet seat 20 is indicated as backward, the direction from the chest to the right arm of a user sitting on the toilet seat 20 is indicated as the right side, and the direction from the chest to the left arm of a user sitting on the toilet seat 20 is indicated as the left side.

[0038] The remote control device 11 is installed in the toilet room R. The remote control device 11 is installed in a position where it can be operated by the user. The remote control device 11 is installed in a position where it can be operated when the user is seated on the toilet seat 20. In Figure 1, the remote control device 11 is installed on the wall W to the right of the user seated on the toilet seat 20. The remote control device 11 may be installed in various ways other than on the wall W, as long as it is usable by the user seated on the toilet seat 20. For example, the remote control device 11 may be installed integrally with the toilet equipment 10.

[0039] The remote control device 11 may, for example, accept various operations from the user via a display screen using a touch panel function, or it may be equipped with switches and buttons and accept various operations via switches and buttons. The remote control device 11 has a display screen such as a tablet terminal realized by a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and displays various information.

[0040] The remote control device 11 receives user input for the toilet unit 10. The remote control device 11 receives user input to instruct the toilet unit 10 to perform flushing of the bowl 8. The remote control device 11 receives user input to instruct the toilet unit 10 to start or stop localized flushing using the flushing nozzle. The above is just an example, and the remote control device 11 may also receive user input to perform various other processes.

[0041] The toilet system 10 includes a toilet bowl 4, a toilet seat 20, a main body 12, a toilet lid 14, etc., and is installed in the toilet room R. The toilet seat 20 and the toilet lid 14 are each pivotally supported relative to the main body 12.

[0042] Here, the toilet device 10 has a communication unit 90 and a storage unit 91, as shown in Figure 4.

[0043] The communication unit 90 is implemented, for example, by a communication device, a communication circuit, etc. For example, the communication unit 90 may be provided within the main unit 12. The communication unit 90 is connected to any network by wire or wireless and transmits and receives information with an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 90 transmits and receives information with other information processing devices such as a terminal device 100 or a remote control device 11.

[0044] The storage unit 91 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disc. For example, the storage unit 91 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by information processing programs. The storage unit 91 stores usage data such as biometric data in association with user identification information (such as a user ID) to identify each user. For example, when a user uses the toilet, the storage unit 91 stores usage data such as biometric data acquired by detection by various sensors, described later, in association with user identification information identified by the user's own actions.

[0045] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4, the toilet device 10 includes a biosensor 40 and a seating sensor 50. Any configuration can be adopted for each sensor, provided that the desired processing can be achieved, and at least one of the biosensor 40 and seating sensor 50 may be provided as a separate device from the toilet device 10.

[0046] For example, the biosensor 40 is a sensor for detecting (acquiring) the user's biometric data, and the seating sensor 50 is a sensor for detecting when a user is seated. For example, the biosensor 40 and the seating sensor 50 are installed on the toilet seat 20.

[0047] For example, the biosensor 40 is a blood flow sensor that measures (detects) the user's blood flow. In this case, the biosensor 40 uses a laser sensor that measures a physical quantity that reflects the user's blood flow information.

[0048] Details of the biosensor 40 and seating sensor 50 will be described later, but the biosensor 40, seating sensor 50, etc. may be placed in any position as long as the desired detection is possible. For example, the biosensor 40 is not limited to being provided on the toilet seat 20 or the main body 12. For example, the biosensor 40 may be provided on the toilet seat device including the toilet seat 20 and the main body 12. Also, for example, if there is an operating part that protrudes from the toilet seat device, the biosensor 40 may be provided on that operating part. Blood flow information is subject to significant fluctuations in measurement results as the measurement site of the body changes in the direction of gravity relative to the heart. Therefore, it is preferable to measure at a position where the measurement site of the user seated on the toilet seat device does not change easily from the height of the heart, and by providing the biosensor on the toilet seat device, measurement can be performed at a constant biosensor 40 measurement height, and blood flow information can be obtained stably.

[0049] Thus, it is preferable that the biosensor 40 be installed in an appropriate position determined according to the type of sensor, the object to be detected, etc. Therefore, by arranging the biosensor 40 according to its type and the object to be detected, it becomes possible to acquire usable data such as biometric data with high accuracy.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1, the toilet seat 20 has an opening 20a. An O-shaped opening 20a is formed in the center of the toilet seat 20. The opening of the toilet seat 20 is not limited to O-shape, but may be U-shaped, etc. The outer edge of the toilet seat 20 is formed to curve along the outer shape of the toilet bowl 4. The toilet seat 20 is generally made of an opaque resin material (for example, polypropylene) and has a seating surface 21 on which the user sits and a bottom surface 25 on the opposite side of the seating surface 21.

[0051] The seating surface 21 is the surface that is exposed facing upward when the toilet seat 20 is placed on the upper surface 4b of the toilet bowl 4, and is the surface on which the user sits. The bottom surface 25 is the surface that faces the upper surface 4b of the toilet bowl 4 when the toilet seat 20 is lowered. As shown in Figure 3, which will be described later, support parts 24a and 24b are installed on the upper surface 4b. In addition, the toilet seat 20 is formed to be thick almost as a whole, and locally thinner parts (also called "thin-walled parts") are formed at the position corresponding to the biosensor 40.

[0052] Furthermore, the toilet seat 20 may be equipped with a heater wire and insulation material to heat or keep the seating surface 21 warm. The heater wire is controlled by a toilet seat heating unit located in the main body 12 and is routed inside the toilet seat 20 so as not to interfere with the biosensor 40 and the seating sensor 50. The insulation material is positioned below the heater wire, biosensor 40, and seating sensor 50.

[0053] The portion of the toilet seat 20 corresponding to the biosensor 40 (thin-walled portion) has a thickness that allows light emitted from the biosensor 40 and reflected light reflected from the user sitting on the seating surface 21 to pass through. The thickness of the thin-walled portion is determined by the intensity of the light emitted and reflected from the biosensor 40, as well as the durability of the toilet seat 20, and is, for example, about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0054] The thin section is formed to the left of the center of the front-to-back length of the opening 20a of the toilet seat 20, and is positioned to the left of the center of gravity of a user seated on the toilet seat 20. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the thin section faces (contacts) the back of the left thigh of a user (user U1 in Figure 2) seated on the toilet seat 20. Figure 2 shows user U1 holding the terminal device 100 in their left hand.

[0055] The thin-walled portion is formed to be as small as possible so that the biosensor 40 can detect the blood flow information of a user sitting on the toilet seat 20, and is, for example, circular in shape with a diameter of 12 mm or less (preferably 8 mm or less).

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, the toilet seat 20 is supported by support parts 24a and 24b. The support parts 24a and 24b are installed on the bottom surface 25. When a user sits on the toilet seat 20, the seating surface 21 flexes and deforms as shown by the seating surface 21a due to the pressure from the user and the pressure that the support parts 24a and 24b receive from the upper surface 4b of the toilet bowl 4. For example, if the seating surface 21 does not flex and deform, localized pressure may be applied to the back of the user's left thigh, compressing blood vessels and making it impossible to accurately evaluate blood flow. On the other hand, if it flexes and deforms as shown by the seating surface 21a, the biosensor 40 will be positioned where the pressure from sitting is distributed, making it possible to analyze blood flow information more accurately.

[0057] Furthermore, the main body 12 is located behind the bowl portion 8 of the toilet bowl 4 and is attached to the upper surface 4b of the toilet bowl 4. Inside the main body 12 are an opening / closing unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the toilet seat 20 and the toilet lid 14, a toilet seat heating unit that controls the temperature of the toilet seat 20, a washing unit that washes the body parts, and a deodorizing unit that reduces odor components. For example, each unit is controlled by the control unit of the toilet device 10.

[0058] Here, we will explain the biosensor 40 in more detail. The biosensor 40 is a blood flow sensor that acquires blood flow information of toilet users. For example, the biosensor 40 is a laser sensor that acquires the user's blood flow information as the user's biological information. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the biosensor 40 is located inside the toilet seat 20, on the underside of the thin-walled section. The biosensor 40 is a reflective sensor that irradiates infrared light toward the underside of the user's left thigh and detects reflected light (scattered light with a Doppler shift caused by red blood cells) reflected according to the blood flow state in the blood vessels under the skin.

[0059] For example, the biosensor 40 is a laser sensor that can measure the blood flow state in the skin based on dynamic light scattering. In Figure 2, the biosensor 40 is attached to the toilet seat 20 on the back of the user's thigh.

[0060] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the biosensor in more detail. As shown in Figure 5, the biosensor 40 has a light-emitting unit 40a and light-receiving units 40b and 40c. The light-emitting unit 40a emits infrared light toward the back of the user's left thigh. The light-receiving units 40b and 40c detect reflected light according to the blood flow state of the capillaries b1, arterioles b2, and venules b3 in the user's subcutaneous blood vessels, respectively, and convert the intensity of the reflected light into a voltage.

[0061] Figure 6 shows an example of blood flow information acquired by a biosensor. In graph G1 shown in Figure 6, the horizontal axis corresponds to time (sec), and the vertical axis corresponds to voltage. Signal L1 is information showing the relationship between time and voltage detected by the light receiving unit 40b. Signal L2 is information showing the relationship between time and voltage detected by the light receiving unit 40c. The biosensor 40 measures the information shown in signal L1 and the information shown in signal L2 as blood flow information. The biosensor 40 continuously measures blood flow information while the user is sitting on the toilet seat 20, and the measured blood flow information is transmitted to the terminal device 100 via the toilet device 10. The toilet device 10 may transmit the blood flow information measured by the biosensor 40 to the terminal device 100 while the seating sensor 50 detects that a user is seated.

[0062] When installed separately from the toilet system 10, the biosensor 40 is connected to the toilet system 10 via a predetermined network, either by wire or wireless communication. The biosensor 40 transmits various types of information to the toilet system 10. For example, the biosensor 40 transmits the user's biometric information to the toilet system 10. For example, the biosensor 40 may be connected to the toilet system 10 via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The connection between the toilet system 10 and the biosensor 40 can be any type as long as information can be transmitted and received, and may be connected by wire or wireless communication. The biosensor 40 may be a contact-type sensor or a non-contact-type sensor.

[0063] The seating sensor 50 has the function of detecting when a person sits on the toilet seat 20. The seating sensor 50 detects when a user sits on the toilet seat 20. The seating sensor 50 can detect when a user sits on the toilet seat 20. The seating sensor 50 also functions as a seat departure detection sensor that detects when a user leaves the toilet seat 20. The seating sensor 50 detects the state of the user sitting on the toilet seat 20.

[0064] For example, the seating sensor 50 is an electrostatic sensor. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seating sensor 50 is formed to the right of the center of the front-to-back length of the opening 20a of the toilet seat 20, and is positioned to the right of the center of gravity of a user seated on the toilet seat 20. This allows the seating sensor 50 to detect the seated state when it comes into contact with the back of the right thigh of a user seated on the toilet seat 20.

[0065] The case where the seating sensor 50 is an electrostatic sensor is merely one example; the seating sensor 50 can be any detection method and placed anywhere, as long as it can detect when a user sits on the toilet seat 20. For example, if the seating sensor 50 is an infrared or μ (microwave) distance sensor and detects sitting by distance, the seating sensor 50 may be placed in a position that detects a person's feet from the side of the toilet bowl 4 or in a position that detects a person's back from the tank attached to the toilet bowl 4. For example, if the seating sensor 50 detects sitting by distance, it may be placed on the ceiling of the space (toilet room R) where the toilet bowl 4 is installed. Also, for example, if the seating sensor 50 is a contact switch and detects the sinking of the toilet seat due to sitting, the seating sensor 50 may be placed on the pivot point of the toilet seat 20. Also, for example, if the seating sensor 50 is a load sensor and detects sitting by the weight on the toilet seat, the seating sensor 50 may be placed on the underside of the toilet seat 20, on the surface that contacts the toilet bowl 4.

[0066] When installed separately from the toilet unit 10, the seat sensor 50 is connected to the toilet unit 10 via a predetermined network, either by wire or wireless communication. The seat sensor 50 transmits various types of information to the toilet unit 10. For example, the seat sensor 50 transmits information about the user's seating (or unseating) to the toilet unit 10. For example, the seat sensor 50 may be connected to the toilet unit 10 via a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The connection between the toilet unit 10 and the seat sensor 50 can be any type of connection, as long as information can be transmitted and received; it may be connected by wire or by wireless communication.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit of the toilet system 10 functions as a personal identification unit (identification device) that performs the process of identifying the user who uses the toilet 4 (personal identification). For example, the control unit of the toilet system 10 acquires information to identify the user who uses the toilet 4 for defecation, such as through communication with a terminal device 100 owned by the user or through the user's operation of a remote control device 11, and performs personal identification of the user. For example, the control unit of the toilet system 10 may communicate with a terminal device 100 owned by the user and receive user identification information from the terminal device 100 to identify the user. For example, the control unit of the toilet system 10 may receive operation information indicating the user's operation from a remote control device 11, etc. The control unit of the toilet system 10 may identify the user by any method as long as it is possible to identify the user who uses the toilet 4 for defecation.

[0068] The control unit of the toilet device 10 performs various processes, not limited to those described above. For example, the control unit of the toilet device 10 measures the date and time when usage data was acquired, based on the measurement results of the timer unit (not shown), and measures the time the user is seated on the toilet seat 20.

[0069] The above is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 can employ any device configuration as long as it can achieve the desired processing. The toilet system 1 may also have any device configuration as long as it can perform the desired method of displaying health status. For example, the remote control device 11 may function as a display unit for displaying information. Alternatively, both the remote control device 11 and the terminal device 100 may be included in the toilet system 1 as devices that function as display units. Thus, the above system configuration is merely an example, and the toilet system 1 may have any system configuration as long as it can achieve the desired processing.

[0070] Furthermore, the toilet system 1 may include sensors other than the biosensor 40 and the seating sensor 50. For example, the toilet system 1 may include an excretion sensor that captures still images or videos related to the user's excretion, and a radio wave sensor that performs detection using predetermined radio waves. The toilet system 1 may also include a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor has the function of detecting a human body. For example, the human body detection sensor may be implemented by a pyroelectric sensor using an infrared signal. For example, the human body detection sensor may be implemented by a μ (microwave) sensor. Note that the above is just an example, and the human body detection sensor is not limited to the above and may detect a human body by various means. For example, the human body detection sensor detects a person (user, etc.) who enters the space (toilet room R) where the toilet bowl 4 is installed. The human body detection sensor transmits a detection signal to the toilet device 10.

[0071] <2. Terminal Devices> The details of the terminal device 100 will now be explained. The terminal device 100 is an information processing device (computer) that performs various information processing. The terminal device 100 is wirelessly connected to the toilet device 10 for communication. The terminal device 100 may be connected to the toilet device 10 in any way as long as it is capable of sending and receiving information, and may be able to communicate via wired or wireless connection through a predetermined network such as the Internet. The terminal device 100 is also wirelessly connected to the cloud 500 via a predetermined network such as the Internet for communication. Furthermore, the terminal device 100 may be wirelessly connected to the remote control device 11 for communication, and may be able to send and receive information between the terminal device 100 and the remote control device 11.

[0072] The terminal device 100 makes recommendations to the user sitting on the toilet seat 20 to promote health improvement, based on blood flow information measured by the biosensor 40. First, an example of the process by which the terminal device 100 separates blood flow information into first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles will be explained using Figures 7 to 11.

[0073] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the processing of a terminal device according to an embodiment. For example, the blood flow information includes the information indicated by signal L1 and the information indicated by signal L2. The explanation of the vertical and horizontal axes of graph G2 is the same as the explanation of graph G1 in Figure 6. Also, the explanation of signals L1 and L2 is the same as the explanation of signals L1 and L2 in Figure 6.

[0074] The terminal device 100 calculates a difference signal L3, which is the difference between signals L1 and L2. The difference signal L3 is a pure signal (blood flow information) from which the common-mode noise between the light receiving unit 40b and the light receiving unit 40c, as explained in Figure 5, has been removed.

[0075] Graph G3 is obtained by removing signals L1 and L2 from graph G2. The vertical axis of graph G3 represents signal strength. Signal strength is equivalent to voltage strength. The horizontal axis of graph G3 corresponds to time (sec).

[0076] The terminal device 100 calculates the power spectrum L4 shown in graph G4 by performing a Fourier transform on the difference signal L3 of graph G3. The vertical axis of graph G4 corresponds to the signal intensity, and the horizontal axis corresponds to the frequency (Hz).

[0077] For example, while the user is sitting on the toilet seat 20, the terminal device 100 continuously acquires blood flow information from the toilet device 10, calculates a difference signal based on the blood flow information, and performs the process of calculating a power spectrum at predetermined intervals.

[0078] The terminal device 100 calculates the blood flow rate in arterioles and capillaries based on the power spectrum L4 explained in Figure 7. Figure 8 shows arterioles and capillaries. The blood flow from arteriole b2 to capillary b1 is regulated by the precapillary sphincter b4. For example, when a user feels stress, tension, anxiety, or danger, the user's sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, the precapillary sphincter b4 closes, and the blood flow in the capillaries decreases. On the other hand, when a user is relaxed, the user's parasympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, the precapillary sphincter b4 opens, and the blood flow in the capillaries increases.

[0079] The diameter of arteriole b2 is 100-200 μm, and the diameter of capillary b1 is 0.7-0.8 μm. Because red blood cells move quickly through arteriole b2, the characteristics of the blood flow in arteriole b2 are included in the high-frequency region of the power spectrum. Because red blood cells move slowly through capillary b1, the characteristics of the blood flow in capillary b1 are included in the low-frequency region of the power spectrum.

[0080] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the process of calculating arteriole and capillary blood flow from the power spectrum. The explanation of the vertical and horizontal axes in graph G5 is the same as the explanation for graph G4 in Figure 7. Similarly, the explanation of the power spectrum L4 in graph G5 is the same as the explanation for graph G4 in Figure 7.

[0081] The terminal device 100 calculates the blood flow rate in the capillaries at the time corresponding to the power spectrum L4 by integrating the low-frequency region A1 of the power spectrum L4. For example, the low-frequency region A1 is approximately 1200 to 3800 Hz. The terminal device 100 calculates the blood flow rate in the capillaries by repeatedly performing the above process for each power spectrum L4 calculated in time series.

[0082] Figure 10 shows the capillary blood flow rate determined from the power spectrum. The vertical axis of graph G6 corresponds to the capillary blood flow rate, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. The first blood flow information L10 is information showing the relationship between capillary blood flow rate and time. For example, terminal device 100 can identify the state of non-pulsatile components based on the first blood flow information L10.

[0083] Meanwhile, the terminal device 100 calculates the arteriole blood flow rate for the time corresponding to the power spectrum L4 by integrating the high-frequency region A2 of the power spectrum L4. For example, the high-frequency region A2 is approximately 10,000 to 24,000 Hz. The terminal device 100 calculates the arteriole blood flow rate by repeatedly performing the above process for each power spectrum L4 calculated in time series.

[0084] Figure 11 shows the arteriole blood flow rate determined from the power spectrum. The vertical axis of graph G7 corresponds to the arteriole blood flow rate, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. The second blood flow information L20 is information showing the relationship between arteriole blood flow rate and time. For example, terminal device 100 can identify the state of the pulsatile component based on the second blood flow information L20.

[0085] The above describes an example of how the terminal device 100 separates blood flow information into first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles. Next, we will describe an example of how the terminal device 100 makes recommendations to promote health improvement based on the first and second blood flow information.

[0086] The terminal device 100 determines the content of the recommendation based on the change in capillary blood flow obtained from the first blood flow information and the change in arteriole blood flow obtained from the second blood flow information.

[0087] The terminal device 100 calculates the average blood flow rate Th1 based on the average blood flow rate calculated from the history of the user's first blood flow information measured in the past, and sets the range "Th1-α to Th1+α" as the first blood flow rate range. α is a pre-set value. The terminal device 100 determines that the blood flow rate in the capillaries has increased if the average blood flow rate of the first blood flow information is greater than Th1+α. The terminal device 100 determines that the blood flow rate in the capillaries has decreased if the average blood flow rate of the first blood flow information is less than Th1-α. The terminal device 100 determines that the blood flow rate in the capillaries has not changed if the average blood flow rate of the first blood flow information falls within the range "Th1-α to Th1+α". Note that the normal blood flow rate in the capillaries of a human may be used as Th1.

[0088] The terminal device 100 calculates the average blood flow rate Th2 based on the average blood flow rate calculated from the history of the user's second blood flow information measured in the past, and sets the range "Th2-β to Th2+β" as the second blood flow rate range. β is a preset value. The terminal device 100 determines that the arteriole blood flow rate has increased if the average blood flow rate of the second blood flow information is greater than Th2+β. The terminal device 100 determines that the arteriole blood flow rate has decreased if the average blood flow rate of the second blood flow information is less than Th2-β. The terminal device 100 determines that the arteriole blood flow rate has not changed if the average blood flow rate of the second blood flow information falls within the range "Th2-β to Th2+β". Note that the normal capillary blood flow rate of a human may be used as Th2.

[0089] For example, terminal device 100 uses a judgment table to determine the content of the recommendation. Figure 12 shows an example of the data structure of the judgment table. As shown in Figure 12, judgment table T1 contains changes in the first blood flow rate (blood flow rate in capillaries), changes in the second blood flow rate (blood flow rate in arterioles), and the content of the recommendation. In addition, judgment table T1 contains supplementary information such as biological / external changes and biological reactions.

[0090] The terminal device 100 determines that if the first blood flow rate increases and the second blood flow rate increases, it will recommend "Let's cool down a bit!". When the first blood flow rate increases and the second blood flow rate increases, the biological / external change is "heat accumulation", and the biological response is "heat dissipation".

[0091] If the terminal device 100 detects a decrease in both the first and second blood flow rates, it determines that the recommendation should be "Let's warm ourselves up with ginger tea or something similar!". When both the first and second blood flow rates decrease, the biological / external change is "heat dissipation," and the biological response is "focus on keeping the internal organs warm to maintain vital functions."

[0092] The terminal device 100 determines that the recommendation should be "Relax with a massage!" if the first blood flow decreases and the second blood flow does not change. When the first blood flow decreases and the second blood flow does not change, the biological / external change is "perception of danger," and the biological response is "concentration of blood in the heart and muscles = sympathetic nervous system dominance."

[0093] The terminal device 100 determines that if the first blood flow rate increases and the second blood flow rate does not change, it will recommend "Taking a 10-minute nap might help you feel refreshed!". When the first blood flow rate increases and the second blood flow rate does not change, the biological / external change is "recovery from a crisis," and the biological response is "preparing for the next crisis, such as nutrient absorption and exchange = parasympathetic nervous system dominance."

[0094] The terminal device 100 displays the recommendation content, which is the result of the judgment, on its display unit.

[0095] Here, we will explain the advantages of recommending the breakdown of blood flow into a first blood flow and a second blood flow. The first advantage will be explained using Figure 13, and the second advantage will be explained using Figure 14.

[0096] Figure 13 illustrates the first advantage. The first advantage is that it can estimate the activity of the nervous system. For example, with conventional technology, recommendations are determined based solely on blood flow, so if blood flow decreases, the recommendation would be, "Your blood flow is decreasing. It would be good to improve blood circulation by exercising or taking a bath."

[0097] On the other hand, the terminal device 100 decomposes the blood flow into a first blood flow and a second blood flow and makes recommendations. For example, if the first blood flow decreases and the second blood flow remains unchanged, the recommendation would be, "Your blood flow is low. You seem a bit tense, so listening to some relaxing music might be a good idea. Please don't overexert yourself." The phrase "You seem a bit tense" in this recommendation is based on the activity of the nervous system, which can only be estimated because the blood flow has been decomposed into the first and second blood flow.

[0098] Comparing the conventional recommendation shown in Figure 13 with the recommendation disclosed in this application, the recommendation disclosed in this application enables more appropriate behavioral recommendations tailored to the individual's situation.

[0099] Figure 14 illustrates the second benefit. The second benefit is that it clarifies the factors and countermeasures for long-term trends. For example, since recommendations are determined based solely on blood flow, if blood flow decreases over the long term, the recommendation would be, "Your blood flow has been decreasing year by year. Try increasing activities that promote blood circulation, such as exercise or bathing."

[0100] On the other hand, the terminal device 100 decomposes the blood flow into a first blood flow and a second blood flow and makes recommendations. For example, if the first blood flow (blood flow in capillaries) decreases over the long term, and the second blood flow (arterioles) remains unchanged, the recommendation would be: "It appears that the blood flow level in capillaries is decreasing year by year. We have summarized the causes and countermeasures for ghost vessels, so please try to understand and implement them." The "ghost vessels" in such recommendations can be said to be recommendations based on long-term trends and countermeasures that can be estimated precisely because the blood flow is decomposed into the first and second blood flow.

[0101] Comparing the conventional recommendation shown in Figure 14 with the recommendation disclosed in this application, the recommendation disclosed in this application enables more appropriate behavioral recommendations tailored to the individual's situation.

[0102] The terminal device 100 may determine the long-term changes in the first blood flow rate and the second blood flow rate in any way. For example, the terminal device 100 may determine the long-term changes in the first blood flow rate as follows: The terminal device 100 stores the user's past first blood flow rates in its memory unit, calculates the average value of the first blood flow rate for each year, and stores it in the memory unit. The terminal device 100 determines the long-term changes in the first blood flow rate based on the difference between the average value Av1a of the first blood flow rate for the current year and the average value Av1b of the first blood flow rate for N years ago.

[0103] For example, terminal device 100 determines that the long-term change in the first blood flow rate is "increasing" if the difference between the average value Av1a and the average value Av1b is positive and does not fall within a preset reference range. If the difference between the average value Av1a and the average value Av1b is negative and does not fall within a preset reference range, terminal device 100 determines that the long-term change in the first blood flow rate is "decreasing". If the difference between the average value Av1a and the average value Av1b falls within a preset reference range, terminal device 100 determines that the long-term change in the first blood flow rate is "unchanged".

[0104] For example, terminal device 100 determines long-term changes in secondary blood flow as follows: Terminal device 100 stores the user's past secondary blood flow in a memory unit, calculates the average value of secondary blood flow for each year, and stores it in the memory unit. Terminal device 100 determines long-term changes in secondary blood flow based on the difference between the average value Av2a of secondary blood flow for the current year and the average value Av2b of secondary blood flow N years ago.

[0105] For example, terminal device 100 determines that the long-term change in the second blood flow rate is "increasing" if the difference between the average value Av2a and the average value Av2b is positive and does not fall within a preset reference range. If the difference between the average value Av2a and the average value Av2b is negative and does not fall within a preset reference range, terminal device 100 determines that the long-term change in the second blood flow rate is "decreasing". If the difference between the average value Av2a and the average value Av2b falls within a preset reference range, terminal device 100 determines that the long-term change in the second blood flow rate is "unchanged".

[0106] The terminal device 100 makes recommendations using a determination table that defines recommendation content corresponding to long-term changes in the first blood flow rate and long-term changes in the second blood flow rate.

[0107] Next, the details of each component of the terminal device 100 will be described. The terminal device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, a display unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0108] The communication unit 110 is implemented, for example, by a communication device, a communication circuit, etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to any network by wire or wireless and transmits and receives information with external information processing devices. For example, the communication unit 110 transmits and receives information with other information processing devices such as the toilet device 10 and the cloud 500.

[0109] The storage unit 120 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM and flash memory, or storage devices such as hard disks and optical discs. For example, the storage unit 120 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by information processing programs. The storage unit 120 stores various information such as user data, and the storage unit 120 stores various information used for decision processing.

[0110] The memory unit 120 stores various types of information used for displaying information. The memory unit 120 functions as a data storage means for storing usage data of the toilet device 10, including biometric data received from the toilet device 10. For example, the memory unit 120 stores blood flow information, first blood flow information, and second blood flow information for each user. The memory unit 120 also stores information from the judgment table T1.

[0111] The input unit 130 receives various operations from the user. The input unit 130 accepts various operations from the user via a display surface (for example, the display unit 140) using a touch panel function. The input unit 130 accepts various operations from the user via a display (display surface, display screen) of a smartphone or the like using a touch panel function. In other words, the input unit 130 accepts various operations from the user via the display unit 140 of the terminal device 100.

[0112] For example, the input unit 130 receives various user operations via the display unit 140 of the terminal device 100. In other words, the input unit 130 functions as a reception unit that receives user operations through the touch panel function. While smartphones primarily use a capacitive touch method for detecting user operations by the input unit 130, any other detection method that can detect user operations and realize the functionality of a touch panel may be used, such as a resistive touch method, surface acoustic wave method, infrared method, or electromagnetic induction method.

[0113] The display unit 140 is a display screen for a smartphone or the like, implemented by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, the terminal device 100 receives user input through the display screen of the display unit 140 and also outputs to the user. The display unit 140 displays various information. For example, the display unit 140 displays various information in accordance with the display control of the recommendation output unit 154. The display unit 140 displays various information (recommendations) provided by the toilet system 1.

[0114] The control unit 150 may be, for example, an information processing device (control device) that controls various configurations and processes. The control unit 150 may have, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and may be implemented by executing a program (for example, the information processing program according to this disclosure) stored inside the control unit 150 using RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 150 may also have, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0115] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 150 includes an acquisition unit 151, an update unit 152, an analysis unit 153, a recommendation output unit 154, and a provision unit 155, and realizes or executes the information processing functions and operations described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 4, and other configurations are also acceptable as long as they perform the information processing described later.

[0116] The acquisition unit 151 acquires information. The acquisition unit 151 acquires various information from the storage unit 120. The acquisition unit 151 acquires various information from the toilet device 10. The acquisition unit 151 acquires various information collected in the space corresponding to the toilet device 10 (for example, toilet room R in Figure 1) from the toilet device 10. The acquisition unit 151 acquires user identification information that identifies the user from the toilet device 10. The acquisition unit 151 acquires biometric information from the toilet device 10.

[0117] The acquisition unit 151 acquires user usage data (sensor information) sensed by the sensor. The acquisition unit 151 acquires the user's biometric information. The acquisition unit 151 acquires the user's blood flow information as part of the user's biometric information. The acquisition unit 151 acquires excretion information corresponding to the user's excretion. The acquisition unit 151 receives biometric information acquired from the toilet device 10 by the biometric sensor 40. The acquisition unit 151 receives information from the toilet device 10 indicating detection by the seat sensor 50.

[0118] The acquisition unit 151 receives various information indicating user operations, etc., from the remote control device 11, etc. The acquisition unit 151 stores the received information in the storage unit 120. The acquisition unit 151 may also receive usage data (sensor information) detected by each sensor from each sensor.

[0119] The update unit 152 performs information update processing. The update unit 152 either adds the acquired usage data to the usage data in the storage unit 120, or deletes at least a portion of the usage data stored in the storage unit 120 based on a data deletion request.

[0120] The update unit 152 either adds unreceived usage data received by the acquisition unit 151 to the usage data in the storage unit 120, or deletes at least a portion of the usage data stored in the storage unit 120. The update unit 152 adds only the unreceived usage data selected by the user to the usage data stored in the storage unit 120.

[0121] The update unit 152 adds unreceived usage data received by the acquisition unit 151 to the usage data in the storage unit 120 based on a predetermined user operation. The update unit 152 deletes at least a portion of the usage data stored in the storage unit 120 based on a predetermined user operation. The update unit 152 adds unreceived usage data to the usage data in the storage unit 120 when the terminal device 100 is located within a predetermined distance from the toilet device 10.

[0122] The analysis unit 153 performs analysis processing to analyze various types of information. The analysis unit 153 generates various types of information related to the user's health status through analysis processing. The analysis unit 153 generates analysis results related to stool through analysis processing that analyzes the biological information (biometric data) detected by the biosensor 40. The analysis unit 153 performs various analysis processes depending on the target being measured by the biosensor 40.

[0123] For example, the analysis unit 153 functions as a data analysis means that separates and analyzes first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of the toilet device 10 user obtained based on the output of the biosensor 40. The biosensor 40 is an example of a blood flow sensor.

[0124] First, an example of the process by which the analysis unit 153 separates the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information from the blood flow information will be explained. The separation process performed by the analysis unit 153 is the same as the process explained using Figures 7 to 11. For example, the analysis unit 153 obtains the user's blood flow information (signals L1 and L2) from the memory unit 120. The analysis unit 153 calculates a difference signal L3, which is the difference between signals L1 and L2. The analysis unit 153 calculates a power spectrum L4 by performing a Fourier transform on the difference signal L3. Based on the power spectrum L4, the analysis unit 153 calculates the blood flow rate of arterioles and blood flow rate of capillaries. The analysis unit 153 calculates the first blood flow information of capillaries for the time corresponding to each power spectrum L4 by integrating the low-frequency region A1 of each power spectrum L4. The analysis unit 153 calculates the second blood flow information of the arterioles for the time corresponding to each power spectrum L4 by integrating the high-frequency region A2 of each power spectrum L4.

[0125] Next, an example of the analysis process performed by the analysis unit 153 based on the separated results will be explained. For example, the analysis unit 153 determines (analyzes) whether the first blood flow rate has "increased," "decreased," or "remained unchanged" based on the first blood flow information. The analysis unit 153 also determines (analyzes) whether the second blood flow rate has "increased," "decreased," or "remained unchanged" based on the second blood flow information. The process by which the analysis unit 153 determines whether the rate has increased, decreased, or remained unchanged is the same as described above. The analysis unit 153 outputs the analysis results to the recommendation output unit 154.

[0126] The recommendation output unit 154 functions as a recommendation output means that outputs recommendation data related to health or services to a pre-set destination based on at least one of the blood flow information, the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, included in the analysis results of the analysis unit 153.

[0127] For example, the recommendation output unit 154 has a first mode in which it outputs first recommendation data based on first blood flow information or second blood flow information based on the analysis results of the analysis unit 153, and a second mode in which it outputs second recommendation data based on information combining the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information. Whether the recommendation output unit 154 operates in the first mode or the second mode can be switched according to the input of the user operating the input unit 130.

[0128] First, let's describe an example of the first mode executed by the recommendation output unit 154. Based on the change (increase, decrease, or no change) in the first blood flow information (blood flow rate in capillaries), the recommendation output unit 154 can identify the state of non-pulsatile components and perform the following processing.

[0129] For example, the recommendation output unit 154 generates first recommendation data using a pre-prepared first mode determination table T2. The first mode determination table T2 is assumed to contain the following information. If the primary blood flow information is "increased": The primary recommendation is to promote health based on the state of non-pulsating components due to increased blood flow in the capillaries. If the primary blood flow information is "decreased": Primary recommendations to promote health based on the state of non-pulsating components due to decreased capillary blood flow. If the primary blood flow information is "unchanged": Primary recommendation to promote health based on the state of non-pulsating components due to no change in capillary blood flow.

[0130] As described above, the recommendation output unit 154 generates first recommendation data based on the first mode determination table T2 and the change in the first blood flow state, and outputs it to the display unit 140 for display.

[0131] The recommendation output unit 154 can identify the state of the pulsatile component based on the change in the second blood flow information (blood flow rate in arterioles), and performs the following processing.

[0132] For example, the recommendation output unit 154 generates first recommendation data using a pre-prepared first mode determination table T3. The first mode determination table T3 is assumed to contain the following information. If the second blood flow information is "increased": The first recommendation is to promote health based on the state of pulsatile components due to increased blood flow in arterioles. If the second blood flow information is "decreased": The first recommendation is to promote health based on the state of pulsatile components due to the decrease in arteriole blood flow. If the second blood flow information is "unchanged": The first recommendation is to promote health based on the state of pulsatile components, due to no change in arteriole blood flow.

[0133] As described above, the recommendation output unit 154 generates first recommendation data based on the first mode determination table T3 and the second blood flow state change, and outputs it to the display unit 140 for display.

[0134] Furthermore, whether the recommendation output unit 154 generates the first recommendation data based on the first blood flow information or the second blood flow information can be switched according to the input of the user operating the input unit 130.

[0135] Next, an example of the second mode executed by the recommendation output unit 154 will be described. The processing in the second mode of the recommendation output unit 154 corresponds to the process of identifying and outputting recommendation content using the judgment table T1 explained in Figure 12. The recommendation content in Figure 12 corresponds to the second recommendation data.

[0136] The recommendation output unit 154 outputs the second recommendation data, "Let's cool down a bit!", to the display unit 140 when the first blood flow rate increases and the second blood flow rate increases. Note that the content of this second recommendation data is just an example. The recommendation output unit 154 may also output recommendations that promote health improvement based on biological / external changes "heat accumulation" and biological reactions "heat dissipation".

[0137] The recommendation output unit 154 outputs the second recommendation data, "Let's warm up with ginger tea or something similar!", to the display unit 140 when the first blood flow decreases and the second blood flow decreases. Note that the content of this second recommendation data is just an example. The recommendation output unit 154 may also output recommendations that promote health improvement based on biological / external changes "heat dissipation" and biological reactions "focus on keeping internal organs warm to maintain vital activities".

[0138] The recommendation output unit 154 outputs the second recommendation data, "Relax with a massage!", to the display unit 140 if the first blood flow decreases and the second blood flow does not change. Note that the content of this second recommendation data is just an example. The recommendation output unit 154 may also output recommendations that promote health improvement based on biological / external changes ("recognition of danger") and biological responses ("concentration of blood in the heart and muscles = sympathetic nervous system dominance").

[0139] If the first blood flow rate increases and the second blood flow rate does not change, the recommendation output unit 154 outputs the second recommendation data, "Taking a 10-minute nap might make you feel refreshed!", to the display unit 140 and displays it. Note that the content of this second recommendation data is just an example. The recommendation output unit 154 may also output recommendations that promote health improvement based on biological / external changes that "escape a crisis" and biological responses that "prepare for the next crisis, such as nutrient absorption and exchange = parasympathetic nervous system dominance".

[0140] Furthermore, the second mode processing of the recommendation output unit 154 can be said to output recommendation data based on the relative relationship between the output value for the first blood flow information and the output value for the second blood flow information. The output value for the first blood flow information is the change in the first blood flow information (increase, decrease, no change). The output value for the second blood flow information is the change in the second blood flow information (increase, decrease, no change).

[0141] The provisioning unit 155 provides a service to provide information to external devices. The provisioning unit 155 transmits information. The provisioning unit 155 transmits information to an external information processing device via the communication unit 110. For example, the provisioning unit 155 transmits various types of information to the cloud 500.

[0142] As described above, it is provided in a terminal device 100, which is a mobile terminal owned by the user, having a storage unit 120, an acquisition unit 151, an update unit 152, and a display unit 140. Note that the configuration of the terminal device 100 described above is merely an example, and the terminal device 100 may have various configurations not limited to the above. For example, a process to generate information about health status may be performed by an application including an information processing program (for example, a health management application). For example, information about health status may be generated by an application installed on the terminal device 100 (for example, a health management application).

[0143] Furthermore, the configuration that performs some of the functions of the control unit 150 may be placed at any location as a control device (control unit). The control device may be provided in the space corresponding to the toilet equipment 10 (for example, toilet room R in Figure 1), or it may be provided outside the space corresponding to the toilet equipment 10 (for example, toilet room R in Figure 1). The control device may be provided within the main body 12. For example, the control device may be placed near the front end of the toilet seat 20 (relatively close to the biosensor 40). In this case, the control device can process the output signal of the biosensor 40 and convert it into a signal that is relatively resistant to noise.

[0144] Furthermore, the configuration and arrangement of the control device can be any form as long as it can communicate with and process the various components such as the toilet device 10 and the terminal device 100. For example, the control device may be a portable terminal (device) such as a laptop computer that can be carried by the administrator of the toilet system 1. Alternatively, the control device may be located inside the toilet device 10. The control device may also be located (built) within an external network (for example, within the cloud 500) rather than within the main unit 12.

[0145] <3. Processing Flow> From here, the processing flow of the embodiment will be explained using Figure 15. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure performed by the toilet system. Specifically, in the following explanation, the toilet system 1 will be described as the processing entity, but the processing shown in Figure 15 may be performed by any of the devices, such as the toilet device 10, remote control device 11, terminal device 100, cloud 500, various sensors, etc., depending on the device configuration included in the toilet system 1.

[0146] Toilet system 1 acquires the user's blood flow information (step S101). For example, the biosensor 40 of toilet system 1 acquires the blood flow information (biometric data) of the user using toilet device 10.

[0147] The toilet system 1 separates first blood flow information and second blood flow information from the blood flow information (step S102). For example, the analysis unit 153 of the terminal device 100 acquires the user's blood flow information (signals L1 and L2) from the memory unit 120. The analysis unit 153 calculates a difference signal L3, which is the difference between signals L1 and L2. The analysis unit 153 calculates a power spectrum L4 by performing a Fourier transform on the difference signal L3. Based on the power spectrum L4, the analysis unit 153 calculates the blood flow rate of arterioles and the blood flow rate of capillaries. The analysis unit 153 calculates the first blood flow information of capillaries for the time corresponding to each power spectrum L4 by integrating the low-frequency region A1 of each power spectrum L4. The analysis unit 153 calculates the second blood flow information of arterioles for the time corresponding to each power spectrum L4 by integrating the high-frequency region A2 of each power spectrum L4.

[0148] The toilet system 1 analyzes the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information (step S103). For example, the analysis unit 153 of the terminal device 100 analyzes changes in capillary blood flow (increase, decrease, no change) based on the first blood flow information. The analysis unit 153 analyzes changes in arteriole blood flow (increase, decrease, no change) based on the second blood flow information.

[0149] The toilet system 1 generates and outputs recommendations based on at least one of the analysis results of the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information (step S104). For example, the recommendation output unit 154 of the terminal device 100 generates first recommendation data in the first mode and outputs it to the display unit 140 for display. Alternatively, the recommendation output unit 154 of the terminal device 100 generates second recommendation data in the second mode and outputs it to the display unit 140 for display.

[0150] <4. Effects> Next, the effects of the toilet system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. The toilet system 1 includes a toilet seat having a seating surface on which a toilet user sits, and a blood flow sensor provided on the toilet seat that acquires the blood flow information of the toilet user. Based on the output of the blood flow sensor, the toilet system 1 separates and analyzes the blood flow information of the toilet user obtained, separating it into first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles. Based on the blood flow information of at least one of the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information included in the analysis results, it outputs recommendation data regarding health or services to a pre-set destination.

[0151] This allows for the separation and analysis of blood flow information into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information. By using the resulting blood flow information, it becomes possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition than can be provided by simple blood flow information alone.

[0152] The toilet system 1 has a first mode that outputs first recommendation data based on first blood flow information or second blood flow information based on the analysis results, and a second mode that outputs second recommendation data based on information combining the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information.

[0153] This allows for the separation and analysis of blood flow information into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information. By analyzing either one of these blood flow data sets or a combination of both, it becomes possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0154] Toilet system 1 outputs recommendation data based on the relative relationship between the output value for the first blood flow information and the output value for the second blood flow information.

[0155] This allows for the separation and analysis of blood flow information into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information. By analyzing the combination of these two blood flow information sets and their relative changes, it becomes possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0156] The blood flow sensor (biosensor 40) of toilet system 1 emits infrared light and detects the scattered light that has been caused by the Doppler shift resulting from the movement of red blood cells.

[0157] This allows for the separation and analysis of blood flow information obtained from a laser Doppler blood flow sensor into capillary blood flow information and arteriolar blood flow information. By using this blood flow information, it becomes possible to output recommendations regarding health and services that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0158] The blood flow sensor (biosensor 40) of toilet system 1 is provided on the seat surface that flexes and deforms within the toilet seat.

[0159] This allows for more accurate separation and analysis of blood flow information by placing sensors in positions where the toilet seat flexes and distributes seating pressure, thus avoiding situations where localized pressure compresses blood vessels and prevents accurate blood flow assessment. This enables the output of health and service recommendations that are more tailored to the user's condition.

[0160] <6. Variation> Next, a modified example of the toilet system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In the toilet system 1 according to the embodiment described above, a biosensor 40 was installed on the toilet seat 20 or the main body 12 of the toilet device 10 to measure the user's blood flow information, but it is not limited to this. For example, a biosensor 40 may be set up in the toilet space to measure the user's blood flow information. More specifically, a biosensor 40 may be installed on a remote control device 11 mounted on the inner wall of the toilet space, a remote control device provided on the side of the toilet bowl 4, a doorknob, etc., and the biosensor 40 may measure the blood flow information of the user's fingertips and output the measured blood flow information to the toilet device 10. Furthermore, the biosensor 40 may be installed on a wall, mirror, etc., and if the biosensor 40 is installed on a wall or mirror, it may be a non-contact type sensor.

[0161] Furthermore, although Figure 5 illustrates the case where the biosensor 40 has light-receiving units 40b and 40c, the biosensor 40 only needs to have at least one light-receiving unit. For example, when the toilet system 1 uses a biosensor 40 having one light-receiving unit, it skips the process of calculating the difference signal described in Figure 7 and calculates the power spectrum by performing a Fourier transform on the signal measured using one light-receiving unit. The process by which the toilet system 1 calculates the power spectrum and then calculates the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information is the same as in the embodiment described above.

[0162] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents.

[0163] The embodiments and modifications described above may also have the following configurations, but are not limited to them. (1) A toilet seat having a seating surface on which a toilet user sits, A blood flow sensor is provided on the toilet seat to acquire blood flow information of the toilet user, A data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of the toilet user obtained based on the output of the blood flow sensor, A recommendation output means that outputs recommendation data related to health or services to a pre-set destination based on at least one of the blood flow information, the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, included in the analysis results of the data analysis means, A toilet system characterized by having the following features. (2) The toilet system according to (1), further comprising: a first mode in which the recommendation output means outputs first recommendation data based on the first blood flow information or the second blood flow information based on the analysis results of the data analysis means; and a second mode in which the recommendation output means outputs second recommendation data based on information combining the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information. (3) The toilet system according to (1), wherein the recommendation output means outputs the recommendation data based on the relative relationship between the output value for the first blood flow information and the output value for the second blood flow information. (4) The toilet system according to (1), characterized in that the blood flow sensor irradiates infrared light and detects scattered light that has a Doppler shift due to the movement of red blood cells. (5) The toilet system according to (1), characterized in that the blood flow sensor is provided on the seating surface that flexes and deforms within the toilet seat. (6) An acquisition means for acquiring blood flow information obtained from a blood flow sensor installed in the toilet space, A data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of users of the toilet space obtained by the acquisition means, A recommendation output means that outputs recommendation data related to health or services to a pre-set destination based on at least one of the blood flow information, the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, included in the analysis results of the data analysis means, A toilet system characterized by having the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0164] 1. Toilet System 4 Toilet bowl 4b Top surface 8 Bowl section 10 Toilet equipment 12 Main body 14 Toilet lid 20 toilet seats 20a opening 21 Seat surface 25 Bottom 40 Biosensors 50 Seat sensor 90 Communications Department 91 Storage section 100 terminal devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 130 Input section 140 Display section 150 Control Unit 151 Acquisition Department 152 Update section 153 Analysis Department 154 Recommendation Output Section 155 Provision Department 500 Cloud

Claims

1. A toilet seat having a seating surface on which a toilet user sits, A blood flow sensor is provided on the toilet seat to acquire blood flow information of the toilet user, A data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of the toilet user obtained based on the output of the blood flow sensor, A recommendation output means that outputs recommendation data related to health or services to a pre-set destination based on at least one of the blood flow information, the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, included in the analysis results of the data analysis means, A toilet system characterized by having the following features.

2. The toilet system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first mode for outputting first recommendation data based on the first blood flow information or the second blood flow information based on the analysis results of the data analysis means; and a second mode for outputting second recommendation data based on information combining the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information.

3. The toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the recommendation output means outputs the recommendation data based on the relative relationship between the output value for the first blood flow information and the output value for the second blood flow information.

4. The toilet system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blood flow sensor irradiates infrared light and detects scattered light that has been affected by a Doppler shift due to the movement of red blood cells.

5. The toilet system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blood flow sensor is provided on the seating surface that flexes and deforms within the toilet seat.

6. An acquisition means for acquiring blood flow information obtained from a blood flow sensor installed in the toilet space, A data analysis means for separating and analyzing first blood flow information originating from capillaries and second blood flow information originating from arterioles from the blood flow information of users of the toilet space obtained by the acquisition means, A recommendation output means that outputs recommendation data related to health or services to a pre-set destination based on at least one of the blood flow information, the first blood flow information and the second blood flow information, included in the analysis results of the data analysis means, A toilet system characterized by having the following features.

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