Management system, management device, and management program

Abstract

To provide a management system, a management device, and a management program, that can improve a technique for managing information about an apparatus.SOLUTION: A management system comprises: detection parts that can be attached to and detached from apparatuses and detect information about the apparatuses; and a management device 100 that manages detection information detected by the plurality of detection parts attached to each of multiple apparatuses. The management device 100 comprises: a detection information receiving part 111 that acquires the detection information; and a correspondence acquisition part 131 that acquires a correspondence between each apparatus and the detection part based on the detection information detected by the detection part attached to each apparatus when the multiple apparatuses perform actions that affect the detection information with different timings or contents.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management system, a management device, and a management program for managing information related to devices. [Background technology]

[0002] As a method for detecting a clogged urinal, a technology for incorporating a sensor in the urinal has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a detection device that includes a Doppler sensor that generates a Doppler signal by transmitting a propagating wave to a water seal section provided in a part of a drain section and receiving the propagating wave reflected by the water seal surface of the water seal section, a water supply section that supplies water toward the drain section, and a detection section that controls the water supply section to supply water, obtains the time from when water is supplied until the width of the amplitude intensity of the Doppler signal becomes equal to or less than a first threshold, and detects that a clog has occurred in the drain section when the obtained time exceeds a second threshold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-61030 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors recognized a new problem in that, when such a sensor is not built into a urinal but is removably attached to the urinal, after the sensor is removed from the urinal for cleaning or the like, the corresponding relationship between the urinal and the sensor may change if the sensor is installed in a urinal different from the original urinal. Such a problem also exists in devices other than urinals when a sensor for detecting information about the device is removably attached to the device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and has an object to improve the technology for managing information related to devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detection unit that is detachable from a device and detects information related to the device, and a management device that manages detection information detected by the multiple detection units attached to each of the multiple devices. The management device includes a detection information acquisition unit that acquires the detection information, and a correspondence relationship acquisition unit that acquires a correspondence relationship between each device and the detection unit based on the detection information detected by the detection units attached to each device when the multiple devices perform operations that affect the detection information at different times or with different contents.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a management device including: a detection information acquisition unit that acquires detection information detected by a plurality of detection units that are detachably attached to a plurality of devices, respectively, for detecting information related to the devices; and a correspondence relationship acquisition unit that acquires a correspondence relationship between each of the devices and the detection units based on the detection information detected by the detection units attached to each of the devices when the plurality of devices perform operations that affect the detection information at different times or with different contents.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a urinal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a urinal according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a configuration of a urinal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a strainer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a perforated plate according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state when wastewater is collected in the toilet bowl. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a perforated plate according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a toilet room in which a plurality of urinals are installed. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a management method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] In this disclosure, a technique for detecting drainage of a urinal and managing the number of times the urinal is used, etc., will be described.

[0011] In the management system of this embodiment, a detection unit is provided on a strainer that is detachably installed on the outlet of a urinal to detect liquid discharged from the outlet. The management device acquires detection information detected by the detection unit and manages the number of times the urinal is used, etc. If the strainer is removed from a urinal to clean it and then installed on a urinal different from the original urinal, it becomes impossible to accurately manage the number of times each urinal is used.

[0012] In order to solve such problems, the management device of this embodiment acquires the correspondence between each urinal and the detection unit based on the detection information detected by the detection unit installed in each urinal when the multiple urinals perform actions that affect the detection information at different times or contents. For example, when flushing water is periodically flushed into multiple urinals to clean the toilet bowls and drains of the urinals, flushing water is not flushed into the multiple urinals all at once, but is flushed into the urinals one by one in a predetermined order. This allows the management device to acquire the correspondence between the urinals and the detection unit from the order in which flushing water is flushed into the multiple urinals and the order in which the detection unit detects drainage.

[0013] Figures 1 to 3 show the configuration of a urinal according to an embodiment. Figure 1 is a front view of the urinal 1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the urinal 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the part indicated by the arrow UU in Figure 2. The urinal 1 comprises a urinal body 10, a toilet bowl 11, a water spout portion 12, and a strainer 13.

[0014] The urinal body 10 has an upper end surface 10A, a left side surface 10B, and a right side surface 10C. The upper end surface 10A is flat and has a width in the front-to-rear direction (front-to-rear in Fig. 1, the same applies below), and extends in the left-to-right direction (left-to-right in Fig. 1, the same applies below). The left-to-right center of the front end of the upper end surface 10A is recessed toward the rear and curved.

[0015] The left side surface 10B has a width in the front-rear direction and extends downward from the left end of the upper end surface 10A (the bottom is the bottom side in FIG. 1, the same applies below). The right side surface 10C has a width in the front-rear direction and extends downward from the right end of the upper end surface 10A. The distance between the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C decreases toward the bottom. The left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C extend toward the left-right center while the front side of the lower end of each protrudes forward, and are connected to each other at the left-right center. The left-right center where the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C are connected recedes toward the bottom. The rear ends of the upper end surface 10A, the left side surface 10B, and the right side surface 10C of the urinal body 10 are formed on the same plane. This allows the urinal body 10 to be attached by abutting the rear ends of the top surface 10A, left side surface 10B, and right side surface 10C, which are formed on the same plane, against the wall surface W on which it is to be installed (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0016] The toilet bowl 11 has an opposing surface 11A, a pair of left and right flushing stages 11B, a drain port 11C, and a protruding portion 11D. The opposing surface 11A has a curved left and right central portion that is recessed backward, faces forward, and extends vertically. In detail, the opposing surface 11A has a left and right intermediate portion 11G that has a width in the left and right direction and extends vertically from the upper to lower part of the left and right central portion. The left and right intermediate portion 11G has a slightly curved left and right central portion that is recessed backward, faces forward, and is formed in a substantially flat shape. The opposing surface 11A also has a flat portion 11K formed in a flat shape at the upper end of the left and right intermediate portion 11G. The opposing surface 11A also has a pair of curved surfaces 11H that are curved forward from both the left and right sides of the left and right intermediate portion 11G. These curved surfaces 11H are symmetrical to each other at the left and right center. These curved surfaces 11H are continuous with each other at the upper end of the left and right intermediate portion 11G and extend to the upper end of the opposing surface 11A. These curved surfaces 11H are continuous with each other at the lower ends of the left and right intermediate portions 11G and extend to the lower end of the opposing surface 11A. In the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the opposing surface 11A when in use, the radius of curvature of the curved surface 11H gradually decreases downward. The toilet bowl 11 has a bowl-shaped portion 11J at its lower end that expands upward into a bowl shape. The rear side of the bowl-shaped portion 11J is the lower end of the opposing surface 11A. The upper end of the opposing surface 11A of the toilet bowl 11 is connected to the front end of the upper end surface 10A of the urinal body 10. The left and right ends of the opposing surface 11A and the front upper end of the bowl-shaped portion 11J of the toilet bowl 11 are connected to the front ends of the left side surface 10B and the right side surface 10C of the urinal body 10, respectively. Further, the opposing surface 11A is provided with an insertion hole 11F penetrating in the front-rear direction in a flat portion 11K formed at the upper end of the left-right intermediate portion 11G.

[0017] The pair of left and right flushing stages 11B are provided on both the left and right sides of the toilet bowl 11, extending in the up-down direction. More specifically, the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B are provided on the pair of curved surfaces 11H, symmetrically with respect to the left-right center. The upper ends of the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B are located near both the left and right sides of the left-right intermediate portion 11G. The upper ends of the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B are provided below the insertion hole 11F, with a predetermined distance between them and the insertion hole 11F provided in the flat portion 11K formed at the upper end of the left-right intermediate portion 11G of the opposing surface 11A. The pair of left and right flushing stages 11B extend on the curved surface 11H of the opposing surface 11A, inclining downward and forward. More specifically, the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B are curved and recessed downward, and extend downward and inclined forward (see FIG. 3). The dimension between the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B in the left-right direction increases from the upper end toward the up-down center (see FIG. 1). The left-right dimension between the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B decreases from the vertical center toward the bottom end (see FIG. 1). The left and right flushing stages 11B have their bottom ends connected to each other at the left-right center of the front side of the bowl-shaped portion 11J of the toilet bowl 11 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] The discharge outlet 11C is provided at the lower end of the bowl-shaped portion 11J of the toilet bowl 11, opening in the vertical direction. In other words, the discharge outlet 11C is formed at the lower end of the toilet bowl 11. The discharge outlet 11C is located rearward of the lower ends of the pair of left and right flushing stages 11B. The discharge outlet 11C is connected to a drain pipe D drawn out from the wall W on which it is to be installed, via a discharge passage 10K provided downstream of the discharge outlet 11C (see FIG. 3).

[0019] The protrusion 11D is formed in the left-right center of the opposing surface 11A in the use state, protruding forward and extending in the up-down direction. The upper end of the protrusion 11D is located below the upper ends of the pair of left-right cleaning stages 11B and extends downward. More specifically, the upper end of the protrusion 11D is located below the upper ends of the pair of left-right cleaning stages 11B and in the vicinity of the upper ends of the pair of left-right cleaning stages 11B (see FIG. 1). The lower end of the protrusion 11D extends to the lower end, which is the lower part of the opposing surface 11A. The protrusion 11D is formed to gradually protrude forward toward the left-right center of the opposing surface 11A. The left-right dimension of the central part of the protrusion 11D in the up-down direction is larger than the left-right dimensions of the upper end and the lower end (see FIG. 1). The dimension of the central part of the protrusion 11D protruding forward is larger than the dimensions of the upper end and the lower end.

[0020] The water discharge unit 12 has a spreader 12A which is a water discharge tool. The spreader 12A is disk-shaped, and the central axis of the disk extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end surface of the disk-shaped spreader 12A is formed in a flat shape. The rear end surface of the spreader 12A abuts against the flat surface 11K formed at the upper end of the left-right intermediate portion 11G of the opposing surface 11A, and the spreader 12A is attached to cover the insertion hole 11F formed at the upper end of the opposing surface 11A from the front side. In this way, the spreader 12A is provided above the protrusion 11D and the pair of left and right cleaning stages 11B. The spreader 12A is also attached to the flat surface 11K formed at the upper end of the left-right intermediate portion 11G of the opposing surface 11A. In addition, a human body detection sensor is provided on the disk-shaped front end surface of the spreader 12A.

[0021] The strainer 13 is disk-shaped, and the central axis of the disk extends in the vertical direction. The outer diameter of the strainer 13 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the drain outlet 11C. The strainer 13 has a plurality of protrusions (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface of the disk-shaped surface facing radially outward. The plurality of protrusions have the same dimensions protruding from the outer peripheral surface. The strainer 13 is placed on the drain outlet 11C. At this time, the plurality of protrusions of the strainer 13 abut against the inner peripheral surface of the drain outlet 11C. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the strainer 13 does not abut against the inner peripheral surface of the drain outlet 11C, and a predetermined gap can be provided between the outer peripheral surface of the disk-shaped surface and the inner peripheral surface of the drain outlet 11C. At this time, the convex portion 11D provided on the facing surface 11A of the toilet bowl 11 has a gap between the lower end and the outer peripheral edge of the strainer 13.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the appearance of a strainer according to an embodiment. The strainer 13 includes a strainer body 20 and a detection device 30 placed so as to be fitted inside the strainer body 20. The detection device 30 detects liquid present in the toilet bowl 11 above the discharge outlet 11C, and transmits information related to the detected result to an external estimation device. The transmitted information may be the detected result itself, or may be information generated from the detected result. The estimation device estimates the discharge state at the discharge outlet 11C or the discharge path (discharge path 10K, drain pipe D, etc.) based on the information received from the detection device 30.

[0023] The detection device 30 may be configured integrally with the strainer body 20, or may be configured separately from the strainer body 20. In the former case, the technology of this embodiment can be applied by simply replacing the strainer of an existing urinal with the strainer 13 of this embodiment without replacing or repairing the urinal itself, thereby reducing the introduction cost. In the latter case, the detection device 30 may have a shape that allows it to be fitted or placed on the existing strainer body 20. This allows the technology of this embodiment to be applied by simply fitting or placing the detection device 30 of this embodiment on the strainer of an existing urinal without replacing or repairing the urinal itself, thereby reducing the introduction cost.

[0024] 5 shows a schematic configuration of a strainer according to an embodiment. Strainer body 20 has a bowl-like shape with a recess 21 on the inside, and detector 30 has an outer shape that fits into recess 21 of strainer body 20. Detector 30 includes main body 31, substrate 51 on which a communication device that functions as a transmitter is mounted, and a pair of electrodes 54 that function as a detector.

[0025] The main body 31 includes a cover 40, a storage section 50, and a bottom surface 60. The storage section 50 stores a substrate 51, electrodes 54, and a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the substrate 51. The substrate 51 includes a processing device 52 and a communication device 53. The processing device 52 includes an ammeter that measures a current flowing between a pair of electrodes 54. The processing device 52 generates communication data to be transmitted to the estimation device based on the measurement result by the ammeter. For example, the processing device 52 may use the current value or resistance value measured by the ammeter as the communication data, or may count the time during which the current value measured by the ammeter is continuously equal to or greater than a predetermined value and use it as the communication data. The communication device 53 transmits the communication data generated by the processing device 52 to the estimation device by wireless communication.

[0026] The electrodes 54 are provided so as to protrude outside the storage section 50. When wastewater is present between the electrodes 54, the wastewater causes electrical continuity between the electrodes 54, and the ammeter detects the current. While the urinal 1 is being used, or while flushing water is being discharged after or when the urinal 1 is not being used, the wastewater flows inside the strainer 13, and the ammeter detects the current. When the state of the outlet 11C and the discharge path is normal, the liquid level of the wastewater becomes lower than the electrodes 54 after a certain period of time has passed, so that electrical continuity between the electrodes 54 is no longer established, and the ammeter no longer detects the current. However, when the outlet 11C or the discharge path becomes clogged, for example, and the wastewater is not discharged normally, the time that the wastewater accumulates inside the strainer 13 becomes longer, and the time that the ammeter detects the current becomes longer. Therefore, in this embodiment, the state of drainage of drainage from drainage outlet 11C, such as whether drainage outlet 11C or the drainage path is clogged, the degree of clogging, the amount of drainage remaining in toilet bowl 11, and drainage overflow from toilet bowl 11, is estimated based on the time that the current is continuously detected. This allows the drainage state to be accurately estimated with a simple configuration, thereby reducing the introduction cost.

[0027] Since urine contains more ions than the clean water used for the flushing water, when urine flows between the electrodes 54, the resistance value measured by the ammeter is smaller than when only the clean water flows. Therefore, by analyzing the current value or resistance value measured by the ammeter, the number of urinations, the amount, time, components, etc. can be estimated. Even when wastewater is normally discharged, the current is continuously detected by the ammeter during the period when urination is taking place and the period when the clean water is being discharged, but since the time and amount of urination vary from person to person, the period during which the current is continuously detected by the ammeter also varies from person to person. Therefore, the period during which urination is taking place may be identified based on the current value or resistance value measured by the ammeter. This reduces the influence of individual differences in the urination time, so that the discharge state of the wastewater can be more accurately estimated. When water containing detergent, rather than simply clean water, is used as the clean water, the current value or resistance value of the clean water may be measured in advance.

[0028] The cover 40 has a tubular portion 41, an upper surface 42, and a water collecting portion 45. The housing portion 50 is housed in a watertight space formed by the tubular portion 41, the upper surface 42, and the bottom surface 60. An opening 43 is provided between the upper surface 42 and the water collecting portion 45 above the position of the electrode 54 of the tubular portion 41. The upper surface 42 is inclined so as to be lower toward the opening 43. An opening 44 is also provided between the upper surface 42 and the water collecting portion 45 on the opposite side to the opening 43. The water collecting portion 45 is formed in a donut shape so as to smoothly connect to the edge portion 22 of the strainer body 20. The upper surface of the water collecting portion 45 is inclined so that the upper side of the opening 43 is lower. Wastewater flows from the edge portion 22 of the strainer body 20 to the water collecting portion 45 and falls from the central opening of the water collecting portion 45 to the upper surface 42. When a large amount of wastewater remains, it is discharged from both openings 43 and 44, but when the amount of wastewater becomes small, the remaining wastewater flows downward toward opening 43 due to the inclination of upper surface 42, and is discharged from opening 43 into between electrodes 54. This makes it possible to more reliably detect whether wastewater remains in toilet bowl 11.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows the state when drainage is accumulated in the toilet bowl. If the communication device 53 is submerged during drainage, the radio waves sent from the communication device 53 may be attenuated, causing communication problems. Therefore, at least the communication device 53 is configured to float on water. In this embodiment, the board 51 on which the communication device 53 is mounted is accommodated in the accommodation section 50, and the accommodation section 50 is stored in the main body 31, so that the entire detection device 30 is configured to float on water. In another example, only the communication device 53, or only the communication device 53 and a part of the configuration may be configured to float on water, and the other configuration may be configured to sink together with the strainer main body 20. With such a configuration, the communication strength of the communication device 53 can be secured and the stability of wireless communication can be improved. In addition, the power required for communication can be reduced, so that the battery can last longer.

[0030] A floating height detection unit may be further provided for detecting the floating height when wastewater accumulates in the toilet bowl 11 and the configuration including the communication device 53 floats on the drainage. The floating height detection unit may include, for example, a resistance wire extending in the vertical direction and an ammeter for measuring the resistance value of the resistance wire. In this case, the lower end of the resistance wire is attached to the strainer body 20 or a configuration that does not float on water and maintains a submerged state together with the strainer body 20, and the configuration that floats on the drainage is provided with an electrical contact configured to change the conductive position with the resistance wire depending on the floating height. The floating position detection unit may be an ultrasonic sensor or a distance measurement sensor for detecting the height between the floating configuration and the strainer body 20 or the like. The water level of the wastewater accumulated in the toilet bowl 11 can be estimated based on the floating height detected by the floating height detection unit, so that the discharge state of the wastewater can be estimated more accurately. In addition, it is possible to detect overflow of the wastewater from the toilet bowl 11 and to issue a warning before the wastewater overflows from the toilet bowl 11.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows another example of a strainer according to an embodiment. In the example shown in this figure, the detection device is built into strainer 13. FIG. 7(a) is a top view of strainer 13, and FIG. 7(b) is a side view of strainer 13. A circular recess 71 is formed near the center of the upper surface of strainer 13, and an electrode 72 is provided on the bottom near the center of recess 71. A peripheral portion 70 of the upper surface of strainer 13 is inclined so as to become lower toward the end, and an opening 73 is provided on the inclined surface. The lower portion of strainer 13 has a shape that fits into discharge port 11C, and an electrode 54 is provided on the side surface below opening 73.

[0032] Since the electrode 72 is provided on the upper surface of the strainer plate 13 and a portion of the urine is configured to collect in the recess 71 when the user urinates, the electrode 72 can more reliably detect urination. Therefore, the strainer plate 13 shown in the figure can be particularly suitably used in the management system of the second embodiment. An opening may be provided in the recess 71 to allow the wastewater collected in the recess 71 to fall into the outlet 11C after the wash water has been flushed after urination.

[0033] If wastewater remains in the toilet bowl 11, the wastewater dropping from the opening 73 in the peripheral portion 70 of the strainer 13 toward the drain outlet 11C can be detected more reliably by the electrode 54. Therefore, the strainer 13 shown in the figure can also be suitably used in the management system of the first embodiment.

[0034] The processing device 52 and the communication device 53 are provided inside the screen 13. The screen 13 in this figure is also configured to float on water. This ensures the communication strength of the communication device 53 and improves the stability of wireless communication. In addition, the power required for communication can be reduced, which extends the life of the battery.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows an example of a toilet room in which multiple urinals are installed. In order to periodically clean dirt from the toilet bowl 11 and the outlet 11C of the urinal 1, flushing water is flowed from the water pipe 15 to the urinal 1 at a predetermined timing regardless of the usage status of the urinal 1. In this regular flushing, flushing water is flowed to the multiple urinals 1a to 1d at different timings. The detection devices 30a to 30d installed in the multiple urinals 1a to 1d respectively detect drainage at different timings in the order in which flushing water is flowed to the urinals 1a to 1d. Therefore, it is possible to know which urinal 1 each of the detection devices 30a to 30d is installed in, based on the order in which flushing water is flowed to the urinals 1a to 1d and the order in which the detection devices 30a to 30d detect drainage. In the regular flushing, the management device 100 may instruct each of the urinals 1a to 1d to flush, and the instructed urinals 1a to 1d may flush. Alternatively, a control device provided in the toilet room or in the facility in which the toilet room is installed may instruct each of the urinals 1a-1d to flush, and the instructed urinals 1a-1d may flush. Alternatively, a control device provided in each of the urinals 1a-1d may flush at a set time.

[0036] 9 shows a configuration of a management device 100 according to an embodiment. The management device 100 includes a communication device 101, a display device 102, an input device 103, a storage device 120, and a control device 110. The management device 100 may be a server device, a device such as a personal computer, or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0037] The communication device 101 controls communication with other devices. The communication device 101 receives information from the communication device 53 of the detection device 30 by wireless communication. The communication device 101 may communicate with other devices by any communication method, such as wired or wireless.

[0038] The display device 102 displays a screen generated by the control device 110. The display device 102 may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like. The input device 103 transmits an instruction input by a user of the management device 100 to the control device 110. The input device 103 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad, or the like. The display device 102 and the input device 103 may be implemented as a touch panel.

[0039] The storage device 120 stores programs, data, etc. used by the control device 110. The storage device 120 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage device 120 stores a detection information storage unit 121, an estimation standard storage unit 122, a toilet information database 123, a usage status information storage unit 124, and a cleaning status information storage unit 125.

[0040] The detection information storage unit 121 stores information received from the detection device 30. The estimation criterion storage unit 122 stores an estimation criterion for estimating the discharge state of the wastewater from the outlet 11C of the urinal 1.

[0041] The estimation criterion may be a criterion related to the time during which the presence of wastewater is continuously detected by the detection device 30. For example, it may be estimated that the outlet 11C or the discharge path is clogged when the time during which the presence of wastewater is continuously detected exceeds a predetermined threshold. In addition, the degree of clogging of the outlet 11C or the discharge path may be estimated according to the time during which the presence of wastewater is continuously detected.

[0042] When the current value or resistance value is measured by an ammeter, the estimation criterion may be a criterion related to the measured current value or resistance value. For example, whether or not urination is in progress may be identified based on the measured current value or resistance value, and the time until the flush water discharged after urination is discharged may be calculated by subtracting the period during which urination was performed from the time during which the presence of wastewater was continuously detected, and the discharge state of the wastewater may be estimated based on the calculated time. The estimation criterion may be a criterion related to a statistical value, such as an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, a median value, a rate of change, an average value of the rate of change, or a rate of change of the rate of change, calculated from a time-series current value or resistance value. The estimation criterion may be a criterion related to the shape of a waveform showing the time change of the current value or resistance value.

[0043] The estimation criterion may be an algorithm that inputs the detection information received from the detection device 30 or the generated information generated from the detection information, and outputs the discharge state of the drainage water from the outlet 11C of the urinal 1. This algorithm may be realized by a neural network or the like, and may be learned by machine learning. In machine learning, a pair of past detection information or generated information and information indicating the drainage state of the drainage water at that time may be used as learning data. In this case, the intermediate layer of the neural network may be adjusted so that when past detection information or generated information is input to the input layer of the neural network, information indicating the drainage state of the drainage water at that time is output from the output layer of the neural network.

[0044] If there is a correlation between the detection information or the generation information and the water level of the drainage water accumulated in the toilet bowl 11, an estimation criterion for estimating the water level of the drainage water from the detection information or the generation information based on the correlation may be stored in the estimation criterion storage unit 122. This estimation criterion may be an algorithm that inputs the detection information or the generation information and outputs the water level of the drainage water. This algorithm may also be realized by a neural network or the like and may be learned by machine learning. If the above-mentioned floating height detection unit is provided in the urinal 1, the water level of the drainage water may be estimated from the information detected by the floating height detection unit.

[0045] The toilet information database 123 stores information on toilet rooms and facilities in which urinals 1 are installed. The toilet information database 123 stores information such as the number, positions, and floors of toilet rooms installed in a facility, the number, positions, status, model, serial number, manufacturing date, status of urinals installed in toilet rooms, floor plans of toilet rooms, and the types, numbers, positions, and status of devices or equipment installed inside or outside of toilet rooms.

[0046] The usage information storage unit 124 stores information related to the usage of the urinal 1. The usage information storage unit 124 stores information on the frequency, amount, time, and components of urination at the urinal 1 for each urinal 1.

[0047] The cleaning status information storage unit 125 stores information related to the status of cleaning of the urinal 1 by the cleaner. The cleaning status information storage unit 125 stores, for each urinal 1, information such as the date and time when the cleaner cleaned the urinal 1, the cleaning time, the cleaning content, and the state of the urinal 1 before and after cleaning.

[0048] The control device 110 includes a detection information receiving unit 111, a discharge state estimating unit 112, a water level estimating unit 113, an estimation result output unit 114, an estimation standard setting unit 115, a usage status estimating unit 116, a cleaning status information acquiring unit 117, a cleaning management unit 118, a position information acquiring unit 119, an exclusion unit 130, a correspondence acquiring unit, and a correspondence correcting unit. These components are realized in hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in software by a program loaded into memory, but here, functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these are depicted. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, such as hardware only or a combination of hardware and software.

[0049] The detection information receiving unit 111 receives detection information from the detection device 30 and stores it in the detection information holding unit 121. When the estimation criterion held in the estimation criterion holding unit 122 uses generated information generated from the detection information received from the detection device 30, the detection information receiving unit 111 generates generated information from the detection information received from the detection device 30 and stores it in the detection information holding unit 121.

[0050] The discharge state estimation unit 112 uses the estimation criterion stored in the estimation criterion storage unit 122 to estimate the discharge state of the wastewater in the urinal 1 based on the detection information or generated information stored in the detection information storage unit 121. The discharge state estimation unit 112 estimates whether or not the discharge outlet 11C or the discharge path of the urinal 1 is clogged, or the degree of clogging.

[0051] The discharge state estimation unit 112 may estimate the discharge state of the wastewater in the urinal 1 based on information receivable from other devices, in addition to the information received from the detection device 30. For example, when the discharge state of the wastewater is estimated based on the time during which drainage is continuously detected, the discharge state estimation unit 112 may estimate the discharge state of the wastewater by further acquiring information such as the time when a user was detected by the human body detection sensor of the urinal 1 and the time when flush water was discharged from the water discharge unit 12. This allows the discharge state of the wastewater to be estimated more accurately.

[0052] The water level estimation unit 113 uses the estimation criteria stored in the estimation criteria storage unit 122 and estimates the water level of the drainage water accumulated in the toilet bowl 11 of the urinal 1 based on the detection information or generated information stored in the detection information storage unit 121.

[0053] The estimation result output unit 114 outputs the results estimated by the discharge state estimation unit 112 and the water level estimation unit 113. For example, the estimation result output unit 114 may display the estimation result on the display device 102, may output the estimation result as sound from a speaker (not shown), or may transmit the estimation result to an external device via the communication device 101. The estimation result output unit 114 may determine the output destination according to the content of the estimation result. For example, when the time during which the detection device 30 continuously detects drainage becomes longer than a first threshold value and there is a sign before the drain outlet 11C or the drain path is completely clogged, the estimation result may be transmitted to a management entity or a maintenance entity of the facility in which the urinal 1 is installed. When the drain outlet 11C or the drain path is clogged and the time during which the detection device 30 continuously detects drainage becomes longer than a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value, the estimation result may be transmitted to a cleaning company in charge of cleaning the urinal 1 in addition to the management entity or the maintenance entity. Also, when it is estimated that the level of drainage water accumulated in the toilet bowl 11 has reached a level at which it may overflow, or when it is estimated that it has already overflowed, the estimation result may be transmitted to a cleaning company in addition to the management entity or maintenance entity. This allows an appropriate entity to take appropriate measures depending on the drainage state of the urinal 1.

[0054] The estimation standard setting unit 115 generates or acquires the estimation standard used by the discharge state estimation unit 112 and the water level estimation unit 113, and stores it in the estimation standard holding unit 122. The estimation standard setting unit 115 may acquire the estimation standard from an external device via the communication device 101. Also, the estimation standard may be received from an administrator via the input device 103. The threshold time for which drainage is continuously detected, at which it is assumed that the discharge outlet 11C or the discharge path is clogged, may vary depending on the amount of flush water discharged in the urinal 1, the discharge time, the attributes of the person using the urinal 1, the type of facility in which the urinal 1 is installed, the discharge performance of the discharge outlet 11C and the discharge path of the urinal 1, the volume of the toilet bowl 11 of the urinal 1, and the like, so the estimation standard may be set from an external device or the input device 103 via the estimation standard setting unit 115. Also, the estimation standard may be changed depending on changes in the usage status of the urinal 1, etc. When the algorithm of the estimation standard is learned by an external learning device, the learned estimation standard may be acquired from the learning device.

[0055] The estimation criterion setting unit 115 may learn the estimation criterion by machine learning using the detection information held in the detection information holding unit 121 as learning data, and update the estimation criterion. The estimation criterion setting unit 115 may change the estimation criterion based on the history of the detection information held in the detection information holding unit 121.

[0056] The usage status estimation unit 116 estimates the usage status of the urinal 1 based on the detection information or generated information stored in the detection information storage unit 121, and stores the information in the usage status information storage unit 124. The usage status estimation unit 116 estimates the number of times, the amount, the time, the components, etc. of urination in the urinal 1 based on the current value or the resistance value measured by the ammeter of the detection device 30. The number of times the urinal 1 is used can be counted using a human body detection sensor, but since there is a possibility that a person who simply passes in front of the urinal 1 is detected and counted, the counted number does not necessarily match the number of times urination. According to the technology of this embodiment, the usage status of the urinal 1 can be estimated more accurately. The usage status estimation unit 116 may estimate the usage status of the urinal 1 based on information acquired from another device or equipment installed in the toilet room.

[0057] The cleaning status information acquisition unit 117 acquires information indicating the status of cleaning of the urinal 1 by the cleaner, and stores it in the cleaning status information storage unit 125. The cleaning status information acquisition unit 117 acquires information from the cleaner, such as the date and time when the cleaner cleaned the urinal 1, the cleaning time, the cleaning content, and the state of the urinal 1 before and after cleaning.

[0058] The cleaning management unit 118 manages the cleaning of the urinal 1 based on the information indicating the usage status of the urinal 1 stored in the usage status information storage unit 124 and the information indicating the cleaning status of the urinal 1 stored in the cleaning status information storage unit 125. The cleaning management unit 118 determines the number of times, content, date and time, order, etc. of cleaning the urinal 1, and instructs the cleaner. The cleaning management unit 118 may increase the number of times cleaning a urinal 1 with a high urination frequency, urination volume, or urination time, or may change the cleaning content. In addition, if the resistance value detected during urination is low, it is estimated that the amount of salt contained in the urine is high, so the number of times cleaning the urinal 1 may be increased to prevent adhesion of urinary stones and clogging of the discharge port 11C or discharge path.

[0059] When the discharge state estimation unit 112 estimates that the discharge state of the discharge outlet 11C or the discharge path is poor, the cleaning management unit 118 may instruct the cleaner to clean the discharge outlet 11C or the discharge path of the urinal 1. Also, when the water level estimation unit 113 estimates that the water level of the drainage has reached a predetermined value or higher, the cleaning management unit 118 may instruct the cleaner to further clean the toilet bowl 11 of the urinal 1 and the surrounding floor.

[0060] The position information acquisition unit 119 acquires the position information of the cleaner of the urinal 1. The position information of the cleaner may be detected by a mobile terminal carried by the cleaner. In this case, the position information acquisition unit 119 acquires the position information of the cleaner from the mobile terminal. The position information of the cleaner may be detected by a beacon, an imaging device, or the like installed in the toilet. In this case, the position information acquisition unit 119 acquires the detection result from the beacon, the imaging device, or the like, and acquires the position information of the cleaner by analyzing the acquired detection result.

[0061] The exclusion unit 130 excludes detection information detected by the detection device 30 when the urinal 1 is not in use from the detection information detected by the detection device 30. The exclusion unit 130 excludes detection information detected by the detection device 30 when a liquid other than urine, for example cleaning water containing detergent, is discharged from the outlet of the urinal 1.

[0062] The exclusion unit 130 may exclude detection information detected by the detection device 30 while the urinal 1 is being cleaned. The exclusion unit 130 may exclude detection information detected by the detection device 30 when the cleaner has stayed near the urinal 1 for a predetermined period of time or more, with reference to the position information of the cleaner acquired by the position information acquisition unit 119. The cleaner's stay near the urinal 1 may be detected by a human sensor or the like installed in the toilet room. The exclusion unit 130 may exclude detection information detected by the detection device 30 while the urinal 1 is being cleaned, with reference to the cleaning status information acquired by the cleaning status information acquisition unit 117. The fact that the cleaner is cleaning the urinal 1 may be detected by detecting a sign, an indicator, or the like for notifying a user that cleaning is being performed.

[0063] The exclusion unit 130 may exclude detection information that should be excluded from the target when the usage status estimation unit 116 estimates the usage status of the urinal 1 or when the cleaning management unit 118 manages the cleaning of the urinal 1, or may delete the detection information that should be excluded from the detection information storage unit 121.

[0064] The correspondence acquisition unit 131 acquires the correspondence between each of the urinals 1 and the detection devices 30 based on the detection information detected by the detection devices 30 installed in each of the urinals 1 when the multiple urinals 1 perform actions that affect the detection information at different times or with different contents. Specifically, the correspondence acquisition unit 131 acquires the correspondence between the urinals 1a-1d and the detection devices 30a-30d from the order in which flushing water was flushed into the urinals 1a-1d and the order in which the detection devices 30a-30d detected the drainage, and stores the acquired correspondence in the toilet information database 123.

[0065] The recording unit 132 records the detection information acquired by the detection information receiving unit 111, or the analysis information generated based on the detection information, in the storage device 120 in association with the identification information for identifying the urinal 1. Specifically, the recording unit 132 records the number of times the urinal 1 has been used, estimated by the usage status estimation unit 116, for each urinal 1 in the usage status information holding unit 124.

[0066] When the correspondence acquired by the correspondence acquisition unit 131 differs from the correspondence held in the toilet information database 123, the notification unit 133 notifies the manager or maintainer of the urinal 1 of that fact. The manager of the urinal 1 may be the owner of the urinal 1, the manager of the toilet room in which the urinal 1 is installed, the manager of the facility in which the toilet room is installed, etc. The maintainer of the urinal 1 may be a person in charge of cleaning the urinal 1, a person in charge of patrolling the toilet room in which the urinal 1 is installed, etc. The notification unit 133 may notify the manager or maintainer of the urinal 1 of that fact when the number of detection devices 30 whose correspondence with the urinal 1 has changed is a predetermined number or more, for example, two or more.

[0067] If the correspondence acquired by the correspondence acquisition unit 131 differs from the correspondence stored in the toilet information database 123, the correspondence correction unit 134 corrects the correspondence between the detection information or analysis information recorded in the detection information storage unit 121 or the usage status information storage unit 124 and the identification information of the urinal 1. Since the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 is likely to have changed when the urinal 1 was cleaned, the correspondence correction unit 134 may refer to the cleaning status information storage unit 125, acquire the date and time when the urinal 1 was cleaned after the previous acquisition of the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30, and correct the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 of the detection information acquired after the date and time when the urinal 1 was cleaned to the newly acquired correspondence. If the urinal 1 has been cleaned multiple times since the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 was last obtained, the correspondence correction unit 134 may estimate the point in time when the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 changed by referring to the time of cleaning, the time required, the person in charge, the contents, the drainage state of the urinal 1 before and after cleaning, the usage status, etc.

[0068] A part or all of the components of the management device 100 may be provided in the detection device 30. In this case, those components may be provided in the substrate 51 of the detection device 30, or may be realized by the processing device 52. For example, the exclusion unit 130 may be provided in the detection device 30, or may be provided in a transmission device for transmitting detection information to the management device 100. In this case, the detection information detected by the detection device 30 when the urinal 1 is not in use is not transmitted to the management device 100.

[0069] 10 is a flow chart showing the steps of the management method according to the embodiment. The manager or maintainer of the urinal 1 sets the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 (S10), and installs the strainer 13 provided with the detection device 30 in the urinal 1 in accordance with the set correspondence (S12).

[0070] When the operation of the urinal 1 begins, the detection device 30 detects the wastewater discharged from the outlet 11C of the urinal 1, and transmits the detection information to the management device 100. The detection information receiving unit 111 of the management device 100 acquires the detection information from the detection device 30 (S14). The recording unit 132 records the number of times the urinal 1 has been used for each urinal 1 in the usage status information holding unit 124 (S16).

[0071] When the time for regular flushing arrives (Y of S18), regular flushing is performed and flush water is flushed into the urinal 1. The detection information receiving unit 111 receives detection information detected by the detection device 30 during regular flushing (S20). The correspondence relationship acquisition unit 131 acquires the correspondence relationship between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 based on the detection information (S22).

[0072] If the correspondence acquired by the correspondence acquisition unit 131 differs from the correspondence stored in the toilet information database 123 (Y in S24), the notification unit 133 notifies the manager or maintainer of the urinal 1 of that fact (S26). The correspondence correction unit 134 corrects the correspondence between the detection information or analysis information recorded in the detection information storage unit 121 or the usage status information storage unit 124 and the identification information of the urinal 1 (S28). Once the correspondence has been corrected, the process returns to S14.

[0073] If it is not time for regular cleaning (N in S18) or if the correspondence has not changed (N in S24), the process returns to S14.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely show the principles and applications of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments can be modified in many ways and with different arrangements without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims.

[0075] In the embodiment, a case has been described in which multiple urinals 1 flush with flush water at different times, but multiple urinals 1 may perform operations that affect the detection information in different ways. For example, the amount of flush water flushed during regular flushing, the number of times, the ion concentration, etc. may be different. Any content may be used as long as the difference in the detection information detected by each of the multiple detection devices 30 can be distinguished.

[0076] In the embodiment, the case of obtaining the correspondence between the urinal 1 and the detection device 30 has been described, but the technology of the present embodiment can be used to obtain the correspondence between any device and a detection unit, so long as the detection unit is detachably attached to the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 urinal, 10 urinal body, 10K drainage path, 11 toilet bowl, 11C drainage port, 12 water discharge section, 13 strainer, 20 strainer body, 21 recess, 22 edge, 30 detection device, 31 body, 40 cover, 41 tube, 42 top surface, 43 opening, 44 opening, 45 water collection section, 50 storage section, 51 substrate, 52 processing device, 53 communication device, 54 electrode, 60 bottom surface, 70 peripheral portion, 71 recess, 72 electrode, 73 opening, 100 management device, 111 detection information receiving section, 112 discharge state estimation section, 113 water level estimation section, 114 estimation result output section, 115 estimation standard setting section, 116 usage status estimation section, 117 cleaning status information acquisition section, 118 cleaning management section, 119 Location information acquisition unit, 121 detection information storage unit, 122 estimation standard storage unit, 123 toilet information database, 124 usage status information storage unit, 125 cleaning status information storage unit, 130 exclusion unit, 131 correspondence relationship acquisition unit, 132 recording unit, 133 notification unit, 134 correspondence relationship correction unit.

Claims

1. A detection unit that is detachable from a toilet bowl and detects liquid discharged from the toilet bowl; A management device that manages detection information detected by the plurality of detection units attached to the plurality of toilets, respectively; Equipped with The management device includes: A detection information acquisition unit that acquires the detection information; a correspondence relationship acquisition unit that acquires a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of toilets and a detection unit based on detection information detected by the detection unit attached to each of the plurality of toilets when the plurality of toilets each perform an operation of flushing with flush water at different timings or contents; a recording unit that records the detection information acquired by the detection information acquisition unit or analysis information generated based on the detection information in a storage device in association with identification information for identifying the toilet; a correspondence relationship correction unit that corrects the correspondence relationship between the detection information or analysis information and the identification information recorded in the storage device when the correspondence relationship acquired by the correspondence relationship acquisition unit differs from the correspondence relationship recorded in the storage device; A management system comprising:

2. a detection information acquisition unit that acquires detection information detected by a plurality of detection units that are detachably attached to each of a plurality of toilets and detect liquid discharged from the toilets; a correspondence relationship acquisition unit that acquires a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of toilets and a detection unit based on detection information detected by the detection unit attached to each of the plurality of toilets when the plurality of toilets each perform an operation of flushing with flush water at different timings or contents; a recording unit that records the detection information acquired by the detection information acquisition unit or analysis information generated based on the detection information in a storage device in association with identification information for identifying the toilet; a correspondence relationship correction unit that corrects the correspondence relationship between the detection information or analysis information and the identification information recorded in the storage device when the correspondence relationship acquired by the correspondence relationship acquisition unit differs from the correspondence relationship recorded in the storage device; A management device comprising:

3. The detection unit is provided on a strainer installed at the drain outlet of the toilet bowl and detects the presence of liquid discharged from the drain outlet. The management device according to claim 2 .

4. If the correspondence acquired by the correspondence acquisition unit differs from the correspondence recorded in the storage device, a manager or a maintainer of the toilet is notified of that fact. The management device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The recording unit records the number of times the toilet has been used for each toilet in the storage device. The management device according to claim 2 .

6. Computer, a detection information acquisition unit that acquires detection information detected by a plurality of detection units that are detachably attached to each of a plurality of toilets and detect liquid discharged from the toilets; a correspondence relationship acquisition unit that acquires a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of toilets and a detection unit based on detection information detected by the detection unit attached to each of the plurality of toilets when the plurality of toilets each perform an operation of flushing with flush water at different timings or contents; a recording unit that records the detection information acquired by the detection information acquisition unit or analysis information generated based on the detection information in a storage device in association with identification information for identifying the toilet; a correspondence relationship correction unit that corrects the correspondence relationship between the detection information or analysis information and the identification information recorded in the storage device when the correspondence relationship acquired by the correspondence relationship acquisition unit differs from the correspondence relationship recorded in the storage device; A management program to function as a.

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