Discharge management system

Abstract

To provide an excrement management system that can accurately determine that at least one of defecation and flatus has occurred even for a person who does not produce sufficient odor during defecation and / or flatus.SOLUTION: An excrement determination method comprises: acquiring sensing data detected by a first gas sensor 1; acquiring image data captured by a camera 2; performing a first determination to determine whether a gas concentration indicated by the sensing data is greater than a first reference concentration; performing a second determination to execute image processing on the image data to determine whether the image data includes an image indicating defecation; performing a third determination to determine that at least one of defecation and flatus has occurred based on the determination results of the first determination and the second determination; and outputting the determination result of the third determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for determining excretions discharged from a person.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in nursing facilities and the like, there has been a demand for objectively managing the excretions of care recipients. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether the excretions discharged in the bowl part correspond to defecation, urination, or flatulence according to a combination of a determination result as to whether temperature data measured by a temperature measurement unit exceeds a temperature threshold value and a determination result as to whether odor data measured by an odor measurement unit exceeds an odor threshold value.

[0003] By the way, there are people who do not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence. Therefore, the technique of Patent Document 1 using temperature data and odor data has a problem that it cannot accurately determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has been performed on such a person. Further, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not mention detecting defecation accompanied by flatulence at all.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of accurately determining that at least one of defecation and flatulence has been performed even on a person who does not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An emission management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor unit mounted on the edge of a toilet bowl and an emission determination device for determining emissions. The sensor unit has a distance measurement sensor and a camera disposed therein capable of photographing the bowl portion of the toilet bowl. When the distance of an object detected by the distance measurement sensor is less than a reference distance, the emission determination device determines that a person is seated.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately determine that an emission act has been performed even for a person who does not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings below. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of embodying the present invention and do not have the character of limiting the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] (Background leading to the present disclosure) Excretion history information indicating the number and time of excretion acts such as urination, defecation, and flatulence is important information for grasping a person's health risk. In particular, in a nursing facility that accommodates many elderly people who are prone to constipation, it is required to objectively record the excretion history information of the care recipients and appropriately administer drugs such as laxatives to the care recipients. However, since there are a large number of care recipients in a nursing facility, it is not easy to impose such a recording operation of excretion history information on care staff because the burden on the care staff increases. Therefore, the present inventors have been conducting research on a technology for automatically managing such excretion history information without human intervention.

[0011] As a prior art document related to such a technology, there is the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, when the temperature data indicating the temperature of the bowl part of the toilet is greater than the temperature threshold value, if the first odor data measured by the hydrogen sulfide sensor or the second odor data measured by the ammonia sensor is greater than the odor threshold value, it is determined that defecation has occurred, and if both the first odor data and the second odor data are below the odor threshold value, it is determined that urination has occurred. Further, in Patent Document 1, when the temperature data is below the temperature threshold value, if the first odor data or the second odor data is greater than the odor threshold value, it is determined that flatulence has occurred.

[0012] However, among people who take drugs such as laxatives and antibiotics on a daily basis, there are also people who do not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence. In particular, care recipients tend to take a large amount of such drugs, and there is a high possibility that sufficient odor is not generated during defecation. In addition, there are also people who do not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence depending on the content of the food they consume. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot accurately determine whether defecation has occurred for such people.

[0013] Specifically, when applying the technology of Patent Document 1 to such a person, no temperature change in the bowl part appears during flatulence, and first odor data and second odor data below the odor threshold are measured, so flatulence is not determined. Also, during defecation, although a temperature change in the bowl part appears, first odor data and second odor data below the odor threshold are measured, so defecation is not determined. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 does not mention anything about the determination of defecation accompanied by flatulence.

[0014] Therefore, the inventor has obtained the knowledge that even in a person who does not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence, gas that does not carry odor is generated from the body. And by combining the analysis result of the image data obtained by imaging the internal situation of the bowl part and the analysis result of the sensing data measured by the gas sensor, it is possible to accurately determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has occurred even for a person who does not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence. And based on this knowledge, the inventor has come up with each aspect of the present disclosure shown below.

[0015] An excrement determination method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an excrement determination method in an excrement determination device that determines excrement, and includes acquiring sensing data detected by a gas sensor installed in a toilet, acquiring image data captured by a camera installed in the toilet so as to be able to photograph the bowl part of the toilet bowl in the toilet, performing a first determination to determine whether the gas concentration indicated by the sensing data is greater than a reference concentration, performing a second determination to execute image processing on the image data to determine whether the image data includes an image indicating defecation, performing a third determination to determine that at least one of the defecation and flatulence has occurred based on the determination result of the first determination and the determination result of the second determination, and outputting the determination result of the third determination.

[0016] According to this configuration, based on the determination result of the first determination for determining whether the gas concentration detected by the gas sensor is greater than the reference concentration, and the determination result of the second determination for determining whether the image data captured by the camera includes an image indicating defecation, it is determined that at least one of defecation and flatulence has occurred. Therefore, even for a person who does not generate sufficient odor during defecation or flatulence, it is possible to accurately determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has occurred.

[0017] In the above-described excrement determination method, in the third determination, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the gas concentration is greater than the reference concentration, and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the image data includes an image indicating defecation, it may be determined that defecation and flatulence have occurred.

[0018] According to this configuration, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the image data does not include an image indicating defecation and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the gas concentration detected by the gas sensor is greater than the reference concentration, it is determined that defecation and flatulence have occurred. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that defecation accompanied by flatulence has occurred.

[0019] In the above-described excrement determination method, in the third determination, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the gas concentration is greater than the reference concentration, and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the image data does not include an image indicating defecation, it may be determined that only flatulence has occurred.

[0020] According to this configuration, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the gas concentration detected by the gas sensor is greater than the reference concentration, and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the image data does not include an image indicating defecation, it is determined that only flatulence has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that only flatulence has occurred.

[0021] In the above-described excrement determination method, the gas sensor may be a first gas sensor that is sensitive to hydrogen.

[0022] It has been found that even in a person who does not generate an odor during defecation and flatulence, hydrogen is discharged from the body. In this configuration, since the gas sensor includes a first gas sensor that is sensitive to hydrogen, even in a person who does not generate an odor during defecation or flatulence, it is possible to accurately determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has occurred.

[0023] In the above-described excretion determination method, the second determination may be executed when the first determination is affirmed.

[0024] According to this configuration, since the camera can be activated when the first determination is affirmed, it is not necessary to constantly activate the camera, and power consumption can be reduced.

[0025] In the above-described excretion determination method, the gas sensor includes a first gas sensor that is sensitive to hydrogen, a second gas sensor that is sensitive to ammonia, and a third gas sensor that is sensitive to hydrogen sulfide. Further, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the gas concentration detected by the first gas sensor is equal to or less than the reference concentration, a fourth determination may be executed to determine whether defecation or urination has occurred based on the ammonia concentration detected by the second gas sensor and the hydrogen sulfide concentration detected by the third gas sensor.

[0026] According to this configuration, when the first gas sensor cannot detect a hydrogen concentration equal to or higher than the reference concentration, it is determined whether either defecation or urination has occurred based on the ammonia concentration detected by the second gas sensor and the hydrogen sulfide concentration detected by the third gas sensor. Therefore, it is possible to detect urination, which is difficult to detect with the first gas sensor.

[0027] In the above-described excretion determination method, further, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the gas concentration detected by the first gas sensor is equal to or less than the reference concentration, a fourth determination may be executed to determine whether defecation or urination has occurred based on the image data.

[0028] According to this configuration, when the first gas sensor fails to detect hydrogen at or above the reference concentration, it is determined whether defecation or urination has occurred based on the image data. Therefore, urination, which is difficult to detect with the first gas sensor, can be detected.

[0029] In the above excretion determination method, the first determination, the second determination, and the third determination may be executed when the seating is detected by a seating sensor that detects that the excretor has seated on the toilet bowl.

[0030] According to this configuration, since the first determination, the second determination, and the third determination are performed only while the user is seated, the processing load on the excretion determination device is reduced.

[0031] In the above excretion determination method, in the output, excretion history information including a determination result, date and time information indicating the date and time when the excretion act was performed, and the gas concentration is generated, the excretion history information is stored in a memory, and further, when the excretion history information stored in the memory indicates that the defecation interval is equal to or greater than a first threshold value and flatulence has been continuously performed within the defecation interval, it is determined whether the degree of increase in the gas concentration indicated by the excretion history information is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. When it is determined that the degree of increase is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it may be determined that the excretor is constipated, and further, the determination result of the constipation may be output.

[0032] During constipation, the interval between defecations increases and the frequency of flatulence increases. Further, during constipation, the gas concentration excreted from the body by flatulence increases. According to this configuration, when it is specified from the excretion history information that the defecation interval is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and flatulence has been continuously performed within the defecation interval, and further, when the degree of increase in the gas concentration changes by equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that the person is constipated. Therefore, constipation can be accurately determined.

[0033] In the above-described discharge determination method, in the output, discharge history information including a determination result, date and time information indicating the date and time when the discharging action was performed, and the gas concentration is generated, the discharge history information is stored in a memory, and further, based on the discharge history information stored in the memory, the degree of increase in the gas concentration is calculated, and based on whether or not the degree of increase is equal to or greater than a third threshold value, the medication state of the discharger is determined, and further, the determination result of the medication state may be output.

[0034] It has been found that when a discharger stops taking the prescribed medicine, the gas concentration discharged from the body increases when at least one of defecation and flatulence is performed. According to this configuration, the degree of increase in the gas concentration is calculated based on the discharge history information, and based on whether or not this degree of increase is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the medication state of the discharger is determined. Therefore, the presence or absence of the discharger's medication state can be accurately determined.

[0035] A discharge determination device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a discharge determination device for determining discharge, including a sensing data acquisition unit that acquires sensing data from a gas sensor installed in a toilet, an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data from a camera installed in the toilet so as to be able to photograph a bowl portion of the toilet bowl in the toilet, a first determination that determines whether or not the gas concentration indicated by the sensing data is greater than a reference concentration, a second determination that performs image processing on the image data and determines whether or not the image data includes an image indicating defecation, and based on the determination result of the first determination and the determination result of the second determination, a discharge determination unit that performs a third determination to determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has been performed, and a determination result output unit that outputs the determination result of the third determination.

[0036] An emission determination program according to still another aspect of the present disclosure acquires sensing data from a gas sensor installed in a toilet, acquires image data from a camera installed in the toilet so that a bowl portion of a toilet bowl in the toilet can be photographed, executes a first determination to determine whether a gas concentration indicated by the sensing data is greater than a reference concentration, executes a second determination to perform image processing on the image data to determine whether the image data includes an image indicating defecation, executes a third determination to determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has occurred based on a determination result of the first determination and a determination result of the second determination, and causes a computer to function so as to output a determination result of the third determination.

[0037] According to these configurations, the same effects as those of the above-described emission determination method can be obtained.

[0038] The present disclosure can also be realized as an emission determination program that causes a computer to execute each characteristic configuration included in such an emission determination method, or an emission determination device including each characteristic configuration. Needless to say, such a computer program can be distributed via a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a communication network such as the Internet.

[0039] Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present disclosure. Numerical values, shapes, components, steps, the order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims indicating the most general concept are described as optional components. Also, in all embodiments, the respective contents can be combined.

[0040] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the discharge management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement positions of the sensor unit 105 and the discharge determination device 3 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. In the following description, discharges include defecation, urination, and flatulence.

[0041] The discharge management system shown in FIG. 1 includes a first gas sensor 1, a camera 2, a discharge determination device 3, a seating sensor 4, and a server 6. The first gas sensor 1 is disposed in the toilet bowl 101 and is sensitive to hydrogen. The first gas sensor 1 is disposed in the sensor unit 105 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the toilet bowl 101 includes a bowl portion 101a and an edge portion 101b. The edge portion 101b is disposed at the upper end of the toilet bowl 101 and is a member that defines an opening. The bowl portion 101a is disposed below the edge portion 101b and is a member that receives defecation and urination. The sensor unit 105 is hung on the edge portion 101b. The first gas sensor 1 detects the hydrogen concentration in the space inside the toilet bowl 101. The first gas sensor 1 is communicably connected to the discharge determination device 3 by wire or wirelessly. The first gas sensor 1 transmits sensing data indicating the detected hydrogen concentration to the discharge determination device 3. Note that the arrangement location of the first gas sensor 1 is not limited to inside the sensor unit 105 and may be outside the sensor unit 105. For example, the first gas sensor 1 may be provided on the wall around the toilet bowl 101 and may be provided at any location inside the toilet space.

[0042] A drainage channel (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the bowl portion 101a. The defecation and urination discharged into the bowl portion 101a flow through the drainage channel. Also, a toilet seat 102 for the user to sit on is provided above the toilet bowl 101. The toilet seat 102 rotates up and down. The user sits with the toilet seat 102 lowered onto the toilet bowl 101. A water storage tank 103 for storing water for flowing defecation and urination is provided behind the toilet bowl 101.

[0043] The first gas sensor 1 may transmit sensing data indicating the hydrogen concentration detected during the period from when the user sits on the toilet seat 102 to when the user leaves the toilet seat 102 to the excretory product determination device 3. However, this is just an example, and the first gas sensor 1 may constantly transmit the sensing data indicating the detected hydrogen concentration to the excretory product determination device 3.

[0044] The camera 2 is installed in the toilet bowl 101 so that the bowl portion 101a can be photographed. Here, the camera 2 is arranged within the sensor unit 105. The camera 2 is, for example, a high-sensitivity and wide-angle camera, and is configured as a camera capable of capturing a color image having R (red), G (green), and B (blue) components. In the field of object detection, a camera that irradiates an object with an infrared light-emitting diode and a white light-emitting diode and photographs the object is widely used. However, with such a conventional camera, it has been difficult to detect an object having a large amount of a red-based color component, and thus it has been difficult to distinguish between defecation and urination. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a high-sensitivity and wide-angle camera is adopted as the camera 2. Specifically, the camera 2 is configured as a high-sensitivity camera having a 1 / 4-inch CMOS. Further, the camera 2 is configured as a wide-angle camera with a horizontal angle of view of 120 degrees and a vertical angle of view of 45 degrees. Note that the values of the number of inches and the number of angles of view are merely examples, and other values may be adopted. The camera 2 is connected to the excretory product determination device 3 so as to be communicable with each other by wire or wirelessly. The camera 2 images the inside of the bowl portion 101a at a predetermined frame rate and transmits the obtained image data. Here, the camera 2 may transmit the image data captured during the period from when the user sits on the toilet seat 102 to when the user leaves the toilet seat 102 to the excretory product determination device 3. However, this is just an example, and the camera 2 may constantly transmit the captured image data to the excretory product determination device 3.

[0045] The seating sensor 4 is disposed within the sensor unit 105 and detects whether or not the evacuator is sitting on the toilet seat 102. The seating sensor 4 includes an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance around the bowl portion 101a and a distance measuring sensor that detects the distance to an object around the bowl portion 101a. When the evacuator sits on the toilet seat 102, the opening is blocked by the buttocks, so the area around the bowl portion 101a becomes dark and there is an object in the vicinity of the sensor unit 105. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the evacuator has sat on the toilet seat 102 using the illuminance sensor and the distance measuring sensor. Note that the seating sensor 4 may be constituted by a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the evacuator sitting on the toilet seat 102 instead of the illuminance sensor and the distance measuring sensor. Further, the seating sensor 4 may be constituted by either the illuminance sensor or the distance measuring sensor.

[0046] The excrement determination device 3 is disposed, for example, on the side surface of the water storage tank 103. Note that the arrangement position of the excrement determination device 3 is not limited to the above, and it may be anywhere within the toilet. Further, when the sensor unit 105 and the excrement determination device 3 are wirelessly connected, the excrement determination device 3 does not necessarily have to be disposed within the toilet, and it may be disposed at a location where wireless communication with the sensor unit 105 is possible.

[0047] The excrement determination device 3 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, and a communication unit 33. The memory 32 is constituted by a storage device capable of storing various types of information such as, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The memory 32 stores the sensing data transmitted by the first gas sensor 1.

[0048] The processor 31 is constituted by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The processor 31 includes a sensing data acquisition unit 311, an image data acquisition unit 312, an excrement determination unit 313, a determination result output unit 314, and a seating determination unit 315.

[0049] The sensing data acquisition unit 311 acquires sensing data indicating the hydrogen concentration around the toilet 101 detected by the first gas sensor 1. The sensing data acquisition unit 311 reads out the sensing data stored in the memory 32.

[0050] The image data acquisition unit 312 acquires the image data captured by the camera 2.

[0051] The excretory product determination unit 313 determines whether the hydrogen concentration indicated by the sensing data is greater than the first reference concentration (first determination). It has been found that the hydrogen concentration discharged during flatulence is higher than the hydrogen concentration released when only defecation is performed. Therefore, if the first reference concentration is set based on the detection result of the hydrogen concentration when the excretor only defecates, if the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1 is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration, it can be determined that the excretor has performed at least defecation among defecation and flatulence. Therefore, as the first reference concentration, a value preset based on the detection result of the hydrogen concentration when the excretor only defecates is adopted. However, this is just an example, and as the first reference concentration, a value preset based on the detection result of the hydrogen concentration when the excretor flatulates may be adopted.

[0052] The excretory product determination unit 313 performs image processing on the image data to determine whether the image data includes a defecation image indicating defecation (second determination). The content of the image processing will be described later. The excretory product determination unit 313 determines that at least one of defecation and flatulence has been performed based on the determination result of the first determination and the determination result of the second determination (third determination).

[0053] Here, in the third determination, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the hydrogen concentration is greater than the first reference concentration, and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the image data includes a defecation image, it is determined that defecation and flatulence have been performed. Also, in the third determination, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the hydrogen concentration is greater than the first reference concentration, and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the image data does not include a defecation image, it is determined that only flatulence has been performed.

[0054] When the determination result of the first determination indicates that the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1 is equal to or lower than the first reference concentration, the excretion determination unit 313 determines whether urination or defecation has been performed based on the image data (fourth determination).

[0055] The determination result output unit 314 generates excretion history information including the determination result of the third determination or the determination result of the fourth determination, transmits the excretion history information to the server 6 via the communication unit 33, and stores the excretion history information in the memory 32. The excretion history information may include date and time information indicating the date and time when the excretion act (defecation, flatulence, urination, and defecation and flatulence) was performed. Further, the excretion history information may include identification information of the excretor. Further, the excretion history information may include the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1. Further, the excretion history information may include the image data captured by the camera 2. For example, when the toilet 101 is arranged in the private room of the care recipient, the care recipient can be identified from the room number of the care recipient. In this case, the identification information of the excretor is the identification information of the room where the excretion determination device 3 is installed.

[0056] The seating determination unit 315 determines whether the excretor has seated on the toilet seat 102 based on the detection result of the seating sensor 4. For example, when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor of the seating sensor 4 is less than a predetermined reference illuminance and the distance of the object detected by the distance measurement sensor of the seating sensor 4 is less than the reference distance, the seating determination unit 315 may determine that the excretor has seated. However, this is only an example, and the seating determination unit 315 may determine that the excretor has seated on the toilet seat 102 using the detection result of either one of the illuminance sensor and the distance measurement sensor, or may determine that the excretor has seated on the toilet seat 102 when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is equal to or higher than the reference pressure.

[0057] The communication unit 33 is composed of a communication circuit that connects the excretion determination device 3 to the network 5. The communication unit 33 transmits the excretion history information to the server 6. The excretion determination device 3 is communicably connected to the server 6 via the network 5. The network 5 is, for example, the Internet.

[0058] The server 6 receives the discharge history information transmitted by the discharge determination device 3. The server 6 includes a database for storing the discharge history information.

[0059] For example, when creating the monitoring data of the care recipient, the caregiver uses the database of the server 6. That is, the terminal device used by the caregiver acquires the discharge history information and the date and time information corresponding to the identification information of the care recipient from the server 6, and creates the monitoring data of the care recipient. For example, the terminal device may create, as monitoring data, the number of flatulence times, the number of defecation times, the number of urination times, the number of urination times, and the number of defecation and flatulence times within a predetermined period. The predetermined period during which the monitoring data is created may be one day, one week, or one month. Also, for example, the terminal device may create, as monitoring data, the times of flatulence, defecation, urination, and defecation and flatulence within a predetermined period.

[0060] Subsequently, the discharge determination process according to the discharge determination device 3 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the discharge determination process according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. In step S101, the seating determination unit 315 determines whether or not the discharger has seated on the toilet 101 based on the detection result of the seating sensor 4. If it is determined that the discharger has not seated (NO in step S101), the process waits in step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the discharger has seated (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0061] In step S102, the sensing data acquisition unit 311 acquires, from the first gas sensor 1, the sensing data indicating the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1. In step S103, the image data acquisition unit 312 acquires, from the camera 2, the image data captured by the camera 2.

[0062] In step S104, the emission determination unit 313 determines whether the hydrogen concentration indicated by the sensing data acquired in step S102 is equal to or higher than a first reference concentration (first determination). If it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration (YES in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. If it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is less than the first reference concentration (NO in step S104), the process proceeds to step S109.

[0063] In step S105, the emission determination unit 313 determines whether the image data acquired in step S103 includes a defecation image (second determination).

[0064] Here, the emission determination unit 313 may determine whether the image data includes a defecation image as follows, for example. First, the emission determination unit 313 calculates difference image data indicating the difference between the image data acquired in step S103 and the base image data. Here, the base image data is image data generated by calibration performed when the sensor unit 105 is installed in the toilet bowl 101. The base image data is generated based on, for example, a plurality of color image data obtained by imaging the state of the bowl portion 101a where defecation and urination are not being performed by the camera 2 a plurality of times. That is, the base image data is color image data of the default state of the bowl portion 101a where defecation and urination are not being performed. Therefore, by taking the difference between the image data captured during defecation or urination and the base image data, image data indicating defecation or urination can be extracted.

[0065] Next, the excrement determination unit 313 calculates the RGB ratio of the R component, G component, and B component included in the calculated difference image data. Next, the excrement determination unit 313 calculates the distance between the calculated RGB ratio and a predetermined defecation reference ratio. Here, the RGB ratio is, for example, the ratio of the total luminance value of the R component, the total luminance value of the G component, and the total luminance value of the B component in the difference image data. The defecation reference ratio is a typical defecation RGB ratio calculated by analyzing a plurality of image data including various defecation images. For the distance, for example, the Euclidean distance is adopted. Finally, if the calculated distance is less than or equal to the reference distance, the excrement determination unit 313 determines that the image data captured by the camera 2 includes defecation.

[0066] In step S105, when it is determined that the image data includes a defecation image (YES in step S105), the excrement determination unit 313 determines that both defecation and flatulence have occurred (step S106).

[0067] On the other hand, in step S105, when it is determined that the image data does not include a defecation image (NO in step S105), the excrement determination unit 313 determines that only flatulence has occurred (step S107).

[0068] In step S109, the excrement determination unit 313 determines whether the image data includes a defecation image (fourth determination). When it is determined that the image data includes a defecation image (YES in step S109), the excrement determination unit 313 determines that only defecation has occurred (step S110). Here, the details of the process for determining whether the image data includes a defecation image are the same as those in step S105 described above.

[0069] On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data does not include a defecation image (NO in step S109), the excrement determination unit 313 determines whether the image data includes a urination image indicating urination (fourth determination).

[0070] Here, the excretory product determination unit 313 may determine whether the captured image data includes a urination image, for example, as follows. First, the excretory product determination unit 313 calculates difference image data from the captured image data and the base image data obtained in step S103. Next, the excretory product determination unit 313 calculates the RGB ratio of the difference image data. Next, the excretory product determination unit 313 calculates the distance between the calculated RGB ratio and a predetermined urination reference ratio. Here, the predetermined urination reference ratio is a typical RGB ratio of urination calculated by analyzing a plurality of captured image data including various urination images. Finally, if the calculated distance is less than or equal to the reference distance, the excretory product determination unit 313 may determine that the captured image data obtained in step S103 includes a urination image.

[0071] In step S111, if it is determined that the captured image data obtained in step S103 includes a urination image (YES in step S111), the excretory product determination unit 313 determines that only urination has occurred (step S112). On the other hand, if it is determined that the captured image data obtained in step S103 does not include a urination image (NO in step S111), since no excretion action has been performed, the process returns to step S101.

[0072] When steps S106, S107, S110, and S112 are completed, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the determination result output unit 314 transmits excretion history information including the determination results of steps S105, S109, or S111 to the server 6 via the communication unit 33.

[0073] For example, when the flatulence determination result is obtained (step S107), discharge history information in which the flatulence determination result, date and time information indicating the date and time when flatulence occurred, the hydrogen concentration at the time of determination, and identification information are associated with each other is generated. For example, when the defecation and flatulence determination results are obtained (step S108), discharge history information in which the defecation and flatulence determination results, date and time information indicating the date and time when defecation and flatulence occurred, the hydrogen concentration at the time of determination, and identification information are associated with each other is generated. For example, when it is determined that only defecation has occurred (step S110), discharge history information in which the defecation determination result, date and time information indicating the date and time when defecation occurred, the hydrogen concentration at the time of determination, and identification information are associated with each other is generated. For example, when it is determined that urination has occurred (step S112), discharge history information in which the urination determination result, date and time information indicating the date and time when urination occurred, the hydrogen concentration at the time of determination, and identification information are associated with each other is generated.

[0074] When step S108 ends, the process returns to step S101. The server 6 that has received the discharge history information stores the discharge history information in the database as discharge history information.

[0075] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the defecation image is not included in the image data and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1 is greater than the first reference concentration, it is determined that defecation and flatulence have occurred. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that defecation accompanied by flatulence has occurred.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the determination result of the first determination indicates that the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1 is greater than the first reference concentration and the determination result of the second determination indicates that the defecation image is not included in the image data, it is determined that only flatulence has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine that only flatulence has occurred.

[0077] Furthermore, in this configuration, since the first gas sensor 1 is a gas sensor sensitive to hydrogen, even a person who does not generate an odor during defecation or flatulence can accurately determine that at least one of defecation and flatulence has occurred.

[0078] Furthermore, when the first gas sensor 1 fails to detect hydrogen at a first reference concentration or higher, it is determined whether urination or defecation has occurred based on the image data. Therefore, defecation that is difficult to detect with the first gas sensor 1 can be detected.

[0079] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the discharge management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Embodiment 2 is characterized in that the discharge management system further includes a second gas sensor 7 and a third gas sensor 8. In Embodiment 2, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Also, in FIG. 4, blocks having functions different from those in Embodiment 1 are assigned a reference numeral with an "A" at the end.

[0080] The second gas sensor 7 is a gas sensor sensitive to ammonia. The second gas sensor 7 may transmit sensing data indicating the ammonia concentration detected during the period from the time when the discharger sits on the toilet seat 102 to the time when the discharger leaves the toilet seat 102 to the discharge determination device 3. However, this is just an example, and the second gas sensor 7 may constantly transmit sensing data indicating the detected ammonia to the discharge determination device 3.

[0081] The third gas sensor 8 is a gas sensor sensitive to hydrogen sulfide. The third gas sensor 8 may transmit sensing data indicating the hydrogen sulfide concentration detected during the period from the time when the discharger sits on the toilet seat 102 to the time when the discharger leaves the toilet seat 102 to the discharge determination device 3. However, this is just an example, and the second gas sensor 7 may constantly transmit sensing data indicating the detected hydrogen sulfide concentration to the discharge determination device 3.

[0082] The second gas sensor 7 and the third gas sensor 8 are each disposed, for example, within the sensor unit 105. The second gas sensor 7 and the third gas sensor 8 are each communicably connected to the discharge determination device 3A by wire or wirelessly.

[0083] The sensing data acquisition unit 311A acquires sensing data indicating the ammonia concentration around the toilet 101 detected by the second gas sensor 7 in addition to the sensing data of the first gas sensor 1, and acquires sensing data indicating the hydrogen sulfide concentration around the toilet 101 detected by the third gas sensor 8.

[0084] The excretion determination unit 313A is different from the fourth determination in the first embodiment. That is, when the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1 indicates that it is equal to or lower than the first reference concentration, the excretion determination unit 313A determines whether only urination has been performed based on the ammonia concentration detected by the second gas sensor 7 (fourth determination). Further, when the hydrogen concentration detected by the first gas sensor 1 indicates that it is equal to or lower than the first reference concentration, the excretion determination unit 313A determines whether only defecation has been performed based on the hydrogen sulfide concentration detected by the third gas sensor 8.

[0085] Subsequently, the excretion determination process according to the excretion determination device 3A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the excretion determination process according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this flowchart, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0086] In step S102A, the sensing data acquisition unit 311A acquires sensing data from each of the first gas sensor 1, the second gas sensor 7, and the third gas sensor 8.

[0087] In step S201 following step S104, the excretion determination unit 313 determines whether the hydrogen sulfide concentration detected by the third gas sensor 8 is equal to or higher than the third reference concentration. The third reference concentration is, for example, a value preset based on the detection result of the hydrogen sulfide concentration when the excretor has only defecated.

[0088] When it is determined that the hydrogen sulfide concentration is equal to or higher than the third reference concentration (YES in step S201), the emission determination unit 313A determines that only defecation has occurred (step S202). On the other hand, when it is determined that the hydrogen sulfide concentration is less than the third reference concentration (NO in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0089] In step S203, the emission determination unit 313A determines whether or not the ammonia concentration detected by the second gas sensor 7 is equal to or higher than the second reference concentration. When it is determined that the ammonia concentration is equal to or higher than the second reference concentration (YES in step S203), the emission determination unit 313A determines that only urination has occurred (step S204). The second reference concentration is, for example, a value preset based on the detection result of the ammonia concentration when the excretor only urinates. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ammonia concentration is less than the second reference concentration, since no excretion act has occurred, the process returns to step S101. When steps S202 and S204 are completed, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0090] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the first gas sensor 1 fails to detect hydrogen equal to or higher than the first reference concentration, it is determined whether or not urination has occurred based on the ammonia concentration detected by the second gas sensor 7 that detects ammonia and the hydrogen sulfide concentration detected by the third gas sensor 8 that detects hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, urination that is difficult to detect with the first gas sensor 1 can be detected.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since the camera 2 is activated only when the first determination is affirmed (YES in step S104), power consumption can be reduced.

[0092] (Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an emission management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. Embodiment 3 is based on Embodiment 1 and is characterized in that the processor 31 further includes a constipation determination unit 316 and a medication state determination unit 317. In Embodiment 3, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as in Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0093] The constipation determination unit 316 reads out the discharge history information for each discharger from the memory 32. When the read discharge history information indicates that the defecation interval of the discharger is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and continuous flatulence occurs within the defecation interval, it determines whether the degree of increase in the hydrogen concentration indicated by the discharge history information is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. If it is determined that the degree is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it determines that the discharger is constipated.

[0094] The medication status determination unit 317 calculates the degree of increase in the hydrogen concentration based on the discharge history information stored in the memory 32, and determines the medication status of the discharger based on whether the calculated degree of increase is equal to or greater than the third threshold value. The medication status indicates whether the discharger is taking the prescribed medications appropriately. For example, it has been found that when the discharger stops taking medications such as antibiotics or laxatives, the hydrogen concentration excreted from the body increases when at least one of defecation and flatulence occurs. Therefore, by monitoring the hydrogen concentration of the discharger, the medication status of the discharger can be determined.

[0095] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the constipation determination process according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. This flowchart may be executed periodically (for example, every day, every week, every month), or may be executed when the discharge history information of the corresponding discharger stored in the memory 32 has increased by a certain number since the previous execution. In step S301, the constipation determination unit 316 acquires the discharge history information for each discharger from the memory 32 based on the identification information. Here, the constipation determination unit 316 may acquire the discharge history information from the present to a certain period in the past. Hereinafter, the constipation determination process for a certain discharger will be described.

[0096] In step S302, the constipation determination unit 316 calculates the defecation interval for each excretor based on the excretion history information. Here, the constipation determination unit 316 extracts, from the read excretion history information, the excretion history information indicating that the excretion act is only defecation and the excretion history information indicating that the excretion act is defecation and flatulence. Then, the constipation determination unit 316 calculates the defecation interval by applying, to all the extracted excretion history information, the process of calculating the difference in the dates and times indicated by the date and time information of two pieces of excretion history information that are before and after in time series. Thereby, time series data of the defecation interval is obtained.

[0097] In step S303, the constipation determination unit 316 calculates the average defecation interval, which is the average value of the defecation intervals.

[0098] In step S304, the constipation determination unit 316 determines whether the average defecation interval is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. If the average defecation interval is greater than or equal to the first threshold value (YES in step S304), the constipation determination unit 316 determines whether flatulence is being continuously performed (step S305).

[0099] For example, the constipation determination unit 316 extracts the excretion history information in which the excretion act is only flatulence within each defecation interval. Then, the constipation determination unit 316 calculates the number of flatulence times within each defecation interval based on the extracted excretion history information. Next, the constipation determination unit 316 extracts the defecation intervals in which the number of flatulence times is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (a predetermined value of 2 or more) among all the defecation intervals. And, if there are a predetermined number or more of the extracted defecation intervals, the constipation determination unit 316 determines that flatulence is being continuously performed. On the other hand, if there is no defecation interval in which the number of flatulence times is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, or if the number of defecation intervals in which the number of flatulence times is greater than or equal to the predetermined number is less than the predetermined number, the constipation determination unit 316 determines that flatulence is not being continuously performed.

[0100] When it is determined that continuous flatulence is occurring (YES in step S305), the constipation determination unit 316 determines whether the rate of increase in hydrogen concentration is equal to or greater than a second threshold value (step S306). For example, the constipation determination unit 316 calculates the rate of increase in hydrogen concentration from the hydrogen concentration indicated by the discharge history information from the present to a certain period in the past read in step S301, and if the calculated rate of increase is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it may be determined that the hydrogen concentration has increased by the second threshold value or more. The details of the rate of increase will be described in the medication state determination process described later.

[0101] When it is determined that the rate of increase in hydrogen concentration is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (YES in step S306), the constipation determination unit 316 determines that the discharger is constipated (step S307).

[0102] In step S308, the constipation determination unit 316 generates constipation notification information indicating that the discharger is constipated, and outputs the constipation notification information via the communication unit 33. In this case, the constipation determination unit 316 may transmit the constipation notification information to, for example, a terminal device possessed by the administrator of the discharger. As the administrator of the discharger, for example, the caregiver and family of the discharger are adopted.

[0103] Subsequently, the determination of the medication state will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the medication state determination process according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. This flowchart may be executed periodically (for example, every day, every week, every month), or may be executed when the discharge history information of the corresponding user stored in the memory 32 has increased by a certain number since the previous execution.

[0104] In step S401, based on the identification information, the discharge history information is acquired from the memory 32 for each discharger. Here, the constipation determination unit 316 may acquire the discharge history information from the present to a certain period in the past. Hereinafter, the medication state determination process for a certain discharger will be described.

[0105] In step S402, the medication state determination unit 317 determines whether or not the rate of increase in hydrogen concentration is equal to or greater than the third threshold value. Here, the medication state determination unit 317 may calculate, as the rate of increase, the value obtained by subtracting the hydrogen concentration indicated by the oldest discharge history information from the hydrogen concentration indicated by the latest discharge history information among the discharge history information acquired in step S401.

[0106] Alternatively, the medication state determination unit 317 may calculate, as the rate of increase, the value obtained by subtracting the average value of the hydrogen concentrations indicated by the discharge history information in the second period including the oldest from the average value of the hydrogen concentrations indicated by the discharge history information in the first period including the latest. The first period corresponds to, for example, a period from the latest date and time to a certain period (e.g., one week, two weeks, one month) before in the past. The second period corresponds to a period from the oldest date and time to a certain period (e.g., one week, two weeks, one month) after up to the present.

[0107] Alternatively, in the extracted discharge history information, the medication state determination unit 317 calculates the increase value of the hydrogen concentration by subtracting the hydrogen concentration indicated by the previous discharge history information from the hydrogen concentration indicated by the subsequent discharge history information that is before and after in time series. Then, the medication state determination unit 317 applies the process of calculating this increase value of the hydrogen concentration to all the discharge history information acquired in step S401, calculates an integrated value by integrating the calculated multiple increase values, and may calculate the calculated integrated value as the rate of increase. Note that the increase value takes a negative value when the hydrogen concentration indicated by the subsequent discharge history information that is before and after in time series is lower than the hydrogen concentration indicated by the previous discharge history information.

[0108] When it is determined that the rate of increase in hydrogen concentration is equal to or greater than the third threshold value (YES in step S402), the medication state determination unit 317 determines that the medication state of the corresponding discharger is a state of not taking the drug (non-medication) (step S403).

[0109] In step S404, the medication state determination unit 317 generates medication state information indicating that the excretor is unable to take the medicine, and outputs the generated medication state information. Here, the medication state determination unit 317 may transmit the generated medication state information to the terminal device possessed by the administrator of the corresponding excretor via the communication unit 33. Thereby, the administrator can recognize that the excretor has not taken the medicine, and can take appropriate measures to prompt the excretor to take the medicine.

[0110] On the other hand, when it is determined that the degree of increase in hydrogen concentration is less than the third threshold value (NO in step S402), the medication state determination unit 317 determines that the medication state of the corresponding excretor is in the process of taking medicine (step S405). When it is determined that the excretor is taking medicine, since the medicine is being taken without problems, no medication state information is generated and the process ends. Note that this is just an example. The medication state determination unit 317 may also generate medication state information indicating that the excretor is taking medicine even when the medication state is in the process of taking medicine, and transmit it to the terminal device. Thereby, the administrator of the corresponding excretor can confirm that the excretor is taking medicine.

[0111] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is specified from the excretion history information that the defecation interval is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and flatulence has occurred continuously within the defecation interval, and further, when the degree of increase in hydrogen concentration has changed by equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that the excretor has constipation. Therefore, constipation can be accurately determined.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the degree of increase in hydrogen concentration is calculated based on the excretion history information, and the medication state of the excretor is determined based on whether or not this degree of increase is equal to or greater than the third threshold value. Therefore, the presence or absence of the medication state of the excretor can be accurately determined.

[0113] The following modification examples can be adopted for the present disclosure.

[0114] (1) The constipation determination unit 316 and the medication state determination unit 317 may be provided in the server 6. In this case, the constipation determination unit 316 provided in the server 6 may determine the presence or absence of constipation using the excretion history information stored in the database of the server 6. Also, the medication state determination unit 317 provided in the server 6 may determine the medication state using the excretion history information stored in the database of the server 6.

[0115] (2) The medication state determination unit 317 determines the medication state based on the hydrogen concentration, but this is just an example, and the medication state may be determined based on the hydrogen sulfide concentration or the ammonia concentration. The details of the medication state determination process based on the hydrogen sulfide concentration or the ammonia concentration are the same as the medication state determination process based on the hydrogen concentration described above. Furthermore, the medication state determination unit 317 determines the medication state for each of the hydrogen concentration, the hydrogen sulfide concentration, and the ammonia concentration, and when at least one of the determination results is non-medication, it may be determined that the medication state of the corresponding excretor is non-medication.

[0116] (3) Different values may be adopted for the first threshold value used by the constipation determination unit 316 for determining the constipation interval for each excretor. In this case, the administrator may determine a reasonable value for the first threshold value from the past defecation intervals of the corresponding excretor, and set the first threshold value by inputting the determined first threshold value into the excretion determination device 3 using an operation device (not shown). Alternatively, the constipation determination unit 316 may calculate the defecation interval of the corresponding excretor in a past certain period based on the excretion history information, and set the first threshold value based on the calculated defecation interval.

[0117] (4) The second threshold value used by the constipation determination unit 316 for determining the degree of increase may be different for each excretor. In this case, the administrator may determine the value of the second threshold based on the past hydrogen concentration increase trend (e.g., increase rate) of the corresponding excretor, and set the second threshold by inputting the determined second threshold value into the excretion determination device 3 using an operation device (not shown). Alternatively, the constipation determination unit 316 may calculate the increase rate of the hydrogen concentration in a certain past period of the corresponding excretor based on the excretion history information, and set the second threshold based on the calculated increase rate. Alternatively, the first reference concentration may be adopted as the second threshold value.

[0118] (5) The third threshold value used by the medication state determination unit 317 for determining the degree of increase in hydrogen concentration may be different for each excretor. In this case, the administrator may determine the value of the third threshold based on the degree of increase in the hydrogen concentration of the excretor during medication, and set the third threshold by inputting the determined third threshold value into the excretion determination device 3 using an operation device (not shown). Alternatively, the medication state determination unit 317 may calculate the degree of increase in the hydrogen concentration of the excretor during medication based on the excretion history information, and set the third threshold based on the calculated degree of increase. This is the same when hydrogen sulfide or ammonia is used instead of hydrogen in the determination process of the medication state.

[0119] (6) In the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 5, the processes of steps S102 to S107 and steps S109 to S112 are executed, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the processes of steps S102 to S107 and steps S109 to S112 may be executed regardless of the presence or absence of sitting. In this case, the processes of steps S102 to S107 and steps S109 to S112 may be executed at a predetermined control cycle.

[0120] (7) In the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 5, when the determination process of whether the first hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration is affirmed (YES in step S104), the determination process of whether the image data includes a defecation image is performed (step S105). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the flowchart of FIG. 9 may be adopted. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an excrement determination process according to a modification of the present disclosure. This flowchart is characterized in that the determination process of the image data is performed before the determination process of the hydrogen concentration. In this flowchart, the same processes as those in FIGS. 3 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0121] In step S501 following step S103, the excrement determination unit 313 determines whether the image data includes a defecation image. When it is determined that the image data includes a defecation image (YES in step S501), the excrement determination unit 313 determines whether the hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration (step S502). When it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration (YES in step S502), the excrement determination unit 313 determines that defecation and flatulence have occurred (step S503). The first reference concentration set here is a value preset based on the detection result of the hydrogen concentration when the excretor has flatulence. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is less than the first reference concentration (NO in step S502), the excrement determination unit 313 determines that only defecation has occurred (step S506).

[0122] When it is determined in step S501 that the image data does not include a defecation image (NO in step S501), the excrement determination unit 313 determines whether the image data includes a urination image (step S504).

[0123] When it is determined that the image data includes a urination image (YES in step S504), the excretion determination unit 313 determines that only urination has occurred (step S508). On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data does not include a urination image (NO in step S504), the excretion determination unit 313 determines whether the hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration (step S505). When it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is equal to or higher than the first reference concentration (YES in step S505), the excretion determination unit 313 determines that only flatulence has occurred (step S507). On the other hand, when it is determined that the hydrogen concentration is less than the first reference concentration (NO in step S505), the process returns to step S101.

[0124] (8) Embodiment 3 was based on Embodiment 1, but it may also be based on Embodiment 2.

Industrial Applicability

[0125] The technology according to the present disclosure can accurately determine whether the excretor has performed an excretion act, and thus is useful as a technology for determining excretions.

Explanation of Signs

[0126] 1: First gas sensor 2: Camera 3: Excretion determination device 4: Seating sensor 5: Network 6: Server 7: Second gas sensor 8: Third gas sensor 31: Processor 32: Memory 33: Communication unit 101: Toilet 101a: Bowl part 105: Sensor unit 311: Sensing data acquisition unit 312: Image data acquisition unit 313: Excretion determination unit 314: Determination result output unit 315: Seating determination unit 316: Constipation determination unit 317: Medication status determination unit

Claims

1. A sensor unit hung on the edge of the toilet bowl; An emission determination device for determining emissions, The sensor unit has a distance measuring sensor and a camera capable of photographing the bowl portion of the toilet disposed therein, The emission determination device determines that the occupant is seated when the distance of the object detected by the distance measuring sensor is less than a reference distance, the sensor unit is attached so that the distance measuring sensor is disposed at a position inside the edge portion and at a position vertically below the toilet seat when the toilet seat is placed on the upper surface of the edge portion; Emissions management system.

2. When the emission determination device determines that a person is seated, the emission determination device acquires image data from the camera. The emissions management system of claim 1.

3. The emission determination device has a communication unit for connecting to a network, The sensor unit and the emission determination device are connected by wire or wirelessly. The emission management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The emission determination device generates emission history information including date and time information indicating a date and time when an emission act was performed, and transmits the emission history information to a server via the communication unit. The emissions management system of claim 3.

5. The emission determination device generates emission history information including identification information of an emitter, and transmits the emission history information to a server via the communication unit. The emissions management system of claim 3.

6. The excretion determination device acquires image data captured by the camera, and performs image processing on the image data to determine whether the image data includes an image showing at least one of defecation and urination. The emission management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images