Toilet Management System

Abstract

To provide a toilet management system capable of appropriately coping with a decrease in a remaining battery capacity of a remote control device for a washing toilet seat device.SOLUTION: A toilet control system for managing a toilet that is provided with a washing toilet seat device and a remote control device associated with the washing toilet seat device comprises: a remaining battery capacity acquisition unit that acquires a remaining battery capacity of the remote control device; and a transmission management unit that manages transmission of the remote control device so that a frame in which a code corresponding to a user's operation is stored according to a predetermined communication format is transmitted a predetermined number of times as a remote control signal for the remote control device when the remaining battery capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity, and manages the transmission of the remote control device so that the frame is transmitted less than the predetermined number of times as the remote control signal for the remote control device when the remaining battery capacity is less than the predetermined capacity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of toilet management system, a system has been proposed that manages toilets in which a cleaning toilet seat device and a remote control device are installed. For example, the system in Patent Document 1 acquires usage information of multiple cleaning toilet seat devices installed in a toilet, detects abnormalities in the cleaning toilet seat devices, and notifies users of availability. In addition, the remote control device used transmits a remote control signal based on a specified communication format. For example, the remote control device in Patent Document 2 generates a frame including a code indicating the start of data transmission and a code indicating an operation instruction based on a standard format defined by the Association for Electric Home Appliances, and transmits the same frame twice in succession. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-141306 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-70295 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned remote control device, when the remaining battery power is low, the manager replaces the battery, but in the case of toilets in relatively large facilities such as airports and shopping centers, the distance to the toilet is long and the manager may not be able to replace the battery immediately. If the battery replacement is delayed, the code of the remote control signal may be damaged, making it more likely that a reception error will occur, and the toilet seat cleaning device may malfunction.

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to appropriately deal with a decrease in the remaining battery power of a remote control device for a toilet seat cleaning device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main object, the present invention adopts the following means.

[0007] The toilet management system of the present invention includes: A toilet management system for managing a toilet in which a cleaning toilet seat device and a remote control device associated with the cleaning toilet seat device are installed, comprising: a battery remaining capacity acquisition unit that acquires a remaining battery capacity of the remote control device; a transmission management unit that manages transmission of the remote control device so that, when the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining level, a frame in which a code corresponding to a user's operation is stored according to a predetermined communication format is transmitted a predetermined number of times as a remote control signal of the remote control device, and when the remaining battery level is less than the predetermined remaining level, the frame is transmitted a number of times less than the predetermined number of times; The gist of the project is to provide the following:

[0008] In the toilet management system of the present invention, when the remaining battery charge of the remote control device is less than a predetermined level, the transmission of the remote control device is managed so that a frame containing a code corresponding to a user's operation is transmitted less than a predetermined number of times. This makes it possible to reduce battery consumption and postpone the need for battery replacement, thereby preventing frequent remote control signal reception errors even if the manager is unable to replace the battery immediately. This makes it possible to appropriately respond to a decrease in the remaining battery charge of the remote control device.

[0009] The toilet management system of the present invention may further include an error processing unit that, when a reception error occurs in the remote control signal received by the toilet seat cleaning device, acquires an error signal that is the remote control signal that has caused the reception error from the toilet seat cleaning device or the remote control device that sent it, analyzes the code from the error signal, and issues an instruction based on the analyzed code to the toilet seat cleaning device that has caused the reception error. In this way, the toilet seat cleaning device can be operated properly even if a reception error occurs in the remote control signal.

[0010] In the toilet management system of the present invention, the error processing unit may acquire history information on the operation history of the remote control device that transmitted the error signal in addition to the error signal, and analyze the code from the error signal using the acquired history information. In this way, the analysis is performed taking into account the possibility that the toilet seat cleaning device was instructed based on the history information, thereby improving the reliability of the code analysis.

[0011] In the toilet management system of the present invention, the toilet has a plurality of toilet stalls in which the cleaning toilet seat device and the remote control device associated with the cleaning toilet seat device are installed, and the error processing unit may acquire, in addition to the error signal, a remote control signal received by the cleaning toilet seat device whose toilet stall is adjacent to the cleaning toilet seat device in which the reception error occurred, and analyze the code from the error signal using the acquired remote control signal. This makes it possible to increase the reliability of the code analysis compared to analysis using only the error signal.

[0012] In the toilet management system of the present invention, the toilet has a plurality of toilet stalls in which the cleaning toilet seat device and the remote control device associated with the cleaning toilet seat device are installed, and when the transmission management unit manages the transmission of the remote control device so that the frame is transmitted fewer times than the predetermined number of times, the transmission management unit may be configured to manage the transmission so that the frame is transmitted more times than the predetermined number of times in the remote control device whose toilet stalls are adjacent to the remote control device, and to include an instruction notification unit that notifies an administrator of an exchange instruction to collectively exchange the battery of the remote control device whose remaining battery level has fallen below the predetermined remaining level and the battery of the remote control device whose toilet stall is adjacent. In this way, the battery exchange timings of the plurality of remote control devices can be synchronized, thereby reducing the labor required for battery exchange. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a toilet management system 10 that manages toilets 20. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning toilet seat device 30 and a remote control 40. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the cleaning toilet seat device 30 and the remote control 40. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a remote control signal. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for dealing with a decrease in remaining battery capacity. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a remote control signal with a reduced number of frames. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a remote control signal with an increased number of frames. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a low battery level notification screen. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reception error handling process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a modified example of a reception error handling process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a toilet management system 10 that manages toilets 20, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a toilet seat cleaning device 30 and a remote control 40, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the toilet seat cleaning device 30 and the remote control 40. The toilet management system 10 comprises a management device 50 that manages multiple toilets 20. The management device 50 is connected to a network 5 such as the Internet. In addition, each toilet 20 is provided with a router 12 connected to the network 5.

[0016] Toilets 20 are installed in airports, shopping centers, service areas on expressways, office buildings, factories, hospitals, parks, etc., and are used by many users. The men's toilet 20 (upper side of FIG. 1) is equipped with multiple men's urinals 21, multiple toilet stalls (toilet cubicles) 22, and a washbasin 24. The women's toilet 20 (lower side of FIG. 1) is equipped with multiple toilet stalls 22 and a washbasin 24. As shown in FIG. 2, each toilet stall 22 of each toilet 20 is equipped with a Western-style toilet bowl 31, a cleaning toilet seat device 30 installed on the upper surface of the Western-style toilet bowl 31, and a remote control (remote control device) 40 operated by a user of the cleaning toilet seat device 30. The cleaning toilet seat device 30 and the remote control 40 of each toilet stall 22 are associated (paired) with each other when installed.

[0017] The cleansing toilet seat device 30 comprises a toilet seat device main body 32 installed behind a Western-style toilet bowl 31, a toilet seat 33 rotatably supported on the toilet seat device main body 32, and a toilet lid 34 rotatably supported on the toilet seat device main body 32. The cleansing toilet seat device 30 also comprises a private part washing unit 35 that washes the private parts of the human body, a control unit 37 that controls the entire cleansing toilet seat device 30, and a communication unit 38 that communicates with a remote control 40 and the like.

[0018] Although not shown, the private parts washing unit 35 includes a rear washing nozzle and a bidet washing nozzle that spray washing water, a heat exchanger that heats the washing water, and a switching valve that switches the destination of the washing water that flows through the heat exchanger to either the rear washing nozzle, the bidet washing nozzle, or a washer that sprays washing water onto the outer surface of each washing nozzle. The private parts washing unit 35 is capable of adjusting the temperature and water pressure of the washing water.

[0019] The control unit 37 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, timer, input / output ports, etc. (not shown). The control unit 37 receives a detection signal from the seating detection sensor 36 that detects the user sitting on the toilet seat 33 and a detection signal from a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the washing water. The control unit 37 also receives an operation signal from the remote control 40 and various instructions from the management device 50 via the communication unit 38. A human presence sensor that detects the user may be provided in the toilet 22, and a detection signal from the human presence sensor may be input to the control unit 37. The control unit 37 outputs a drive signal to the local washing unit 35, etc. The communication unit 38 can transmit and receive signals to and from the remote control 40, and is connected to the router 12 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly, and can communicate with the management device 50 from the router 12 via the network 5. The control unit 37 transmits various instructions to the remote control 40 via the communication unit 38, and transmits to the management device 50 the usage status of the washing toilet seat device 30, the communication status with the remote control 40, and a remote control signal received from the remote control 40.

[0020] The remote control 40 includes various operation switches (operation buttons) 42, a control unit 44, and a communication unit 46, and is powered by replaceable batteries B such as dry batteries or button batteries. The remote control 40 has, as operation switches 42, a rear cleansing switch 42a for instructing a rear cleansing, a bidet cleansing switch 42b for instructing a bidet cleansing, a stop switch 42c for instructing the stop of cleansing, a temperature adjustment switch 42d for adjusting the temperature of the cleansing water, a water pressure adjustment switch 42e for adjusting the cleansing strength (force) of the cleansing water, a nozzle cleansing switch 42f for instructing nozzle cleansing, and the like.

[0021] The control unit 44 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output ports, etc. (not shown). An operation signal is input from the operation switch 42 to the control unit 44. The control unit 44 generates a remote control signal according to a predetermined communication format based on the input operation signal. The communication format can be, for example, a standard format defined by the Association for Electric Home Appliances, but may be another communication format. The communication unit 46 transmits the generated remote control signal as an infrared signal to the cleaning toilet seat device 30 (toilet seat device main body 32). The communication unit 46 is configured to be able to receive not only the remote control signal but also a signal (instruction) transmitted from the communication unit 38 of the cleaning toilet seat device 30, and outputs the received instruction to the control unit 44.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a remote control signal. In this embodiment, the same frame in which various codes such as a leader code indicating the start of transmission, a customer code indicating identification information of a customer or a target device, a data code indicating an instruction content (operation instruction) of a remote control operation, and a trailer code indicating an end are stored is transmitted a predetermined number of times (for example, twice) as a remote control signal. Note that this remote control signal is one example, and the order of the customer code and the data code may be reversed, for example. In the toilet seat cleaning device 30 that receives this remote control signal, a frame (here, the second frame) received within a predetermined time after receiving the first frame of the remote control signal is collated as a frame in the same signal, the code in the remote control signal is analyzed, and an operation based on the analyzed code (data code) is performed. In addition, a transmission mode in which such two identical frames (the first frame and the second frame) are transmitted as a remote control signal is called a normal transmission mode. The remote control 40 is configured to transmit a remote control signal in the normal transmission mode after the battery B is replaced, and has a transmission mode other than the normal transmission mode, which will be described in detail later.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the management device 50 includes a control unit 52 that is configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. and controls the entire device, a storage unit 53 that stores various information, and a communication unit 54 that communicates with the cleaning toilet seat device 30 of each toilet 20 via the network 5. The management device 50 also includes a display unit 56 that displays the management status of the toilet 20, and an operation unit 57 that includes a mouse, keyboard, etc. and accepts input operations by the administrator (operator) M of the toilet management system 10. The control unit 52 acquires information on the usage status of each cleaning toilet seat device 30 of each toilet 20 and the received remote control signal from the network 5 via the communication unit 54, and stores the information in the storage unit 53 in association with the identification information of the cleaning toilet seat device 30. The received remote control signal is stored in the storage unit 53 for a predetermined period in chronological order as a remote control operation history (history information, use history) 53a. The control unit 52 also outputs necessary instructions to the cleaning toilet seat device 30 via the communication unit 54.

[0024] The manager M of the toilet management system 10 performs management tasks such as replacing the battery B in the remote control 40, replenishing consumables such as toilet paper, and cleaning the toilet 20. The manager M has a mobile terminal 60 equipped with a display operation unit 62 in the form of a touch-panel liquid crystal display. The mobile terminal 60 is connected to a network 5. The communication unit 54 of the management device 50 transmits necessary information such as the usage status of the toilet 20 and information on a low remaining battery B to the mobile terminal 60 via the network 5. The manager M can check the usage status of the toilet 20, etc., using the display unit 56 of the management device 50 or the display operation unit 62 of the mobile terminal 60.

[0025] Next, the processing of the toilet management system 10 thus configured, particularly the processing to respond to a decrease in the remaining battery level of the remote control 40, will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing to respond to a decrease in the remaining battery level, which is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50 at predetermined time intervals. In the processing to respond to a decrease in the remaining battery level, the control unit 52 first acquires the remaining battery level BL of each remote control 40 of each toilet 20 (S100), and determines whether there is a remote control 40 (low remaining battery remote control) whose remaining battery level BL is less than a predetermined remaining level (predetermined threshold) BLref (S110). Here, the control unit 52 receives information on the reception of a remote control signal from each cleansing toilet seat device 30 of each toilet 20, and counts the number of receptions for each cleansing toilet seat device 30, i.e., the number of transmissions (number of operations) for each remote control 40, each time the information is received. In S100, the control unit 52 acquires the remaining battery level BL obtained by subtracting the consumption amount according to the number of transmissions from the initial remaining level of the battery B. Alternatively, the control unit 52 may acquire the remaining battery level BL estimated from the usage time of the battery B, i.e., the elapsed time after replacement. In a configuration in which the remote control 40 is connected to the network 5 via the router 12, the remaining battery level BL may be obtained directly from the remote control 40. In a configuration in which the remote control 40 is capable of two-way communication with the toilet seat cleaning device 30 and the toilet seat cleaning device 30 is connected to the network 5 via the router 12, the remaining battery level BL may be obtained directly from the remote control 40 via the toilet seat cleaning device 30.

[0026] When the control unit 52 determines in S110 that there is no low-battery remote control, it ends the low battery response process. On the other hand, when the control unit 52 determines that there is a low-battery remote control, it determines whether the transmission mode of the low-battery remote control is the frame number reduction mode (S120), and when it determines that it is the frame number reduction mode, it proceeds to S180. The frame number reduction mode is a mode in which a remote control signal with a reduced number of frames is transmitted compared to the normal transmission mode. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a remote control signal with a reduced number of frames, and as shown in the figure, only one frame (first frame) is transmitted. Therefore, in the frame number reduction mode, the consumption of the battery B in transmitting the remote control signal can be suppressed and the battery replacement time can be postponed, so it is also called an energy saving mode (battery consumption suppression mode). Note that the cleaning toilet seat device 30 that receives this remote control signal performs code analysis using only one frame. Note that in the frame number reduction mode, the remote control signal in FIG. 4 may be transmitted with the order of the customer code and the data code swapped as described above. In this way, the data code is sent first, which reduces loss of the data code and increases the possibility of accepting remote control operations.

[0027] If it is determined in S120 that the mode is not the frame number reduction mode, the control unit 52 transmits a change instruction to change the transmission mode of the low remaining remote control to the frame number reduction mode (S130). This change instruction is transmitted to the toilet seat cleaning device 30 associated with the low remaining remote control, and is transferred from the toilet seat cleaning device 30 to the remote control 40 (low remaining remote control). In the low remaining remote control that received the instruction, the control unit 44 sets the transmission mode to the frame number reduction mode. Note that, in a configuration in which the remote control 40 is connected to the network 5 via the router 12, the instruction to change the transmission mode may be transmitted directly to the remote control 40.

[0028] Next, the control unit 52 acquires the transmission mode and remaining battery level BL of the adjacent remote control, which is the remote control 40 in which the low remaining battery remote control and the toilet 22 are adjacent to each other (S140). Next, the control unit 52 judges whether the remaining battery level BL of the adjacent remote control is equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining level BLref (S150), and proceeds to S180 if it is judged not to be equal to or greater than the predetermined remaining level BLref. On the other hand, if the control unit 52 judges that the remaining battery level BL is equal to or greater than the predetermined remaining level BLref, it judges whether the transmission mode of the adjacent remote control is the frame number increase mode (S160). If the control unit 52 judges in S160 that the mode is not the frame number increase mode, it transmits a change instruction to change the transmission mode of the adjacent remote control to the frame number increase mode (S170), and if it is judged to be the frame number increase mode, it skips S170 and proceeds to S180. The adjacent remote control that has received the change instruction sets the transmission mode to the frame number increase mode.

[0029] The frame number increase mode is a mode in which a remote control signal with an increased number of frames is transmitted compared to the normal transmission mode. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a remote control signal with an increased number of frames, and for example, three frames (first frame, second frame, and third frame) are transmitted. Each frame is the same frame in which the same code is stored. As described above, the cleansing toilet seat device 30 collates frames received within a predetermined time after receiving the first frame as frames in the same remote control signal. Therefore, the control unit 37 analyzes the code while collating the three frames, so that erroneous analysis of the code can be reliably prevented. Note that in the frame number increase mode, the consumption of the battery B increases, so that the remaining battery level BL of the adjacent remote control is more likely to fall below the predetermined remaining level BLref.

[0030] Next, the control unit 52 judges whether or not it is time to notify the remaining charge low, that is, the time to notify the battery replacement (S180). In this embodiment, it is judged that it is time to notify when the remaining battery charge BL of both the low remaining charge remote control and the adjacent remote control becomes a predetermined remaining charge BLref. It is also possible to set a replacement threshold value lower than the predetermined remaining charge BLref and judge that it is time to notify when both the remaining battery charges BL become less than the replacement threshold value. If the control unit 52 judges in S180 that it is not time to notify the remaining charge low, it ends the battery remaining charge low response process. On the other hand, if the control unit 52 judges that it is time to notify the remaining charge low, it notifies the administrator M of the remaining battery charge low (S190) and ends the battery remaining charge low response process. It is only necessary to transmit the fact that the remaining battery charge low to the mobile terminal 60 of the administrator M or display it on the display unit 56 of the management device 50 in S190.

[0031] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a low battery level notification screen. In this embodiment, the low battery level remote control is set to a frame number reduction mode and the adjacent remote control is set to a frame number increase mode, suppressing battery consumption of the low battery level remote control while accelerating battery consumption of the adjacent remote control, and then notifying the low battery level (battery replacement) after the battery levels BL of both remote controls 40 are both less than a predetermined level BLref. In this way, the battery replacement times of both remote controls are synchronized, and an instruction to replace the batteries of the remote controls 40 of, for example, two toilets 22 (the first toilet and the second toilet in FIG. 8) together is notified (displayed). This allows the manager M to replace the batteries B of both remote controls 40 together. As described above, when the toilet 20 is installed in a relatively large facility such as an airport or a shopping center, it often takes a long time to travel to replace the batteries, so by making it possible to replace them all at once, the labor required for battery replacement can be reduced.

[0032] Next, the process of dealing with a reception error of a remote control signal will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the reception error handling process, which is executed by the control unit 52 of the management device 50 at predetermined time intervals when there is a low-battery remote control that has been changed to the frame number reduction mode. The reception error handling process may be executed regardless of the presence or absence of a low-battery remote control. In the reception error handling process, the control unit 52 first acquires the operation data of each toilet stall (each cleansing toilet seat device 30) of each toilet 20 (S200), and determines whether there is a reception error (S210) and whether raw data (hereinafter, remote control data) of the remote control signal that has become a reception error remains (S220). In S220, it is determined whether the remote control data of the reception error has been received from the cleansing toilet seat device 30 and stored in the storage unit 53. When the control unit 52 determines that there is no reception error or that there is a reception error but no remote control data remains, the reception error handling process ends. In this case, the control unit 52 cannot handle the reception error, but may count the number of errors of the cleansing toilet seat device 30 that has become a reception error. Furthermore, if reception errors occur frequently in the cleaning toilet seat device 30 corresponding to the low battery remote control, the control unit 52 may determine in S180 of the low battery processing that it is time to notify the user regardless of the battery level BL of the adjacent remote control, and may urge the user to replace the battery as soon as possible.

[0033] On the other hand, when the control unit 52 determines in S220 that the remote control data of the reception error remains, it checks the operation data of the adjacent toilet (cleaning toilet seat device 30) that is the toilet 22 adjacent to the error toilet, which is the toilet 22 where the reception error occurred (S230). Note that although there is one adjacent toilet in FIG. 1, if there are toilets 22 on both sides of the error toilet, there will be two adjacent toilets. Next, the control unit 52 determines whether the remote control data of the reception error remains in the operation data of the adjacent toilet (S240). Here, the remote control signal transmitted from the remote control 40 of the error toilet may be received by the adjacent toilet. Even in this case, the toilet will not operate based on the received remote control signal, but if the remote control data of the reception error is received and remains in the adjacent toilet, it can be used for code analysis, so it is determined whether the remote control data remains in S240. When the control unit 52 determines that the remote control data of the reception error does not remain in the operation data of the adjacent toilet, it ends the reception error response process.

[0034] When the control unit 52 determines in S240 that the remote control data of the adjacent toilet remains, it analyzes the remote control data of the received error based on each remote control data of the error toilet and the adjacent toilet and the remote control operation history 53a (S250). Because each remote control data of the error toilet and the adjacent toilet is analyzed, for example, if there is a discrepancy in the code defective part of both, the code analysis can be performed correctly by matching the normal parts, thereby improving the reliability of the code analysis.

[0035] The control unit 52 can also determine the transmission status of the remote control signal with the reception error from the remote control operation history 53a. For example, after receiving a remote control signal instructing local cleaning such as buttock cleaning or bidet cleaning, it can determine that local cleaning is in progress, and perform code analysis by excluding remote control signals that are not usually received during local cleaning (for example, a remote control signal instructing nozzle cleaning). Also, even during local cleaning, it can determine whether the situation is immediately after receiving a remote control signal instructing local cleaning, or after a period of time required for local cleaning has elapsed since receiving the remote control signal. For example, in the former case, it is highly likely that the remote control signal is a remote control signal for adjusting the temperature or strength of cleaning water, and in the latter case, it is highly likely that the remote control signal is a remote control signal instructing the stop of cleaning. Also, from the remote control operation history 53a, it can also distinguish between remote control signals that are operated frequently and remote control signals that are operated infrequently. Therefore, when code analysis is difficult, the control unit 52 can select remote control signals that are operated frequently. In this way, the analysis can be narrowed down to codes with a high possibility of instructions from the remote control operation history 53a, thereby improving the reliability of code analysis. The remote control operation history 53a may be classified by season or time period, and the history of the corresponding classification may be referred to for analysis.

[0036] When the code analysis is performed in this way, the control unit 52 transmits an instruction based on the analysis result to the toilet seat cleaning device 30 of the error toilet compartment (S260), and ends the transmission error handling process. As a result, even if a reception error occurs, an instruction can be transmitted to the toilet seat cleaning device 30, and it can be operated appropriately.

[0037] In the toilet management system 10 described above, when the remaining battery level BL of the remote control 40 is less than a specified remaining level BLref, the mode is changed to frame count reduction mode, reducing consumption of the battery B and postponing the battery replacement time. This makes it possible for the manager M to replace the battery at a time that is convenient for him / her, and prevents frequent remote control signal reception errors from occurring even if the manager M is unable to replace the battery immediately.

[0038] Also, the code is analyzed from the remote control signal (error signal) obtained from the cleaning toilet seat device 30 that has caused a reception error, and instructions are given based on the analysis results, so the cleaning toilet seat device 30 can be operated appropriately. Also, in addition to the remote control signal that has caused a reception error, the remote control operation history 53a and the remote control signal received by the adjacent cleaning toilet seat device 30 are obtained and the code is analyzed, so the reliability of the analysis can be improved. Also, the adjacent remote control is changed to a frame number increase mode, and an exchange instruction is notified to the manager M to exchange the batteries B of the low remaining battery remote control and the adjacent remote control together, so the man-hours for battery exchange can be reduced.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the code is analyzed using the remote control data of the error toilet and the adjacent toilet and the remote control operation history 53a in the reception error handling process, but this is not limited to this. For example, the code may be analyzed even if the remote control operation history 53a is not stored, is not stored correctly, or the remote control data of the adjacent toilet does not remain. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the reception error handling process of the modified example. Note that in the modified example, the same steps as those in Figure 9 are assigned the same step numbers and explanations are omitted.

[0040] In the reception error handling process of FIG. 10, the control unit 52 checks the operation data of the adjacent toilet in S230, and judges whether the operation data of the adjacent toilet contains remote control data that has become a reception error (S240), and whether the remote control operation history 53a of the error toilet exists (S242, S244). When the control unit 52 judges in S240 and S242 that the remote control data of the adjacent toilet exists and that the remote control operation history 53a exists, it analyzes the code in S250 as in the embodiment. On the other hand, when the control unit 52 judges in S242 that the remote control operation history 53a does not exist, it analyzes the code from the remote control data of the error toilet and the adjacent toilet (S252). In addition, when the control unit 52 judges in S244 that the remote control data of the adjacent toilet does not exist but judges that the remote control operation history 53a of the error toilet exists, it analyzes the code using the remote control data of the error toilet and the remote control operation history 53a (S254). In this way, the code may be analyzed based on the remote control data that has resulted in a reception error and at least one of the remote control operation history 53a and the remote control data of the adjacent toilet.

[0041] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example, when the remote control data that has caused a reception error remains, the code analysis is performed using the remote control operation history 53a and the remote control data of the adjacent toilet in addition to the remote control data, but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the remote control data of the adjacent toilet or the remote control operation history 53a, code analysis may be performed using other information such as the history of occurrence of a reception error. Alternatively, code analysis may be performed using only the remote control data that has caused a reception error, or code analysis may be performed when both of S240 and S244 of the reception error handling process in FIG. 10 are negative. In addition, the remote control data that has caused a reception error is obtained from the toilet seat cleaning device 30, but this is not limited to this, and it may be obtained from the remote control 40 that is the transmission source, such as a configuration in which the remote control 40 is connected to the network 5 via the router 12.

[0042] In the embodiment, the management device 50 performs the battery remaining amount reduction response process and the reception error response process, but this is not limited to this. For example, the remote control 40 may perform the battery remaining amount reduction response process. In this case, the control unit 44 of the remote control 40 may change to the frame number reduction mode when it detects that the battery remaining amount BL is less than a predetermined remaining amount BLref. Also, the control unit 44 of the remote control 40 may transmit a notification that the mode has been changed to the frame number reduction mode, and the control unit 44 of the adjacent remote control that has received the notification may change to the frame number increase mode. Alternatively, the battery remaining amount reduction process and the reception error response process may be performed by the toilet seat cleaning device 30. In this case, any one of the toilet stalls 22 in one toilet 20 may be designated as a management toilet, and the toilet seat cleaning device 30 of the management toilet may have the function of the management device 50 of the embodiment.

[0043] In the embodiment, the battery replacement timing is the same for the low remaining remote control and the adjacent remote control, but this is not limited to the above. The battery replacement timing may be the same for other remote controls 40 in the restroom 20 in addition to the adjacent remote control, or the battery replacement timing may be the same for all remote controls 40 in the restroom 20. Alternatively, the remaining battery levels BL of the other remote controls 40 may be acquired, and the battery replacement timing may be the same for the remote controls 40 whose remaining battery levels BL are less than a predetermined remaining level BLref (a first remaining level) by changing the frame number increase mode. In this way, the battery replacement timing is synchronized for the remote controls 40 close to the predetermined remaining level BLref, excluding the remote controls 40 whose remaining battery levels BL are sufficient (above the second remaining level), so that the battery replacement can be performed more appropriately. In addition, the battery replacement timing is not limited to the same for the remote controls 40 in one restroom 20, and the battery replacement timing may be the same for the remote controls 40 in adjacent restrooms 20. For example, the battery replacement timing may be the same for multiple remote controls 40 in each of the men's and women's restrooms 20 that are provided adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the battery replacement timing is not limited to the same for the low-power remote controller and the adjacent remote controllers, and the battery replacement timing may not be the same, that is, the battery may be replaced only in the low-power remote controller.

[0044] In the embodiment, the toilet 20 is exemplified as having a plurality of toilet stalls 22 like a typical public toilet, but the present invention is not limited to this and may have only one toilet stall 22. In this case, the processes of S140 to S170 may be omitted in the low battery response process, the processes of S230 and S240 may be omitted in the reception error response process, and code analysis may be performed in S250 without using the remote control data of an adjacent toilet stall (the process of S254 in the modified example may be performed).

[0045] The correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the section on means for solving the problem will be described. In this embodiment, the control unit 52 of the management device 50 that executes the process of S100 of the low battery level response process corresponds to the "battery level acquisition unit", and the control unit 52 of the management device 50 that executes the processes of S110 to S130 of the low battery level response process corresponds to the "transmission management unit". The control unit 52 of the management device 50 that executes the reception error response process corresponds to the "error processing unit". The control unit 52 of the management device 50 and the mobile terminal 60 (or the display unit 56) that executes the processes of S180 and S190 of the low battery level response process correspond to the "instruction notification unit".

[0046] Note that the correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column does not limit the elements of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column, since this embodiment is an example for specifically explaining the mode for implementing the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column should be made based on the description in that column, and this embodiment is merely a specific example of the invention described in the Means for Solving the Problem column.

[0047] Although the above describes the form for carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and it is of course possible to carry out the present invention in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] The present invention can be used for managing a toilet in which a cleaning toilet seat device and a remote control device are installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 5 network, 10 toilet management system, 12 router, 20 public toilet, 21 urinal, 22 toilet stall, 24 washbasin, 30 cleaning toilet seat device, 31 Western-style toilet, 32 toilet seat device main body, 33 toilet seat, 34 toilet lid, 35 private parts cleaning unit, 36 seating detection sensor, 37 control unit, 38 communication unit, 40 operation panel, 42 operation switch, 42a rear cleaning switch, 42b bidet cleaning switch, 42c stop switch, 42d temperature adjustment switch, 42e water pressure adjustment switch, 42f nozzle cleaning switch, 44 control unit, 46 communication unit, 50 management device, 52 control unit, 53 memory unit, 53a remote control operation history, 54 communication unit, 56 display unit, 57 input unit, 60 mobile terminal, 62 display operation unit, B battery, M administrator.

Claims

1. A toilet management system for managing a toilet in which a cleaning toilet seat device and a remote control device associated with the cleaning toilet seat device are installed, comprising: a battery remaining capacity acquiring unit for acquiring a remaining battery capacity of the remote control device; a transmission management unit that manages transmission of the remote control device so that, when the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining level, a frame in which a code corresponding to a user's operation is stored according to a predetermined communication format is transmitted a predetermined number of times as a remote control signal of the remote control device, and when the remaining battery level is less than the predetermined remaining level, the frame is transmitted a number of times less than the predetermined number of times; an error processing unit that, when a reception error occurs in the remote control signal received by the toilet washing device, acquires an error signal, which is the remote control signal that has received the reception error, from the toilet washing device or the remote control device that sent it, analyzes the code from the error signal, and issues an instruction based on the analyzed code to the toilet washing device that has received the reception error; A toilet management system comprising:

2. The toilet management system according to claim 1, The error processing unit acquires, in addition to the error signal, history information regarding a history of operations of the remote control device that is the transmission source, and analyzes the code from the error signal using the acquired history information. Toilet management system.

3. The toilet management system according to claim 1 or 2, the toilet has a plurality of toilet stalls in which the cleaning toilet seat device and the remote control device associated with the cleaning toilet seat device are installed, The error processing unit acquires, in addition to the error signal, the remote control signal received by the adjacent toilet cubicle of the toilet seat device in which the reception error occurred, and analyzes the code from the error signal using the acquired remote control signal. Toilet management system.

4. The toilet management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the toilet has a plurality of toilet stalls in which the cleaning toilet seat device and the remote control device associated with the cleaning toilet seat device are installed, when the transmission management unit manages the transmission of the remote control device so that the frame is transmitted a number of times less than the predetermined number of times, in the remote control device whose toilet is adjacent to the remote control device, the transmission management unit manages the transmission so that the frame is transmitted a number of times more than the predetermined number of times; and an instruction notification unit that notifies an administrator of an instruction to replace the battery of the remote control device whose remaining battery level has fallen below the predetermined remaining battery level and the battery of the remote control device adjacent to the toilet together. Toilet management system.

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