Bath system

Abstract

To provide a bath system which can highly accurately execute electrocardiographic measurement of a bather.SOLUTION: A bath system includes a bathtub 1 and an electrocardiographic measurement device 3. The electrocardiographic measurement device 3 includes: signal detection means 31, 32; water level detection means 33; and analysis means 30. The signal detection means 31, 32 are arranged in the bathtub 1 and detects the heartbeat of a bather 100 through hot water W1 as an electrocardiographic signal. The analysis means 30 is connected with the signal detection means 31, 32 and the water level detection means 33. The water level detection means 33 detects the highest water level and the lowest water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 for each preset setting time after the signal detection means 31, 32 starts detection of the electrocardiographic signal. The analysis means 30, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a preset threshold, creates an electrocardiographic waveform P1 by excluding the electrocardiographic signal detected until the water level difference becomes equal to or less than a threshold after that.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional bath system. This bath system includes a bathtub, a water discharge device, an electrocardiogram measuring device, and a remote control. The bathtub is capable of storing hot water. The water discharge device is positioned above and spaced apart from the bathtub, and discharges hot water into the bathtub.

[0003] The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detecting means and an analyzing means. The signal detecting means is placed in the bathtub at a position almost directly below the water discharger. The analyzing means is placed outside the bathtub and connected to the signal detecting means. A remote control is placed in the bathroom. The remote control is connected to the water discharger and the electrocardiogram measuring device. The remote control has a display unit.

[0004] This bath system allows the bather to measure their electrocardiogram using an electrocardiogram measuring device. Specifically, in the electrocardiogram measuring device, a signal detection means detects the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot water in the bathtub. An analysis means then analyzes the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform. In addition, this bath system displays the electrocardiogram waveform created by the analysis means on the display unit of the remote control. This allows the bather to understand their own health condition through the electrocardiogram waveform. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-16064 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional bath system described above, the signal detection means detects the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the water in the bathtub. If the water sways while the electrocardiogram signal is being detected, the electrocardiogram signal contains a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the water. This causes the electrocardiogram waveform created by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to be inaccurate, which means that the electrocardiogram measurement device in this bath system cannot accurately measure the bather's electrocardiogram.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has as its object to provide a bath system that can perform electrocardiographic measurements of a bather with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first bath system of the present invention comprises a bathtub capable of storing hot and cold water; and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub, The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water; a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub; an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform; the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts detecting the electrocardiogram signal; The analysis means is characterized in that, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, it creates the electrocardiogram waveform by excluding the electrocardiogram signals detected thereafter until the water level difference becomes equal to or less than the threshold.

[0009] In the first bath system of the present invention, when the analysis means analyzes the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform, the analysis means excludes the electrocardiogram signal detected while the difference in water level between the highest and lowest water levels in the bathtub, detected by the water level detection means, exceeds a threshold value. Here, a state in which the water level difference exceeds a threshold value means a state in which the water in the bathtub sways relatively greatly, for example, when the bather changes their posture in the bathtub, and the electrocardiogram signal detected by the signal detection means may contain a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the water.

[0010] Therefore, by excluding electrocardiographic signals detected while the water level difference exceeds the threshold, the analysis means creates an electrocardiographic waveform by analyzing electrocardiographic signals detected while the water level difference is equal to or less than the threshold. As a result, in this bath system, the analysis means can create an electrocardiographic waveform with high accuracy.

[0011] Therefore, according to the first bath system of the present invention, electrocardiogram measurement of the bather can be performed with high accuracy.

[0012] The first bath system of the present invention may further include a water heater connected to the bathtub and the analysis means. The water heater may be capable of performing at least one of the following specific operations: a filling operation to supply hot water to the bathtub; a reheating operation to reheat the hot water stored in the bathtub and supply the reheated hot water to the bathtub; a hot water addition operation to increase the amount of hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation to generate bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub. The analysis means preferably creates an electrocardiogram waveform by excluding electrocardiogram signals detected while the water heater is performing a specific operation.

[0013] While the water heater is performing a specific operation, the water in the bathtub is likely to sway, making it more likely that the water level difference will exceed the threshold. Furthermore, even if the water level difference does not exceed the threshold, a current may be generated in the water in the bathtub while the water heater is performing a specific operation. Therefore, the electrocardiographic signal detected by the signal detection means may contain noise caused by the current. For these reasons, by excluding the electrocardiographic signal detected while the water heater is performing a specific operation, the analysis means in this bath system can create a more accurate electrocardiographic waveform.

[0014] The second bath system of the present invention includes a bathtub capable of storing hot and cold water; and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub, The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water; a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub; an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to generate an electrocardiogram waveform; a control means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and controlling the signal detection means; the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined time intervals after the signal detection means starts measuring the electrocardiogram signal; The control means is characterized in that, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, it stops detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the signal detection means until the water level difference thereafter becomes equal to or less than the threshold.

[0015] In the second bath system of the present invention, the control means stops the signal detection means from detecting electrocardiographic signals while the water level difference exceeds the threshold. This means that there is no electrocardiographic signal, which may contain a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the water. As a result, in this bath system as well, the analysis means analyzes only the electrocardiographic signals detected while the water level difference is below the threshold to create an electrocardiographic waveform, allowing the analysis means to create a highly accurate electrocardiographic waveform.

[0016] Therefore, according to the second bath system of the present invention, electrocardiogram measurement of the bather can be performed with high accuracy.

[0017] The second bath system of the present invention may further include a water heater connected to the bathtub and the control means. The water heater may be capable of performing at least one of the following specific operations: a filling operation to supply hot water to the bathtub; a reheating operation to reheat the hot water stored in the bathtub and supply the reheated hot water to the bathtub; a hot water top-up operation to increase the amount of hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble-generating operation to generate bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub. The control means preferably stops the detection of electrocardiogram signals by the signal detection means while the water heater is performing the specific operation.

[0018] In this case, there will be no electrocardiogram signal while the water level difference exceeds the threshold, nor will there be any electrocardiogram signal while the water heater is performing a specific operation, which may contain a lot of noise due to water flow. This allows the analysis means to create more accurate electrocardiogram waveforms in this bath system as well. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the first and second bath systems of the present invention, electrocardiogram measurement of the bather can be performed with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bath system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bathtub and an electrocardiogram measuring device in the bath system of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the electrocardiogram waveform of a bather created by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal detected when the difference between the highest and lowest water levels in the bathtub was below a threshold. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the electrocardiogram waveform of a bather created by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal detected when the difference between the highest and lowest water levels in the bathtub exceeded a threshold. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the electrocardiogram waveform of a bather created by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal detected when the water heater was performing a specific operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Example 1 As shown in Figure 1, the bath system of Example 1 is applied to a house H1. This bath system includes a bathtub 1, an electrocardiogram measuring device 3, a water heater 5, and a remote control 7. The house H1 is provided with a bathroom R1.

[0023] The bathtub 1 is installed in the bathroom R1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bathtub 1 has a first surface 1a and a second surface 1b facing each other, a third surface 1c and a fourth surface 1d facing each other across the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b, and a bottom surface 1e connecting the first to fourth surfaces 1a to 1d. The third surface 1c and the fourth surface 1d are designed to be longer in the longitudinal direction than the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b. As a result, the bathtub 1 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape having a pair of short sides and a pair of long sides in a plan view, and is capable of storing hot water W1 inside. A water supply port 10 is provided on the first surface 1a. The shape of the bathtub 1 can be designed as desired. The water supply port 10 may also be provided on a surface other than the first surface 1a.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 has a device main body 30, a first detection electrode 31, a second detection electrode 32, and a water level sensor 33. The device main body 30 is an example of the "control means" and "analysis means" of the present invention. The first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are an example of the "signal detection means" of the present invention. The water level sensor 33 is an example of the "water level detection means" of the present invention.

[0025] The device main body 30 is installed in the bathroom R1, outside the bathtub 1. The device main body 30 has a control circuit 301 and an analysis circuit 302 inside. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the control circuit 301 and the analysis circuit 302 are each composed of a CPU as a calculation device, as well as ROM, RAM, etc. as storage devices. Also, in Figure 2, the hot and cold water W1, the control circuit 301, and the analysis circuit 302 are not shown to facilitate explanation.

[0026] In the device main body 30, a control circuit 301 shown in Figure 1 controls the operation of the water level sensor 33 and the first and second detection electrodes 31, 32. An analysis circuit 302 analyzes the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform. Specific operations of the device main body 30 will be described later. The device main body 30 may also be installed outside the bathroom R1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the first detection electrode 31 is disposed on the third surface 1c of the bathtub 1, and the second detection electrode 32 is disposed on the fourth surface 1d of the bathtub 1. As a result, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 face each other in the bathtub 1, sandwiching the bather's 100's heart across the width of the bathtub 1. More specifically, the first detection electrode 31 is disposed on the third surface 1c near the bather's 100's left wrist when the bather 100 bathes in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 in the posture shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the second detection electrode 32 is disposed on the fourth surface 1d near the bather's 100's right wrist. The first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are connected to the device main body 30 by wire. For ease of explanation, the second detection electrode 32 is shown by phantom lines in FIG. 1.

[0028] The first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are capable of detecting the heartbeat of the bather 100 as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water W1 in the bathtub 1, and are also capable of transmitting the detected electrocardiogram signal to the device main body 30. In this embodiment, commercially available products are used for the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration of the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 will be omitted.

[0029] The water level sensor 33 is provided on the third surface 1c of the bathtub 1. The water level sensor 33 is connected to the device main body 30 by wire. The water level sensor 33 is capable of detecting the water level of the hot water W1 around it by measuring changes in capacitance. This allows the water level sensor 33 to detect the water level of the hot water W1 around it as the overall water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1. The water level sensor 33 also transmits the detected water level of the hot water W1 to the device main body 30. In this embodiment, a commercially available product is also used for the water level sensor 33. Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration of the water level sensor 33 will be omitted. The water level sensor 33 may also be configured to detect the water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 by detecting the movement of a float or the distance from the water surface of the hot water W1. The water level sensor 33 may also be provided outside the bathtub 1. Furthermore, the first detection electrode 31, the second detection electrode 32, and the water level sensor 33 may be connected to the device main body 30 wirelessly.

[0030] The water heater 5 is installed outside the bathroom R1 in the house H1. The water heater 5 is connected via piping to a plurality of mixer taps (not shown) installed within the house H1, including the bathroom R1. The water heater 5 is also connected to the bathtub 1 via a water inlet 10 and a piping connected to the water inlet 10. The water heater 5 is also provided with a bubble generator 53.

[0031] In addition to hot water supply operation, the water heater 5 can perform a filling operation, a reheating operation, a hot water top-up operation, and a bubble generation operation. The hot water supply operation supplies hot water W1 to each mixer tap. The filling operation supplies hot water W1 into the bathtub 1, causing the hot water W1 to be stored in the bathtub 1. The reheating operation reheats the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 and supplies the reheated hot water W1 into the bathtub 1. The top-up operation increases the amount of hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. The bubble generation operation operates the bubble generator 53 to dissolve gas in the hot water W1 supplied to the bathtub 1, causing it to contain fine bubbles. Then, in the bubble generation operation, the hot water W1 containing this fine bubbles is supplied into the bathtub 1, generating bubbles in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. Here, in the water heater 5, of the hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation, reheating operation, hot water addition operation and bubble generation operation, the reheating operation and bubble generation operation are set as specific operations.

[0032] The remote control 7 is installed in the bathroom R1. The remote control 7 has a remote control main body 7a and a display 7b. The remote control main body 7a is wirelessly connected to the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5. This allows the remote control main body 7a to communicate with the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5. The remote control main body 7a is also provided with multiple operation buttons. The bather 100 can operate the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5 through each of these operation buttons. The electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5 can also communicate through the remote control 7. This allows the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 to determine, through the remote control 7, whether the water heater 5 is performing hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation, reheating operation, hot water addition operation, or bubble generation operation. The electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5 may also be directly connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0033] Furthermore, the remote control main body 7a has a built-in clock, which allows the remote control main body 7a to set the time when the water heater 5 will perform operations such as filling the water. Also, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 can refer to the clock of the remote control main body 7a by communicating with the remote control main body 7a.

[0034] Display 7b displays text information about the hot water supply operation currently being performed by water heater 5, as well as the electrocardiogram waveform (see FIG. 5) created by device main body 30. In this way, display 7b functions as a display means for displaying the electrocardiogram waveform to bather 100.

[0035] In this bath system configured as described above, bather 100 can bathe in hot water W1 stored in bathtub 1 by water heater 5. Furthermore, while bathing, bather 100 can cause water heater 5 to perform operations such as reheating or bubble generation. This allows this bath system to increase the relaxing effect of bathing by adjusting the temperature of hot water W1 stored in bathtub 1 or by generating bubbles in the hot water W1 stored in bathtub 1.

[0036] Furthermore, this bath system is capable of automatically performing electrocardiogram measurement of bather 100 using electrocardiogram measurement device 3 while bather 100 is bathing in hot water W1 stored in bathtub 1. Electrocardiogram measurement using electrocardiogram measurement device 3 will be described in detail below.

[0037] To start electrocardiogram measurement, first, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 activates the water level sensor 33. This causes the water level sensor 33 to detect the water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 (step S101 in FIG. 3). The water level sensor 33 also transmits the detected water level of the hot water W1 to the device main body 30.

[0038] Then, the device main body 30 determines whether the bather 100 has started bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 based on the change in the water level of the hot water W1 transmitted from the water level sensor 33 (step S102).

[0039] That is, if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 rises rapidly per unit time, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has started bathing (step S102: YES). On the other hand, if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 does not change, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has not started bathing (step S102: NO). Also, even if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 is rising, if the rate of rise is constant per unit time, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has not started bathing, even though the water heater 5 is performing a water filling operation, etc. (step S102: NO).

[0040] Thus, when the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has started bathing (step S102: YES), it activates the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. As a result, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 begin to detect the bather's 100's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water W1 in the bathtub 1 (step S103). The signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are then transmitted to the device main body 30. The device main body 30 also references the clock on the remote control 7 and stores the time when the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 started detecting the electrocardiogram signal.

[0041] Furthermore, the water level sensor 33 detects the maximum and minimum water levels of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 every time a preset time period has elapsed after the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 have started detecting the electrocardiogram signal. That is, the maximum water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is the maximum water level of the hot water W1 when the bather 100 is bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. On the other hand, the minimum water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is the minimum water level of the hot water W1 when the bather 100 is bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. If the bather 100 changes his / her posture while bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1, for example, this causes the hot water W1 to sway, resulting in a difference in water level between the maximum and minimum water levels of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33.

[0042] In this bath system, the set time is set to one second. That is, the water level sensor 33 detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 every second after the start of electrocardiogram signals from the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. The set time can be changed as needed.

[0043] The device body 30 then determines whether the difference in water level between the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water W1 exceeds a preset threshold (step S104). In this bath system, the threshold is set to 10 mm. The threshold can also be changed as needed.

[0044] If the difference in water level between the highest and lowest water levels of the hot water W1 is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S104: NO), the device main body 30 determines that there is not much shaking occurring in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1. Furthermore, the device main body 30 determines whether the water heater 5 is performing a specific operation, such as a reheating operation or a bubble generating operation (step S105).

[0045] If the water level difference is below the threshold (step S104: NO) and the water heater 5 is not performing either the reheating operation or the bubble generation operation (step S105: NO), the device main body 30, more specifically, the analysis circuit 302 of the device main body 30, analyzes the electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. The analysis circuit 302 stores the electrocardiographic signals received from the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 for 60 seconds, and analyzes the stored electrocardiographic signals every 60 seconds. As a result, the analysis circuit 302 creates an electrocardiographic waveform P1 of the bather 100, as shown in FIG. 5 (step S106 of FIG. 3). The methods for analyzing the electrocardiographic signals and creating the electrocardiographic waveform P1 by the analysis circuit 302 are similar to known methods. The duration of the electrocardiographic signals stored by the analysis circuit 302 can be set as appropriate. Furthermore, each time the device main body 30 receives an electrocardiogram signal from the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32, it may analyze the electrocardiogram signal and generate an electrocardiogram waveform P1.

[0046] Furthermore, the device main body 30 stores the created electrocardiogram waveform P1, and displays the created electrocardiogram waveform P1 on the display 7b of the remote control 7 (step S107).

[0047] Next, the device main body 30 determines whether the bather 100 has finished bathing based on the change in the water level of the hot water W1 transmitted from the water level sensor 33 (step S108). That is, if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 drops rapidly per unit time, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has finished bathing (step S108: YES). On the other hand, if there is no change in the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 is continuing bathing (step S108: NO).

[0048] If the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 is continuing bathing (step S108: NO), it executes the processes from step S104 onwards again. As a result, while the bather 100 is bathing, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 continue to detect electrocardiographic signals, and the water level sensor 33 detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 every second. The device main body 30 then sequentially analyzes the electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 every 60 seconds to create an electrocardiographic waveform P1. Therefore, while the bather 100 is continuing bathing, the electrocardiographic waveform P1 is displayed on the display 7b while being sequentially updated every 60 seconds.

[0049] On the other hand, if the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has finished bathing (step S108: YES), it stops the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. This ends the detection of electrocardiogram signals by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 (step S109). In this way, in this bath system, electrocardiogram measurement by the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 ends.

[0050] Here, in this bath system, if the water level difference exceeds the threshold in step S104 (step S104: YES), the device main body 30 determines that the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is experiencing a relatively large sway.

[0051] Furthermore, even if the water level difference is equal to or less than the threshold value in step S104 (step S104: NO), there may be cases where the water heater 5 is performing the reheating operation or the bubble generating operation (step S105: YES).

[0052] Therefore, when the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference has exceeded the threshold value or that the water heater 5 is performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation, it stores the time when this determination was made as the exclusion occurrence time (step S110). Note that at this time, the device main body 30 also refers to the clock on the remote control 7.

[0053] Even after the exclusion occurrence time is stored, the highest and lowest water levels of hot and cold water W1 in bathtub 1 are detected every one second, which is the set time, and device main body 30 determines whether this water level difference is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S111 in FIG. 4). If device main body 30 determines that the water level difference exceeds the threshold value (step S111: NO), the process of step S111 is performed again.

[0054] Also, even if the device main body 30 determines in step S111 that the water level difference is below the threshold value (step S111: YES), if the water heater 5 continues to perform reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S112: NO), the processing of step S111 is performed again.

[0055] In this way, after storing the exclusion occurrence time, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S111: YES) and that the water heater 5 is not performing the reheating operation or the bubble generating operation (step S112: YES), it stores the time when these determinations were made as the exclusion end time (step S113). Note that at this time as well, the device main body 30 refers to the clock of the remote control 7.

[0056] The analysis circuit 302 of the device main body 30 then creates the electrocardiogram waveform P1 while excluding the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurred and the time the exclusion ended. In other words, in this bath system, the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurred and the time the exclusion ended are also transmitted to the device main body 30. However, when creating the electrocardiogram waveform P1, the analysis circuit 302 does not use the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurred and the time the exclusion ended.

[0057] Therefore, if the 60 seconds of electrocardiographic signals stored in the analysis circuit 302 include, for example, 10 seconds of electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the exclusion occurrence time and the exclusion end time, the analysis circuit 302 excludes the 10 seconds of electrocardiographic signals and then analyzes the electrocardiographic signals to create an electrocardiographic waveform P1. The electrocardiographic waveform P1 created in this way is also stored in the device main body 30 and is displayed on the display 7b of the remote control 7 (step S107).

[0058] In this way, in this bath system, electrocardiographic waveform P1 is created by excluding electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference exceeds the threshold. In addition, in this bath system, electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water heater 5 is performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation are also excluded when creating the electrocardiographic waveform P1.

[0059] When the water W1 in the bathtub 1 sways relatively significantly and the water level difference exceeds the threshold, the electrocardiogram signal detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 may contain a lot of noise due to the swaying of the water W1. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the electrocardiogram waveform P2 created by analyzing such an electrocardiogram signal containing a lot of noise will deviate significantly from the heart rate of the bather 100, resulting in a lack of accuracy.

[0060] Furthermore, while the water heater 5 is performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation, the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is likely to sway significantly, making it more likely that the water level difference will exceed the threshold. Even if the water level difference does not exceed the threshold, a water flow will occur in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 while the water heater 5 is performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation. Therefore, when the water heater 5 is performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation, the electrocardiographic signal detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 may contain a large amount of noise due to the water flow of the hot water W1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the electrocardiographic waveform P3 created by analyzing such an electrocardiographic signal containing a large amount of noise will also deviate significantly from the bather's 100 heart rate, similar to the electrocardiographic waveform P2 shown in FIG. 6, resulting in a lack of accuracy.

[0061] However, as described above, in this bath system, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 creates the electrocardiogram waveform P1 by analyzing only the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference is below the threshold and the water heater 5 is not performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation. That is, when a bather 100 is bathing in hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1, the bather 100's movements in the bathtub 1 inevitably cause the hot water to sway, which can inevitably change the water level difference of the hot water W1 and can also cause a water current to occur in the bathtub 1. However, if the water level difference does not exceed the threshold and the water heater 5 is not performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation, even if the electrocardiogram signal detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 contains noise due to the swaying or current of the hot water W1, the effect of the noise on the creation of the electrocardiogram waveform P1 is small. Therefore, in this bath system, the analysis circuit 302, and therefore the device main body 30, can generate a highly accurate electrocardiogram waveform P1.

[0062] Therefore, according to the bath system of the first embodiment, electrocardiogram measurement of the bather 100 can be performed with high accuracy.

[0063] Furthermore, in this bath system, when the device main body 30 creates the electrocardiogram waveform P1, there is no need to remove noise from the electrocardiogram signal caused by the swaying or flow of the water W1, or to correct parts of the electrocardiogram signal that contain noise. Therefore, in this bath system, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the device main body 30 when creating the electrocardiogram waveform P1.

[0064] Furthermore, in this bath system, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 created by the device main body 30 is displayed on the display 7b of the remote control 7. This allows the bather 100 to easily check his or her own electrocardiogram waveform P1 while bathing in the bathtub 1, making this bath system highly convenient.

[0065] Example 2 Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the bath system of Example 2 has a configuration similar to that of Example 1, and like the bath system of Example 1, a bather 100 can bathe in hot water W1 stored in a bathtub 1 by a water heater 5. In addition, this bath system also allows electrocardiogram measurement of the bather 100 to be performed using an electrocardiogram measurement device 3.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, when electrocardiogram measurement is started, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 executes the processes of steps S101 to S105, similarly to the bath system of the first embodiment.

[0067] Furthermore, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference is below the threshold value (step S204: NO) and that the water heater 5 is not performing either reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S205: NO), it executes the processes of steps S106 to S109, similar to the bath system of Example 1.

[0068] On the other hand, in this bath system, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference exceeds the threshold (step S104: NO) or determines that the water heater 5 is performing a reheating operation or a bubble generating operation (step S104: YES), it stops the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. As a result, the device main body 30 stops detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 (step S210). The device main body 30 also references the clock on the remote control 7 and stores the time when detection of the electrocardiogram signal was stopped (step S211).

[0069] Even after the detection of the electrocardiogram signal is stopped, the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water W1 in the bathtub 1 are detected every 1 second, which is the set time, and the device main body 30 determines whether the difference in water level is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S212 in FIG. 9). If the device main body 30 determines that the difference in water level exceeds the threshold value (step S212: NO), the process of step S212 is performed again.

[0070] Furthermore, even if the water level difference is equal to or less than the threshold value in step S212 (step S212: YES), if the water heater 5 continues to perform the reheating operation or the bubble generating operation (step S213: NO), the process of step S212 is performed again.

[0071] In this way, after storing the time when the exclusion occurred, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S212: YES) and that the water heater 5 is not performing the reheating operation or the bubble generating operation (step S213: YES), it activates the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 again and resumes detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 (step S214). The device main body 30 also stores the time when detection of the electrocardiogram signal was resumed (step S215). Then, after resuming detection of the electrocardiogram signal, the device main body 30 again executes the processing from step S104 onwards in FIG. 8.

[0072] Thus, in this bath system, the device main body 30 stops detecting electrocardiographic signals using the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference exceeds the threshold and while the water heater 5 is performing reheating or bubble generation operation. Therefore, the electrocardiographic signals transmitted to the device main body 30 and stored by the analysis circuit 302, and thus the electrocardiographic signals analyzed by the analysis circuit 302, do not contain electrocardiographic signals that may contain a large amount of noise due to the swaying of the hot water W1, nor do they contain electrocardiographic signals that may contain a large amount of noise due to the flow of the hot water W1. Therefore, like the bath system of Example 1, this bath system also allows the device main body 30 to generate a highly accurate electrocardiographic waveform P1. Other functions of this bath system are the same as those of the bath system of Example 1.

[0073] The present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 and 2, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 and 2, and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0074] For example, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are considered to be the "signal detection means" of the present invention. However, this is not limited to this, and only one of the first detection electrode 31 or the second detection electrode 32 may be considered to be the "signal detection means" of the present invention. Furthermore, a detection electrode may be added in addition to the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 and be considered to be the "signal detection means" of the present invention.

[0075] Furthermore, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, when bather 100 bathes in hot water W1 in bathtub 1, first detection electrode 31 is located near the left wrist of bather 100, and second detection electrode 32 is located near the right wrist of bather 100. However, this is not a limitation, and the locations where first detection electrode 31 and second detection electrode 32 are located in bathtub 1 can be designed as appropriate.

[0076] In addition, in the bath system of Example 1, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 may be created by excluding only the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference exceeds the threshold. Similarly, in the bath system of Example 2, detection of electrocardiogram signals by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 may be stopped only while the water level difference exceeds the threshold.

[0077] In the bath system of Examples 1 and 2, the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 automatically starts electrocardiogram measurement when the bather 100 enters the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1. However, this is not limited to this, and the bather 100 may operate the remote control 7 or the device main body 30 to cause the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 to start electrocardiogram measurement.

[0078] In the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, the reheating operation and the bubble generating operation are set as specific operations. However, this is not limited to this, and only one of the reheating operation and the bubble generating operation may be set as a specific operation, or the adding hot water operation may be set as a specific operation.

[0079] Furthermore, the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 may end electrocardiogram measurement when a preset measurement time has elapsed, regardless of whether the bather 100 has finished bathing.

[0080] In addition, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 is displayed on the display 7b of the remote control 7 while the bather 100 is bathing. However, this is not limited to this, and the electrocardiogram waveform P1 may be displayed on a display of a smartphone or the like after the bather 100 has finished bathing. Furthermore, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 may be displayed on both the display 7b of the remote control 7 and the display of the smartphone or the like. [Industrial Applicability]

[0081] The present invention can be used in bath systems in homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Bathtub 3...Electrocardiogram measuring device 5...Water heater 30...Device body (analysis means, control means) 31...First detection electrode (signal detection means) 32...Second detection electrode (signal detection means) 33...Water level sensor (water level detection means) 100...bathers W1…Hot water P1~P3…ECG waveform

Claims

1. A bathtub that can store hot water, and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub, The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water; a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub; an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform; the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts detecting the electrocardiogram signal; The bath system is characterized in that the analysis means, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, creates the electrocardiogram waveform by excluding the electrocardiogram signal detected thereafter until the water level difference falls below the threshold.

2. The bathtub further includes a water heater connected to the bathtub and the analysis means, The water heater is capable of executing at least one of the following specific operations: a bath filling operation for supplying the hot water into the bathtub; a reheating operation for reheating the hot water stored in the bathtub and supplying the reheated hot water into the bathtub; a hot water addition operation for increasing the amount of the hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation for generating bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub; 2. The bath system according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing means creates the electrocardiogram waveform by excluding the electrocardiogram signal detected while the water heater is performing the specific operation.

3. A bathtub that can store hot water, and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub, The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water; a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub; an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to generate an electrocardiogram waveform; a control means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and controlling the signal detection means; the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts measuring the electrocardiogram signal; A bath system characterized in that, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control means stops detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the signal detection means until the water level difference falls below the threshold.

4. Further comprising a water heater connected to the bathtub and the control means; The water heater is capable of executing at least one of the following specific operations: a bath filling operation for supplying the hot water into the bathtub; a reheating operation for reheating the hot water stored in the bathtub and supplying the reheated hot water into the bathtub; a hot water addition operation for increasing the amount of the hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation for generating bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub; 4. The bath system according to claim 3, wherein the control means stops the detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the signal detection means while the water heater is performing the specific operation.

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