Toilet seat device

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat device of a toilet bowl capable of being used with confidence by capturing a target image in consideration of the privacy of a user.SOLUTION: The toilet seat device includes: a toilet seat 12 arranged above a toilet 10; an image sensor 20 arranged on a back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12 for capturing an internal space of a toilet bowl 11 in excretion; and an anti-reflection part for preventing reflection of a human body on a target image captured by the image sensor 20. The anti-reflection part is of masking printing arranged between the image sensor 20 and the toilet bowl 11 within the angle of view of the image sensor 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a toilet such as Patent Document 1, it is described that a camera is arranged in the toilet to photograph the water storage part of the toilet bowl where excrement is located.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a toilet equipped with a camera for photographing the water storage part of a conventional toilet bowl, there has been no consideration for the reflection of the human body.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a toilet seat device that can be used with confidence by imaging a target image while considering the privacy of the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A toilet seat device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a toilet having a toilet bowl, a toilet seat disposed above the toilet, an image sensor provided on the back side of the toilet seat for imaging the internal space of the toilet bowl during excretion, and a reflection prevention unit for preventing the reflection of the human body in the target image imaged by the image sensor. The image sensor's imaging control unit stops imaging the internal space of the toilet bowl by the image sensor when the toilet seat is opened, deletes the captured images, and when seating is detected, it takes images of the internal space of the toilet bowl. .

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed obliquely from above, with a part of the toilet seat broken. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a plan view of the toilet seat device as seen from above. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view along line AA. [Figure 4] This figure shows the underside of the toilet seat in the open position, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of a toilet bowl with a toilet seat, seen from above, with the toilet seat omitted. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along the CC line shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a plan view of a masked camera cover, seen from below. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the DD line. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of an image captured by an image sensor equipped with a masked camera cover. [Figure 11] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet seat device according to the second embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 12] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet seat device according to the third embodiment, seen from the front. [Figure 13] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet seat device according to the fourth embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of a toilet seat device according to the fifth embodiment, cut along the front-to-back direction at the center in the left-to-right direction. [Figure 15] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet seat device according to the sixth embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 16] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part of the toilet seat device according to the first modification, seen from the front. [Figure 17] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of a part of the toilet seat device according to the second modification, seen from the front. [Figure 18] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toilet seat device according to the seventh embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 19] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part of the toilet seat device according to the eighth embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 20] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part of the toilet seat device according to the ninth embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 21] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the toilet seat device according to the tenth embodiment as seen from the front. [Figure 22] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the toilet seat device according to the tenth embodiment as seen from the front.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, a toilet seat device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings.

[0009] (First Embodiment) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet seat device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a toilet bowl 10 having a toilet pan 11, a toilet seat 12 provided to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet bowl 10, a toilet lid (not shown) provided to be openable and closable with respect to the toilet seat 12, and an image determination device 2 for acquiring an image of the stool G discharged by the user and determining the state of the stool G and the like from the image.

[0010] In FIG. 1, the toilet seat 12 in the closed state is shown, and the closed toilet lid covers the opening 11a (see FIG. 4) of the toilet pan 11 from above through the toilet seat 12.

[0011] In the following description, when the user of the toilet seat device 1 is seated on the toilet seat 12, the front of the user is taken as the front side, the back side of the user in the same state is taken as the rear side, and the direction connecting the front side and the rear side is referred to as the front-rear direction X1. When viewed from the user seated on the toilet seat 12, the left side is referred to as the "left side", the right side is referred to as the "right side", and the direction connecting the left side and the right side is referred to as the left-right direction X2. The side away from the floor surface on which the toilet seat device 1 is installed is taken as the "upper side", the side close to the floor surface is taken as the "lower side", and the direction connecting the upper side and the lower side is referred to as the vertical direction X3.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface 11b of the opening 11a of the toilet pan 11, a rim protruding toward the inner space of the toilet pan 11 is provided. At the bottom of the toilet pan 11, a water storage part 11c is arranged, and this water storage part 11c is connected to a toilet drainage channel 14 that discharges the stool G from the toilet pan 11.

[0013] The toilet seat 12 is located at the rear of the toilet bowl 10 and is configured to rotate freely around a pivot axis O1 that extends in the left-right direction X2. By rotating as described above, the toilet seat 12 can be in either a closed state, in contact with the upper end of the toilet bowl 11 and extending in the left-right direction X2 and the front-back direction X1, or an open state, away from the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 and extending at least in the up-down direction X3. The toilet seat 12 has an annular shape that extends continuously in the circumferential direction and is in contact with the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 when closed. The opening 12b of the toilet seat 12 is set to be slightly smaller than the opening 11a of the toilet bowl 11 when viewed from above. When the toilet seat 12 is in the closed state, it protrudes inward from the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11.

[0014] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 is provided with support members 13 that protrude downward at four locations in the circumferential direction. The four support members 13 support the toilet seat 12 at four points relative to the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 when the toilet seat 12 is in the closed position.

[0015] The toilet lid (not shown) is configured to rotate freely around a pivot axis extending in the left-right direction X2, and can be in either a closed state, which covers the closed toilet seat 12 and expands in the left-right direction X2 and the front-back direction X1, blocking the openings of the toilet bowl 11 and the toilet seat 12, or an open state, which expands at least in the up-down direction X3. In other words, the toilet lid is provided so as to be able to open and close the openings of the toilet bowl 11 and the toilet seat 12.

[0016] An image determination device 2 is provided on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12. The image determination device 2 includes an image sensor 20 provided on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12, a tilt sensor 21 that acquires information on the opening and closing of the toilet seat 12, an imaging control unit 22 that controls whether or not imaging is performed by the image sensor 20 according to the information on the opening and closing of the toilet seat 12 acquired by the tilt sensor 21, and an illumination unit 23 that illuminates the back of the toilet drain channel 14 so that the stool G that has moved from the bottom surface of the water reservoir 11c of the toilet bowl 10 toward the back of the toilet drain channel 14 can be imaged.

[0017] The tilt sensor 21 is housed inside the toilet seat 12 and is configured to detect when the toilet seat 12 begins to open beyond a certain angle. One example of a tilt sensor 21 is one that contains a ball inside and detects the tilt by the movement of this ball. The tilt sensor 21 is configured not to detect slight rattling or lifting of the toilet seat 12, but to react when the toilet seat 12 opens beyond a set angle. In addition to the tilt sensor 21, the automatic opening and closing device of the toilet seat 12 may also be used as an opening and closing sensor in the opening and closing acquisition unit.

[0018] In this embodiment, the imaging control unit 22 is located on the toilet bowl 10 and is configured to communicate wirelessly or via wired connection with the image sensor 20 and the tilt sensor 21. The imaging control unit 22 has the ability to stop imaging the internal space (water reservoir 11c) of the toilet bowl 11 by the image sensor 20 when it is determined from the open / close information acquired by the tilt sensor 21 that the toilet seat 12 is in an open state, and to delete the image taken at that time. The imaging control unit 22 may also be configured to work in conjunction with a seating sensor (not shown), such as a load sensor, which detects when someone sits on the toilet seat 12, and to control the image sensor 20 to image the internal space of the toilet bowl 11 when seating is detected.

[0019] The image sensor 20 has a camera lens. The image sensor 20 is installed on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 and is capable of imaging the interior direction of the toilet drain channel 14 that discharges feces G from the water reservoir 11c of the toilet bowl 11, and is positioned opposite the toilet drain channel opening 14a of the toilet drain channel 14.

[0020] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the image sensor 20 is positioned in front of the water reservoir 11c and capable of capturing the area behind the entrance (toilet drain opening 14a) of the toilet drain channel 14. The sensor placement area R of the image sensor 20 of the toilet seat device 1 according to this embodiment is a symmetrical range encompassing the front of the toilet seat and the left and right side areas of the toilet seat, with the center of the left-right direction X2 in between. The front of the toilet seat area is the area where the feces G that have entered the toilet drain opening 14a of the toilet bowl 11 are easily visible. The side areas of the toilet seat are areas where one can peer into the toilet drain opening 14a of the toilet bowl 11, and are positioned to avoid the inclusion of human bodies in the field of view (viewpoint 20A) of the image sensor 20, both from a psychological standpoint and in a position that avoids the inclusion of human bodies in the image.

[0021] The image sensor 20 is positioned such that the line connecting the camera center and the lower end surface 11d of the toilet drain opening 14a forms the center of the image sensor 20's field of view 20C. Preferably, the center of the image sensor 20's field of view 20C is not obstructed by the inner surface of the toilet bowl 11. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the image sensor 20 located in front of the toilet seat 12 is positioned such that its center of view 20C does not hit the convex curved surface 11e formed on the front inner surface of the toilet bowl 11. Here, the lower end surface 11d of the toilet drain opening 14a is a predetermined region (reference numeral 11A) extending in the left-right direction X2 in the front view shown in Figure 5.

[0022] Preferably, the image sensor 20 is positioned such that its field of view center 20C (20Ca, 20Cb) is oriented toward the opposite side of the center line C in the left-right direction X2 of the water reservoir 11c when viewed from the front, as shown in Figure 5. Positioning the image sensor 20 with the field of view centered at 20Cb, as shown in Figure 5, reduces the risk of reflections of human bodies on the water surface Wa in the toilet bowl 11 compared to positioning it with the field of view centered at 20Ca. The image sensor 20 only needs to be positioned such that, when viewed from its position, its field of view center 20C is oriented toward the area beyond half of the water surface in the water reservoir 11c within the toilet bowl 11.

[0023] The image sensor 20 has other functions. For example, it is provided so that its brightness can be adjusted to match the illumination inside the toilet bowl 11.

[0024] The imaging control unit 22 may also have a function to detect dirt on the camera lens of the image sensor 20 from the image and prompt the user to clean the camera lens based on the detected information.

[0025] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the image sensor 20 is equipped with a transparent camera cover 24 positioned at a predetermined distance d (see Figure 9) from the camera lens in the imaging direction, which physically masks the portion of the image that may show a part of the human body (such as the buttocks, thighs, or male genitalia) (the portion of the masking print 24A described later). The camera cover 24 is positioned between the image sensor 20 and the toilet bowl 11 within the field of view of the image sensor 20. The camera cover 24 is attached via a jig 25 fixed to the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12. The camera cover 24 has an opaque masking print 24A (shielding portion) printed or painted on a predetermined area of ​​the camera cover where a part of the human body may be shown.

[0026] Figure 10 shows an image 26 captured by the image sensor 20, which has been masked by masking printing 24A. In this way, it is possible to physically mask areas of an image that you do not want to be included.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the lighting unit 23, for example, uses an LED and is positioned on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12, in front of the image sensor 20. The range of illumination L irradiated by the lighting unit 23 is diffused from the lighting unit 23 so that the illumination center is located in the water reservoir 11c of the toilet bowl 11, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5. The lighting unit 23 is positioned such that the center of the field of view 20C of the image sensor 20 (see Figure 5) approximately coincides with the position where it strikes the object (water reservoir 11c). Thus, the positional relationship between the lighting unit 23 and the image sensor 20 is just one example in this embodiment, and it is sufficient for the lighting unit 23 to be in the vicinity of the image sensor 20 and in a position where the image sensor 20 can illuminate the area behind the toilet drain opening 14a.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 is provided with a plurality (in this case, three) of protective legs 5 (supports) positioned near the image sensor 20 and contacting the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 when the toilet seat 12 is closed. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the protective legs 5 are formed from, for example, a rubber material and protrude downward from the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 when the toilet seat 12 is closed, with their protruding ends 5a contacting the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11. When the toilet seat 12 is closed, it is supported from below by the toilet bowl 11 by four support members 13 and the protective legs 5. The three protective legs 5 are positioned circumferentially on the outer side relative to the image sensor 20, which is located on the inner side in the inner-outer circumference direction.

[0029] The protective legs 5 protrude to a height such that, when the toilet seat 12 is closed, the image sensor 20, which is located on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12, does not come into contact with the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11. If there is a portion of the image sensor housing that protrudes from the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12, the protective legs 5 are installed so that the image sensor housing does not come into contact with the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11. Alternatively, the toilet seat 12 may be installed without the protective legs 5, provided that the clearance between the toilet seat 12 and the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11, formed by the support member 13 of the toilet seat 12, is greater than the height at which the image sensor housing protrudes from the underside of the toilet seat.

[0030] As a result, the image sensor 20 is prevented from contacting the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 when the toilet seat 12 is closed, for example, due to the deformation of the toilet seat 12, by the protective legs 5 or the support members 13 of the toilet seat 12 located nearby, and external contact can also be prevented when the toilet seat is open.

[0031] Next, the operation of the toilet seat device 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the toilet seat device 1 according to this embodiment, the image sensor 20 can only capture images of the internal space of the toilet bowl 11 when the image capture control unit 22 determines that imaging is possible based on the opening and closing information of the toilet seat 12 acquired by the tilt sensor 21. In other words, when the image capture control unit 22 determines that imaging is not possible, the image sensor 20 is physically stopped, so for example, when imaging is not possible when the toilet seat 12 is opened or closed, it is possible to reliably prevent the image sensor 20 provided on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 from capturing images of a person. Therefore, the toilet seat device 1 of this embodiment can be used with peace of mind by capturing target images while taking into consideration the privacy of the user.

[0032] In this embodiment, the imaging control unit 22 controls the image sensor 20 to image the internal space of the toilet bowl 11 when it is determined from the opening / closing information acquired by the tilt sensor 21 that the toilet seat 12 is in a closed state. In this case, for example, if the toilet seat 12 is opened to a predetermined angle, imaging by the image sensor 20 is stopped, so the control is such that imaging is only performed when the user sits on the toilet seat 12 and defecates. Therefore, imaging is not performed before or after sitting, and the user can use the toilet seat device 1 with peace of mind. Since the ability to perform imaging by the image sensor 20 can be set according to the opening / closing angle of the tilt sensor 21, for example, it is possible to perform control so that the toilet seat 12 is not determined to be in an open state even if there is a slight opening or shift of the toilet seat 12 in an area where a human body is not captured in the image.

[0033] In this embodiment, the image sensor 20 is installed on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 and is positioned to capture images of the inside of the toilet drain channel 14 that discharges feces G from the water reservoir 11c of the toilet bowl 11, and is facing the toilet drain channel opening 14a. In this case, feces G that roll into the back of the toilet drain channel opening 14a inside the toilet bowl 11 will not be in a blind spot, and the entire excreted feces G can be reliably captured.

[0034] In this embodiment, the lighting unit 23 can illuminate the area of ​​the toilet drain channel 14 that is further back than the bottom surface of the water-filled portion 11c of the toilet bowl 11, so that the image sensor 20 can capture a clearer image of the stool G.

[0035] In this embodiment, the image sensor 20 is positioned so that no human body is captured in the field of view 20A of the image sensor 20. In this case, as described above, it is possible to prevent a human body from being captured in the field of view 20A captured by the image sensor 20 when the image capture control unit 22 determines that imaging is possible.

[0036] In this embodiment, the image sensor 20 is provided so that its brightness can be adjusted to match the illumination inside the toilet bowl 11, allowing the image of the stool G captured by the image sensor 20 to be more clearly displayed.

[0037] In this embodiment, a camera cover 24 is placed between the image sensor 20 and the toilet bowl 11, and a masking print 24A is printed on the camera cover 24 in the area where a human body would be captured within the field of view (field of view 20A) of the image sensor 20. In this case, the inclusion of a human body in the captured image can be physically eliminated without adjusting the field of view of the image sensor 20. There is an advantage in that the area of ​​the masking print 24A can be easily changed according to the position of the image sensor 20 and the shape of the toilet bowl 10.

[0038] In the toilet seat device 1 according to this embodiment, the device has a function to detect dirt on the camera lens 20a of the image sensor 20 from the image captured by the image sensor 20 and output a cleaning signal. In this case, the camera lens 20a can be cleaned when the cleaning signal is received, so a clear image can always be obtained, and the problem of difficulty in determining the feces G in the image due to dirt on the camera lens 20a of the image sensor 20 can be prevented.

[0039] In this embodiment, protective legs 5 are provided on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 that contact the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 when the toilet seat 12 is closed. This prevents the image sensor 20 from shifting due to the deflection of the toilet seat 12 caused by the weight of the user when seated, and prevents the image sensor 20 from being damaged by stress from the toilet seat 12.

[0040] Thus, the toilet seat device 1 according to this embodiment can be used with peace of mind by capturing target images while taking into consideration the user's privacy.

[0041] (Second Embodiment) As shown in Figure 11, the toilet seat device 1A according to the second embodiment is configured such that the image sensor 20 is positioned away from the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12 in the direction toward the toilet bowl 11 (downward). For example, the image sensor 20 may be attached via a spacer (not shown) of an appropriate shape that forms a sensor fixing part (reflection prevention part) provided on the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12, or it may be integrally molded with the toilet seat 12 in a shape that protrudes downward as part of the toilet seat 12.

[0042] In the second embodiment, the image sensor 20 protrudes downward and inward from the toilet bowl 11. Therefore, even if the buttocks M of a person seated on the toilet seat 12 are positioned below the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12, the image sensor 20 can be positioned below the lower surface Ma of the buttocks M, thus physically preventing the human body from entering the field of view of the image sensor 20. In this way, the second embodiment prevents the human body from appearing in the image captured by the image sensor 20, allowing for safe use by capturing target images with consideration for the user's privacy.

[0043] (Third embodiment) Next, the toilet seat device 1B according to the third embodiment shown in Figure 12 has a thickened portion of the toilet seat 12 (reflection prevention portion), and is configured such that the buttocks M of a person sitting on it do not go below the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12. In this case, the position of the image sensor 20 is the same as in the first embodiment described above, and is provided directly on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12.

[0044] In the third embodiment, the thickness of the toilet seat 12 itself is increased, so the structure is such that it is physically possible to prevent the buttocks M of a person sitting on the toilet seat 12 from being positioned below the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12. In the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent the human body from appearing in the image captured by the image sensor 20, and the user can use the toilet with peace of mind by capturing the target image while considering the user's privacy.

[0045] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, the toilet seat device 1C according to the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 13 has an opening reduction section (reflection prevention section) that reduces the diameter dimension (especially the length dimension in the left-right direction X2) of the opening 12b of the toilet seat 12, and is configured so that the buttocks M of a person sitting on it do not go below the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12. In this case, the position of the image sensor 20 is the same as in the first embodiment described above, and is provided directly on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12.

[0046] In the fourth embodiment, the opening 12b of the toilet seat 12 is reduced, so that the structure can be physically prevented from the buttocks M of a person sitting on the toilet seat 12 being positioned below the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12. In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the human body from appearing in the image captured by the image sensor 20, and the user can use the toilet with peace of mind by capturing the target image with consideration for the user's privacy.

[0047] (Fifth embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, a tilt sensor 21 housed in the toilet seat 12 is used as the opening / closing acquisition unit for detecting the opening and closing of the toilet seat 12, and the configuration is such that opening / closing information is obtained from the tilt angle of the toilet seat 12. However, the system is not limited to this, and the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 14 uses an opening / closing acquisition unit. In the fifth embodiment, as another opening / closing acquisition unit for the toilet seat 12, a seat sensor (not shown) is provided to detect when someone sits on the toilet seat 12, and the system is controlled to capture images of the internal space of the toilet bowl 11 with the image sensor 20 only when seating is detected. A load sensor or the like can be used as the seat sensor.

[0048] (Sixth Embodiment) The toilet seat device 1D according to the sixth embodiment shown in Figure 15 has a configuration in which an image sensor 20 is provided separately below the toilet seat 12. In the sixth embodiment, the area in which the image sensor 20 is provided, that is, the area below the toilet seat 12, separate from the toilet seat 12, is included in the underside of the toilet seat 12. In other words, the underside of the toilet seat 12 is defined to include the area below the toilet seat 12. The toilet seat device 1D is provided with a connecting bar 3, formed of, for example, a metal member, so as to span the upper surface (toilet bowl upper surface 10a) of the toilet bowl between the inside and outside of the toilet bowl. An image sensor 20 is attached to the lower surface 3c of the inner end 3a of the connecting bar 3 so as to be able to image the internal space of the toilet bowl 10. The outer end 3b of the connecting bar 3 is attached to the outer surface of the toilet bowl 10 by adhesive or suction. The image sensor 20 is located below the toilet seat 12 and to the side of the rim 10A of the toilet bowl 10. Specifically, the image sensor 20 is positioned on the side of the rim 10A, extending from the same height as the toilet bowl top surface 10a to the side of the rim upper part 10c and the vertical surface 10d of the rim 10A. The image sensor 20 may also be a sensor unit having an image sensor 20.

[0049] The connecting bar 3 is a strip-shaped bar extending in one direction and is bent in an L-shape along the outer shape of the outer surface from the top surface 10a of the toilet bowl. The inner end 3a of the connecting bar 3 protrudes from the top surface 10a of the toilet bowl toward the inside of the toilet bowl 10. The outer end 3b of the connecting bar 3 is fixed to the toilet bowl 10 with adhesive. Instead of adhesive, a suction cup may be used to fix the connecting bar 3 to the toilet bowl 10. In the case of a suction cup, it is easy to attach and detach from the toilet bowl 10, which makes cleaning and maintenance easier, and also allows for easy adjustment of the position of the image sensor 20.

[0050] (First variation) As shown in Figure 16, in the first modified example of the sixth embodiment described above, a weight 31 is provided at the outer end 3b of the connecting bar 3 to balance the load with the image sensor 20 provided at the other inner end 3a of the toilet bowl. The weight 31 is fixed to the surface of the outer end 3b of the toilet bowl that faces outward, opposite to the toilet bowl 10 side, for example, with an adhesive. The weight 31 may be made of a metal member, for example, or it may be a camera function unit that functions with an image processing unit that processes data from the image sensor 20. In the first modified example, the image sensor 20 is attached to the toilet bowl 10 in a well-balanced position by the weight of the weight 31 on the connecting bar 3, and tilting or displacement of the image sensor 20 can be suppressed.

[0051] (Second variation) The connecting bar 3 in the second modified example shown in Figure 17 is made of metal wire or sheet metal and is bent into a roughly U-shape. The central portion 3d in the longitudinal direction of the connecting bar 3 rests on the upper surface 10a of the toilet bowl, and the inner end 3a and outer end 3b of the toilet bowl, which are opposite each other, are biased to generate an elastic force in the direction toward each other (arrows F1 and F2 in Figure 17). An image sensor 20 is attached to the inner end 3a of the toilet bowl. The connecting bar 3 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 10 by being fitted and sandwiched in place with the inner end 3a and outer end 3b of the toilet bowl open against the biasing force. In the first modified example, the connecting bar 3 attaches the image sensor 20 to the toilet bowl 10 in a balanced position due to the weight of the weight 31, and prevents the image sensor 20 from tilting or shifting. The image sensor 20 is positioned to the side of the rim 10A. Specifically, the image sensor 20 is positioned on the side of the rim 10A, at a height lower than the upper part 10c of the rim, and on the side of the vertical surface 10d of the rim 10A.

[0052] (Seventh Embodiment) As shown in Figure 18, the toilet seat device 1E according to the seventh embodiment has a configuration in which the image sensor 20 is directly fixed to the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12 via a fixing part 32 such as adhesive. The mounting position of the image sensor 20 on the toilet seat 12 is located near the inner circumference of the toilet seat 12, so that the mounted image sensor 20 does not interfere with the upper part of the toilet bowl 10 when the toilet seat 12 is closed (the state in Figure 18). In the seventh embodiment, since the structure is simply to fix the image sensor 20 to the toilet seat 12, a separate member such as the connecting bar 3 (see Figure 15) in the sixth embodiment described above is not required, which has the advantage of being easy to install and reducing material costs.

[0053] (Eighth embodiment) The toilet seat device 1F according to the eighth embodiment shown in Figure 19 has an image sensor 20 attached to the toilet seat 12 via a second connecting bar 3A. The second connecting bar 3A is formed of, for example, a metal wire or sheet metal, and extends between the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12 and the outside of the toilet seat 12. The image sensor 20 is attached to the lower surface 3c of the inner toilet end 3a of the second connecting bar 3A so as to be able to image the internal space of the toilet bowl 10. The outer toilet end 3b of the second connecting bar 3A protrudes outward from the toilet seat 12. A camera function unit 26, which is electrically connected to the image sensor 20, is provided at this outer toilet end 30b. The camera function unit 26 is arranged along the outer surface 12c of the toilet seat 12. The central portion 3d of the second connecting bar 3A is fixed to the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12 by fixing means such as adhesive or suction cups. The camera function unit 26 has functions such as an image processing unit that processes data from the image sensor 20.

[0054] In the eighth embodiment, the image sensor 20 can be retrofitted to the toilet seat 12 via the second connecting bar 3A, resulting in a simpler structure than when it is attached to the toilet bowl 10.

[0055] (Ninth Embodiment) The toilet seat device 1G according to the ninth embodiment shown in Figure 20 has an image sensor 20 attached to the toilet seat 12 via a third connecting bar 3B. The third connecting bar 3B is made of, for example, a metal wire or sheet metal, and is bent into a roughly U-shape so as to span over the toilet seat 12. The central portion 3d in the longitudinal direction of the connecting bar 3 rests on the toilet seat 12. An image sensor 20 is attached to the toilet bowl inner end 3a of the third connecting bar 3A so as to be able to image the internal space of the toilet bowl 10. The image sensor 20 attached to the third connecting bar 3A is positioned on the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12.

[0056] A camera function unit 26, electrically connected to an image sensor 20, is provided at the outer end 3b of the third connecting bar 3A, aligned with the outer surface 12c of the toilet seat 12. The third connecting bar 3B is fixed by pressing the outer end 3b of the toilet bowl against the outer surface 12c of the toilet seat 12 with a pressing member 33 such as a screw from the outside of the outer end 3b of the toilet bowl. The method of fixing the third connecting bar 3 to the toilet seat 12 is not limited to the pressing member 33 described above, and other fixing methods may be used. For example, the central portion 3d of the third connecting bar 3B may be fixed to the upper surface 12d of the toilet seat 12 by fixing means such as adhesive or suction cups. Alternatively, the inner end 3a and outer end 3b of the toilet bowl, which are opposite each other, may be biased in a direction that generates an elastic force toward each other, and the connecting bar may be attached by sandwiching it from both sides of the toilet seat 12.

[0057] (Tenth embodiment) The toilet seat devices 1H and 1I according to the 10th embodiment shown in Figures 21 and 22 have a structure in which separate toilet seat units 4A and 4B are sandwiched between the toilet seat 12 and the toilet bowl top surface 10a. In the first toilet seat unit 4A shown in Figure 21, the image sensor 20 is fixed to the lower surface 41a of the toilet seat-shaped insert member 41. In the second toilet seat unit 4B shown in Figure 22, the image sensor 20 is built into the toilet seat-shaped insert member 41. The toilet seat-shaped insert member 41 is formed to be substantially the same shape as the toilet seat 12 in plan view and is provided to open and close relative to the toilet bowl top surface 10a, either integrally with the toilet seat 12 or separately. When the toilet seat-shaped insert member 41 is closed, the lower surface 41a rests on the toilet bowl top surface 10a and the upper surface 41b abuts against the back surface 12a of the toilet seat 12. The image sensor 20 is mounted so as to be able to image the internal space of the toilet bowl 10.

[0058] The embodiments of the toilet seat device described above have been explained, but the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0059] For example, in the above embodiment, the image determination device 2 may be provided with an image processing unit (not shown) that processes the target image acquired by the image sensor 20. In this case, the image processing unit can perform image processing to mask (hide or erase) the area of ​​the target image in which a human body is captured.

[0060] In the above embodiment, an example of a toilet seat device 1 is shown in which a toilet drain channel 14 drains water from the water reservoir 11c of the toilet bowl 11 toward the rear of the toilet bowl 10, and an image sensor 20 is positioned in front of the toilet seat 12. However, the toilet seat device is not limited to such a toilet structure, and other structures are also possible. For example, as shown in the fifth embodiment of the toilet seat device 1D in Figure 14, it is also possible to have a configuration in which a toilet drain channel 14 drains water from the water reservoir 11c toward the front of the toilet bowl 10, and an image sensor 20 is positioned behind the toilet.

[0061] In this embodiment, protective legs 5 are provided on the underside 12a of the toilet seat 12 as support parts that abut against the upper surface 11b of the toilet bowl 11 when the toilet seat 12 is closed, in order to protect the image sensor 20. However, the configuration is not limited to providing such protective legs 5, and they can be omitted. The support parts are not limited to the shape, number, etc. of the protective legs 5 in the above embodiment, and can be set as appropriate.

[0062] Furthermore, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I... Toilet seat device, 2... Image detection device, 5... Protective leg (support part), 10... Toilet bowl, 10A... Rim, 11... Toilet bowl, 11d... Lower end surface of opening, 12... Toilet seat, 12a... Underside, 13... Support member, 14... Toilet drain channel, 14a... Toilet drain channel opening, 20... Image sensor, 20A... Field of view, 20C... Center of field of view, 21... Tilt sensor, 22... Imaging control unit, 23... Illumination unit, 24... Camera cover, 24A... Masking printing (shielding part), G... Toilet, X1... Front / back direction, X2... Left / right direction, X3... Up / down direction

Claims

1. The toilet seat is positioned above the toilet bowl, An image sensor is provided on the underside of the toilet seat to capture images of the internal space of the toilet bowl during defecation, A reflection prevention unit that prevents the human body from appearing in the target image captured by the aforementioned image sensor, Equipped with, The image sensor's imaging control unit stops imaging the internal space of the toilet bowl by the image sensor when the toilet seat is opened, deletes the captured images, and resumes imaging the internal space of the toilet bowl when seating is detected. Toilet seat device.

2. The reflection prevention part is a shielding part positioned between the image sensor and the toilet bowl within the field of view of the image sensor. The toilet seat device according to claim 1.

3. The reflection prevention part is a sensor fixing part that protrudes from the back surface of the toilet seat, The toilet seat device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The reflection prevention section is a part of the toilet seat that is made thicker so that the buttocks and thighs of a person sitting on the toilet seat do not go below the underside of the toilet seat. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The reflection prevention part is an opening reduction part that reduces the opening of the toilet seat so that the buttocks and thighs of the person sitting on it do not go below the underside of the toilet seat. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The reflection prevention unit is an image processing unit that processes the target image acquired by the image sensor, The image processing unit performs image processing to mask the area of ​​the target image in which a human body is captured. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The image sensor is capable of capturing images of the internal direction of the drainage channel that discharges feces from the water reservoir of the toilet bowl, and is positioned in a direction opposite to the opening of the drainage channel. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aforementioned drainage channel is equipped with a lighting unit that illuminates the area behind the bottom surface of the water reservoir in the toilet bowl. The toilet seat device according to claim 7.

9. The image sensor can be adjusted to a brightness that matches the illuminance inside the toilet bowl. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The image sensor has a function to detect dirt on the camera lens of the image sensor from the image captured by the image sensor and output a signal indicating that cleaning is required. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. When the toilet seat is closed, a support portion is provided that protrudes from the underside of the toilet seat and contacts the upper surface of the toilet bowl. The image sensor is positioned so as not to come into contact with the upper surface of the toilet bowl. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The image sensor is positioned such that, from the perspective of the image sensor's location, its field of view is directed beyond half of the water surface in the toilet bowl. A toilet seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images