Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To appropriately set a fee for using a paid public toilet.SOLUTION: A sensor provided on a toilet seat of a paid public toilet detects excretion by a user, and counts the number of excretion times. Then, a fee discount corresponding to the counted number of excretion times is applied to a fee for using the paid public toilet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program. In particular, it relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program for setting the usage fee of a paid public toilet.

Background Art

[0002] Paid public toilets may be used and occupied for a long time for improper purposes contrary to the purpose of the toilet, such as using a smartphone or doing makeup. As a countermeasure against such long-term occupation, it is conceivable to charge an additional fee for use exceeding a predetermined time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The following analysis is made from the perspective of the present invention. The disclosures of the above prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] Cases where a paid public toilet is occupied for a long time are not limited to using a smartphone or doing makeup. For example, there are cases where excretion continues intermittently due to poor physical condition, or cases that originally require a long time, such as menstrual control where menstrual blood is discharged in the toilet. Since these cases are for legitimate purposes in line with the purpose of the toilet, long-term occupation should be tolerated.

[0006] However, if an additional fee is charged, as in Patent Document 1, the fee will be added uniformly regardless of whether the purpose of use is legitimate or not. As a result, there is a problem that even the use of paid public toilets for legitimate purposes will be prevented.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that contribute to appropriately setting the usage fees for paid public toilets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, A toilet seat sensor in a paid public restroom detects when a user defecates, and a defecation counting unit counts the number of times the user defecates. A discount section applies to the usage fee of paid public toilets, based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. An information processing device equipped with the following features is provided.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, Information processing device, Sensors installed on the toilet seats of paid public restrooms detect when a user defecates, and count the number of times the user defecates. A discount will be applied to the usage fee for paid public toilets based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. Information processing methods are provided.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, As an information processing device, the computer Sensors installed on the toilet seats of paid public restrooms detect when a user defecates, and count the number of times the user defecates. A discount will be applied to the usage fee for paid public toilets based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. An information processing program is provided to execute the process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to each aspect of the present invention, there are provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that contribute to appropriately setting the usage fee of a paid public toilet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining an overview of the present disclosure. <000006⑧> [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a booth of a paid public toilet. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a system. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of basic fee setting. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of discount setting. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow by the information processing apparatus. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a system. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a computer.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The reference numerals attached to the following description are, for the sake of convenience, attached to each element as an example to assist understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated aspects. Also, the connection lines between blocks in each figure include both bidirectional and unidirectional ones. The one-way arrow schematically shows the flow of the main signal (data) and does not exclude bidirectionality. Further, in the circuit diagrams, block diagrams, internal configuration diagrams, connection diagrams, etc. shown in the present application disclosure, although not explicitly shown, input ports and output ports exist at the input ends and output ends of each connection line respectively. The same applies to the input / output interfaces.

[0014] First, a general overview of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 includes an excretion count unit 110 and a discount application unit 120. The excretion count unit 110 detects excretion by a user using a sensor provided in the toilet seat of a paid public toilet and counts the number of excretions. Specifically, the excretion count unit 110 determines whether excretion has been detected every unit time and counts the number of unit times in which excretion has been detected as the number of excretions. The discount application unit 120 applies a fee discount corresponding to the counted number of excretions to the usage fee of the paid public toilet.

[0015] According to the above information processing apparatus 100, in cases where excretion continues intermittently due to poor physical condition, or cases that require a long time such as menstrual control where menstrual blood is discharged in the toilet, a usage fee with a discount applied is set. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of paid public toilets for improper purposes without interfering with the use for legitimate purposes.

[0016] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus 100 will be described in more detail. In Embodiment 1, a case where the present invention is applied to a private booth of a paid public toilet will be described as an example.

[0017] First, matters similar to the prior art will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a toilet 11 is provided in the booth 10 of the paid public toilet. Also, the booth 10 is equipped with a door and a locking function. When the user presents the card 13 to the reader 12 installed outside the booth 10, the door is unlocked. Then, when the user locks the door from the inside, the management terminal 15 starts counting the usage time.

[0018] After that, when the user who has finished excretion presents the card 13 to the management terminal 15, the management terminal 15 presents the usage fee based on the counted usage time to the user. When the user deposits the presented amount to the management terminal 15, the management terminal 15 unlocks the door.

[0019] The above is just one example of a paid public toilet, and various existing technologies can be applied. For example, card 13 could be a deposit card, and the management terminal 15 could deduct the usage fee from card 13.

[0020] Next, the features of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the toilet bowl 11 is equipped with a sensor 14 that detects excretion by the user. Here, various existing technologies can be applied to the sensor 14 as long as it can detect excretion by the user. For example, the sensor 14 may detect excretion by image captured by a camera. The sensor 14 may also be an odor sensor or gas sensor that detects the odor of excrement, a sound sensor that detects the sound of excretion, an infrared sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a thermosensor, etc. In Figure 2, the sensor 14 is shown outside the toilet bowl 11, but the sensor 14 may be installed inside the toilet bowl 11 or may be integrated with the toilet bowl 11. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-034134 discloses a technology for collecting information on excrement in a toilet bowl using an imaging device or a distance sensor.

[0021] The sensor 14 and the management terminal 15 are connected to the information processing device 100 as shown in Figure 3. The information processing device 100 includes a defecation count unit 110 and a discount application unit 120, similar to the overview described above.

[0022] The defecation count unit 110 detects defecation by the user using the sensor 14 and counts the number of defecations. Specifically, the defecation count unit 110 determines whether or not defecation has been detected for each unit of time, and counts the number of unit times in which defecation was detected as the number of defecations. For example, after the management terminal 15 starts counting the usage time, the defecation count unit 110 makes a determination using 5 minutes as the unit of time. For example, if the defecation count unit 110 detects defecation between 0 and 5 minutes, it considers the 0-5 minute time zone as having defecation and adds "1" to the number of defecations. Also, if, for example, no defecation is detected between 6 and 10 minutes, the defecation count unit 110 considers the 6-10 minute time zone as not having defecation and does not add to the number of defecations.

[0023] The discount application unit 120 applies a discount to the usage fee for the paid public toilet, based on the number of times the user has defecated. Specifically, the discount application unit 120 applies a discount to the usage fee for the paid public toilet, based on the usage time, based on the number of times the user has defecated. More specifically, the discount application unit 120 applies a discount to the usage fee for the paid public toilet, based on the usage time, based on the number of unit times in which defecation was detected.

[0024] More specifically, the discount application unit 120 reads the usage time counted from the management terminal 15 that receives the card 13 and calculates the basic usage fee. Then, the discount application unit 120 reads the number of times the user has used the toilet from the toilet count unit 110 and applies the discount to the basic usage fee. Finally, the discount application unit 120 presents the discounted usage fee to the user via the management terminal 15.

[0025] Here, I will give a specific example to explain the technical significance. First, as a premise, let's assume that the basic fee structure for a paid public toilet is as shown in Figure 4. That is, use for 0 minutes or more but less than 5 minutes is free, use for 5 minutes or more but less than 10 minutes costs 100 yen, use for 10 minutes or more but less than 20 minutes costs 200 yen, and use for 20 minutes or more costs 500 yen.

[0026] Furthermore, the discount application unit 120 has the fee discount settings shown in Figure 5. Specifically, the discount application unit 120 applies a 100 yen discount if there is one instance of defecation, a 200 yen discount if there are two instances of defecation, and a 500 yen discount if there are three instances of defecation.

[0027] Under the above basic and discount pricing, even if a user uses a paid public restroom for more than 20 minutes, if excretion is detected in three of the four time zones within that 20-minute period, a 500 yen discount will be applied, effectively making the use of the paid public restroom free. Therefore, users who experience intermittent excretion due to illness or those who are controlling their menstrual flow will be able to use the paid public restroom for free, even if they use it for more than 20 minutes. On the other hand, users who engage in improper use, such as using their smartphones or applying makeup, will be charged 500 yen for use exceeding 20 minutes.

[0028] The processing flow by the information processing device 100 will now be explained. As shown in Figure 6, when a user who has finished using the toilet presents the card 13 to the management terminal 15 (Step S01, Yes), the information processing device 100 reads the counted usage time and calculates the basic usage fee (Step S02). Next, the information processing device 100 reads the number of toilet visits and applies a fee discount to the basic usage fee (Step S03). Then, the information processing device 100 presents the usage fee with the discount applied to the user via the management terminal 15 (Step S04). Other processes are the same as in the conventional technology and will not be explained.

[0029] As described above, users who misuse the facilities are charged a fee based on the duration of use, while legitimate users are charged a discounted fee. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the use of paid public toilets for improper purposes without hindering their use for legitimate purposes.

[0030] [Embodiment 2] As mentioned above, cases where bowel movements are intermittent due to poor health, or cases that require a long time, such as menstrual flow control, are legitimate uses of the toilet in line with its purpose, and therefore, prolonged occupancy should be tolerated. In this regard, it may be possible to consider applying special discounts to these cases after identifying them.

[0031] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the information processing device 100 further includes a user state estimation unit 130. The user state estimation unit 130 identifies the contents of the user's excrement using a sensor 14 and estimates the user's state. Specifically, the sensor 14 identifies whether the user's excrement is "diarrhea" or "menstrual blood" based on images captured by a camera. From these identification results, it is estimated that the user is in a state of "diarrhea" or "menstruation."

[0032] The discount application unit 120 applies a fee discount according to the user's condition. For example, if it is estimated that the user is experiencing diarrhea or menstruation, the discount application unit 120 applies a special fee discount that makes the use of the paid public toilet free of charge.

[0033] As described above, if a user is presumed to be experiencing diarrhea or menstruation, a special discount will be applied, making the use of the paid public toilet free of charge. Therefore, users who are in a state such as diarrhea or menstruation and have a legitimate reason for occupying a paid public toilet for an extended period will not be prevented from using it.

[0034] [Variant form] Furthermore, the present invention can also be developed as a guidance program that causes a computer, acting as an information processing device 100, to execute the above-described processing. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the computer acting as an information processing device 100 includes memory, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and an interface. The CPU reads and executes the guidance program of the present invention from memory, thereby realizing processing modules corresponding to the excretion count unit 110 and the discount application unit 120.

[0035] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0036] (Note 1) A toilet seat sensor in a paid public restroom detects when a user defecates, and a defecation counting unit counts the number of times the user defecates. A discount section applies to the usage fee of paid public toilets, based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

[0037] (Note 2) The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein the discount application unit applies a fee discount to the usage fee for a paid public toilet, based on the number of times the toilet has been used.

[0038] (Note 3) The excretion counting unit determines whether or not excretion has been detected for each unit of time, and counts the number of unit times in which excretion was detected as the number of excretions. The information processing device described in Appendix 2, wherein the discount application unit applies a fee discount corresponding to the number of times excretion has been counted.

[0039] (Note 4) The system further includes a user state estimation unit that uses sensors to identify the contents of the user's excrement and estimate the user's state. The information processing device described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the discount application unit applies a fee discount according to the user's status.

[0040] (Note 5) Information processing device, Sensors installed on the toilet seats of paid public restrooms detect when a user defecates, and count the number of times the user defecates. A discount will be applied to the usage fee for paid public toilets based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. Information processing methods.

[0041] (Note 6) As an information processing device, the computer Sensors installed on the toilet seats of paid public restrooms detect when a user defecates, and count the number of times the user defecates. A discount will be applied to the usage fee for paid public toilets based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. An information processing program that executes a process.

[0042] Furthermore, the features described in Appendix 2 to 4 can also be applied to the information processing method in Appendix 5 and the information processing program in Appendix 6. For example, in the information processing method in Appendix 5, the contents of the user's excrement may be identified by a sensor, the user's condition may be estimated, and a discount on fees may be applied according to the user's condition.

[0043] Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents cited is incorporated into this document by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention as necessary. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on the basic technical concept. Also, within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical concept. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or sub-range included within that range should be interpreted as being specifically described, even if not otherwise stated. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned cited documents may, as necessary, be used in part or in whole as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, and this is also considered to be included in the disclosure of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10 booths 11 Toilet 12 Leaders 13 cards 14 sensors 15 Management terminal 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Excretion counting unit 120 Discount Applicable Section 130 User State Estimation Unit

Claims

1. A toilet seat sensor in a paid public restroom detects when a user defecates, and a defecation counting unit counts the number of times the user defecates. A discount section applies to the usage fee of paid public toilets, based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the discount application unit applies a fee discount to the usage fee corresponding to the usage time of a paid public toilet, based on the number of times the toilet has been used.

3. The excretion counting unit determines whether or not excretion has been detected for each unit of time, and counts the number of unit times in which excretion was detected as the number of excretions. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the discount application unit applies a fee discount corresponding to the number of times excretion has been counted.

4. The system further includes a user state estimation unit that uses sensors to identify the contents of the user's excrement and estimate the user's state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discount application unit applies a fee discount according to the user's status.

5. Information processing device, Sensors installed on the toilet seats of paid public restrooms detect when a user defecates, and count the number of times the user defecates. A discount will be applied to the usage fee for paid public toilets based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. Information processing methods.

6. As an information processing device, the computer Sensors installed on the toilet seats of paid public restrooms detect when a user defecates, and count the number of times the user defecates. A discount will be applied to the usage fee for paid public toilets based on the number of times the user has used the toilet. An information processing program that executes a process.

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