Diaper usage status monitor

Abstract

To provide a diaper use state monitor which accurately monitors the amount and state of excrement discharged by a care recipient, issues a notice to enable immediate diaper change, has a small volume, is detachably attached to a diaper, and is reusable. [Solution] The diaper usage status monitor includes a gas sensor, a message output unit, a microcontroller unit 30, a wireless communication module 40, a battery unit 50, and a power switch 60, all of which are arranged within a casing 70. The device uses the gas sensor to detect the concentration of a target gas generated from feces or urine, and when the concentration of the target gas reaches a preset threshold, the microcontroller unit outputs a status signal corresponding to the threshold, and based on the status signal, drives a light-emitting element 21 of the message output unit to emit light of a color corresponding to the status signal. The device also transmits the target gas concentration data and the status signal to a receiving terminal via the wireless communication module.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of diaper accessory devices, and in particular to a diaper usage status monitor that can assist the user or care staff in changing the diaper by sending a notification message when the amount of feces or urine in the diaper reaches a preset threshold. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional diapers only have the function of absorbing urine or moisture, but do not have the function of actively notifying the user that the diaper is wet. Another known diaper uses a special color-changing material that changes the color of the diaper after absorbing urine or moisture, thereby notifying the user or care staff that the diaper is wet.

[0003] In Taiwan, a patent certificate for invention number I533857 has been published, proposing a "diaper structure with wireless wetness detection function and a diaper detection system therefor," which utilizes the principle that when the diaper body becomes wet, the dielectric constant of the waterproof layer of the diaper itself changes, which correspondingly changes the impedance value of the metal antenna, thereby changing the wavelength of the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the radio frequency identification tag. However, most of the radio frequency identification tags currently used in the civilian market use frequencies in the ultra-high frequency range, and high-frequency radio waves have short wavelengths that do not easily pass through water molecules. As a result, when a normally functioning radio frequency identification tag is attached to a water-containing background material, the tag's antenna and the water combine to form a large absorber, which prevents the antenna from effectively receiving the electromagnetic waves, resulting in a very short radio wave transmission distance. Water absorbs electromagnetic waves, significantly reducing the transmission distance of the waves and, as a result, preventing the reading or activation of radio frequency identification tags attached to the outside of the diaper, making it impossible to determine whether the tag's function is interrupted because the diaper has absorbed all the water or because of some other factor.

[0004] A similar technology that can be used in combination with a radio frequency reader is proposed in the invention patent "Disposable diaper with detection function" (Certificate No. I504386) already registered and published in Taiwan. This type of disposable diaper with detection function has a detection circuit pre-installed inside the diaper that is connected to a radio frequency identification tag (abbreviated as RFID tag). The radio frequency identification tag is designed to be movable and is attached to a predetermined position on the diaper when in use and electrically connected to the detection circuit. After the diaper absorbs urine or moisture, a short circuit is formed in the detection circuit. The radio frequency reader is used to read the radio frequency identification tag to detect changes in the resistance value between the detection circuit and send a notification signal.

[0005] The conventional technology for detecting wet diapers using RFID technology basically relies on the principle that a wet diaper changes its dielectric constant, which affects the RFID tag antenna's reading performance. When the diaper becomes wet and the change in dielectric constant affects the RFID tag antenna's reading performance, the diaper is determined to be wet and a wet diaper signal is emitted. RFID tags are generally discarded after use and are not suitable for reuse, resulting in a waste of resources. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a diaper use status monitor that can monitor and observe the diaper use status of a user and provide instant notifications so that the user or care staff know whether the diaper needs to be changed, thereby achieving a better quality of life and care. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the preferred embodiment of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention has the following structure: a gas detection unit including at least one gas sensor that detects a concentration of a target gas generated from feces or urine and generates a concentration electrical signal indicating the concentration of the target gas, the target gas including any one of ammonia gas (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide gas (HS); a message output unit including at least one light emitting element; a microcontroller unit electrically connected to the gas sensor of the gas detection unit and the light-emitting element of the message output unit, for receiving the concentration electrical signal to generate concentration data of the target gas, and, when the concentration of the target gas reaches a preset threshold, for outputting a status signal corresponding to the threshold, and for driving the light-emitting element of the message output unit based on the status signal to emit light of a color corresponding to the status signal; a wireless communication module electrically connected to the microcontroller unit for transmitting the target gas concentration data and status signal generated by the microcontroller unit to a receiving terminal; a battery unit electrically connected to the gas detection unit, the message output unit, the microcontroller unit and the wireless communication module for supplying necessary power thereto; a power switch electrically connected to the battery unit, the gas detection unit, the message output unit, the microcontroller unit, and the wireless communication module, for conducting or cutting off power supplied from the battery unit; The device comprises a casing having a hollow internal cavity for accommodating a gas detection unit, a message output unit, a microcontroller unit, a wireless communication module, a battery unit and a power switch, a through hole for communicating between the outside and the gas sensor, and having a connecting element arranged on the outside for attaching and fixing the casing to a predetermined position on the diaper.

[0008] Preferably, the gas detection unit includes two types of gas sensors for detecting the concentrations of ammonia gas (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S), respectively.

[0009] Preferably, the light emitting element is a tri-color light emitting diode.

[0010] Preferably, the light emitting element is located on the outside of the casing and on the side facing forward toward the user.

[0011] Preferably, the wireless communication module is selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency communication module, a WiFi communication module, a 4G or 5G communication module and a Bluetooth® communication module.

[0012] Preferably, the battery unit is selected from the group consisting of a mercury battery, a secondary lithium ion battery, a secondary nickel-metal hydride battery, and a dry cell battery.

[0013] Preferably, the coupling element is any one of a hook and loop fastener and a button.

[0014] Preferably, a drawstring bag for accommodating the casing is provided at a predetermined position on the diaper.

[0015] Preferably, the receiving terminal is a server, and the target gas concentration data is uploaded to the server and stored in a database of the server.

[0016] Preferably, the receiving terminal is a portable electronic device having a digital processing function, and the portable electronic device includes any one of a smartphone, a portable computer, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer, and a wireless communication unit that communicates with the wireless communication module is disposed in the portable electronic device, and a monitoring application program (Surveillance APP) is running on the portable electronic device to acquire the concentration data of the target gas and the status signal output from the microcontroller unit via the wireless communication unit.

[0017] Preferably, the message output unit includes a battery level indicator lamp capable of emitting light of at least two different colors, and the microcontroller unit detects the remaining battery level of the battery unit, and drives the battery level indicator lamp to emit light of a first color when the remaining battery level is sufficient, and drives the battery level indicator lamp to emit light of a second color when the remaining battery level is insufficient. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The advantages and effects of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention are as follows: It enables large-scale, systematic, and highly accurate monitoring of the fecal and urinary output and status of care recipients in medical systems or long-term care facilities, eliminating the need for care staff to constantly check diaper status and enabling accurate and timely diaper changes for care recipients, thereby improving the quality of life and care. Meanwhile, the diaper use status monitor of the present invention is small in volume, does not cause discomfort to the wearer, can be detachably attached to diapers, is reusable, and is easy to use, while also avoiding the resource consumption and waste associated with disposable products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a diaper use state monitor according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the rear structure according to the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the structure according to the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the diaper use state monitor according to the present invention in use. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a preferred embodiment of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention in use. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a system application of a preferred embodiment of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] 1 to 3, which are front and rear structural schematic views and exploded structural views of a preferred embodiment of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention. The diaper use status monitor of the present invention monitors the diaper use status of the user and provides instant notification, allowing the user or care staff to know whether the diaper needs to be changed, and further improving the quality of life and care.

[0021] The preferred embodiment of the diaper use status monitor of the present invention comprises a gas detection unit 10, a message output unit 20, a microcontroller unit 30 (abbreviated as MCU), a wireless communication module 40, a battery unit 50, and a power switch 60. The functional configuration of each of the above components is shown in Figure 7. The gas detection unit 10, the message output unit 20, the microcontroller unit 30 (abbreviated as MCU), the wireless communication module 40, the battery unit 50, and the power switch 60 are all housed in a casing 70, which allows the diaper use status monitor of the present invention to have a relatively small volume, making it more suitable for use in a diaper and less uncomfortable for the user.

[0022] The gas detection unit 10 includes at least one gas sensor 11, which detects the concentration of a target gas generated from feces or urine and generates a concentration electrical signal indicating the concentration of the target gas. The target gas includes one of ammonia gas (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). Feces and urine excreted by a person tend to generate ammonia gas (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) after accumulating for a certain period of time. Therefore, the amount of feces and urine can be detected by detecting the concentrations of ammonia gas (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) in the gas emitted from the diaper. The concentration of ammonia gas (NH3) may indicate the amount of urine, and the concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) may indicate the amount of feces. When the concentration of the target gas reaches a preset threshold, it can be determined whether the diaper needs to be changed or not.

[0023] The message output unit 20 includes at least one light-emitting element 21. A preferred embodiment of the light-emitting element 21 is a light-emitting diode, and in an exemplary embodiment, the light-emitting element 21 is a single tri-color LED for generating light of three different colors, for example, red, yellow, and green, and in another preferred embodiment, multiple different color LEDs, for example, a red LED, a yellow LED, and a green LED, may be used to generate light of different colors, respectively.

[0024] The microcontroller unit 30 is electrically connected to the gas sensor 11 of the gas detection unit 10 and the light-emitting element 21 of the message output unit 20, receives the concentration electrical signal to generate concentration data of the target gas, and when the concentration of the target gas reaches a preset threshold, outputs a status signal corresponding to the threshold, and drives the light-emitting element 21 of the message output unit 20 to emit a light of a color corresponding to the status signal based on the status signal. In a preferred embodiment, when the concentration of the target gas does not reach the preset threshold, the microcontroller unit 30 drives the light-emitting element 21 of the message output unit 20 to emit a green light, indicating that the diaper does not need to be changed yet; conversely, when the concentration of the target gas reaches the preset threshold, the microcontroller unit 30 immediately drives the light-emitting element 21 of the message output unit 20 to emit a red light. , indicating that a diaper change is necessary; in another preferred embodiment, different thresholds are used to divide the concentration of the target gas into three levels from low to high; when the concentration of the target gas is relatively low, it indicates that the amount of feces and urine is still small (the concentration of the target gas is lower than the minimum threshold), in this case the light-emitting element 21 is driven to emit green light, indicating that a diaper change is not yet necessary; when the concentration of the target gas is relatively high (the concentration of the target gas has reached the maximum threshold), it indicates that the amount of feces and urine is large, and the light-emitting element 21 is driven to emit red light, prompting the user or care staff to change the diaper immediately; when the concentration of the target gas exceeds the minimum threshold but has not reached the maximum threshold, it indicates that the amount of feces and urine is somewhat large or has increased to a level that is uncomfortable, and the light-emitting element 21 is driven to emit yellow light, prompting the user or care staff to check whether a diaper change is necessary.

[0025] The wireless communication module 40 is electrically connected to the microcontroller unit 30 and is used to transmit the target gas concentration data and status signals generated by the microcontroller unit 30 to the receiving terminal 80 (see FIG. 8). A preferred embodiment of the wireless communication module 40 is a radio frequency communication module (RF Module). Other preferred embodiments of the wireless communication module 40 may include any one of a WiFi communication module, a 4G or 5G communication module, and a Bluetooth communication module.

[0026] 7 , battery unit 50 is electrically connected to gas detection unit 10, message output unit 20, microcontroller unit 30, and wireless communication module 40, and is for supplying the necessary power, and a preferred embodiment of battery unit 50 may use any one of a mercury battery, a secondary lithium ion battery, a secondary nickel-metal hydride battery, and a dry cell battery. A preferred embodiment of power switch 60 is a power button, and power switch 60 is electrically connected to battery unit 50, gas detection unit 10, message output unit 20, microcontroller unit 30, and wireless communication module 40, and is for conducting or cutting off the power supplied from battery unit 50.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the message output unit 20 further includes a battery level indicator lamp 22, a preferred embodiment of which is a light-emitting diode (LED), and the battery level indicator lamp 22 can emit light of at least two different colors. The microcontroller unit 30 detects the remaining battery level of the battery unit 50, and drives the battery level indicator lamp 22 to emit light of a first color (e.g., green light) when the battery level is sufficient, and drives the battery level indicator lamp 22 to emit light of a second color (e.g., red light) when the battery level is low, and further reminds the user or care staff to replace the battery unit 50.

[0028] 3 and 4, the casing 70 has a hollow internal cavity C for accommodating the gas detection unit 10, the message output unit 20, the microcontroller unit 30, the wireless communication module 40, the battery unit 50 and the power switch 60. In the structure of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the casing 70 is formed by combining a front half 73 and a rear half 74, with the internal cavity C being formed between the front half 73 and the rear half 74. An attachment element 71 is arranged on the outside of the casing 70 for attaching and fixing the casing 70 to a predetermined position on the diaper P. See Figures 5 and 6. A preferred example of the predetermined position is located at the front of the diaper P (i.e., preferably located on the front of the diaper P), for example, at a belt position. A preferred embodiment of the attachment element 71 is either a Velcro fastener or a button. The casing 70 has a through hole 72 for connecting the outside of the casing 70 with the gas sensor 11, thereby allowing the gas sensor 11 to detect the concentration of the target gas outside. In a preferred embodiment, the through hole 72 faces toward the diaper P (see Figure 4). Since the diaper P has a ventilation function, the concentration of the target gas exuded after feces and urine pass through the diaper P can be better detected.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the light-emitting element 21 of the message output unit 20 is installed on the outside of the casing 70 and on the side facing the front of the user, so that the user or care staff can understand the state of use of the diaper by directly visually checking the light-emitting color of the light-emitting element 21.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment, a drawstring bag 75 for accommodating the casing 70, i.e., the diaper use status monitor of the present invention, is provided at a predetermined position on the diaper P (see FIG. 6). After using the diaper P and before discarding it, the user can easily remove the diaper use status monitor of the present invention from the drawstring bag 75, thereby enabling it to be reused.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, in a preferred example of use of the diaper usage status monitor of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the receiving terminal 80 is a server, and the concentration data and status information of the target gas are uploaded to the server and stored in the server's database 81. In a preferred embodiment, the server and database 81 (i.e., cloud server and cloud database) can be constructed using cloud technology.

[0032] In another embodiment, the receiving terminal 80 is a portable electronic device D having digital processing capabilities, and the portable electronic device D includes any one of a smartphone, a portable computer, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer, and a wireless communication unit that communicates with the wireless communication module 40 is disposed in the portable electronic device D, and a monitoring application program (Surveillance APP) is running on the portable electronic device D to acquire concentration data of the target gas output from the microcontroller unit 30 via the wireless communication unit, and a user or care staff member can monitor the concentration data of the target gas of the diaper P and the corresponding status signal in real time through a connection with a server or by directly operating the monitoring application program of the portable electronic device D, thereby understanding the usage status of the diaper P.

[0033] In a typical use case, such as in a hospital or nursing home, the diaper usage status monitor of the present invention, the server, and the portable electronic device D communicate with each other via a wireless communication network established by a radio frequency gateway 82 (RF Gateway) and a radio frequency router 83 (RF Router). When the diaper usage status monitor of the present invention is worn and used by multiple users, each diaper usage status monitor is assigned a device identification code (which can be built into and stored in the microcontroller unit 30), and each diaper usage status monitor instantly transmits the device identification code together with the concentration data and status information of the target gas to the server and / or the portable electronic device D (i.e., the receiving terminal 80), thereby clearly identifying the real-time usage status of each diaper. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10 Gas detection unit 11 Gas Sensor 20 Message Output Unit 21 Light-emitting element 22 Battery level indicator lamp 30 Microcontroller Unit 40 Wireless communication module 50 Battery Unit 60 Power switch 70 Casing 71 Coupling element 72 Through hole 73 First Half 74 Second half 75 Drawstring Bag 80 Receiving terminal 81 databases 82 Radio Frequency Gateway 83 Radio Frequency Router C. Internal cavity D. Portable electronic devices P diaper

Claims

1. A diaper usage status monitor for monitoring the usage status of a diaper, comprising: The diaper use state monitor has a structure comprising: The apparatus includes at least one gas sensor that detects the concentration of a target gas generated from feces or urine and generates an electrical concentration signal indicative of the concentration of the target gas, and the target gas is ammonia gas (NH ３ ) and hydrogen sulfide gas (H ２ a gas detection unit including any one of the following: a message output unit including at least one light emitting element; a microcontroller unit electrically connected to the gas sensor of the gas detection unit and the light-emitting element of the message output unit, for receiving the concentration electrical signal to generate concentration data of the target gas, for outputting a status signal corresponding to a preset threshold value when the concentration of the target gas reaches the threshold value, and for driving the light-emitting element of the message output unit to emit light of a color corresponding to the status signal based on the status signal; a wireless communication module electrically connected to the microcontroller unit for transmitting the target gas concentration data and the status signal generated by the microcontroller unit to a receiving terminal; a battery unit electrically connected to the gas detection unit, the message output unit, the microcontroller unit and the wireless communication module for supplying necessary power thereto; a power switch electrically connected to the battery unit, the gas detection unit, the message output unit, the microcontroller unit, and the wireless communication module, for conducting or cutting off power supplied from the battery unit; a casing having a hollow internal cavity for accommodating the gas detection unit, the message output unit, the microcontroller unit, the wireless communication module, the battery unit and the power switch, a through hole for communicating the gas sensor with the outside, and having a connecting element disposed on the outside for attaching and fixing the casing to a predetermined position on the diaper.

2. The gas detection unit detects ammonia gas (NH ３ ) and hydrogen sulfide gas (H ２ 2. The diaper usage condition monitor of claim 1, comprising two gas sensors for detecting the concentrations of S, respectively.

3. 2. The diaper use condition monitor according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting element is a three-color light emitting diode.

4. The diaper use condition monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting element is disposed on an outer side of the casing facing the front of the user.

5. The diaper use condition monitor of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication module is selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency communication module, a Wi-Fi communication module, a 4G or 5G communication module, and a Bluetooth communication module.

6. 2. The diaper use condition monitor according to claim 1, wherein the battery unit is selected from the group consisting of a mercury battery, a secondary lithium ion battery, a secondary nickel-metal hydride battery, and a dry cell battery.

7. The diaper use condition monitor according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling element is one of a hook-and-loop fastener and a button.

8. 2. The diaper use condition monitor according to claim 1, wherein a drawstring bag for accommodating said casing is provided at a predetermined position on the diaper.

9. 2. The diaper usage condition monitor according to claim 1, wherein the receiving terminal is a server, and the concentration data of the target gas is uploaded to the server and stored in a database of the server.

10. 2. The diaper use status monitor of claim 1, wherein the receiving terminal is a portable electronic device having digital processing capabilities, the portable electronic device including any one of a smartphone, a portable computer, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer, the portable electronic device is provided with a wireless communication unit that communicates with the wireless communication module, and a monitoring application program is running on the portable electronic device for acquiring the concentration data of the target gas and the status signal output from the microcontroller unit via the wireless communication unit.

11. 2. The diaper use status monitor of claim 1, wherein the message output unit includes a battery level indicator lamp capable of emitting light of at least two different colors, and the microcontroller unit detects the remaining battery level of the battery unit, and when the remaining battery level is sufficient, drives the battery level indicator lamp to emit light of a first color, and when the remaining battery level is insufficient, drives the battery level indicator lamp to emit light of a second color.

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