EXCRETION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, EXCRETION INFORMATION MANAGEMENT METHOD, PROGRAM, EDGE SERVER, AND TOILET SEAT DEVICE

Abstract

To reduce data traffic to a cloud server for analyzing image data of excrement.SOLUTION: An excrement management system according to an embodiment collects and manages information on excrement, comprises a toilet bowl in which a bowl part for receiving the excrement is formed, a light emitting part for applying light toward the inside of the toilet bowl, a light receiving part having an image sensor for receiving the light, a cloud server and an edge server for analyzing light receiving data received by the light receiving part, a first communication device for transmitting the light receiving data to the cloud server, and a second communication device for transmitting the light receiving data to the edge server. The cloud server determines characteristics of the excrement by analyzing the light receiving data. The edge server determines whether or not the light receiving data can be transmitted to the cloud server by the first communication device, by analyzing the light receiving data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to an excrement management system, an excrement information management method, a program, an edge server, and a toilet seat device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in nursing facilities and the like, nursing staff record the defecation status of residents in order to manage their health conditions. As a device capable of reducing the burden of recording such defecation status, a device that captures images of excrement excreted in a toilet and estimates the health condition of the human body by analyzing the images is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The data detection device described in Patent Document 1 includes an image capturing unit that captures images of excrement, and a data processing and analysis unit that analyzes the color and shape of the excrement from the captured images. The data processing and analysis unit correlates the color and shape analyzed from the images of the excrement with the health condition, thereby making it possible to estimate the health condition of the human body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-252805 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to analyze the color and shape from images of excrement, it is preferable to use a cloud server equipped with abundant computational resources and storage. However, since image data is relatively large in volume, there is a problem that the amount of data communication becomes very large if all image data captured by the image capture unit is transmitted to the cloud server.

[0006] The disclosed embodiments are intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aim to provide an excrement management system, an excrement information management method, a program, an edge server, and a toilet seat device that can reduce the amount of data communication to a cloud server that analyzes image data of excrement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of an embodiment of an excrement management system is an excrement management system that collects and manages information about excrement, and includes a toilet bowl formed with a bowl portion to receive excrement, an emitter that emits light toward the inside of the toilet bowl, a light-receiving unit having an image sensor that receives light, a cloud server and an edge server that analyze received light data received by the light-receiving unit, a first communication device that transmits the received light data to the cloud server, and a second communication device that transmits the received light data to the edge server, wherein the cloud server determines characteristics of the excrement by analyzing the received light data, and the edge server analyzes the received light data to determine whether or not the first communication device can transmit the received light data to the cloud server.

[0008] According to an excrement management system according to an aspect of the embodiment, before the light reception data received by the light receiving unit of the first communication device is transmitted to the cloud server, the edge server analyzes the light reception data to determine whether the light reception data should be transmitted to the cloud server by the first communication device. This makes it possible to prevent all the light reception data received by the light receiving unit from being transmitted to the cloud server, thereby reducing the amount of data communication to the cloud server.

[0009] In an excrement management system according to one aspect of an embodiment, a first communication device transmits received light data to a cloud server using a wide area information and communication network, and a second communication device transmits the received light data to an edge server using an in-house information and communication network.

[0010] According to an excrement management system of one aspect of the embodiment, communication to the cloud server uses a wide area information and communication network. This allows for flexibility in the installation location of the cloud server, which requires space due to its abundant computational resources and storage. Also, according to an excrement management system of one aspect of the embodiment, communication to the edge server uses an on-premise information and communication network. This allows for data received by the light receiving unit to be transmitted to the edge server via the on-premise information and communication network, which does not incur a communication usage fee for data communication. This allows for a reduction in the communication usage fee for data communication to transmit the received light data to the edge server.

[0011] In one aspect of an embodiment, in an excrement management system, a first communication device is configured to transmit and receive data between a cloud server and an edge server, and the amount of data transmitted from the cloud server to the edge server via the first communication device is less than the amount of received light data transmitted from the edge server to the cloud server via the first communication device.

[0012] The data sent to the cloud server is large-capacity light-receiving data that contains sufficient information for the cloud server to analyze the characteristics of the excrement, whereas the data sent from the cloud server only requires the analysis results regarding the characteristics of the excrement, and therefore does not need to be large-capacity light-receiving data. In contrast, in an excrement management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, the first communication device is configured to transmit and receive data between the cloud server and the edge server, and is configured such that the amount of data transmitted from the cloud server to the edge server is smaller than the amount of data transmitted from the edge server to the cloud server, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of data communication in transmitting and receiving data between the cloud server and the edge server.

[0013] In one aspect of an embodiment of an excrement management system, the cloud server analyzes the received light data to determine at least one of three features consisting of the color, shape, and amount of excrement, and the edge server analyzes the received light data to determine whether the received light data contains excrement.

[0014] According to an excrement management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, the cloud server determines at least one of three features consisting of the color, shape, and amount of excrement, and the edge server determines whether or not excrement is included in the received light data. This makes it easier for the edge server to analyze the received light data than the cloud server, and the edge server, which has smaller computational resources than the cloud server, can be used efficiently. Therefore, it is possible to suppress communication delays caused by the edge server making a determination before transmitting the received light data to the cloud server.

[0015] In one aspect of the embodiment, the excrement management system further includes a user identification device that acquires information about a user who uses the toilet, and the first communication device does not transmit the user information to the cloud server.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the excrement management system, since it includes a user identification device that acquires user information, it is possible to link the characteristics of the excrement determined by the cloud server with the information of the user who excreted the excrement. In addition, since the first communication device does not transmit user information to the cloud server, the user information is excluded from the light reception data transmitted from the edge server, so that the communication capacity from the edge server to the cloud server can be reduced. In addition, since the data transmitted from the edge server to the cloud server does not include information that can identify an individual, it is possible to prevent leakage of personal information between communication paths.

[0017] In this embodiment, "user information" refers to information that can identify an individual (such as a name or address), and does not include information that has been anonymized by an edge server or the like to the extent that an individual cannot be identified (such as an ID).

[0018] In one aspect of the embodiment, the excrement management system is characterized in that the cloud server records user information using the toilet in advance, and the received light data determined by the edge server as being suitable for transmission is linked to the user information pre-recorded in the cloud server.

[0019] According to one aspect of the embodiment of the excrement management system, by linking user information and light reception data in the cloud server, the light reception data and excrement characteristic information analyzed by the cloud server can be transmitted to the user's information terminal, medical institution, etc., thereby increasing the usefulness of the light reception data and excrement characteristic information.

[0020] An excretion information management method according to one aspect of an embodiment is an excretion information management method that manages information regarding excretion collected in a toilet room in which a toilet is provided on a cloud server, and is characterized in including a detection process in which a light receiving unit receives reflected light from the excreta in response to light irradiated by an light emitting unit toward the inside of the toilet, and an analysis process in which, based on the received light data detected by the detection process, a communication device determines whether or not to transmit the received light data to the cloud server.

[0021] According to the excretion information management method of one aspect of the embodiment, when light irradiated by the light emitting unit toward the inside of the toilet bowl is reflected from the excrement, the received light data is analyzed to determine whether or not the received light data can be transmitted to the cloud server by the communication device. This makes it possible to prevent the communication device from transmitting the received light data to the cloud server if the received light data is not worthy of being managed on the cloud server. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of data communication to the cloud server according to the excretion information management method of one aspect of the embodiment.

[0022] A program according to one aspect of the embodiment is a program executed by an edge server capable of communicating with a toilet device and a cloud server, and is characterized in that the edge server executes a reception procedure for receiving received light data detected by a light receiving unit receiving light reflected from excrement in response to light irradiated by a light emitting unit toward the inside of the toilet, and a transmission procedure for transmitting a determination result as to whether or not to transmit the received light data to a device that controls a communication device that transmits the received light data to the cloud server based on an analysis result of the received light data.

[0023] According to a program relating to one aspect of the embodiment, the received light data received by the reception procedure is analyzed, and a determination result as to whether or not to transmit the received light data is transmitted to an apparatus that controls a communication apparatus that transmits the received light data to the cloud server, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of data communication to the cloud server.

[0024] An edge server in one aspect of an embodiment is an edge server capable of communicating with a cloud server and a toilet device, and includes a first communication device configured to communicate with the cloud server, a second communication device configured to communicate with the toilet device, a memory that stores detection data regarding optically detected excrement transmitted from the toilet device via the second communication device, and a processing device that analyzes the detection data stored in the memory, and is characterized in that the processing device determines whether or not to transmit the detection data to the cloud server by the first communication device based on the detection data.

[0025] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the edge server analyzes the detection data related to excrement sent from the toilet device, and determines whether or not to transmit the detection data to the cloud server by the first communication device. This makes it possible to prevent all of the detection data sent from the toilet device from being transmitted to the cloud server, thereby reducing the amount of data communication to the cloud server.

[0026] A toilet seat device in one embodiment is a toilet seat device that is installed on top of a toilet bowl and includes an light-emitting unit that irradiates light toward the inside of the toilet bowl, a light-receiving unit equipped with an image sensor that receives light, a memory that stores light reception data received by the light-receiving unit, a communication device that transmits the light reception data to a cloud server, and a processing unit that analyzes the light reception data stored in the memory, and is characterized in that the processing unit determines whether or not to transmit the light reception data to the cloud server based on the light reception data.

[0027] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the toilet seat device analyzes the light reception data received by the light receiving unit provided in the toilet seat device and determines whether or not to transmit the light reception data to the cloud server by the communication device. This makes it possible to prevent all of the light reception data received by the light receiving unit from being transmitted to the cloud server, thereby reducing the amount of data communication to the cloud server. Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amount of data communication to a cloud server that analyzes image data of excrement. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of an excrement management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is an external perspective view of a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an excrement management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an excrement management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram corresponding to the block diagram of the functional configuration in FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an excrement management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram corresponding to the block diagram of the functional configuration in FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an excrement management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram corresponding to the block diagram of the functional configuration in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of data in processing of an excrement management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of the shape and amount of excrement. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between excrement and blood. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis of excrement color. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the excrement management 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 to the embodiment described below. Below, a configuration and information processing for collecting and managing information on excrement excreted by users of the toilet room will be described.

[0031] <1. Exterior composition of the toilet room> First, the external configuration of a toilet room according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of a toilet room according to an embodiment.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the excrement management system 1 includes a toilet device 2 and an operating device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter referred to as "toilet bowl") 7 is installed on a floor surface F in a toilet room R. In the following, the direction facing the interior space of the toilet room R from the floor surface F is described as "up." A toilet seat device 3 is provided above the toilet bowl 7.

[0033] The toilet bowl 7 is made of ceramic, for example. A bowl portion 8 is formed in the toilet bowl 7. The bowl portion 8 is concave downwards, and is the portion that receives the user's excrement. The toilet bowl 7 is not limited to a floor-standing type as shown in the figure, but may be a wall-mounted type or other type. The toilet bowl 7 is provided with a rim portion 9 around the entire periphery of the edge of the opening where the bowl portion 8 faces. The toilet bowl 7 may be provided with a flush water tank that stores flush water, or may be a so-called tankless type in which no flush water tank is provided.

[0034] For example, when a user operates a flushing operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R, a toilet flush is performed by supplying flush water to the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7. The flushing operation unit may be an operation lever, or a pressing operation of a toilet flushing button provided on the operation device 10. Note that the flushing operation unit is not limited to one that performs toilet flushing manually by the user, such as an operation lever, but may also be one that performs toilet flushing when a sensor that detects the user, such as a seating sensor, detects the human body.

[0035] The toilet seat device 3 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 7, and includes a toilet cover 4, a toilet seat 5, and a functional part 6. The toilet seat device 3 may be attached to the toilet bowl 7 in a detachable manner, or may be attached to the toilet bowl 7 so as to be integrated therewith.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat 5 is formed in an annular shape with an opening in the center, and is positioned along the rim portion 9 so as to overlap the opening of the toilet bowl 7. The toilet seat 5 functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of a seated user. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet lid 4 and the toilet seat 5 are each pivotally supported at one end by a functional portion 6, and are attached so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) around the pivot portion of the functional portion 6. The toilet lid 4 is attached to the toilet seat device 3 as necessary, and the toilet seat device 3 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a toilet lid 4.

[0037] The operating device 10 is provided in the toilet room R. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated when a user is seated on the toilet seat 5. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the operating device 10 is provided on a wall surface W on the right side as seen from a user seated on the toilet seat 5. Note that the operating device 10 may be provided in various ways, not limited to on a wall surface, as long as it is usable by a user seated on the toilet seat 5. For example, the operating device 10 may be provided integrally with the toilet seat apparatus 3.

[0038] The operating device 10 is connected to the toilet seat device 3 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with the toilet seat device 3 in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the toilet seat device 3 and the operating device 10 may be connected in any manner as long as they are able to transmit and receive information, and may be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0039] Furthermore, the excrement management system 1 may identify the user through the user's operation of the operating device 10. The operating device 10 may function as a user identification device 38 (see FIG. 3) that identifies the user. For example, the operating device 10 identifies the user through personal authentication. The operating device 10 may identify the user based on the user's biometric information such as a fingerprint or vein pattern. In this case, the excrement management system 1 may include the operating device 10 that functions as the user identification device 38. Note that the operating device 10 may not be required in the toilet room R as long as the toilet room R is provided with components (such as the toilet bowl 7 and the toilet seat device 3) for the user to excrete excrement.

[0040] <2. Functional configuration of the detection device> Next, the functional configuration of the detection device will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the detection device according to the embodiment.

[0041] The detection device 12 comprises a light-emitting unit 14 that emits light in response to an electrical signal controlled by a control device 20 (see FIG. 3), a light-receiving unit 16 that receives light reflected from the user's excrement in response to the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 14, and a housing 18 for supporting the light-emitting unit 14 and the light-receiving unit 16. With these configurations, the detection device 12 realizes the function of detecting excrement excreted in the toilet bowl. The detection device 12 detects data including three characteristic quantities consisting of the color, shape, and amount of feces excreted by the user, for example. The processing of the data detected by this detection device 12 will be described later.

[0042] The light-emitting unit 14 includes a light-emitting element (not shown) such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light-emitting element included in the light-emitting unit 14 is not limited to an LED, and various elements may be used. The light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 14 is not limited to white light having uniform wavelengths of visible light, and may be colored light having only a specific wavelength or invisible light such as infrared light.

[0043] The light receiving unit 16 includes a lens 17 and a light receiving element (not shown). The light receiving element is formed of, for example, a line sensor or an area sensor in which a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor is arranged. The light receiving unit may also have a spectroscopic function such as a spectroscopic filter.

[0044] The detection device 12 may be arranged inside the functional part 6 or toilet seat 5 of the toilet seat device 3 and formed as an integral part of the toilet seat device 3, or it may be arranged by hooking it between the rim part 9 of the toilet bowl 7 and the toilet seat 5 and formed as a separate part from the toilet seat device 3.

[0045] <3. Structure of the excrement management system> Here, the configuration of the excrement management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 9. First, the functional configuration of the excrement management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the excrement management system according to an embodiment.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, the excrement management system 1 includes a toilet device 2, a detection device 12, a cloud server 30, a first communication device 32, an edge server 34, a second communication device 36, and a user identification device 38. Note that, although Fig. 3 shows a configuration in which devices are separated according to the functions of the excrement management system 1, the excrement management system 1 may be composed of devices that realize multiple functions. This point will be described in detail later.

[0047] The toilet apparatus 2 includes a toilet bowl 7 and a toilet seat apparatus 3 in FIG. 1, and is used as a device for a user to excrete feces. Furthermore, the toilet seat apparatus 3 provided in the toilet apparatus 2 functions as a control device 20 for controlling the detection device 12. When the toilet apparatus 2 executes functions provided in an edge server 34, which will be described later, the control device 20 also functions as the edge server 34.

[0048] The control device 20 includes an arithmetic processing unit 24 for controlling the detection device 12 and performing arithmetic processing on data detected by the detection device 12, and a memory 22 for storing the data detected by the detection device 12 and storing a control program to be executed by the arithmetic processing unit 24.

[0049] The arithmetic processing device 24 is realized by various means, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0050] The memory 22 may have various configurations, such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) or a Random Access Memory (RAM).

[0051] The detection device 12 includes a light emitting section 14 and a light receiving section 16 shown in FIG. 2, and is used as a device for optically detecting feces excreted by a user.

[0052] The cloud server 30 realizes a function of determining characteristics of excrement based on the light reception data detected by the detection device 12. The cloud server 30 may also realize a function of accumulating the detection data detected by the detection device 12 and information on the determination results determined by the cloud server 30, and providing the information in response to an external request.

[0053] The cloud server 30 is a server provided in a cloud environment, and is a virtual server with scalable computing performance and storage (memory device) capacity. When the cloud server 30 is connected to a user's mobile terminal (smartphone or personal computer), the excrement management system 1 can provide information to the user in the form of a web service (for example, an ASP (Application service Provider)) that performs computational processing from accumulated data and transmits the results to the mobile terminal via a wide area information and communication network. In this case, the cloud server 30 performs data accumulation, computational processing, and response processing to requests for information.

[0054] The first communication device 32 realizes a function of transmitting data detected by the detection device 12 to the cloud server 30. The first communication device 32 is configured by a wide area information and communication network, a so-called WAN (Wide Area Network), and transmits and receives data between the cloud server 30 and the edge server 34. The wide area information and communication network may be, for example, a wide area wired communication line such as the Internet or a dedicated line, or may be a wide area wireless communication line such as 3G (third generation mobile communication system), 4G, 5G, or LTE.

[0055] The edge server 34 realizes a function of determining whether or not to transmit the detection data to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32. The edge server 34 is a server that communicates with the cloud server 30 via a wide area information and communication network, and also communicates with the control device 20 provided in the toilet device 2 via an in-plant information and communication network. The process of determining whether or not to transmit the detection data to the cloud server 30, which is realized by the edge server 34, will be described later.

[0056] The second communication device 36 realizes the function of transmitting data detected by the detection device 12 to the edge server 34. The second communication device 36 is configured using an in-house information and communication network, a so-called LAN (Local Area Network), short-distance wireless communication, serial communication, or the like, and transmits and receives data between the edge server 34 and the toilet device 2, or between the edge server 34 and a user's mobile terminal.

[0057] The on-site information and communication network may be, for example, a field bus such as Profibus, Modbus, or TC-net, or a local wired communication line such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or it may be a local wireless communication line such as wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) (registered trademark) or the 920 MHz band.

[0058] The short-range wireless communication may be, for example, classic Bluetooth, or may be BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) or ZigBee, which are capable of realizing communication with low power consumption. The serial communication may be, for example, UART communication, or a communication method such as I2C communication or SPI communication.

[0059] The user identification device 38 realizes a function of identifying a user who uses the toilet 7. The user identification device 38 may identify the user using biometric information such as the user's fingerprint or veins acquired by various sensors provided in the operating device 10. The user identification device 38 may also specify the user by using information identifying the user (such as a user ID) acquired from a communication device through communication between the user's mobile terminal and various communication devices.

[0060] Since the user information acquired by the user identification device 38 is information that can identify an individual, it is preferable to implement security measures. Therefore, it is preferable that the user information is converted by the edge server 34 or the like into anonymized information (such as an ID) to an extent that the individual cannot be identified. This makes it possible to prevent the first communication device 32 from transmitting information that can identify an individual to the cloud server 30. Therefore, since the user information is excluded from the light reception data transmitted from the edge server, it is possible to reduce the communication capacity from the edge server 34 to the cloud server 30. In addition, since the data transmitted from the edge server 34 to the cloud server 30 does not include information that can identify an individual, it is possible to prevent leakage of personal information between communication paths.

[0061] On the other hand, by linking the user information and the light reception data in the cloud server 30, it is possible to improve the usability of the light reception data and the processing results stored in the cloud server 30. In this case, by recording in advance in the cloud server 30 user information capable of identifying an individual associated with the anonymized user information transmitted from the edge server 34 to the cloud server 30, it is possible to link, for example, the light reception data transmitted from the edge server with the user information recorded in the cloud server 30 capable of identifying an individual.

[0062] In this embodiment, the light reception data and the processing results stored in the cloud server 30 may be transmitted to the user after being collated with user information that can identify an individual by the edge server 34, or may be transmitted to the user after the stored light reception data and the processing results are linked to the user information that can identify an individual by the cloud server 30. Furthermore, the light reception data and the processing results stored in the cloud server 30 may be linked to the user information that can identify an individual by transmitting them to a medical institution and used for a doctor's diagnosis, etc., thereby improving the usability of the detection data and the processing results stored in the cloud server 30.

[0063] <3-1. Example of the structure of an excrement management system> Next, a configuration example of the excrement management system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 9. Figs. 4, 6 and 8 are block diagrams showing an example of a functional configuration of the excrement management system according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram corresponding to the block diagram of the functional configuration of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram corresponding to the functional configuration of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a conceptual diagram corresponding to the functional configuration of Fig. 8.

[0064] In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 4 and 5, the toilet device 2 and the detection device 12 are configured to be separate entities. The detection device 12 is disposed in the toilet room R, for example, by being hooked between the rim portion 9 of the toilet bowl 7 and the toilet seat 5. In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 4 and 5, a user identification device 38 is placed in the toilet room R, and is configured to be able to communicate with the toilet device 2. Identification of the user by the user identification device 38 is achieved, for example, by an input by the user to an operating device 10 placed in the toilet room R, or by various sensors provided in the toilet room R. In the excrement management system 1 of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the edge server 34 and the cloud server 30 are disposed outside the toilet room R. In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 4 and 5, the toilet device 2 is configured to be able to communicate with an edge server 34 via a second communication device 36, and the edge server 34 is configured to be able to communicate with the cloud server 30 via a first communication device 32.

[0065] In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 4 and 5, user information identified by the user identification device 38 and data detected by the detection device 12 are processed by the control device 20 provided in the toilet device 2, and transmitted to the edge server 34 via the second communication device 36. The edge server 34 then analyzes the detection data to determine whether or not to transmit the detection data to the cloud server 30 by the first communication device 32. This makes it possible to prevent all data detected by the detection device 12 from being transmitted to the cloud server 30, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of data communication to the cloud server 30.

[0066] 4 and 5, multiple toilet devices 2 can be connected to one edge server 34. This makes it possible to reduce the number of edge servers 34 required in the excrement management system 1, thereby reducing the costs required to build the excrement management system 1.

[0067] 4 and 5, the user information transmitted to the edge server 34 is anonymized to an extent that the individual cannot be identified by the edge server 34, and then transmitted to the cloud server 30 together with the detection data via the first communication device 32. This makes it possible to reduce the communication capacity from the edge server 34 to the cloud server 30, since the user information is excluded from the light reception data transmitted from the edge server. In addition, it is possible to prevent leakage of personal information between communication paths.

[0068] The determination result regarding the feature quantities of the excrement analyzed by the cloud server 30 is transmitted to the edge server 34 via the first communication device 32, and is linked to the user information by the edge server 34, and is displayed on a display device (not shown) or the like provided in the toilet room R in which the user identification device 38 is placed. This allows the user of the toilet room R to check whether the determination result displayed on the display device is his / her own or not. Note that the destination of the determination result by the edge server 34 is not limited to within the toilet room R, and it may be sent to the user's mobile terminal or the like that is stored in advance in the edge server 34.

[0069] In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the functions of the detection device 12 and edge server 34 are realized by the toilet apparatus 2. The detection device 12 is disposed, for example, in the functional unit 6 of the toilet seat apparatus 3 or inside the toilet seat 5. The functions of the edge server 34 are realized by the control device 20 of the toilet apparatus 2. In the excrement management system 1 shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the functions of the user identification device 38 are realized by a mobile terminal 40 used by a caregiver or the like in a care facility. The mobile terminal 40 is configured, for example, as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal or the like. The mobile terminal 40 may be carried by the caregiver or the like, or may be placed outside the toilet room R. Identification of the user by the mobile terminal 40 is realized by a user ID or the like that identifies the user. In the excrement management system 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cloud server 30 is placed outside the toilet room R. In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 6 and 7, the toilet device 2 is configured to be able to communicate with the cloud server 30 via a first communication device 32. The detection device 12 and the mobile terminal 40 are configured to be able to communicate with the edge server 34 via a second communication device 36.

[0070] In the excrement management system 1 shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, data detected by the detection device 12 is transmitted to the control device 20 by the second communication device 36 configured by serial communication or the like. User information identified by the mobile terminal 40 is transmitted to the control device 20 by the second communication device 36 configured by short-range wireless communication or the like. Then, the control device 20 analyzes the detection data to determine whether or not the first communication device 32 can transmit the detection data to the cloud server 30. This makes it possible to prevent all data detected by the detection device 12 from being transmitted to the cloud server 30, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of data communication to the cloud server 30.

[0071] 6 and 7, the determination result regarding the feature amount of the excrement analyzed by the cloud server 30 can be made accessible from the user's mobile terminal 40 via the first communication device 32 or the second communication device 36. This allows the user to check the determination result regarding the feature amount of the excrement from the user's mobile terminal 40. Furthermore, since the user information is stored in the user's mobile terminal 40, it is not necessary for the cloud server 30 to manage the user information.

[0072] In the excrement management system 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the functions of the detection device 12 are realized by the toilet device 2. 8 and 9, the functions of the edge server 34 and the user identification device 38 are realized by a mobile terminal 40. The functions of the edge server 34 are realized by a control device 20 provided in the mobile terminal 40. Here, a program for the mobile terminal 40 to realize the functions of the edge server 34 is downloaded from the cloud server 30, for example, in the form of application software. In the excrement management system 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cloud server is placed outside the toilet room R. In the excrement management system 1 shown in Figures 8 and 9, the user's mobile terminal 40 is configured to be able to communicate with the toilet device 2 via the second communication device. In addition, the user's mobile terminal 40 is configured to be able to communicate with the cloud server 30 via the first communication device.

[0073] 8 and 9, data detected by the detection device 12 is transmitted to the user's mobile terminal 40 via a second communication device 36 configured by short-range wireless communication or the like, and is processed by the control device 20 provided in the mobile terminal 40 together with user information stored in the mobile terminal 40. Then, the mobile terminal 40 analyzes the detection data to determine whether or not the first communication device 32 can transmit the detection data to the cloud server 30. This makes it possible to prevent all data detected by the detection device 12 from being transmitted to the cloud server 30, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of data communication to the cloud server 30.

[0074] Furthermore, in the excrement management system 1 shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the data detected by the detection device 12 can be processed by the control device 20 provided in the toilet device 2 to reduce the amount of data before transmitting it to the mobile device 40. This makes it possible to increase the data transfer speed to the mobile device via the second communication device 36. Furthermore, in the excrement management system 1 shown in Fig. 6, the control device 20 provided in the mobile device 40 can perform simpler analysis than the analysis of excrement features performed by the cloud server 30. For example, by performing an analysis only on the presence or absence of excrement, the owner of the mobile device 40 can understand his or her own excretion cycle without transmitting detection data to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32.

[0075] 8 and 9, the determination result regarding the feature amount of the excrement analyzed by the cloud server 30 can be made accessible from the user's mobile terminal 40 via the first communication device 32. This allows the user to check the determination result regarding the feature amount of the excrement from the user's mobile terminal 40. In addition, since the user information is stored in the user's mobile terminal 40, it is not necessary for the cloud server 30 to manage the user information.

[0076] <4. Processing of excrement management system> Next, the process of excrement information collected in the excrement management system 1 will be described.

[0077] <4-1.Data> First, the data detected by the detection device 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of processing of data detected by the detection device. Note that only the configuration and processing required for the data flow will be described below, and an explanation of the light emission of the light emitting unit, etc. will be omitted.

[0078] First, the light receiving element of the light receiving unit 16 performs detection. The light receiving unit detects analog data AD1 of N pixels (N is any number). The analog data AD1 detected by the light receiving unit 16 is transmitted to the control device 20 provided in the toilet device 2 or the detection device 12 (step S11).

[0079] The control device 20 includes an AD Converter and converts analog data AD1, which has an analog value, into digital data, which has a digital value. The control device 20 judges which pixels are to be AD converted by the AD Converter, and determines which pixels of the analog data AD1 of N pixels are to be converted by the AD Converter. The control device 20 determines a value "n" that is equal to or less than N, and determines the number of pixels "n" to be converted by the AD Converter. For example, by determining a value equal to or less than N as "n", the control device 20 can reduce the amount of data to be transmitted to the cloud server 30 later.

[0080] The control device 20 temporarily stores the AD converted digital data DD1 in the memory 22 included in the control device 20 (step S12). In response to the control by the control device 20, digital data of n pixels is stored in the storage area FM1 of the memory 22 included in the control device 20.

[0081] Then, when the amount of digital data stored in memory area FM1 reaches or exceeds a predetermined amount consisting of n pixels x m rows, the n pixels x m rows of digital data is transmitted to edge server 34 via second communication device 36 provided in the toilet apparatus 2 or detection device 12 (step S13). When the functions provided in edge server 34 are executed by the toilet apparatus 2, an excretion determination (described below) is performed on the n pixels x m rows of digital data by calculation processing device 24 provided in control device 20.

[0082] The edge server 34 performs excretion judgment to judge whether or not excrement is contained in the digital data of n pixels x m rows transmitted from the control device 20. For example, the edge server 34 performs threshold judgment on a predetermined number of pixels (nl) x m rows of the digital data of n pixels. The edge server 34 may also perform threshold judgment on the digital data of n pixels x m rows.

[0083] Depending on the result of the threshold determination, the edge server 34 determines whether or not to transmit the digital data transmitted from the control device 20 to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32. In other words, the edge server 34 determines whether or not the device executing the function of the first communication device 32 is allowed to transmit data to the cloud server 30.

[0084] If the result of excretion determination by the edge server 34 is that the number of pixels in which the output value of the light receiving element has changed by a predetermined value or more from the initial data is less than a threshold value, the digital data transmitted from the control device 20 is deleted as shown in the memory area FM2 (step S14). That is, if it is determined that the light reception data received by the light receiving element is not light reception data reflected from excrement, the edge server 34 deletes the digital data (e.g., digital data of n pixels×m rows) stored in the memory area FM2 provided in the edge server 34. In addition, if there is no change in the data continuously received by the light receiving element, for example, image data, the image data may be deleted.

[0085] In this way, when the edge server 34 determines that the data transmitted via the second communication device 36 is not received light data reflected from excrement, it does not transmit the digital data to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32. In other words, it does not permit the device controlling the first communication device 32 to transmit data to the cloud server 30.

[0086] Furthermore, if the number of pixels whose output values ​​of the light receiving elements have changed by a predetermined value or more from the initial data as a result of the excretion determination by the edge server 34 is equal to or more than a threshold value, the data transmitted from the control device 20 is transmitted to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32 as shown in the storage area FM3 (S15). That is, if it is determined that the light reception data received by the light receiving elements is light reception data reflected from excretion, the edge server 34 transmits the digital data (e.g., digital data of n pixels×m rows) stored in the storage area FM2 of the edge server 34 to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32. For example, the data transmitted via the first communication device 32 and stored in the storage area FM3 of the cloud server 30 is data composed of only the number of pixels whose output values ​​of the light receiving elements have changed by a predetermined value or more from the initial data as a result of the excretion determination by the edge server 34 (e.g., nl pixels×m rows), thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of data transmitted to the cloud server 30.

[0087] In this way, when the edge server 34 determines that the data transmitted via the second communication device 36 is received light data reflected from excrement, it transmits the digital data to the cloud server 30 via the first communication device 32. In other words, it permits the device controlling the first communication device 32 to transmit data to the cloud server 30.

[0088] The cloud server 30 performs a determination on the feature amount of the excrement for the digital data transmitted via the first communication device 32. Then, the result is stored in a memory area FM3 included in the cloud server 30 (S16). Note that the determination result by the cloud server 30 may be transmitted to the edge server 34 via the first communication device 32 without being stored in the cloud server 30.

[0089] For example, the cloud server 30 performs a judgment on three feature quantities consisting of the color, shape, and amount of excrement. The cloud server 30 stores the judgment result on the color of excrement using 3 bits in the memory area FM3 so that a maximum of eight types (yellow, brown, black, abnormal (including blood red), etc.) can be judged. The cloud server stores the judgment result on the shape of excrement using 3 bits in the memory area FM3 so that seven types on the Bristol scale can be judged. The cloud server 30 stores the judgment result on the amount of excrement using 2 bits in the memory area FM3 so that at least three types consisting of large, normal, and small can be judged. This allows the cloud server 30 to store the judgment result on the three feature quantities consisting of the color, shape, and amount of excrement using 1 byte in the memory area FM3. The process for judging the feature quantities of excrement by the cloud server 30 will be described later.

[0090] <4-2. Data analysis> From here, data analysis for determining the feature amount of excrement will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Below, a process when the cloud server 30 of the excrement management system 1 executes data analysis regarding the color, shape, and amount of excrement will be described.

[0091] <4-2-1. Shape and amount of excrement> First, data analysis regarding the shape and amount of excrement will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis regarding the shape and amount of excrement.

[0092] The object OB1 in Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of the excrement (feces) to be detected, and an overview of how the shape and amount of excrement are analyzed will be described using the object OB1 as an example. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the object OB1 is defined as the up-down direction, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (short side direction) is defined as the lateral direction. Such an object OB1 falls in the vertical direction.

[0093] Each of the measurement results RS1 to RS3 is a graph showing the relationship between each pixel and its reflectance. Each of the measurement results RS1 to RS3 shows a measurement result corresponding to each position in the vertical direction of the object OB1. Measurement result RS1 shows a measurement result corresponding to the top end of the object OB1. Measurement result RS2 shows a measurement result corresponding to the center in the vertical direction of the object OB1. Measurement result RS3 shows a measurement result corresponding to the bottom end of the object OB1.

[0094] Cloud server 30 detects the reflectance of each pixel where light is received by the light receiving element. Cloud server 30 finds a peak value from among the pixels where light is reflected. In each of measurement results RS1 to RS3, the central part has the peak value. For example, cloud server 30 identifies pixel X0 as the image having the peak value in measurement result RS2.

[0095] The cloud server 30 compares the difference in reflectance between the pixel having the peak value and the adjacent pixels, and if it finds that the reflectance is above or below a predetermined value, it assumes that the light is reflected from excrement. The cloud server 30 also processes the color of the excrement in the same manner.

[0096] If the cloud server 30 confirms that the light is reflected from excrement, it performs the same process on the pixels adjacent to that pixel. In this way, the cloud server 30 identifies the edge of the excrement and estimates the width of the excrement. For example, the cloud server 30 estimates that the range from pixel X1 to image X2 in the measurement result RS2 is excrement. For example, the cloud server 30 estimates that the width L in the measurement result RS1 is the width of the excrement, which is narrower than the range from pixel X1 to image X2 in the measurement result RS2.

[0097] The cloud server 30 analyzes the shape of the excrement by stacking each of the measurement results RS1 to RS3, etc. In the example of Fig. 11, the cloud server 30 analyzes that the part (center) corresponding to the measurement result RS2 is the widest, and the width becomes narrower toward the part (top end) corresponding to the measurement result RS1 and the part (bottom end) corresponding to the measurement result RS3. The cloud server 30 determines which shape of the excrement analyzed from the measurement results is closest to among the seven types of excrement (feces) classified by the Bristol scale, and determines the shape of the excrement excreted by the user.

[0098] The cloud server 30 analyzes the amount of excrement by accumulating the number of pixels estimated to be light reflected from the excrement. When multiple excrement (feces) are excreted from the user, the amount of the multiple excrement is accumulated to analyze the amount of excrement excreted in one excretion act by the user.

[0099] The above-mentioned process detects object OB1 falling from the user toward bowl portion 8 of toilet 7. For example, object OB1, which is falling excrement, passes in front of light-emitting unit 14 and light-receiving unit 16 in the order of bottom end, center, and top end, and is detected from bottom to top. Specifically, object OB1, which is falling excrement, is detected in the order of measurement result RS3, measurement result RS2, and measurement result RS1. Note that excrement analyzed by cloud server 30 is not limited to falling excrement, and excrement that has landed in water in bowl portion 8 after falling may also be detected.

[0100] <4-2-2. Color of excrement> First, data analysis regarding the color of excrement will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis regarding the color of excrement. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data analysis regarding detection of blood contained in excrement. Note that the same reference numerals are used to denote the same points as in Fig. 11, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0101] Object OB2 in Fig. 12 shows hypothetical excrement (feces), and differs from object OB1 in Fig. 11 in that object OB2 includes a blood region BD in the center. Measurement results RS1-RS3 shown in Fig. 12 correspond to measurement results RS1-RS3 of object OB1 in Fig. 11, which does not have a blood region BD.

[0102] The cloud server 30 identifies a pixel having a peak value for light of a wavelength having a characteristic reflectance for blood among the light of multiple wavelengths irradiated onto the object OB2 which is excrement. For example, the cloud server 30 identifies a pixel having a peak value for light of 670 nm which has a characteristic reflectance for blood among the light of multiple wavelengths irradiated onto the object OB2 which is excrement.

[0103] Cloud server 30 then calculates the reflectance for light of other wavelengths detected by the pixel having the peak value. Cloud server 30 estimates the color from the ratio of reflectance for other wavelengths including 670 nm detected by the same pixel. Measurement result RS4 shown in FIG. 12 shows the measurement result for a portion including a blood region BD, such as object OB2. For example, measurement result RS4 shown in FIG. 12 shows the measurement result when light of a region not including 670 nm is irradiated onto a portion including the blood region BD of object OB2.

[0104] The wavelength having a characteristic reflectance for blood is not limited to 670 nm, but may be in the range of 600 nm to 800 nm, because in this wavelength band, when blood is present in the stool, the reflectance for the color of blood is more prominent than the color of the stool.

[0105] Here, the relationship between excrement and blood will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between excrement and blood. Graph GR1 shown in Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the reflection of stool and the reflection of blood attached to the stool for each wavelength.

[0106] Line FL1 in graph GR1 in FIG. 13 indicates the reflectance of each wavelength (about 600 nm to about 870 nm) for excrement (feces). As shown by line FL1 in FIG. 13, in the case of excrement (feces), the reflectance increases as the wavelength becomes longer. As shown by line FL1 in FIG. 13, in the case of excrement (feces), the reflectance is lowest near 600 nm and the reflectance is highest near 870 nm. Also, line BD1 in graph GR1 in FIG. 10 indicates the reflectance of each wavelength (about 600 nm to about 870 nm) for blood (blood) adhering to the stool. As shown by line BD1 in FIG. 13, in the case of blood (blood) adhering to the stool, the difference between the reflectance near 670 nm and line FL1 is the smallest, and the difference between the reflectance and line FL1 increases as the wavelength moves away from 670 nm.

[0107] In graph GR1 in Figure 13, the ratio of the reflectance of blood on the stool to the reflectance of the stool is greatest near 670 nm and decreases as the wavelength moves away from 670 nm. Thus, in graph GR1 shown in Figure 13, the ratio of the reflectance of blood on the stool to the reflectance of the stool is large at a wavelength of 670 nm, and the ratio of the reflectance of blood to the reflectance of the stool is small at a wavelength of 870 nm.

[0108] Therefore, the cloud server 30 can analyze the blood contained in the excrement based on the ratio of the reflectance of each wavelength as described above. Also, the cloud server 30 can analyze the color of the excrement based on the ratio of the reflectance of each wavelength as described above. This point will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figures 14 and 15 are diagrams showing an example of data analysis of the color of excrement.

[0109] 14 show measurement results when different colored excrement (feces) were used as measurement objects. For example, the color of the excrement (feces) as measurement objects may become darker in the order of measurement results RS11, RS12, and RS13. For example, measurement result RS11 may be the measurement result of ochre excrement (feces), measurement result RS12 may be the measurement result of brown excrement (feces), and measurement result RS13 may be the measurement result of dark brown excrement (feces).

[0110] Moreover, LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3 shown in the measurement results RS11 to RS13 in Fig. 14 are light-emitting elements that emit light, and the curves for LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3 indicate the relationship between pixels and reflectance. Note that LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3 may be light-emitting elements that emit light in any wavelength range.

[0111] For example, the darker the color of the stool, the smaller the reflectance for each wavelength. In the example of Fig. 14, of the measurement results RS11 to RS13, the measurement result RS13, which has the darkest color of the excrement (stool), has a small reflectance for each wavelength and the ratio of the respective reflectances becomes large.

[0112] On the other hand, for example, the lighter the color of the stool, the greater the reflectance for each wavelength. In the example of Fig. 14, of the measurement results RS11 to RS13, the measurement result RS11, in which the color of the excrement (stool) is the lightest, has a greater reflectance for each wavelength and the ratio of the respective reflectances is smaller. For example, the closer to a lighter color, the stronger the light of each wavelength is reflected, and therefore the smaller the difference in reflectance for each wavelength becomes.

[0113] Therefore, the cloud server 30 can classify the color of the excrement (feces) by performing an analysis based on the relationship between wavelength and reflectance as described above. For example, the cloud server 30 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in each measurement by classifying the measurement results RS11 to RS13 based on the ratio of the reflectance for each of LED#1, LED#2, and LED#3, as in the classification result RS21 shown in Fig. 15.

[0114] For example, the cloud server 30 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in each of the measurement results RS11 to RS13 using the ratio of the reflectance of LED#1 to the reflectance of LED#2, or the ratio of the reflectance of LED#3 to the reflectance of LED#2. For example, the cloud server 30 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in each measurement according to the position of each of the measurement results RS11 to RS13, with "reflectance of LED#1 / reflectance of LED#2" as the X-axis and "reflectance of LED#3 / reflectance of LED#2" as the Y-axis. For example, the cloud server 30 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in the measurement as "ocher" when the color is less than X1 in the X-axis direction and less than Y1 in the Y-axis direction. For example, the cloud server 30 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in the measurement as "brown" when the color is greater than or equal to X1 and less than X2 in the X-axis direction and greater than or equal to Y1 and less than Y2 in the Y-axis direction. For example, if the X-axis direction is greater than or equal to X2 and the Y-axis direction is greater than or equal to Y2, the cloud server 30 classifies the color of the excrement (feces) in that measurement as "dark brown." Note that the above is just one example, and the cloud server 30 may use any method to classify the color of the excrement (feces) in each measurement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1. Waste Management System 2... Toilet device 3. Toilet seat device 4... Toilet lid 5. Toilet seat 6. Functional part 7. Toilet 8. Bowl section 9. Rim section 10...Operating device 12. Detection device 14 Light-emitting part 16... Light receiving section 17 Lens 18. Housing 20. Control device 22. Memory 24. Processing unit 26·Electronic circuit 30··Cloud Server 32 First communication device 34 Edge Server 36 Second communication device 38...User identification device 40. Mobile terminals

Claims

1. An excrement management system that collects and manages information about excrement, A toilet having a bowl portion for receiving excrement; A light emitting unit that irradiates light toward the inside of the toilet bowl; a light receiving unit including an image sensor for receiving light; A cloud server and an edge server that analyze the light reception data received by the light receiving unit; A first communication device that transmits the received light data to the cloud server; a second communication device that transmits the light reception data to the edge server; The cloud server analyzes the light reception data to determine at least an amount of excrement as a characteristic of the excrement; The edge server analyzes the received light data to determine whether the received light data is data to be transmitted to the cloud server via the first communication device or data not to be transmitted, characterized by the excrement management system.

2. The excrement management system described in claim 1, wherein the first communication device transmits the received light data to the cloud server using a wide area information and communication network, and the second communication device transmits the received light data to the edge server using an in-house information and communication network.

3. the first communication device is configured to transmit and receive data between the cloud server and the edge server; The excrement management system of claim 2, wherein the data volume transmitted from the cloud server to the edge server via the first communication device is less than the data volume of the received light data transmitted from the edge server to the cloud server via the first communication device.

4. The cloud server analyzes the received light data to determine at least one of two feature amounts, namely, a color and a shape of the excrement; The excrement management system according to claim 1 , wherein the edge server analyzes the received light data to determine whether or not the received light data contains excrement.

5. Further, a user identification device is provided for acquiring information on a user who uses the toilet, The excrement management system according to claim 1 , wherein the first communication device does not transmit the user information to the cloud server.

6. The cloud server stores information about users who use the toilet in advance, The excrement management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light reception data determined to be transmittable by the edge server is linked to the user information pre-recorded in the cloud server.

7. An excretion information management method for managing information on excrement collected in a toilet room provided with a toilet bowl on a cloud server, comprising: a detection step in which a light receiving unit receives light reflected from excrement in response to light irradiated by a light emitting unit toward the inside of the toilet bowl; an analysis step in which the edge server analyzes the light reception data detected by the detection step to determine at least the amount of excrement as a characteristic of the excrement, and determines whether the light reception data is data to be transmitted to the cloud server by a communication device or data not to be transmitted; A method for managing excretion information, comprising:

8. A program executed by an edge server capable of communicating with a toilet device and a cloud server, a receiving step of receiving light reception data detected by receiving, by a light receiving unit, light reflected from excrement in response to light irradiated by a light emitting unit toward the inside of the toilet bowl; a transmission step of transmitting a determination result as to whether the light reception data is to be transmitted to a device that controls a communication device that transmits the light reception data to the cloud server or not, based on an analysis result that determines at least the amount of excrement as a characteristic of the excrement by analyzing the light reception data; A program for causing an edge server to execute the above.

9. An edge server capable of communicating with a cloud server and a toilet device, A first communication device configured to be able to communicate with the cloud server; A second communication device configured to be able to communicate with the toilet device; a memory that stores detection data relating to optically detected excrement transmitted from the toilet device via the second communication device; a processor that analyzes the detection data stored in the memory to determine at least an amount of excrement as a characteristic of the excrement, The edge server is characterized in that the arithmetic processing device determines, based on the analysis results of the detection data, whether the detection data is data to be transmitted to the cloud server by the first communication device or data not to be transmitted.

10. A toilet seat device that is installed on top of a toilet bowl, A light emitting unit that irradiates light toward the inside of the toilet bowl; a light receiving unit including an image sensor for receiving light; A memory that stores light reception data received by the light receiving unit; A communication device that transmits the received light data to a cloud server; a processor that analyzes the light reception data stored in the memory to determine at least an amount of excrement as a characteristic of the excrement, The toilet seat device, characterized in that the arithmetic processing device determines whether the received light data is data to be transmitted to the cloud server or data not to be transmitted based on an analysis result of the received light data.

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