Bathroom system

Abstract

To provide a bathing system that when a user enters a bathroom or an indoor space adjacent thereto in order to take a bath, can detect such a fact with high reliability.SOLUTION: A bathroom system comprises: sensors 11, 21 provided in a bathroom space 10 and an indoor space 20 adjacent thereto so as to be able to detect temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range; and a bathing determination unit 32 that determines that a heating element is a person who intends to take a bath, when each sensor 11, 21 detects the heating element with a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature within each detection range, and a proportion of the detected heating element in the detection range of each sensor 11, 21 is equal to or higher than a predetermined proportion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system in a bathroom space or an indoor space adjacent thereto.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as seen in Patent Document 1 for example, there has been proposed a technique of learning a bathing pattern using a human presence sensor arranged in a bathroom and automatically controlling an air conditioner in the bathroom based on the learned bathing pattern.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a human presence sensor is arranged in a bathroom as seen in Patent Document 1, although the human presence sensor can detect that a person has entered the bathroom, it is impossible to determine whether the person who entered the bathroom did so for the purpose of taking a bath or entered the bathroom for purposes other than taking a bath, such as cleaning the bathroom or tidying up the equipment.

[0005] For this reason, in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent detection data by the human presence sensor from being used as learning data for the bathing pattern when a person enters the bathroom for purposes other than taking a bath, a technique has been proposed in which the user sets a learning prohibition time zone and the detection data of entry during the learning prohibition time zone is not used as learning data.

[0006] However, if a user forgets to set a learning ban period, or if they forget the set learning ban period, they may enter the bathroom for purposes other than bathing during a time when the learning ban period is not in effect. In this case, entering the bathroom for purposes other than bathing may be mistakenly detected as entering for bathing purposes. Consequently, there is a risk that the system may incorrectly learn the user's bathing patterns.

[0007] This invention was made in view of the above background, and aims to provide a bathroom system that can reliably detect when a user enters a bathroom or an adjacent indoor space for the purpose of bathing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the bathroom system of the present invention includes a sensor provided in at least one of the bathroom space and the indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space, capable of detecting a temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range. The invention is characterized by comprising a bathing determination unit that determines that a person is bathing when a heating element of a first predetermined temperature or higher is detected within the detection range by the sensor, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the first predetermined proportion.

[0009] Here, comparing the cases where a clothed person is present within the detection range with the cases where an unclothed person (a naked person) is present, the temperature detected by the sensor in the area covered by the clothing worn by the clothed person is lower than the temperature detected by the sensor in the area where an unclothed person is present. This is thought to be because, in the areas covered by clothing, heat dissipation from the body surface is blocked by the clothing.

[0010] Therefore, within the sensor's detection range, the temperature distribution detected in the area where a person is present will be such that, if the person is unclothed, the temperature of almost the entire area where the person is present will be above a certain temperature (a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the person's body surface). If the person is clothed, the temperature of the area where the person is present that is not covered by clothing will be the same as the temperature detected when the person is unclothed, while the temperature of the area covered by clothing will be lower than the temperature detected when the person is unclothed (a temperature lower than a certain temperature). Furthermore, a person who is not clothed in the bathroom space or an adjacent indoor space (e.g., a changing room) may be considered to have the purpose of taking a bath.

[0011] Therefore, in the present invention, the bathing determination unit determines that the person whose heating element is present is a person with the purpose of bathing if the sensor detects a heating element with a temperature of a first predetermined temperature or higher within the detection range, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the first predetermined proportion.

[0012] As a result, the bathing detection unit can properly detect a person with the intention to bathe when that person is within the sensor's detection range in the bathroom space or an adjacent indoor space. Therefore, according to the first invention, it is possible to detect with high reliability when a user enters the bathroom or an adjacent indoor space with the intention to bathe.

[0013] In the first invention described above, an embodiment may be adopted in which a switching unit is further provided that acquires data indicating the current ambient temperature or the current date and switches the bathing determination unit to an operating state or a non-operating state according to the ambient temperature or date indicated by the data (second invention).

[0014] The operating state of the bathing determination unit means that the bathing determination unit performs a process to determine whether the person whose heat is detected by the sensor is a person who intends to take a bath, and the determination result is treated as valid. The non-operating state of the bathing determination unit means that the bathing determination unit does not perform a process to determine whether the person whose heat is detected by the sensor is a person who intends to take a bath, or the determination result by the bathing determination unit is treated as invalid.

[0015] Here, when a person wears thin clothing, it allows heat emitted from the person's body surface to pass through more easily than when the clothing is thick. For this reason, even if a person wearing thick clothing is not detected by the sensor as a heat source above the first predetermined temperature, a person wearing thin clothing may be detected by the sensor as a heat source above the first predetermined temperature. Furthermore, whether a person wears thick or thin clothing has a high correlation with the ambient temperature and the time of year related to the season.

[0016] Therefore, the second invention includes a switching unit that switches the bathing determination unit to an activated or deactivated state according to the ambient temperature or date. This makes it possible to deactivate the bathing determination unit at ambient temperatures or on dates when there is a high probability of wearing light clothing. Consequently, it becomes possible to prevent the bathing determination unit from detecting a person wearing light clothing as a heat source above a first predetermined temperature, and consequently from mistakenly determining that the heat source is a person with the intention of taking a bath.

[0017] In the second invention described above, when the bathing determination unit is in a non-operating state, the sensor detects a heating element with a second predetermined temperature or higher within the detection range, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the second predetermined proportion, the system may further include a human detection unit that detects the heating element as a person (third invention). The second predetermined percentage may be the same value as the first predetermined percentage, but it may also be a slightly different value from the first predetermined percentage.

[0018] According to the third invention described above, even when the bathing determination unit is not in operation, if a person is present within the detection range of the sensor, the person detection unit can detect that person regardless of whether or not that person has the purpose of taking a bath.

[0019] In the first invention, instead of adopting the configuration of the second invention, a configuration may also be adopted in which a determination temperature setting unit is further provided that acquires data indicating the current ambient temperature or the current date and sets the first predetermined temperature variably according to the ambient temperature or date indicated by the data (fourth invention).

[0020] According to this, a first predetermined temperature suitable for a given time can be set according to the ambient temperature and date, which have a high correlation with whether a person is wearing thick or thin clothing. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent a person from being mistakenly identified as having the intention to bathe, regardless of whether they are wearing thick or thin clothing, simply because they are within the sensor's detection range.

[0021] In the first to fourth inventions described above, it is preferable that the sensor is installed so that no fixed heating element is included within its detection range (fifth invention). This prevents fixed objects such as heat-generating devices from being mistakenly identified as people intending to bathe, and consequently, improves the reliability of the bathing detection unit's results.

[0022] In the first to fifth inventions described above, if the sensor is installed in an indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space, and a mist spraying device capable of spraying heated mist into the bathroom space is installed in the bathroom space, then the mist spraying processing unit may be further provided with a process to notify the person intending to take a bath that mist is being sprayed, or to stop the mist spraying by the mist spraying device, when the bathing determination unit determines that the detected heating element is a person intending to take a bath while the mist spraying device is spraying mist (sixth invention).

[0023] According to this, even if a person who is about to take a bath in an indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space (a person having the purpose of taking a bath) is unaware that, for example, mist spraying for the purpose of mold suppression or the like is being performed in the bathroom space, the mist spraying is automatically stopped before the person enters the bathroom space, or the person can recognize by the notification that the mist spraying is in progress. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the person from entering the bathroom space while the mist is being sprayed, and ultimately to prevent causing discomfort to the person when entering the bathroom space.

[0024] Further, in the first to fifth inventions described above, when the sensor is provided in the bathroom space and a mist spraying device capable of spraying mist heated in the bathroom space is installed in the bathroom space, if a heat-generating body having a temperature lower than the ambient temperature is detected within the detection range by the sensor and the ratio of the detected heat-generating body occupying in the detection range is equal to or greater than a third predetermined ratio, an intruder detection unit that detects the heat-generating body as an intruder entering the bathroom space, and during the spraying of mist by the mist spraying device, when an intruder entering the bathroom space is detected by the intruder detection unit, a process of notifying the detected intruder that the mist is being sprayed, or a process of stopping the spraying of mist by the mist spraying device can also be adopted in an aspect of further including a mist spraying time processing unit that executes the process (seventh invention).

[0025] Here, during the mist spraying in the bathroom space, since the atmospheric temperature in the bathroom space becomes relatively high, when a person enters the detection range of the sensor in the bathroom space, the temperature detected by the sensor in the presence area of the person becomes lower than the surrounding temperature. For this reason, during the mist spraying in the bathroom space, the intruder detection unit can detect an intruder entering the bathroom space.

[0026] Furthermore, when the occupant detection unit detects an occupant entering the bathroom while mist is being sprayed in the bathroom space, the mist spraying can be stopped, thereby quickly preventing the occupant from being sprayed with mist. Alternatively, by notifying the occupant, they can quickly take action such as leaving the bathroom space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] Figure 1A is a side view showing the configuration of the bathroom space and dressing room space of a bathroom system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1B is a plan view showing the configuration of the bathroom space and dressing room space of the bathroom system. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the configuration for the operation control of the bathroom system of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the temperature distribution detected by the bathroom-side sensor and the dressing room-side sensor, respectively, when an unclothed person is present, while Figures 3C and 3D schematically illustrate the temperature distribution detected by the bathroom-side sensor and the dressing room-side sensor, respectively, when a clothed person is present. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the configuration for the operation control of the bathroom system of the second embodiment. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing the configuration for the operation control of the bathroom system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram schematically illustrates the temperature distribution detected by the bathroom-side sensor when a person is present during mist spraying. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1A to 3D. Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, the bathroom system of this embodiment includes a sensor 11 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the bathroom-side sensor 11) installed in the bathroom space 10 to detect a temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range, and a sensor 21 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the dressing room-side sensor 21) installed in the dressing room space 20, which is an indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space 10, to detect a temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range.

[0029] In this embodiment, sensors 11 and 21 are both known infrared array sensors with a structure in which multiple infrared sensing units are arranged in a matrix, and each is capable of detecting a temperature distribution (two-dimensional temperature distribution) within a predetermined detection range on the front side. In Figures 1A and 1B, the approximate detection ranges of sensors 11 and 21 are shown as the areas inside the dashed lines. The temperature distribution detected by sensors 11 and 21 is represented, for example, by the temperature of each of the multiple grid regions arranged in a matrix, as shown in Figures 3A to 3D.

[0030] The bathroom-side sensor 11 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the bathroom space 10. In addition to the bathroom-side sensor 11, the bathroom space 10 also has a bathroom heating device 12 capable of heating or drying, a bathtub 13, a lighting device 14, and a faucet stand 15 to which a hot water tap and shower (not shown) are attached as fixed fixtures. In this embodiment, the bathroom heating device 12 includes a mist spraying device 12a that can spray heated mist into the bathroom space 10, and it is also possible to perform mist operation by activating the mist spraying device 12a.

[0031] Here, the bathroom heater 12 during heating or drying operation, the bathtub 13 when filled with hot water, or the lighting device 14 when lit correspond to heating elements fixed in the bathroom space 10. In this embodiment, the bathroom-side sensor 11 is installed on the ceiling of the bathroom space 10 with its front facing diagonally downward so that the bathroom heater 12, bathtub 13, and lighting device 14 are not included within its detection range. Furthermore, the bathroom-side sensor 11 is installed so that its detection range is within the area where a person entering the bathroom space 10 for the purpose of bathing (for example, person P1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B) may be present or pass through.

[0032] To elaborate, the bathroom-side sensor 11 is not limited to the ceiling of the bathroom space 10; it may also be installed on the side wall. Furthermore, in Figure 1A, the bathroom heating device 12 is installed on the ceiling of the bathroom space 10, but it may also be installed on the side wall. Similarly, in Figure 1A, the lighting device 14 is installed on the side wall of the bathroom space 10, but it may also be installed on the ceiling. The installation position and orientation of the bathroom-side sensor 11 can be set to various positions and orientations depending on the position of the heating element fixedly installed in the bathroom space 10 as described above.

[0033] The changing room side sensor 21 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the changing room space 20. In addition to the changing room side sensor 21, the changing room space 20 also has other fixed fixtures installed, such as a washing machine 22, a clothes dryer 23, a lighting device 24, and a washbasin 25. The washbasin 25 in the illustrated example has a mirror and storage shelves on its upper part 25a and a washbasin, hot water tap, etc. on its lower part 25b.

[0034] Here, the washing machine 22 during operation, the clothes dryer 23 during operation, and the lighting device 24 when lit correspond to heat-generating elements fixed in the dressing room space 20. In this embodiment, the dressing room side sensor 21 is installed on the ceiling of the dressing room space 20 with its front facing downwards, so that the washing machine 22, clothes dryer 23, and lighting device 24 are not included within its detection range. Furthermore, the dressing room side sensor 21 is installed so that its detection range is within the area where a person entering the dressing room space 20 for the purpose of bathing (for example, person P2 shown in Figures 1A and 1B) may be present or pass through.

[0035] To elaborate, the changing room side sensor 21 is not limited to the ceiling of the changing room space 20, but may also be installed on the side wall. Also, in Figure 1A, the lighting device 24 is installed on the ceiling of the changing room space 20, but it may also be installed on the side wall. Furthermore, the installation position and orientation of the changing room side sensor 21 can be set to various positions and orientations depending on the position of the heating element as described above, which is fixedly installed in the changing room space 20.

[0036] Next, referring to Figure 2, the bathroom system of this embodiment further includes a control device 30 that has the function of controlling the operation of the bathroom heating device 12. The control device 30 is composed of one or more electronic circuit units including a processor such as a microcontroller (not shown), memory such as RAM and ROM, and interface circuits. The control device 30 receives detection data from sensors 11 and 21, as well as detection data of the ambient temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown).

[0037] In this embodiment, the ambient temperature is the outside temperature. However, the ambient temperature is not limited to the outside temperature; for example, it may be a temperature whose seasonal temperature changes are similar to those of the outside temperature. For example, the ambient temperature may be the temperature of a space within an indoor space where air conditioning (heating or cooling) is not performed on a steady basis or for a certain period of time or longer (for example, the temperature of the dressing room space 20 where air conditioning is not performed on a steady basis, or the temperature of the bathroom space 10 when the bathroom heating device 12 is stopped from operating for a certain period of time or longer).

[0038] Furthermore, the control device 30 can communicate with a remote control 12R installed in the dressing room space 20 or the like for operating the bathroom heating device 12. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the remote control 12R is equipped with an operating section (operating switches, etc.) for operating the bathroom heating device 12, as well as a display section that displays information related to the operation of the bathroom heating device 12, and a sound output section that outputs voice information or notification sounds.

[0039] The control device 30 has the following functions, realized by the implemented hardware configuration and program (software configuration): an operation control unit 31 that controls the operation of the bathroom heating device 12; a bathing determination unit 32 that performs a process to determine whether the heating element detected by the bathroom side sensor 11 and the dressing room side sensor 21 is a person intending to take a bath (a person who intends to take a bath); a switching unit 33 that switches the bathing determination unit 32 to an activated or deactivated state according to the ambient temperature; a person detection unit 34 that detects a person present in the bathroom space 10 or the dressing room space 20 based on the detection data from the bathroom side sensor 11 or the dressing room side sensor 21; and a mist spraying processing unit 35 that performs a control process according to the result of the determination process of the bathing determination unit 32 based on the output of the bathroom side sensor 11 when the bathroom heating device 12 is in mist operation (when the mist spraying device 12a is in operation).

[0040] The processing of each of the above-mentioned functional units of the control device 30 will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the control device 30 sequentially executes the processing of the switching unit 33. The switching unit 33 periodically monitors the ambient temperature detection data input to the control device 30, and sets the bathing determination unit 32 to an activated state if the current ambient temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature Ta (for example, 25°C), and sets the bathing determination unit 32 to a deactivated state if the current ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Ta. In this case, the predetermined temperature Ta is basically set in advance so that the detected ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Ta when the outside temperature is high, such as in summer, and lower than the predetermined temperature Ta when the outside temperature is low, such as in winter.

[0041] Here, the operating state of the bathing determination unit 32 means that the bathing determination unit 32 performs a process (hereinafter referred to as the bathing determination process) to determine whether the heating element detected by the bathroom-side sensor 11 and the changing room-side sensor 21 is a person who intends to take a bath, and that the determination result is treated as valid by the control device 30 (for example, used as reference data for control processing). The non-operating state of the bathing determination unit 32 means that the bathing determination unit 32 does not perform the bathing determination process, or that the control device 30 treats the determination result of the bathing determination process as invalid. The reason why the switching unit 33 performs the above process will be explained later.

[0042] When the control device 30 sets the bathing determination unit 32 to an activated state using the switching unit 33, the bathing determination unit 32 performs bathing determination processing for the bathroom space 10 and bathing determination processing for the changing room space 20, respectively. These determination processes are performed using the same method.

[0043] Specifically, in the bathing determination process for the bathroom space 10, the bathing determination unit 32 sequentially monitors whether a heat-generating element (an area with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher) with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher is detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, based on the detection data (temperature distribution detection data) from the bathroom-side sensor 11.

[0044] Then, if a heating element with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher is detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, the bathing determination unit 32 determines whether the proportion of the area occupied by the heating element within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 (the proportion of the detection range to the whole) is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R1. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined proportion R1, the unit determines that the heating element belongs to a person with the intention of taking a bath.

[0045] Furthermore, in the bathing determination process for the changing room space 20, the bathing determination unit 32 sequentially monitors whether a heat-generating element (an area with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher) is detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21, based on the detection data (temperature distribution detection data) from the changing room side sensor 21.

[0046] Then, if a heating element with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher is detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21, the bathing determination unit 32 determines whether the proportion of the area occupied by the heating element within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21 (the proportion of the entire detection range) is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R1. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined proportion R1, the unit determines that the heating element is a person with the intention of bathing. The predetermined temperature T1 corresponds to the first predetermined temperature in this invention, and the predetermined proportion R1 corresponds to the first predetermined proportion in this invention.

[0047] Here, when comparing the case where a person is present within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 in the bathroom space 10, and the case where the person is clothed versus the case where the person is unclothed, the temperature detected by the bathroom-side sensor 11 will be above a certain temperature (hereinafter referred to as the unclothed body temperature) in almost the entire area where the person is present, as shown in Figure 3A, for example.

[0048] The above-mentioned unclothed body temperature is the temperature resulting from heat dissipation from the exposed body surface of a person, and is, for example, a temperature of 28°C or higher. In addition, the ambient temperature of the bathroom space 10 before bathing begins is usually lower than the unclothed body temperature. In Figure 3A, the area where person P1 is present as seen from the bathroom-side sensor 11 is shown by a dashed line, and the area of ​​the unclothed body temperature within the detection range is shown as a shaded area.

[0049] On the other hand, if a person is clothed and within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 in the bathroom space 10, for example as shown in Figure 3C, the temperature of the area of ​​the person's presence that is not covered by clothing (the head of person P1 in Figure 3C) will be the unclothed body temperature, but the temperature of the area covered by clothing (the area of ​​person P1 other than the head in Figure 3C) will be lower than the unclothed body temperature (hereinafter referred to as the clothed body temperature) because the heat dissipation from the person's body surface is blocked by the clothing. This clothed body temperature is, for example, lower than 28°C. In this case, the area of ​​the person's presence that has the unclothed body temperature will be smaller than when the person is unclothed.

[0050] The above-mentioned matters concerning the temperature detected by the bathroom-side sensor 11 when a person is within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 also apply to the temperature detected by the dressing room-side sensor 21 when a person is within the detection range of the dressing room-side sensor 21. That is, if a person within the detection range of the dressing room-side sensor 21 in the dressing room space 20 is unclothed, the temperature detected by the dressing room-side sensor 21 will be the unclothed body temperature over almost the entire area where the person is present, as shown in Figure 3B, for example. And the ambient temperature of the dressing room space 20 is usually lower than the unclothed body temperature.

[0051] Furthermore, if a person is clothed and within the detection range of the changing room sensor 21 in the changing room space 20, for example as shown in Figure 3D, the temperature detected for the area of ​​person P2 that is not covered by clothing (the head of person P2 in Figure 3D) will be the unclothed body temperature, while the temperature detected for the area covered by clothing (the area of ​​person P2 other than the head in Figure 3D) will be the clothed body temperature, which is lower than the unclothed body temperature. In this case, the area of ​​the person's presence that will have the unclothed body temperature will be smaller than the area when the person is unclothed.

[0052] Therefore, in the bathing determination process relating to the bathroom space 10, the bathing determination unit 32 determines whether the proportion of the area occupied by the heating element within the detection range (hereinafter referred to as the heating element area proportion) is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R1 when a heating element with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher (for example, 28°C or higher) is detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11. In this case, the predetermined proportion R1 is set in advance so that the result of the determination is positive when the heating element detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 is an unclothed person, and negative when the result of the determination is negative when the heating element is a clothed person.

[0053] Here, if the proportion of the heating element area is equal to or greater than the predetermined proportion R1, the heating element is considered to be a person who is not clothed and has entered the bathroom space 10 for the purpose of bathing. Also, if the proportion of the heating element area is lower than the predetermined proportion R1, the heating element is considered to be a person who is clothed and has entered the bathroom space 10 for a purpose other than bathing.

[0054] Therefore, the bathing determination unit 32 determines that a person is bathing if the proportion of the heating element area (a heating element with a temperature of T1 or higher) detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R1. Conversely, if the proportion of the heating element area is lower than the predetermined proportion R1, the bathing determination unit 32 determines that the person is not bathing (or that the person is in the bathroom space 10 for a purpose other than bathing).

[0055] Similarly, in the bathing determination process for the changing room space 20, the bathing determination unit 32 determines whether the proportion of the area related to a heating element with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher (for example, 28°C or higher) is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R1 when a heating element with a predetermined temperature T1 or higher (for example, 28°C or higher) is detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21. In this case, the predetermined proportion R1 is set in advance so that the result of the determination is positive when the heating element detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21 is a person who is not wearing clothes, and negative when the person is wearing clothes.

[0056] The bathing determination unit 32 determines that a person is bathing if the proportion of the heating element area (heating element with a temperature of T1 or higher) detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R1, and determines that a person is not bathing if the proportion of the heating element area is lower than the predetermined proportion R1.

[0057] It is possible to set the predetermined percentage R1 in the bathing determination process for the bathroom space 10 and the predetermined percentage R1 in the bathing determination process for the changing room space 20 to the same value, but they may also be set to different values.

[0058] For example, in the example shown in Figure 1A, the bathroom-side sensor 11 is oriented diagonally downwards, and the dressing room-side sensor 21 is oriented directly downwards. Therefore, when a person is within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, the body area (from the head to the legs) in which the temperature can be detected by the bathroom-side sensor 11 is wider than the body area (upper part of the body) in which the temperature can be detected by the dressing room-side sensor 21 when a person is within the detection range of the dressing room-side sensor 21. Thus, the predetermined percentage R1 in the bathing determination process for the bathroom space 10 can be set to a value greater than the predetermined percentage R1 in the bathing determination process for the dressing room space 20.

[0059] The bathing determination process performed by the bathing determination unit 32 is carried out as described above for both the bathroom space 10 and the changing room space 20. When the bathing determination unit 32 is set to the operating state by the switching unit 33, the control device 30 performs processes such as learning bathing patterns and controlling the operation of the bathroom heating device 12 based on the determination results of the bathing determination process performed by the bathing determination unit 32. For example, if the determination process for either the bathroom space 10 or the changing room space 20 detects that a person intending to take a bath is present in either the changing room space 20 or the bathroom space 10, and the temperature in the bathroom space 10 is low, the control device 30 may perform a control process to automatically start the heating operation of the bathroom heating device 12.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, if the presence of a person intending to take a bath is detected in the changing room space 20, and the heating operation of the bathroom heating device 12 is started, and then the presence of a person intending to take a bath is detected in the bathroom space 10, the control device 30 may perform a control process to automatically change the intensity of the heating operation of the bathroom heating device 12.

[0061] Alternatively, depending on the determination result of the bathing determination process by the bathing determination unit 32, it is also possible to control the lighting or dimming of, for example, the lighting device 14 in the bathroom space 10 or the lighting device 24 in the dressing room space 20.

[0062] Incidentally, in situations with high ambient temperatures, such as during the summer, people tend to wear thin clothing or clothing that exposes a large area of ​​skin. Therefore, even if a person within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 or the changing room-side sensor 21 is clothed, the clothed body temperature tends to be higher (closer to the unclothed body temperature) or the clothed body temperature range tends to be smaller than when the person is wearing thick clothing. Consequently, the proportion of the heat-generating area related to a clothed person may exceed a predetermined ratio R1, making it easier for the bathing determination unit 32 to mistakenly determine that the person is a person with the intention of bathing.

[0063] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 30 sets the bathing determination unit 32 to a non-operating state by the switching unit 33 when the ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature Ta (for example, 25°C). This prevents the bathing determination unit 32 from mistakenly determining that a person who is clothed but within the detection range of the bathroom side sensor 11 or the changing room side sensor 21 is a person with the intention to take a bath.

[0064] In this embodiment, when the ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature Ta, the bathing determination unit 32 is set to a non-operating state as described above. Therefore, even if a person is present within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 or the dressing room-side sensor 21, it is not possible to determine whether or not that person is a person with the intention of taking a bath.

[0065] However, in this embodiment, the control device 30 also functions as a human detection unit 34. When the bathing determination unit 32 is set to a non-operating state by the switching unit 33, the human detection unit 34 performs human detection processing in the bathroom space 10 and human detection processing in the dressing room space 20, respectively. In the human detection processing in the bathroom space 10, the human detection unit 34 sequentially monitors whether a heat-generating element (an area with a predetermined temperature T2 or higher) with a predetermined temperature T2 or higher is detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, based on the detection data (temperature distribution detection data) from the bathroom-side sensor 11.

[0066] The predetermined temperature T2 is, for example, the same temperature as the predetermined temperature T1 in the bathing determination process (e.g., 28°C). However, the predetermined temperature T2 may be set to a slightly different temperature from the predetermined temperature T1 in the bathing determination process. Note that the predetermined temperature T2 corresponds to the second predetermined temperature in the present invention.

[0067] Then, if a heat-generating element with a predetermined temperature T2 or higher is detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, the human detection unit 34 determines whether the proportion of the area occupied by the heat-generating element within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 (heat-generating element area proportion) is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R2. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined proportion R2, it determines that the heat-generating element is a person. This makes it possible to detect a person within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, regardless of whether the person is clothed or not.

[0068] Furthermore, the human detection process in the changing room space 20 is performed in the same way as the human detection process in the bathroom space 10, based on the detection data (temperature distribution detection data) from the changing room side sensor 21. That is, the human detection unit 34 continuously monitors whether or not a heat-generating element with a predetermined temperature T2 or higher is detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21, based on the detection data from the changing room side sensor 21.

[0069] Then, if a heat-generating element with a predetermined temperature T2 or higher is detected within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21, the human detection unit 34 determines whether the proportion of the heat-generating element area related to the detected element within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21 is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R2. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined proportion R2, it determines that the heat-generating element is a person. This makes it possible to detect a person within the detection range of the changing room side sensor 21, regardless of whether the person is clothed or not.

[0070] The predetermined ratio R2 for the person detection process can be the same as the predetermined ratio R1 for the bathing determination process, for example, for each of the bathroom space 10 and the changing room space 20. However, the predetermined ratio R2 for the person detection process can be different from the predetermined ratio R1 for the bathing determination process, as long as it can appropriately detect people within the detection range of the bathroom side sensor 11 and the changing room side sensor 21. The predetermined ratio R2 corresponds to the second predetermined ratio in this invention.

[0071] Furthermore, the control device 30 executes the processing of the mist spraying processing unit 35 when the bathroom heating device 12 is in mist operation (when the mist spraying device 12a is in operation). The mist spraying processing unit 35 sequentially monitors the results of the bathing determination processing of the bathing determination unit 32 regarding the dressing room space 20 when the bathroom heating device 12 is in mist operation.

[0072] Here, the mist operation of the bathroom heater 12 is not limited to when a user is taking a bath; it may also be performed for the purpose of preventing mold growth in the bathroom space 10. In this case, a user entering the bathroom space 10 may not be aware that the mist operation of the bathroom heater 12 is running, which can easily cause discomfort to the user.

[0073] Therefore, during the mist spraying process, the mist spraying process unit 35 sequentially monitors the result of the bathing determination process of the bathing determination unit 32 regarding the changing room space 20 when the bathroom heating device 12 is in the mist operation. Then, when the bathing determination unit 32 determines that the heat generating body detected via the changing room side sensor 21 in the changing room space 20 is a person with the purpose of taking a bath, the mist spraying process unit 35 controls the bathroom heating device 12 to stop the mist operation of the bathroom heating device 12. Alternatively, the mist spraying process unit 35 causes the remote controller 12R to output notification information indicating that the mist operation is being performed in the bathroom space 10 as display information or voice information. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the mist operation in the bathroom space 10 from causing discomfort to the user who intends to take a bath (the user who intends to enter the bathroom space 10 for the purpose of taking a bath).

[0074] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, only some of the processes of the control device 30 are different from those of the first embodiment, so the description of the same matters as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the control device 30 has a function as a determination temperature setting unit 36 that variably sets a predetermined temperature T1 in the bathing determination process of the bathing determination unit 32 instead of the switching unit 33. This determination temperature setting unit 36 periodically acquires the detection data of the environmental temperature input to the control device 30 and sets the predetermined temperature T1 in the bathing determination process according to the current environmental temperature. For example, when the current environmental temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature Ta (for example, 25°C), the determination temperature setting unit 36 sets the predetermined temperature T1 in the bathing determination process to the same temperature as in the first embodiment (for example, 28°C), and when the current environmental temperature is a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Ta (for example, 25°C), it sets the temperature to a higher temperature (for example, 32°C) than when the environmental temperature < Ta.

[0075] The aforementioned higher temperature (32°C) is set in advance based on experiments, etc., so that even if a person is wearing thin clothing, the heat dissipation temperature of the area covered by the clothing (temperature detected by the bathroom-side sensor 11 or the dressing room-side sensor 21) will be lower than the aforementioned higher temperature, and the heat dissipation temperature of an unclothed person will be at or above the aforementioned higher temperature.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bathing determination unit 32 is maintained in an operating state regardless of the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature Ta, the bathing determination unit 32 uses a temperature (for example, 28°C) set in the determination temperature setting unit 36 ​​according to the ambient temperature as a predetermined temperature T1 for detecting the heating element in the respective detection ranges of the bathroom-side sensor 11 and the dressing room-side sensor 21, and performs the bathing determination process in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this case, the predetermined ratio R1 used in this bathing determination process may be the same as in the first embodiment.

[0077] Furthermore, if the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature Ta, the bathing determination unit 32 uses a temperature (for example, 32°C) set in the determination temperature setting unit 36 ​​according to the ambient temperature as a predetermined temperature T1 for detecting the heating element in the respective detection ranges of the bathroom side sensor 11 and the dressing room side sensor 21, and performs the bathing determination process in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0078] In this case, the predetermined ratio R1 used in this bathing determination process may be the same value as the predetermined ratio R1 used when the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature Ta, but it may also be set to a different value. That is, when the ambient temperature is above the predetermined temperature Ta, the exposed area of ​​a clothed person tends to be larger than when the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature Ta. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined ratio R1 used when the ambient temperature is above the predetermined temperature Ta is set to a larger value than the predetermined ratio R1 used when the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature Ta.

[0079] This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for the matters described above. According to this embodiment, by setting the predetermined temperature T1 used in the bathing determination process of the bathing determination unit 32 variably according to the ambient temperature as described above, it is possible to distinguish between a person who is not clothed and a person who is clothed when detecting a heating element (a heating element with a temperature of T1 or higher) within the detection range of the bathroom side sensor 11 or the dressing room side sensor 21, regardless of whether the ambient temperature is high or low. Consequently, it is possible to appropriately determine whether the detected heating element belongs to a person who intends to take a bath.

[0080] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Note that this embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in some of the processing of the control device 30; therefore, the same matters as in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0081] Referring to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the control device 30 further includes the function of an occupant detection unit 37 that detects a person entering the bathroom space 10 based on the detection data from the bathroom-side sensor 11 when the bathroom heating device 12 is in mist operation (when the mist spraying device 12a is operating).

[0082] Here, when the bathroom heating device 12 is operating in mist mode and spraying high-temperature mist into the bathroom space 10, if a person enters the bathroom space 10 and enters the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11, as shown in Figure 6, the temperature detected by the bathroom-side sensor 11 within the presence of person P3 (the temperature of the shaded area in Figure 6) will be lower than the ambient temperature around person P3 (the temperature of the area where high-temperature mist is being sprayed; the temperature of the gray area in Figure 6).

[0083] Therefore, the occupant detection unit 37 continuously monitors the detection data from the bathroom-side sensor 11 when the bathroom heating device 12 is in mist operation, and detects a heating element with a temperature lower than the ambient temperature within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11. If such a low-temperature heating element is detected, the occupant detection unit 37 further determines whether the proportion of the area occupied by the low-temperature heating element within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 (heating element area proportion) is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R3.

[0084] In this case, the predetermined ratio R3 is set in advance so that if the detected low-temperature heat source is a person, the result of the determination is positive regardless of whether the person is clothed or unclothed, and if the low-temperature heat source is not a person, the result of the determination is negative. The predetermined ratio R3 corresponds to the third predetermined ratio in the present invention.

[0085] The occupant detection unit 37 determines that the heating element is an occupant of the bathroom space 10 if the proportion of the heating element area related to the low-temperature heating element is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion R3, and determines that the heating element is not an occupant of the bathroom space 10 if it is less than the predetermined proportion R3.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the control device 30 determines that the heating element (the heating element with the low temperature) detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 by the occupant detection unit 37 is an occupant, the mist spraying processing unit 35 executes the same process as described in the first embodiment.

[0087] In other words, the mist spraying processing unit 35 controls the bathroom heater 12 to stop misting operation if the entrant detection unit 37 determines that the heating element (the low-temperature heating element) detected within the detection range of the bathroom-side sensor 11 is an entrant. This prevents mist from being sprayed on anyone entering the bathroom space 10.

[0088] Alternatively, the mist spraying processing unit 35 outputs notification information as voice information from the remote control 12R indicating that mist operation is being performed in the bathroom space 10. This allows a person entering the bathroom space 10 to recognize that mist is being sprayed immediately upon entering and to leave the bathroom space 10 immediately. If the control device 30 can control the operation of equipment such as the bath remote control in the bathroom space 10, the notification information may be output as display information or voice information from said equipment.

[0089] This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the matters described above. The control device 30 may also include the determination temperature setting unit 36 ​​instead of the switching unit 33.

[0090] To elaborate, the entrant detection unit 37 and the mist spraying processing unit 35, which executes processing according to the determination result of the entrant detection unit 37 (the result of detecting an entrant), do not necessarily require a system that includes the aforementioned bathing determination unit 32, switching unit 33 or determination temperature setting unit 36, and person detection unit 34, and can be adopted in systems that do not have these functional units.

[0091] [Other embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, and other embodiments can also be adopted. Several other embodiments are given below as examples. In each of the above embodiments, ambient temperature was used in the processing of the switching unit 33 or the processing of the determination temperature setting unit 36, but instead of the ambient temperature, data indicating the month and day may be used, for example.

[0092] For example, if the date falls within the summer season, the switching unit 33 or the determination temperature setting unit 36 ​​may perform the same processing as when the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature Ta. If the date does not fall within the summer season, the switching unit 33 or the determination temperature setting unit 36 ​​may perform the same processing as when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature Ta.

[0093] Furthermore, although the human detection unit 34 is provided in each of the above embodiments, it may be omitted. Also, although the mist spraying device 12a is mounted on the bathroom heating device 12 in each of the above embodiments, it may be installed in the bathroom space 10 as a separate device from the bathroom heating device 12.

[0094] Furthermore, while the first or second embodiment illustrates a bathroom system equipped with a bathroom heating device 12 and a mist spraying device 12a, the bathroom system of the present invention does not necessarily have to be equipped with a bathroom heating device 12 or a mist spraying device 12a. In a bathroom system that does not have a mist spraying device 12a, the mist spraying processing unit 35 is unnecessary. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 10...Bathroom space, 20...Changing room space (indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space), 11,21...Sensors, 12...Bathroom heating device (fixed heating element), 12a...Mist spraying device, 13...Bathtub (fixed heating element), 14...Lighting device (fixed heating element), 22...Washing machine (fixed heating element), 23...Clothes dryer (fixed heating element), 24...Lighting device (fixed heating element), 32...Bath detection unit, 33...Switching unit, 34...Person detection unit, 35...Mist spraying processing unit, 36...Determination temperature setting unit, 37...Entry detection unit.

Claims

1. A sensor is provided in at least one of the bathroom space and the indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space, capable of detecting a temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range. A bathing determination unit determines that a person with the intention to bathe is a person with the intention to bathe when the sensor detects a heating element at or above a first predetermined temperature within the detection range, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the first predetermined proportion. A switching unit that acquires data indicating the current ambient temperature or the current date, and switches the bathing determination unit to an activated or deactivated state according to the ambient temperature or date indicated by the data, When the bathing determination unit is in a non-operating state, if the sensor detects a heating element with a second predetermined temperature or higher within the detection range, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the second predetermined proportion, the human detection unit detects the heating element as a person. A bathroom system characterized by having the following features.

2. In the bathroom system according to claim 1, A bathroom system further comprising a determination temperature setting unit that acquires data indicating the current ambient temperature or the current date, and variably sets the first predetermined temperature according to the ambient temperature or date indicated by the data.

3. In the bathroom system according to claim 1 or 2, The bathroom system is characterized in that the sensor is installed so that no fixed heating element is included within its detection range.

4. A sensor is provided in at least one of the bathroom space and the indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space, capable of detecting a temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range. The system includes a bathing determination unit which determines that a person with the intention to bathe is a person with the intention to bathe when a heating element of a first predetermined temperature or higher is detected within the detection range by the sensor, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the first predetermined proportion. The sensor is installed in an indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space. The aforementioned bathroom space is equipped with a mist spraying device capable of spraying heated mist into the bathroom space. A bathroom system further comprising a mist spraying processing unit that, when the bathing determination unit determines that the detected heating element is a person intending to take a bath while mist is being sprayed by the mist spraying device, performs a process to notify the person intending to take a bath that mist is being sprayed, or a process to stop the spraying of mist by the mist spraying device.

5. A sensor is provided in at least one of the bathroom space and the indoor space adjacent to the bathroom space, capable of detecting a temperature distribution within a predetermined detection range. The system includes a bathing determination unit which determines that a person with the intention to bathe is a person with the intention to bathe when a heating element of a first predetermined temperature or higher is detected within the detection range by the sensor, and the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than the first predetermined proportion. The sensor is installed in the bathroom space, The aforementioned bathroom space is equipped with a mist spraying device capable of spraying heated mist into the bathroom space. An entrant detection unit detects a heating element with a temperature lower than the ambient temperature within the detection range detected by the sensor, and when the proportion of the detected heating element within the detection range is equal to or greater than a third predetermined proportion, the heating element is detected as an entrant to the bathroom space. A bathroom system further comprising a mist spraying processing unit that, when an entrant is detected by the entrant detection unit while mist is being sprayed by the mist spraying device, performs a process to notify the detected entrant that mist is being sprayed, or a process to stop the spraying of mist by the mist spraying device.

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