Bathing navigation device, bathing navigation system, bathing navigation program, and bathing navigation method

Abstract

To propose a technology for a bathing navigation device that provides information related to bathing, enabling the output of hot water information at the appropriate time without requiring any construction work. [Solution] The bathing navigation device 2, which is installed independently of the bathroom equipment, detects when bather M enters or leaves the bathroom 7 based on at least one of the reaction of the millimeter-wave radar 18 and the radio wave intensity of the wearable terminal 5 worn by bather M. The bathing navigation device 2 detects when bather M enters or leaves the bath based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29. Based on the entry / exit detection result and the entry / exit detection result, the bathing navigation device 2 determines the location of bather M in the bathroom 7, and if bather M is in the bathtub 71, it outputs information about bath water discharge from the display 13a or the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a bath navigation device, a bath navigation system, a bath navigation program, and a bath navigation method that monitor bathing and provide information.

Background Art

[0002] In Japan, there has been a bath culture of soaking in the hot water in the bathtub since ancient times. Soaking in the hot water is carried out for the purpose of warming the body, cleaning the body, and relaxing. On the other hand, the number of bathing accidents has been increasing year by year. Although warnings about bathing accidents have been issued through various media since autumn, there is no sign of a decrease. Bathing accidents occur not only in the bathtub but also frequently occur after getting out of the bathtub and staggering. Monitoring is essential not only in the bathtub but also in the washroom. The bathroom is a personal space, and it is not preferable to monitor the location where the bather stays in the bathroom by photographing the inside of the bathroom.

[0003] Therefore, conventionally, based on the sound or vibration detected by a microphone installed in a bathroom remote control device and the water level detected by a water level sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub, it is determined whether the location where the bather stays in the bathroom is inside or outside the bathtub, and a technique for providing information based on the determination result has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above technology works by having the microphone of the bathroom remote control device and the water level sensor that detects the water level in the bathtub work together to determine where the person is in the bathroom. Therefore, for example, when introducing this technology to a home with elderly people, it was necessary to install hot water heating equipment.

[0006] The above technology uses a microphone in a bathroom remote control device that also detects sounds originating outside the bathroom, such as in the dressing room or at the sink. Distinguishing between sounds originating inside and outside the bathroom requires a complex algorithm. Therefore, it is practically difficult to determine entry and exit based solely on sound. Furthermore, the above technology determines that bathing (entering the bathtub) has occurred if the water level detected by the water level sensor exceeds a threshold, and that bathing (entering the bathtub) has not occurred if the water level detected by the water level sensor does not exceed the threshold. However, while this water level sensor-based determination can determine entry and exit from the bath, it cannot determine entry or exit from the bathroom. Also, the water level can change even when the bather is in the washing area. For example, if the bather leaves the shower running towards the bathtub while washing themselves in the washing area, the water level may exceed the threshold. Subsequently, if the bather rinses themselves with water, the water level may fall below the threshold. Therefore, bathing (entry and exit from the bath) determination based on water level has low accuracy. Therefore, even though the above technology determines the location of a person in the bathroom based on sound and water level, it sometimes fails to accurately determine the location of the person in the bathroom and is unable to output information regarding exiting the bath (getting out of the bathtub) at the appropriate time. Thus, there is room for improvement in conventional bathing management technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a bathing navigation device has been developed, (1) a bathing navigation device that can be installed independently of the bathroom equipment, comprising a controller, a bather detection unit that detects bathers, a water pressure sensor that measures the water pressure of the bathtub installed in the bathroom, and an output unit, wherein the bather detection unit comprises at least one or both of a millimeter-wave radar and a sensing unit that can sense radio waves generated by a wearable terminal worn by the bather, and the controller, based on the detection result of the bather detection unit, determines the bather's entry into the bathroom and the entry of the bather The system is configured to perform the following: an entry / exit detection process that detects when a bather leaves the bathroom; an entry / exit detection process that detects when the bather enters the bathtub and exits the bathtub based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor; and an output process that determines the bather's location in the bathroom based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, and outputs information about the exit of water from the output unit if the bather's location is inside the bathtub.

[0008] The bathing navigation device having the above configuration can detect bathers in the bathroom and detect their entry and exit based on at least one of the responses of millimeter-wave radar and the radio wave intensity of a wearable terminal. Rather than detecting the water level in the bathtub and comparing it to a threshold, the bathing navigation device detects entry and exit based on the water pressure fluctuations associated with the bather's actual entry and exit from the bathtub. Therefore, even if the water level fluctuates while the bather is outside the bathtub, it is less likely to misdetect the bather's entry or exit. Furthermore, since the bathing navigation device can be installed independently of the bathroom equipment, it can be installed in the bathroom without any construction work. Accordingly, with the above bathing navigation device, it becomes possible to use a function that outputs water exit information at the appropriate timing without any construction work.

[0009] (2) In the bathing navigation device described in (1), it is preferable that the main unit and the sensor device are connected to communicate via a cable, the main unit has the controller and the bather detection unit and is mounted on the wall of the bathroom, and the sensor device has the water pressure sensor and is detachably mounted on the bathtub.

[0010] The above-mentioned bathing navigation device has a main unit and a sensor unit connected by a cable, which prevents, for example, the loss of the sensor unit. Furthermore, the above-mentioned bathing navigation device has a sensor unit that can be attached to the bathtub in a detachable manner, allowing the sensor unit to be attached to the bathtub according to the shape of the bathtub and the water level, making it easy to use.

[0011] (3) In the bathing navigation device described in (2), it is preferable that the main unit has an output unit and a stop button for stopping the output of the output unit.

[0012] The above-mentioned bathing navigation device has a stop button in addition to an output unit, allowing it to output hot water information itself and also stop that output. Therefore, immediately after installation in the bathroom, it can utilize the function of accurately determining the bather's location in the bathroom and outputting hot water information at the appropriate time.

[0013] (4) In a bathing navigation device described in any one of (1) to (3), if it has a millimeter-wave radar, it is preferable to have a reflector that cuts off the radar irradiated from the millimeter-wave radar toward the water in the bathtub.

[0014] The above-mentioned bathing navigation device improves the accuracy of determining the bather's location in the bathroom by preventing the millimeter-wave radar from mistakenly detecting the movement of water in the bathtub as a bather, as the radar's illumination range is cut off by the reflector.

[0015] (5) Preferably, in a bathing navigation device as described in any one of (1) to (4), the device has a bathing environment information acquisition unit that acquires bathing environment information which is information relating to the bathing environment, the controller performs a bather body information acquisition process that acquires bather body information relating to the bather's body, and a biometric information acquisition process that acquires biometric information of the bather, and the output process preferably includes, when the bathing is detected in the bathing entry / exit detection process, a bathing exit timing detection process that detects a bathing exit timing to prompt the bather to exit based on at least one of the bathing environment information acquired by the bathing environment information acquisition unit, the bather body information acquired in the bather body information acquisition process, and the biometric information acquired in the biometric information acquisition process, and a notification process that notifies the bather to exit when the bathing exit timing is detected in the bathing exit timing detection process.

[0016] The above-mentioned bathing navigation device can prompt bathers to exit the bath at an appropriate time by notifying them of the timing to exit the bath when it detects the right time to exit the bath based on at least one of the following: bathing environment information, biometric information, and bather's physical information.

[0017] (6) In the bathing navigation device described in (5), it is preferable that the notification process includes a first hot water dispensing recommendation process that recommends dispensing hot water using the output unit before a deviation timing that deviates from a physiologically safe timing, and a first hot water dispensing warning process that warns of dispensing hot water using the output unit after the recommendation timing in which the hot water dispensing recommendation process recommended dispensing hot water.

[0018] The above-mentioned bathing navigation device can encourage bathers who continue to bathe after being advised to leave the bath to safely exit the bath by issuing a further warning to do so.

[0019] (7) In the bathing navigation device described in (5) or (6), it is preferable that the device has a stop button for stopping the output of the output unit, and the controller performs a stop process to stop the output of the hot water information when the stop button is operated after the hot water information has been output by the output process.

[0020] The above-mentioned bathing navigation device is user-friendly because it stops the output of hot water information in response to the operation of the stop button, allowing the safety of bathers while they are bathing to be confirmed by the operation of the stop button, while also stopping the output of hot water information in accordance with the bather's intentions.

[0021] (8) A bathing navigation device as described in any one of (1) to (7), having a bathing environment information acquisition unit that acquires bathing environment information which is information relating to the bathing environment of the bather, the controller executes a biometric information acquisition process that acquires the bather's biometric information, and a bather body information acquisition process that acquires bather body information which is information relating to the bather's body, and the output process is based on the biometric information acquired in the biometric information acquisition process, the bathing environment information acquired by the bathing environment information acquisition unit, and the bather body information acquired in the bather body information acquisition process. Preferably, the process includes: extracting feature data significant to the rise in core body temperature, substituting the extracted feature data into a prediction model for calculating a prediction probability which is the probability that the bather's core body temperature will rise to or above a target amount, and calculating the prediction probability; and a second bath-discharge recommendation process which, if the prediction probability calculated in the prediction probability calculation process is above a threshold, recommends that the bather discharge the bath using the output unit, and does not recommend that the bather discharge the bath using the output unit if the prediction probability calculated in the prediction probability calculation process is below the threshold.

[0022] In addition to the bathing environment information and biological information, the above bathing navigation device extracts significant feature data for the rise in deep body temperature from the bather's body information, substitutes the extracted feature data into a prediction model to calculate a prediction probability, and recommends hot water discharge when the calculated prediction probability is greater than or equal to a threshold value. For example, even if the bathing environment is the same, the prediction probability can be calculated with different values according to the bather's body information such as age and gender, and hot water discharge can be recommended at a timing suitable for the bather's personality. Also, since the bathing navigation device calculates a prediction probability instead of predicting the deep body temperature itself using the prediction model, the prediction result is less likely to be influenced by the bather's body temperature before entering the bath. Therefore, the prediction model for calculating the prediction probability is a simpler prediction model than, for example, a prediction model constructed considering the heat balance from the skin to the core, and it is possible to accurately predict the rise in deep body temperature without imposing an excessive computational load on the device or equipping it with a high computational processing ability. Thus, the bathing navigation device can accurately predict changes in deep body temperature using a simple prediction model and recommend hot water discharge to the bather before deviating from a physiologically safe timing.

[0023] (9)(8) In the bathing navigation device described above, the output processing further includes a second hot water discharge warning process for warning the bather of hot water discharge when it is determined that a warning condition is satisfied after recommending hot water discharge to the bather in the second hot water discharge recommendation process. The warning condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed after the execution of the second hot water discharge recommendation process in a state where the hot water discharge is not detected in the hot water discharge detection process. This is preferable.

[0024] After predicting that the deep body temperature has reached or exceeded the target rise amount and recommending hot water discharge to the bather, if a predetermined time has elapsed, the above bathing navigation device warns the bather of hot water discharge, thereby suppressing the bather whose deep body temperature has reached or exceeded the target rise amount from significantly deviating from a physiologically safe timing and continuing to take a bath.

[0025] A system, method, program capable of realizing the functions of the bathing navigation device having the above configuration, and a storage medium storing the program are also novel and useful. [Effect of the Invention]

[0026] According to the above technology, it is possible to realize a technology that enables a bath navigation device that provides information related to bathing to utilize a function of outputting hot water information at an appropriate timing without construction. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining an example of the use of a bath navigation device. [Figure 2] It is an external view of a bath navigation device. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a bath navigation device. [Figure 4A] It is a diagram for explaining a laser irradiation range. [Figure 4B] It is a diagram for explaining a laser irradiation range. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting entry and exit from a room. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting hot water inflow and outflow. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining an example of test results. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of the procedure of bath management processing. [Figure 9] It is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the procedure of setting processing. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining an example of a setting screen. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of the procedure of hot water output navigation processing. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of the procedure of predicted probability calculation processing. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of the procedure of re-warning processing. [Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0028] The bathing navigation device, bathing navigation system, bathing navigation program, and bathing navigation method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment discloses a bathing navigation device that manages bathing in cooperation with a wearable terminal.

[0029] <Bath Navigation System> For example, as shown in Figure 1, the bathing navigation device 2 is a device that can be installed independently of the bathroom equipment and can be retrofitted to the bathroom 7 without any construction work. The bathroom 7 is equipped with a washing area 75 and a bathtub 71. The bathing navigation device 2 is mounted on the wall 73 of the bathroom 7 at a position corresponding to the bathtub 71. The bathing navigation device 2 is communicatively connected to a wearable terminal 5 and constitutes the bathing navigation system 1. The bathing navigation device 2 can also be communicatively connected to a smartphone 6. The smartphone 6 is an example of an "information processing device". The smartphone 6 may be a tablet terminal or a personal computer.

[0030] In this specification, as shown in Figure 1, the state in which bather M enters the bathtub 71 and immerses himself in the water 72 is referred to as "entering the bath." When bather M leaves the bathtub 71 and the water 72, it is referred to as "exiting the bath." The time that bather M is immersed in the water 72 is referred to as "bathing time." When bather M enters the bathroom 7, it is referred to as "entering the room." When bather M leaves the bathroom 7, it is referred to as "exiting the room." All actions that bather M performs in the bathroom 7 are referred to as "bathing."

[0031] <Outline configuration of the bathing navigation device> Figure 2(a) is a front view of the bathing navigation device 2. Figure 2(b) is a rear view of the bathing navigation device 2. The bathing navigation device 2 consists of a main unit 21 and a sensor unit 23 connected via a cable 22.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2(a), the main unit 21 has a display 13a, indicator lamps 13b, and a stop button 13c on the front of the housing 211. The display 13a has the function of displaying characters and images. The indicator lamps 13b include a lamp that lights up red, a lamp that lights up yellow, and a lamp that lights up green. The stop button 13c has the function of receiving instructions from the bather. For example, the stop button 13c can receive a stop instruction to stop the function performed by the bathing navigation device 2. The housing 211 is provided with an audio output unit 15 and a bathroom temperature sensor 16. The audio output unit 15 has the function of outputting sounds such as buzzer sounds and voice guidance. The bathroom temperature sensor 16 has the function of detecting the bathroom temperature. The millimeter-wave radar 18 and reflector 3 are provided inside the housing 211 and are built into the main unit 21. The millimeter-wave radar 18 is, for example, a radar IC that can be mounted on a control board. The display 13a, indicator lamp 13b, and audio output unit 15 are examples of "output units".

[0033] The sensor device 23 is detachably attached to the bathtub 71 by having a suction cup 25 on the back of the sensor body 24. The surface of the sensor body 24 is provided with a sensor window 26 for measuring water temperature and a sensor window 27 for detecting water pressure.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2(b), the main unit 21 has a power switch 214 on the back of the housing 211. The main unit 21 is detachably attached to a mounting bracket 220 fixed to the wall surface 73 of the bathroom 7 via an engaging portion 230. The main unit 21 is powered by a battery. The battery of the main unit 21 can be replaced by removing the back cover 212, which is fixed to the back of the housing 211 with screws 213. The main unit 21 is also fitted with a nameplate label 215 that contains device identification information to identify the bathing navigation device 2.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, the electrical configuration of the bathing navigation device 2 will be explained. The main unit 21 of the bathing navigation device 2 has a controller 10 which includes a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The main unit 21 has a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, an audio output unit 15, a bathroom temperature sensor 16, a timing unit 17, and a millimeter-wave radar 18, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. The CPU 11 is an example of a "controller". The communication IF 14 is an example of a "sensing unit". The millimeter-wave radar 18 and the communication IF 14 are an example of a "bath user detection unit".

[0036] The sensor device 23 includes a water temperature sensor 28 for measuring the water temperature of the bathtub 71 and a water pressure sensor 29 for measuring the water pressure of the water 72 in the bathtub 71. The sensor device 23 transmits water temperature data, including the water temperature value measured by the water temperature sensor 28, and water pressure data, including the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29, to the main unit 21 via cable 22. Bathroom temperature, water temperature, and bathing time are examples of "bathing environment information". The bathroom temperature sensor 16, water temperature sensor 28, and timing unit 17 are examples of the "bathing environment information acquisition unit".

[0037] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from memory 12 and based on the bather's actions. Note that the controller 10 in Figure 3 is a general term for the hardware and software used to control the bathing navigation device 2, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the main unit 21.

[0038] Memory 12 stores various programs, including the bathing navigation program 30, as well as various data, including the bathing file 41, stay log information 42, and setting information 43. Memory 12 is also used as a temporary storage area.

[0039] The bathing navigation program 30 is a program that can be executed by the CPU 11 of the bathing navigation device 2 and can control the operation of the bathing navigation device 2. For example, the bathing navigation program 30 has a function to detect when a bather M enters and leaves the bathroom and enters and exits the bath, and to determine the location of the bather M in the bathroom. The bathing navigation program 30 also has a function to output information about the exit of the bath when the bather M is inside the bathtub 71. These functions will be described later.

[0040] The bathing file 41 stores bathing-related information. The stay log information 42 stores information about the bather's time in the bathroom. The settings information 43 stores information set for the operation of the bathing navigation program 30. The bathing file 41, stay log information 42, and settings information 43 will be described later.

[0041] The user interface 13 includes hardware that displays a screen to inform the bather of information, and hardware that accepts operations from the bather. In this embodiment, the user interface 13 is a combination of a display 13a, an indicator lamp 13b, and a stop button 13c. The user interface 13 may also be a touch panel equipped with display and input acceptance functions.

[0042] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as a wearable terminal 5 or a smartphone 6. The communication method of the communication IF 14 may be wireless LAN communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication IF 14 also includes hardware for communicating with the sensor device 23 using a wired connection such as a cable 22.

[0043] The timing unit 17 measures time. The millimeter-wave radar 18 generates millimeter-wave signals and transmits radio waves, receives the radio waves reflected back from an object, and has the function of detecting the presence or absence of an object, as well as positional information such as the distance to the object and the horizontal angle. Because the millimeter-wave radar 18 is less affected by environmental changes than cameras or lasers, it can accurately distinguish between moving and stationary objects even in a bathroom where water is used. A bathroom is a personal space. Based on the response of the transmitted radio waves, the millimeter-wave radar 18 can, for example, detect when a bather M enters or leaves the bathroom, detect whether or not a bather M is in the bathroom 7, and detect the position of bather M within the bathroom 7.

[0044] <Wearable devices> The wearable terminal 5 in this embodiment is a wristwatch-type communication terminal device. The wearable terminal 5 may also be a pendant-type, ring-type, or glasses-type communication terminal device, or a communication terminal device worn on the chest. The wearable terminal 5 may also be worn on the upper arm or ankle. The wearable terminal 5 is a device capable of generating radio waves and can transmit the heart rate measured by the heart rate sensor 51 to the bathing navigation device 2 using the communication unit 52. The radio waves may be generated by the wearable terminal 5 or by the heart rate sensor 51. In the following description, the concept of radio waves generated by the wearable terminal 5 includes radio waves generated by the heart rate sensor 51. The wearable terminal 5 is waterproof and can be used while bathing. Heart rate is an example of "biometric information".

[0045] <Smartphone> The smartphone 6 has a touch panel 61, a communication unit 62, and a camera 64. The smartphone 6 stores a bathing management application program (hereinafter referred to as the "bathing management app") 63. The bathing management app 63 has the function of receiving setting information 43 in cooperation with the bathing navigation program 30 and passing it to the bathing navigation device 2. The bathing management app 63 may also have the function of obtaining bathing files 41 and stay log information 42 from the bathing navigation device 2 and displaying them on the touch panel 61.

[0046] <Installation procedure for the bathing navigation device> The installation procedure for the bathing navigation device 2 will now be explained. As shown in Figures 1 and 4B, the bathing navigation device 2 has a main unit 21 containing a millimeter-wave radar 18, which is positioned in a location corresponding to the bathtub 71 and mounted on the wall 73 of the bathroom 7. This is because there are few obstacles around the bathtub 71 that would obstruct the radar of the millimeter-wave radar 18, allowing the radar to be evenly illuminated throughout the entire bathroom 7.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4B, the main unit 21 of this configuration is installed at a position corresponding to the boundary between the bathtub 71 and the washing area 75, and is positioned almost directly in front of the bather M who is immersed in the water 72 of the bathtub 71. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the main unit 21 emits radar in a three-dimensional direction from the millimeter-wave radar 18 toward the bathroom 7. Such a main unit 21 emits laser light to almost the entire area of ​​the bathroom 7, making it easy to detect the location and state of the bather M in the bathroom 7. The main unit 21 may also be installed at a position closer to the bathtub 71 than the boundary between the bathtub 71 and the washing area 75. The main unit 21 may also be installed at a position corresponding to the center in the short-side direction of the bathtub 71, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4B. In this case, the main unit 21 emits radar mainly toward the bathtub 71, making it easier to detect the bather M entering and leaving the bath.

[0048] The bathing navigation device 2 is fixed to the wall surface 73 of the bathroom 7 by double-sided tape or adhesive, using the mounting bracket 220 shown in Figure 2(b). The mounting bracket 220 is fixed to the mounting position of the main unit 21. The main unit 21 is detachably engaged with the mounting bracket 220 via an engaging portion 230. The engaging portion 230 detachably connects the mounting bracket 220 and the main unit 21 by, for example, hooking an engaging claw protruding from the mounting bracket 220 into a mounting groove provided on the back surface of the main unit 21. This allows the main unit 21 to be attached to the wall surface 73.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4(A), the reflector 3 has the function of reflecting radar emitted downward from the millimeter-wave radar 18. Specifically, the reflector 3 is equipped with a reflector plate 3d. The reflector plate 3d is installed at an angle so as not to reflect the radar emitted from the millimeter-wave radar 18 onto the water 72, thereby cutting off the radar illumination area K. In this embodiment, the reflector plate 3d is tilted so as to cut off the lower half of the radar illumination area K. This prevents the bathing navigation device 2 from mistakenly detecting the movement of the water 72 in the bathtub 71 as the bather M, and enables accurate detection of the bather M in the bathroom 7.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1, the bathing navigation device 2 has a sensor device 23 attached to the inner wall of the bathtub 71 in a position that is always submerged in the water 72. The sensor device 23 has a compact structure equipped with a water temperature sensor 28 and a water pressure sensor 29, and even when attached to the inner wall of the bathtub 71, it does not easily get in the way of the bather M. Since the sensor device 23 is attached to the bathtub 71 by a suction cup 25, it can be attached to any position on the bathtub 71 regardless of its shape. In addition, the bather M can change the mounting position of the sensor device 23 according to the water level of the water 72. Therefore, the bathing navigation device 2 can be installed in the bathroom 7 without changing the bathroom facilities or making any construction work.

[0051] <Entry / Exit Detection Method> In this embodiment, the bathing navigation device 2 detects when a bather M enters the bathroom 7 and when a bather M leaves the bathroom 7, based on at least one of the responses of the millimeter-wave radar 18 and the radio wave intensity of the wearable terminal 5 detected via the communication IF 14.

[0052] Specifically, the bathing navigation device 2 connects to the wearable terminal 5 worn by the bather M via short-range communication such as Bluetooth. After connecting to the wearable terminal 5, the bathing navigation device 2 receives the heart rate measured by the heart rate sensor 51 from the wearable terminal 5.

[0053] Figure 5(a) shows the radio wave strength of the wearable terminal 5 detected by the bathing navigation device 2. The horizontal axis represents the date and time of bathing, and the vertical axis represents the radio wave strength (dBm). If the wearable terminal 5 is not within the short-range communication range of the bathing navigation device 2, the bathing navigation device 2 cannot connect to the wearable terminal 5 using the communication IF 14 and does not detect the radio wave strength of the wearable terminal 5. On the other hand, if the wearable terminal 5 is within the short-range communication range of the bathing navigation device 2, the bathing navigation device 2 can connect to the wearable terminal 5 using the communication IF 14 and sense the radio wave strength of the wearable terminal 5. The radio wave strength of the wearable terminal 5 sensed by the bathing navigation device 2 weakens as the wearable terminal 5 moves away from the bathing navigation device 2.

[0054] The short-range communication range of the bathing navigation device 2 covers at least the bathroom 7. Therefore, based on whether or not it is connected to the wearable terminal 5 (whether or not radio wave strength is detected), it is possible to determine whether or not the bather M is staying in the bathroom 7 and whether or not they have entered or left the bathroom.

[0055] Bathroom 7 is a personal space. The only things moving within Bathroom 7 are considered to be people and the water 72 in the bathtub 71. The millimeter-wave radar 18's irradiation range K is limited by the reflector 3 so as not to react to the movement of the water 72 in the bathtub 71. Therefore, the bathing navigation device 2 can determine, without using a camera or the like, whether bather M has entered Bathroom 7, whether bather M has left Bathroom 7, whether bather M is staying in Bathroom 7, and whether bather M, who is staying in Bathroom 7, is in the bathtub 71, based on the reaction of the millimeter-wave radar 18.

[0056] Figure 5(b) shows data indicating whether or not the millimeter-wave radar 18 reacted. The horizontal axis shows the date and time of bathing, and the vertical axis shows the reaction / failure determination value. A reaction / failure determination value of "0" indicates no reaction (no bather). A reaction / failure determination value of "1" indicates a reaction (bather present). If bather M is not in the bathroom 7, the millimeter-wave radar 18 does not react, and the reaction / failure determination value is set to "0". On the other hand, if bather M is in the bathroom 7, the millimeter-wave radar 18 reacts, and the reaction / failure determination value is set to "1". Therefore, the bathing navigation device 2 can determine whether or not bather M is in the bathroom 7 based on the reaction / failure determination value of the millimeter-wave radar 18.

[0057] The bathing navigation device 2 may, for example, as shown in R1 of Figure 5(a), be unable to temporarily detect the radio wave strength of the wearable terminal 5 due to communication failures, even when bather M is in the bathroom, potentially leading to misdetection of bather M's presence based solely on radio wave strength. Furthermore, the millimeter-wave radar 18 cannot distinguish between bather M and other objects. Therefore, as shown in M1 to M6 of Figure 5(b), the millimeter-wave radar 18 may misdetect objects such as water droplets flowing down a wall as bather M.

[0058] These false detections are temporary. Therefore, the bathing navigation device 2 sets a delay time of 20 seconds at the rise time when it detects bather M based on radio wave strength, and at the rise time when it detects bather M based on the reaction presence / absence judgment value of the millimeter-wave radar 18. In addition, the bathing navigation device 2 sets a delay time of 10 seconds at the fall time when it stops detecting bather M based on radio wave strength, and at the fall time when it stops detecting bather M based on the reaction presence / absence judgment value of the millimeter-wave radar 18. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(c), the bathing navigation device 2 can detect the entry and exit of bather M while preventing fragmentation of radio wave strength and fragmentation of the reaction presence / absence judgment value of the millimeter-wave radar 18.

[0059] The delay time can be set according to the signal strength of the radio waves emitted by the wearable terminal 5, the performance of the communication IF 14 that senses the signal strength, and the performance of the millimeter-wave radar 18, and is not limited to the value in this configuration.

[0060] Figure 5(c) shows the entry / exit determination results. The entry / exit determination results are an example of the "entry / exit detection results". The horizontal axis shows the date and time of bathing, and the vertical axis shows the entry / exit determination value. An entry / exit determination value of "0" indicates exit, and an entry / exit determination value of "1" indicates entry. In this embodiment of the bathing navigation device 2, the earlier of the timing Rs when detection of a bather begins based on radio wave strength and the timing Ms when detection of a bather begins based on millimeter-wave radar 18 is defined as the timing when the entry / exit determination value rises from "0" to "1" (hereinafter referred to as the "bathroom stay start timing"). In this embodiment of the bathing navigation device 2, the later of the timing Re when detection of a bather ends based on radio wave strength and the timing Me when detection of a bather ends based on millimeter-wave radar 18 is defined as the timing when the entry / exit determination value falls from "1" to "0" (hereinafter referred to as the "bathroom stay end timing").

[0061] <Method for detecting hot water inflow and outflow> The bathing navigation device 2 detects when bather M enters the bathwater 72 in the bathtub 71 and when bather M leaves the bathwater 72 in the bathtub 71, based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29.

[0062] Figure 6(a) shows water pressure data with a bandpass filter applied. The horizontal axis shows the date and time of bathing, and the vertical axis shows the water pressure (Pa). Figure 6(b) shows the bathing entry / exit determination results based on the water pressure data. The horizontal axis shows the date and time of bathing, and the vertical axis shows the bathing entry / exit determination value. A bathing entry / exit determination value of "0" indicates that the bath has been turned off. A bathing entry / exit determination value of "1" indicates that the bath has been entered. The bathing entry / exit determination results are an example of "bathing entry / exit detection results".

[0063] As shown in Figure 6(a), the bathing navigation device 2 applies a bandpass filter to the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29 to remove noise. As shown on P11 and P12 in Figure 6(a), if the water pressure value after applying the bandpass filter is greater than the bathing threshold HPF (70 Pa in this embodiment) for which a positive value is set, the bathing navigation device 2 detects bathing, as shown on BV11 and BV12 in Figure 6(b). As shown on P21 and P22 in Figure 6(a), if the water pressure value after applying the bandpass filter is less than the hot water outlet threshold LPF (-100 Pa in this embodiment) for which a negative value is set, the bathing navigation device 2 detects hot water outlet, as shown on BV21 and BV22 in Figure 6(b).

[0064] As shown in BV31 of Figure 6(b), the time from when the water pressure value becomes greater than the bathing threshold HPF until it becomes less than the bathing threshold LPF is determined as the bathing time (time spent in the bathtub). As shown in BV32 of Figure 6(b), the time from when the water pressure value becomes less than the bathing threshold LPF until it becomes greater than the bathing threshold HPF is determined as the bathing time (time spent outside the bathtub).

[0065] <Test Results> The inventors compared the test results of the above-mentioned entry / exit detection method and bath entry / exit detection method with actual bathing behavior during the tests. The results are shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7(a), the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents whether or not the person was in the bathroom. The solid line X1 in the figure represents the time spent in the bathroom based on the test results of the entry / exit detection method. The dotted line X2 in the figure represents the actual time spent in the bathroom. In Figure 7(b), the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents whether or not the person was in the bathtub. The solid line Y1 in the figure represents the time spent in the bathtub based on the test results of the bath entry / exit detection method. The dotted line Y2 in the figure represents the actual time spent in the bathtub.

[0066] The time spent in the bathroom based on the entry / exit detection method closely matches the actual time spent in the bathroom. The time spent in the bathtub based on the water entry / exit detection method closely matches the actual time spent in the bathtub. Therefore, the bathing navigation device 2 can determine the location of the bathroom that matches the actual bathing behavior in real time using the above-mentioned entry / exit detection method and water entry / exit detection method.

[0067] <Bath Management Processing> Next, the operation of the bathing navigation device 2 in managing bathing will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 8. For example, when the main unit 21 of the bathing navigation device 2 is removed from the mounting bracket 220 and the power switch 214 is turned on, the CPU 11 starts the bathing navigation program 30 and executes the bathing management process shown in Figure 8. The main unit 21 is engaged with the mounting bracket 220 via the engaging part 230 and installed in the mounting position.

[0068] When the power switch 214 is turned ON, the CPU 11 outputs radar from the millimeter-wave radar 18 (S401). The CPU 11 determines whether or not entry has been detected (S402). S402 is an example of the "entry / exit detection process" and the "entry / exit detection step".

[0069] If the millimeter-wave radar 18 does not respond and the communication IF 14 does not detect radio wave strength, the CPU 11 does not detect the bathroom entry start time ts. In this case, the CPU 11 does not detect entry (S402: NO) and returns to S402 to monitor whether or not entry has occurred.

[0070] For example, if the CPU 11 detects either a reaction from the millimeter-wave radar 18 or the detection of radio wave strength from the wearable terminal 5, it detects the bathroom stay start timing ts and raises the entry / exit judgment value from "0" to "1". The CPU 11 detects entry when the entry / exit judgment value rises (S402: YES). Having detected entry, the CPU 11 determines whether normal mode or setting mode is set (S411). Normal mode is a mode that monitors whether bather M is in the bathroom. Setting mode is a mode that sets setting information 43 to the bath navigation device 2.

[0071] For example, if the stop button 13c is pressed and held, the CPU 11 determines that it is in setting mode (S411: setting mode) and executes a setting process to set the setting information 43 (S412). For example, before bathing in the bathwater 72, bather M selects setting mode and sets information about himself and the bathroom 7 in the bathing navigation device 2. The setting process in S412 is an example of the "bather body information acquisition process".

[0072] The procedure for the setup process will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 9. When the bath navigation program 30 of the bath navigation device 2 receives the selection of a setup mode (A11), it sends a startup command to the smartphone 6 using the communication IF 14 to launch the bath management application 63 (A12). When the smartphone 6 receives the startup command using the communication unit 62 (A12), it launches the bath management application 63 (A13).

[0073] The activated bath management application 63 acquires device identification information to identify the bath navigation device 2, which is the source of the activation command (B11). For example, as shown in Figure 2(b), the bath navigation device 2 has a nameplate label 215 on the back of its housing 211 that contains the device identification information of the bath navigation device 2. The device identification information is, for example, the serial number and network address of the bath navigation device 2. The device identification information may be expressed as a string of characters or included in a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or QR code. If the nameplate label 215 or the main unit 21 has an IC chip, the device identification information may be stored in that IC chip. The bath management application 63 acquires the device identification information by, for example, reading the nameplate label 215 with the camera 64. The device identification information may also be manually entered using the touch panel 61.

[0074] The bathing management app 63 requests a connection to the bathing navigation program 30 based on the acquired device identification information (B12). When the bathing navigation program 30 responds to the connection request, a connection is established between the bathing navigation device 2 and the smartphone 6 (B13). If the previously acquired device identification information is already stored in the non-volatile area of ​​the smartphone 6, the bathing management app 63 may use the stored device identification information to connect to the bathing navigation program 30. In other words, the process in B11 may be omitted.

[0075] When the bathing navigation program 30 responds, it passes setting screen information to the bathing management app 63 to display the setting screen (B13). The bathing management app 63 displays the setting screen on the touch panel 61 based on the setting screen information (B14).

[0076] For example, the settings screen D1 shown in Figure 10 displays the device identification information "D123" of the connected bath navigation device 2. The settings screen D1 may also display the device name of the bath navigation device 2. The settings screen D1 includes a bather information setting field for setting information about the bather, a bathroom information setting field for setting information about the bathroom, a heart rate sensor selection field for selecting the source for heart rate acquisition, and a transmit button SW3.

[0077] The bather information setting section includes, for example, a bather setting section SA1 for selecting a bather. The bather information setting section also includes a bather physical information setting section for setting the bather's physical information. In this form, the bather physical information setting section includes a gender setting section SA2 for selecting gender, an age setting section SA3 for setting the bather's age, a height setting section SA4 for setting the bather's height, and a weight setting section SA5 for setting the bather's weight.

[0078] The bathroom information setting section in this configuration includes, for example, a bathtub size setting section SA6 for setting the bathtub size.

[0079] The heart rate sensor selection field in this configuration has a terminal identification information reading button SW1. When the bather M taps the terminal identification information reading button SW1, the camera 64 is activated. For example, the wearable device 5 is assigned terminal identification information that identifies the wearable device 5 or the heart rate sensor 51. The terminal identification information is, for example, the serial number and network address of the wearable device 5 or the heart rate sensor 51. The bath management application 63 obtains the terminal identification information by reading it with the camera 64. The bath management application 63 selects the wearable device 5 corresponding to the obtained terminal identification information as the heart rate sensor from which to obtain heart rate data. Note that the terminal identification information may also be entered manually.

[0080] As shown in Figure 9, when the bathing management application 63 receives input of setting information 43 via the setting screen D1 and receives an operation of the send button SW3, it receives a transmission instruction to send the setting information 43 (C11). In response to the transmission instruction, the bathing management application 63 transmits the setting information 43 received via the setting screen D1 to the connected bathing navigation device 2 using the communication unit 62 (C12).

[0081] When the bathing navigation program 30 receives setting information 43 using the communication IF 14 (C12), it stores the received setting information 43 in the memory 12 (S13). As a result, the setting information 43 is set in the bathing navigation device 2. C12 is an example of "reception processing".

[0082] Furthermore, if the bathing navigation device 2 has a function for inputting setting information 43, the bathing navigation device 2 may accept the setting of setting information 43 on its own.

[0083] Returning to Figure 8, after executing the setting process in S412, the CPU 11 proceeds to S421. Note that, for example, if the stop button 13c is not pressed and held, the CPU 11 determines that normal mode is set (S411: normal mode) and proceeds to S421 without executing the setting process.

[0084] In S421, the CPU 11 acquires the water temperature measured by the water temperature sensor 28 and the bathroom temperature measured by the bathroom temperature sensor 16 in real time and displays them in the water temperature display area and the bathroom temperature display area of ​​the display 13a, for example, as shown in Figure 11(a). This allows bather M to check the bathroom temperature and water temperature on the display 13a while bathing, even if there is no hot water remote control in the bathroom 7.

[0085] As shown in Figure 8, the CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the heart rate sensor (S422). Normally, when the bather M is in the bathroom 7, the CPU 11 senses the radio wave strength of the wearable terminal 5 using the communication IF 14 and detects the heart rate sensor 51 (S422: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 acquires the heart rate measured by the heart rate sensor 51 of the wearable terminal 5 in real time from the wearable terminal 5 and displays it in the heart rate display area of ​​the display 13a, for example, as shown in Figure 11(a) (S423). This allows the bather M to check their heart rate on the display 13a while bathing, even if the wearable terminal 5 does not have a display function. S423 is an example of "biometric information acquisition processing". After that, the CPU 11 proceeds to S431.

[0086] If the CPU 11 is unable to detect the radio signal strength of the wearable device 5 for any reason, it will not be able to detect the heart rate sensor 51 of the wearable device 5 (S422: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 proceeds to S431. In this case, the CPU 11 may display the most recently acquired heart rate in the heart rate display area of ​​the display 13a.

[0087] The CPU 11 determines whether or not bathing has been detected (S431). S431 is an example of the "bathing entry / exit detection process" and the "bathing entry / exit detection step". The CPU 11 detects bathing when the water pressure value after applying bandpass filtering exceeds a threshold (S431: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 raises the bathing entry / exit determination value from "0" to "1" and counts up the number of bathing entries (S432). For example, if it is the first bathing after entering the room, the CPU 11 counts the number of bathing entries as "1".

[0088] Subsequently, the CPU 11 executes the hot water dispensing navigation process (S433). The hot water dispensing navigation process detects the timing to prompt the bather M to dispensing water based on at least one of the following: bathing environment information, biometric information (e.g., heart rate), and bather's physical information. When the timing to dispensing water is detected, the CPU 11 outputs information related to the dispensing of water from the display 13a, indicator lamp 13b, and audio output unit 15. The CPU 11 executes the hot water dispensing navigation process until the water pressure value, to which bandpass filtering has been applied, falls below a threshold and the CPU 11 detects the dispensing of water. When the CPU 11 detects the dispensing of water during the hot water dispensing navigation process, it lowers the bathing entry / exit judgment value from "1" to "0". The hot water dispensing navigation process will be described later. While the hot water dispensing navigation process is being executed, the CPU 11 measures the bathing time using the timing unit 17 and displays it, for example, in the bathing time display area of ​​the display 13a, as shown in Figure 11(a). This allows the bather M in the bathtub 71 to check their bathing time by looking at the display on the display 13a. After the CPU 11 executes the hot water navigation process, it proceeds to S441. S433 is an example of "output processing" and "output step". The information regarding hot water output output from the display 13a, indicator lamp 13b, and audio output unit 15 during the hot water navigation process is an example of "hot water information".

[0089] For example, if bather M is washing or resting in the washing area 75, the CPU 11 does not detect bathing because the water pressure value after applying the bandpass filter is below the threshold (S431: NO). For example, even if hot water is left running from the shower towards the bathtub 71 and the water level in the bathtub 71 rises, the CPU 11 does not detect bathing unless the water pressure exceeds the threshold. In this case, the CPU 11 skips S432 and S433 and proceeds to S441.

[0090] In S441, the CPU 11 determines whether or not it has detected the bather leaving the room. S441 is an example of the "entry / exit detection process" and "entry / exit detection step". For example, if bather M who has left the bath remains in the washing area 75, the CPU 11 uses the communication IF 14 to sense the signal strength of the wearable terminal 5, and the millimeter-wave radar 18 reacts, setting the reaction status determination value to "1". In this case, the CPU 11 continues to set the entry / exit determination value to "1" and does not detect the bather leaving the room (S441: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 returns to S431 and monitors the actions of bather M.

[0091] For example, if bather M, who was resting in the washing area 75, enters the bath again, the water pressure value after applying the bandpass filter becomes greater than the threshold. In this case, the CPU 11 detects that bather M has entered the bath a second time after entering the room (S431). The CPU 11 maintains the entry / exit judgment value at "1", raises the entry / exit judgment value from "0" to "1", and counts up the number of baths to "2" (S432). After that, the CPU 11 executes the water exit navigation process (S433). Therefore, even if bather M enters the bath multiple times between entering and leaving the bathroom 7, the CPU 11 can execute the water exit navigation process for each bath and notify bather M of the water exit according to the change in core body temperature.

[0092] The CPU 11 detects the end of bathroom stay timing te when the millimeter-wave radar 18 stops responding and the CPU 11 also stops sensing the radio wave strength of the heart rate sensor 51 using the communication IF 14. In this case, the CPU 11 detects departure (S441: YES). The CPU 11 determines whether a predetermined time (5 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed since detecting departure (S442). The predetermined time may differ from that in this embodiment. Specifically, when departure is detected, the CPU 11 lowers the entry / exit determination value from "1" to "0" and determines whether the time during which the entry / exit determination value remains "0" is longer than the predetermined time.

[0093] If CPU 11 determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed since detecting an exit (S442:NO), it determines whether or not an entry has been detected (S443). S443 is an example of the "entry / exit detection process" and the "entry / exit detection step". If CPU 11 has not detected an entry (S443:NO) and neither a predetermined time has elapsed since detecting an exit, it returns to S442 and monitors for entry until the predetermined time has elapsed (S442:NO).

[0094] On the other hand, the CPU 11 detects entry into the bathroom (S443:YES) if the millimeter-wave radar 18 reacts or if it senses radio wave strength using the communication IF 14 before a predetermined time has elapsed (S442:NO). For example, if bather M leaves the bathroom 7 to get soap, etc., after entering the bathroom and returns to the bathroom 7 within a predetermined time, entry is detected (S442:NO, S443:YES). In this case, the CPU 11 returns to S431 and monitors whether bather M is bathing (whether the location in the bathroom is inside the bathtub 71 or not). At this time, the CPU 11 corrects the entry / exit determination value for the time bather M temporarily left the bathroom from "0" to "1", and determines that bather M is staying in the bathroom 7. Therefore, even if bather M temporarily leaves the bathroom for some reason, the bathing navigation device 2 can consider it as one bathroom stay and manage the bathing.

[0095] If CPU 11 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since detecting the user leaving the room (S442: YES), it automatically terminates the acquisition and display of water temperature, bathroom temperature, and heart rate (S451). This helps to conserve battery power.

[0096] The CPU 11 stores the stay log information 42, which is information about the bather M's time in the bathroom, in the memory 12 (S452). For example, the CPU 11 stores the bathroom stay start time ts, the bathroom stay end time te, and the time from the bathroom stay start time ts to the bathroom stay end time te in the stay log information 42 as the entry date and time, exit date and time, and bathroom stay time. For example, the CPU 11 stores the date and time when bathing was detected in S431, the date and time when hot water was detected in the hot water navigation process in S433, and the bathing time measured by the timing unit 17 in the stay log information 42 as the bathing start date and time, bathing end date and time, and bathing time, in relation to the number of bathings counted in S432. For example, the CPU 11 stores the setting information 43 stored in the memory 12 in the stay log information 42. The CPU 11 stores, for example, the water temperature, bathroom temperature, and heart rate acquired during bather M's stay in the bathroom as time-series data in the stay log information 42. This allows the bathing navigation device 2 to manage who entered and left the bathroom and when, and when they entered and left the bath, based on the stay log information 42. Furthermore, the bathing navigation device 2 can manage bather M's state during their stay in the bathroom based on the heart rate (biometric information) in the stay log information 42. The bathing navigation device 2 can manage the bathing environment during the bathing period based on the time spent in the bathroom, bathing time, bathroom temperature, and water temperature in the stay log information 42.

[0097] The CPU 11 determines whether the power has been turned off or not (S453). If the CPU 11 determines that the power switch 214 has not been turned off (S453: NO), it returns to S402 and monitors for the next person to enter the room (S402). For example, if Grandma takes a bath after Grandpa, the bathing navigation device 2 can obtain Grandma's setting information 43 in the setting process, store Grandma's stay log information 42 in memory 12, and notify Grandma to dispense the bath at an appropriate time based on the rise in Grandma's core body temperature.

[0098] If the CPU 11 determines that the power switch 214 has been turned off (S453:YES), it terminates the bathing management process.

[0099] <Hot water supply navigation processing> The hot water dispensing navigation process described above will be explained with reference to Figure 12. First, the CPU 11 notifies the user IF 13 of the start information (S10). For example, the CPU 11 switches the indicator lamp 13b from off to green. This allows the bather M to know that their bathing activity is being monitored by the bathing navigation device 2.

[0100] After detecting bathing, CPU 11 determines whether the waiting time has elapsed (S13). CPU 11 waits until the waiting time has elapsed (S13:NO). In this embodiment, the waiting time is 3 minutes. That is, CPU 11 does not make a determination based on the predicted probability p until the fluctuation in heart rate due to body movement stabilizes.

[0101] When the waiting time has elapsed (S13:YES), CPU 11 executes a prediction probability calculation process to calculate the prediction probability p (S21). The prediction probability p is the probability that the core body temperature of the bather M will rise to or above the target amount. Generally, when the core body temperature rises by 0.5°C, the bather M becomes aware of sweating and the warming effect, so it is desirable that the target increase is 0.5°C. However, in actual bathing, the act of washing the body and pouring water over oneself in the bathtub 71 promotes metabolism compared to simply bathing, and it is thought that the core body temperature may rise more quickly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the target increase in core body temperature is set to 0.4°C in order to prepare for dispensing the water while the temperature is still warm and to ensure that the water is dispensed when the temperature reaches 0.5°C.

[0102] The prediction probability calculation process will be explained based on Figure 13. The CPU 11 extracts feature data x based on bathing environment information, biometric information, and bather's physical information (S111). Feature data x is data that is significantly important for changes in core body temperature. Data that is significantly important for changes in core body temperature is data that is judged to be significantly important at a significance level of less than 5%.

[0103] Bathing environment information is information related to bathing. Feature data x based on bathing environment information uses indicators that can be easily measured time-series using sensors, and indicators that can be easily obtained through questionnaires, and further uses data generated from these indicators. Examples of feature data x based on bathing environment information include water temperature, bathroom temperature, bathing time, water level at bathing (or ratio of contact area with water to total surface area), posture (bent-knee sitting, stretched-out sitting, cross-legged, etc.), amount of water used, number of baths (how many times it has been bathed), which person bathed (e.g., cohabitant), bathroom size, bathtub size, bathroom construction, presence or absence of bathroom windows, floor on which the bathroom is located, housing insulation rating, housing construction, housing structure, housing type, floor of the house (in the case of apartment buildings or multi-unit dwellings), presence or absence of windows, season, calendar information (year / month / day / day of the week / time), exhaled CO2 concentration, bathroom heater operation status, humidity, airflow, and environmental evaluation index (discomfort index, WBGT). For example, the water temperature and bathroom temperature one minute prior to the prediction execution time also fall under the category of feature data x based on bathing environment information.

[0104] Biometric information represents the state of the bather M. The feature data x based on this biometric information uses indicators that can be easily measured over time using a wearable device 5, etc., and the data generated from these indicators. Examples of measured data include intra-ear temperature, sublingual temperature, axillary temperature, heart rate, skin blood flow, local sweat volume, SpO2, pressure related to body movement, acceleration, and gyroscope. The change from a given point, the rate of change from a given point, the difference sequence, statistics per unit time (e.g., mean, standard deviation, standard error, maximum, minimum, median, coefficient of variation, etc.) and heart rate variability index generated from this time-series data correspond to the bather M based on this biometric information.

[0105] Bather physical information refers to information about the body of bather M. Feature data x based on bather physical information uses indicators that affect the thermal effect during bathing, and data generated from those indicators, as bather M's physical condition. Examples of feature data x based on bather physical information include age (age group), sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) (calculated from height and weight using a known formula), body surface area (calculated from height and weight using a known formula), body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, bone mass, body fat mass, body age (e.g., measured by a body composition analyzer), and exercise frequency (questionnaire).

[0106] CPU11 substitutes the feature data x obtained in S111 into the prediction model shown in Equation 1 below and calculates the prediction probability p (S112). The prediction model shown in Equation 1 in this form also uses machine learning models that handle binary values, such as binomial logistic regression analysis and decision trees. In Equation 1, p represents the prediction probability. a represents the coefficient. x represents the feature data. b represents a constant. e represents the base of the natural logarithm.

[0107]

number

[0108] The predictive model includes feature data x based on bathing environment information and biometric information, as well as feature data x based on bather's physical information. The feature data x used in the predictive model is weighted by a coefficient a. For example, if the feature data x is "age group" extracted based on the age of bather M, then "age group" becomes an indicator of bather M's physical decline. Specifically, young people "under 20" have flexible cardiovascular systems, their body temperature rises quickly when bathing, and they return to normal quickly after bathing. Elderly people "60 and over" have increased cardiovascular hardening, and their body temperature rises slowly and returns to normal slowly. Middle-aged people "30-50" are positioned between young people and the elderly. Considering that physical decline affects core body temperature during bathing, for example, the coefficient a for "60s" is set to "-0.978", the coefficient a for "30-50s" is set to "1.245", and the coefficient a for "20s and under" is set to "0". Therefore, even if bathers "60s and over", "30-50s", and "20s and under" bathe in the same bathing environment, there will be a difference in the predicted probability p. When determining whether or not the core body temperature has risen above the target amount (whether or not the core body temperature has risen above the target amount) based on the predicted probability p, it will be personalized to the bather M. The prediction model employs feature data x based on bather physical information other than "age", feature data x based on bathing environment information such as "water temperature" and "season", and feature data x based on biometric information such as "heart rate", which further personalizes the predicted probability p.

[0109] The CPU 11, having calculated the predicted probability p, returns to Figure 12 and determines whether the calculated predicted probability p is greater than or equal to the cutoff value cv (S22). The cutoff value cv is a value that distinguishes between cases where the core body temperature has risen above the target amount and cases where it has not risen above the target amount, based on the predicted probability p.

[0110] The predictive model is designed to achieve the objective of safe bathing. Therefore, the prediction probability p at the point where the recall is highest should be adopted as the cutoff value cv for predictive accuracy. However, focusing solely on recall would significantly reduce precision, potentially leading to bathers being prompted to exit the bath before they feel the warming effect, resulting in increased complaints and dissatisfaction due to the discrepancy between their perception and the actual bathing experience, thus compromising convenience. Therefore, in this model, the prediction probability p at which recall and accuracy are equal is set as the cutoff value cv. In this model, the target increase in core body temperature is set to 0.4°C. The cutoff value cv is set to 22.6%.

[0111] If the CPU 11 determines that the predicted probability p is greater than or equal to the cutoff value cv (S22: YES), that is, if it predicts that the core body temperature has risen to 0.4°C or higher, it executes the first recommendation process (S41). The first recommendation process is a process to recommend that the bather M get out of the bath when it is predicted that the core body temperature has risen to 0.4°C or higher. S21 and S22 are examples of the "bath time detection process". S41 is an example of the "notification process", "first bath time recommendation process", and "second bath time recommendation process".

[0112] For example, as shown in Figure 11(b), the CPU 11 may display a message on the display 13a such as, "Your body is warming up. It's about time to get out of the bath. Let's get ready to get out of the bath," or it may cause the voice output unit 15 to provide voice notifications. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may switch the indicator lamp 13b from a green state to a yellow state to advise the bather M to get out of the bath. This allows the bather M to objectively recognize that their body has warmed up to the core and to get out of the bath after experiencing the warming effect of the water. Furthermore, since the cutoff value cv is set to a value where the recall rate and the accuracy rate are equal, when the bath navigation device 2 advises the bather M to get out of the bath, there is a high probability that the bather M will become aware of sweating or feel the warming effect, and it is expected that the bather M will follow the advice and get out of the bath.

[0113] Generally, when a person bathes, M will perceive sweating or a warming effect when their core body temperature rises by 0.5°C or more. However, elderly people, for example, have a less sensitive sense of temperature than younger people, and may continue bathing even after being advised to get out of the bath, without perceiving sweating or a warming effect. They may continue bathing even after being advised to do so based on the prediction that their core body temperature has risen by 0.4°C or more, potentially deviating significantly from a physiologically safe timing.

[0114] Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, the CPU 11 performs the first recommendation process and then determines whether or not the warning condition is met (S42). The warning condition is a condition for determining whether or not to warn bather M, whose core body temperature is predicted to be 0.4°C or higher, to stop bathing.

[0115] The higher the water temperature, the easier it is for core body temperature to rise, and the shorter the time it takes to deviate from a physiologically safe time. Therefore, in this configuration, the content of the warning conditions differs depending on the water temperature. For example, if the water temperature is below 41°C, the warning condition is that a first predetermined time (e.g., 2 minutes) has elapsed since the first recommended process was executed. On the other hand, if the water temperature is 41°C or higher, the warning condition is that a second predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute) has elapsed since the first recommended process was executed. The second predetermined time is set to be shorter than the first predetermined time.

[0116] If the CPU 11 determines that the warning conditions are not met (S42:NO), it determines whether or not hot water has been detected (S43). S43 is an example of the "hot water inlet / outlet detection process" and the "hot water inlet / outlet detection step". For example, if the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29 does not change, the CPU 11 determines that hot water has not been detected (S43:NO). In this case, the CPU 11 returns to S42 and continues to monitor the bather M.

[0117] After executing the first recommendation process (S41), if the CPU 11 detects hot water discharge without meeting the warning conditions (S42: NO) (S43: YES), it proceeds to S63. For example, the CPU 11 detects hot water discharge when the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29 decreases.

[0118] On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines after executing the first recommendation process (S41) that the warning conditions are met (S42: YES), it proceeds to S51 and issues a hot water dispensing warning. S42 and S51 are examples of "notification processing," "first hot water dispensing warning processing," and "second hot water dispensing warning processing."

[0119] For example, as shown in Figure 11(c), the CPU 11 may display a message on the display 13a such as, "Your body is getting warmer. Shall we get out of the bath?" or have the voice output unit 15 provide an audio notification. For example, the CPU 11 may also switch the indicator lamp 13b from a yellow state to a red state to warn the bather M to get out of the bath. Furthermore, the CPU 11 may use the voice output unit 15 to output warning sounds such as voice guidance or a buzzer. As a result, the bathing navigation device 2 can warn the bather M to get out of the bath before bathing, which continues even after the core body temperature has risen to 0.4°C or higher, significantly deviates from a physiologically safe range. In addition, because the warning method differs from the recommendation method, it becomes easier for the bather M to distinguish the need to get out of the bath.

[0120] Returning to Figure 12, if the CPU 11 determines that the predicted probability p is not equal to or greater than the cutoff value cv (S22:NO), that is, if it predicts that the core body temperature is not 0.4°C or higher, it does not recommend that the bather M get out of the bath.

[0121] Even if the core body temperature is not above 0.4°C, prolonged bathing can cause significant blood pressure fluctuations upon exiting the bath or induce drowsiness, potentially making it unsafe. Therefore, if the CPU 11 determines that the predicted probability p is not equal to or greater than the cutoff value cv (S22: NO), it determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded the bath exit warning time (S31). The bath exit warning time is the time set as the amount of time for which bathing is sustainable within a physiologically safe range. In this embodiment, the bath exit warning time is set to 20 minutes.

[0122] If the CPU 11 determines that the elapsed time has not exceeded the hot water dispensing warning time (S31: NO), it determines whether the elapsed time has exceeded the hot water dispensing recommendation time (S32). The hot water dispensing recommendation time is the time set to recommend that bather M dispense hot water before the hot water dispensing warning time has elapsed. In this configuration, the hot water dispensing recommendation time is set to 17 minutes.

[0123] If the CPU 11 determines that the elapsed time has not exceeded the hot water discharge recommendation time (S32:NO), it determines whether or not hot water discharge has been detected (S34). S34 is an example of the "hot water entry / exit detection process" and the "hot water entry / exit detection step". If the CPU 11 does not detect hot water discharge (S34:NO), it determines whether or not to perform the next determination (S35). The determination of whether or not to prompt hot water discharge is performed periodically. In this embodiment, the determination is performed at 1-minute intervals. The CPU 11 determines that it will not perform the next determination until 1 minute has elapsed from the time of prediction execution, i.e., when the prediction probability calculation process (S21) is executed (S35:NO). In this case, the CPU 11 returns to S34 and waits while monitoring the bather M until the next determination is performed.

[0124] If CPU11 determines that it has not detected any hot water supply (S34: NO) and that more than one minute has passed since the prediction execution time, it decides to perform the next determination (S35: YES), returns to S21, and calculates the next prediction probability p.

[0125] Therefore, if the bathing navigation device 2 predicts that the core body temperature is not 0.4°C or higher, and until the recommended time for leaving the bath has elapsed, it is highly likely that the bather M is bathing safely, and therefore does not issue a notification regarding leaving the bath.

[0126] In response to this, the CPU 11 determines that the predicted probability p is not equal to or greater than the cutoff value cv, that is, it predicts that the core body temperature is not 0.4°C or higher (S22: NO), but if the elapsed time exceeds the time for recommending dispensing the bathwater (S31: NO, S32: YES), it executes the second recommendation process (S33). The second recommendation process is a process to recommend dispensing the bathwater to the bather M when it does not predict that the core body temperature has reached 0.4°C or higher. S32 is an example of the "bathwater dispensing timing detection process". S33 is an example of the "notification process" and the "first bathwater dispensing warning process".

[0127] For example, as shown in Figure 11(d), the CPU 11 may display a message on the display 13a such as, "Ten minutes have passed since you started soaking in the hot water. It's time to get ready to get out of the water," or it may cause the voice output unit 15 to give an audio notification. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may switch the indicator lamp 13b from green to yellow to advise the bather M to get out of the water. This allows the bather M to recognize that they should get out of the water because they have been in the bath for too long, even if they are not aware of sweating or feeling the effects of the heat.

[0128] Returning to Figure 12, if CPU 11, which has performed the second recommendation process, does not detect hot water flow (S34: NO), it waits while monitoring the hot water flow until it can perform the next determination (S35: NO), as described above.

[0129] On the other hand, if CPU 11 detects hot water discharge after executing the second recommendation process (S22: NO, S31: NO, S32: NO, S34: YES), it proceeds to S63. The processing from S63 onwards will be described later.

[0130] Even if the CPU 11 determines that the predicted probability p is not equal to or greater than the cutoff value cv (S22: NO), if it determines that the elapsed time has exceeded the hot water dispensing warning time (20 minutes) (S31: YES), it executes a warning process (S51) and warns the bather M to dispensing water. S31 is an example of the "hot water dispensing timing detection process". S51 is an example of the "notification process" and "first hot water dispensing warning process". Therefore, the bathing navigation device 2 is expected to make the bather M, who is not aware of sweating or not feeling the warming effect, aware that prolonged bathing may make it difficult to dispensing water safely, and to encourage them to dispensing water. As the warning process in S51 has been described above, an explanation will be omitted.

[0131] The CPU 11, which performed the warning process, then performs a second warning process to prompt the user to dispense hot water again (S53).

[0132] An example of the re-warning process procedure is explained based on the flowchart in Figure 14. The CPU 11 resets the re-warning count n (where n is a natural number) by assigning 0 to it (S211). The CPU 11 determines whether or not it has received a stop instruction, which is an instruction to stop the warning prompting the dispensing of hot water (S212).

[0133] For example, if the stop button 13c is operated and a stop command is received by the CPU 11 (S212: YES), the CPU 11 stops the warning (S221). S221 is an example of a "stop process". For example, the CPU 11 clears the message that was displayed on the display 13a. For example, the CPU 11 switches the indicator lamp 13b from a red illuminated state to a green illuminated state. For example, the CPU 11 stops the warning sound output from the audio output unit 15. This allows the bather M to intentionally eliminate the discomfort caused by the alarm.

[0134] The CPU 11 determines whether or not hot water has been detected (S222). If the CPU 11 detects hot water (S222: YES), it terminates the re-warning process and proceeds to S63 in Figure 12.

[0135] For example, if the CPU 11 does not detect a change in the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor 29, it will not detect hot water discharge (S222: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 will determine whether 10 minutes have passed since the first warning (S223). Note that the time elapsed since the first warning does not have to be 10 minutes, as long as it is a time when safe hot water discharge can be encouraged.

[0136] If CPU11 determines that less than 10 minutes have passed since the initial warning (S223:NO), it returns to S222. CPU11 waits while monitoring the bathing status of bather M and the time elapsed since the initial warning.

[0137] If the CPU 11 determines that it has not detected hot water flow (S222: NO) and that 10 minutes have passed since the initial warning (S223: YES), it executes an emergency warning process (S231). The emergency warning process issues a stronger warning than the initial warning because the bather M may be asleep or unconscious in the bathtub 71. For example, the CPU 11 outputs a loud warning sound or warning message from the audio output unit 15. In addition, the CPU 11 may, for example, have a hot water remote control (not shown) installed in the kitchen or living room issue a warning to inform the family of bather M of the abnormality.

[0138] On the other hand, if the stop button 13c is not operated after the first warning, for example, the CPU 11 determines that the stop command has not been received (S212: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 determines whether or not one minute has elapsed since the previous warning without detecting hot water discharge (S213). Note that the one minute is the time that takes into account the time to stop the alarm and dispense hot water, and a different time may be used as the reference point.

[0139] For example, after issuing a warning prompting the dispenser to dispense hot water in S51 of Figure 12, the CPU 11 waits for one minute while monitoring the operation of the stop button 13c and the bathing status (S213: NO).

[0140] On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that one minute has passed without detecting the dispensing of hot water after issuing a warning prompting the dispenser to dispense hot water in S51 of Figure 12 (S213: YES), it determines whether the number of re-warnings n is three or less (S214). If the number of re-warnings n is three or less (S214: YES), the CPU 11 executes a re-warning process (S215). For example, as shown in Figure 11(e), the CPU 11 may display a message on the display 13a saying, "Your body is sufficiently warm. Let's get out of the bath," or it may have the voice output unit 15 give an audio notification. The CPU 11 keeps the indicator lamp 13b lit red even after the re-warning. The CPU 11 re-outputs the warning sound using the voice output unit 15.

[0141] The CPU 11, which executed the re-warning process, adds 1 to the re-warning count n (S216) and returns to S212. If the CPU 11 receives a stop instruction after the re-warning (S212:YES), it stops the re-warning (S221).

[0142] If CPU 11 does not accept a stop command after the second warning (S212: NO), and if it has not detected hot water flow for 1 minute since executing the previous second warning process (S213: YES), it will execute the second warning process in the same manner as above (S214: YES, S215, S216) and return to S212. CPU 11 will repeat the process from S213 to S216 until it has issued a maximum of 3 second warnings without accepting a stop command.

[0143] CPU 11 executes emergency warning processing (S231) if the number of re-warnings n exceeds 3 (S214: NO), that is, if the warning is repeated 4 times. The emergency warning processing has been explained above, so we will omit the explanation here.

[0144] The CPU 11, which has executed the emergency warning process, determines whether or not it has received a stop command (S232). If the CPU 11 determines that it has received a stop command in response to the operation of the stop button 13c (S232:YES), it stops the emergency warning (S233) and determines whether or not hot water has been detected (S241). The stopping of the emergency warning is the same as stopping the warning in S221, so the explanation is omitted. On the other hand, if the CPU 11 has not received a stop command (S232:NO), it continues to issue the emergency warning and determines whether or not hot water has been detected (S241).

[0145] If CPU 11 does not detect hot water flow (S241: NO), it returns to S232 and waits while monitoring the operation of the stop button 13c and the bathing status of bather M. If CPU 11 detects hot water flow (S241: YES), it terminates the re-warning process and proceeds to S63 in Figure 12.

[0146] Returning to Figure 12, the CPU 11 proceeds to S63, where it creates a bathing file 41 and saves information about the bathing that is the target of the bathing navigation process to the bathing file 41 (S63). The bathing file 41 is saved in the non-volatile area of ​​memory 12.

[0147] For example, CPU 11 creates a bathing file 41 with a filename that includes the date and time the bathing started, so that it can distinguish between bathing files 41. CPU 11 stores various data such as water temperature, water pressure, age, gender, and heart rate obtained when the bathing navigation process is executed, as well as various calculated data such as feature data x, and various notification contents such as bathing recommendations, in the bathing file 41.

[0148] Subsequently, the CPU 11 notifies that the hot water navigation process has finished by turning off the indicator lamp 13b (S64), and then terminates the hot water navigation process and returns to Figure 8.

[0149] As described in detail above, the bathing navigation device 2 of this embodiment can detect a bather M in the bathroom 7 based on both the response of the millimeter-wave radar 18 and the radio wave intensity of the wearable terminal 5, and can accurately detect when the bather M enters or leaves the bathroom. The bathing navigation device 2 does not detect the water level of the bathtub 71 and compare it to a threshold, but rather detects entry and exit based on the water pressure fluctuations associated with the actual entry and exit of the bather M. Therefore, even if the water level fluctuates while the bather M is outside the bathtub, it is less likely to misdetect the bather M's entry or exit. Furthermore, since the bathing navigation device 2 can be installed independently of the bathroom equipment, it can be installed in the bathroom 7 without any construction work. Accordingly, with the bathing navigation device 2 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to use the function of outputting water exit information at the appropriate timing without any construction work.

[0150] This embodiment is merely illustrative and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, the biosensor for measuring biological information may be provided in the bathing navigation device 2 instead of the wearable terminal 5.

[0151] For example, the main unit 21 and the sensor device 23 may be connected wirelessly. However, connecting the main unit 21 and the sensor device 23 with a cable 22 helps prevent, for example, the loss of the sensor device 23. It also reduces the likelihood of data communication failures.

[0152] For example, the sensor device 23 may be attached to a fixed position in the bathtub 71. However, the bathing navigation device 2 is more user-friendly because the sensor device 23 can be attached to the bathtub 71 in a way that allows it to be attached to the bathtub 71 according to its shape and water level.

[0153] For example, the main unit 21 may have only one of the display 13a or the indicator lamp 13b. However, the bathing navigation device 2 can perform varied outputs by having the main unit 21 have both the display 13a and the indicator lamp 13b. Also, the main unit 21 does not need to have a stop button 13c. However, the bathing navigation device 2 can output hot water information on its own and stop that output by having the main unit 21 have the display 13a and the indicator lamp 13b in addition to the stop button 13c. Therefore, immediately after installation in the bathroom, it is possible to use the function of accurately determining the location of the bather M in the bathroom and outputting hot water information at the appropriate timing.

[0154] For example, the bathing navigation device 2 does not need to include a bathroom temperature sensor 16 and a water temperature sensor 28, and does not need to notify the bathroom temperature and water temperature in real time.

[0155] For example, the reflector 3 is not necessary. However, the bathing navigation device 2 can improve the accuracy of determining the location of the bather M by preventing the millimeter-wave radar 18 from mistakenly detecting the movement of the water 72 in the bathtub 71 as the bather M, as the reflector 3 cuts off the radar illumination range K of the millimeter-wave radar 18.

[0156] For example, the notification of discharging the bath does not necessarily have to be based on the bathing time, biometric information, or bather's physical information, as long as the timing of discharging the bath is detected. However, the bathing navigation device 2 can prompt bather M to discharge the bath at an appropriate time by notifying them of discharging the bath when the timing of discharging the bath is detected based on at least one of the bathing environment information, biometric information, and bather's physical information.

[0157] For example, steps S212, S221, or S232, S233 in Figure 14 may be omitted. However, the bathing navigation device 2 stops the output of hot water information in response to the operation of the stop button 13c, allowing the safety of the bather M who is bathing to be confirmed by the operation of the stop button 13c, and stopping the output of hot water information in accordance with the intentions of the bather M, making it user-friendly.

[0158] For example, steps S432 and S433 in Figure 8 may be omitted. For example, the prediction probability calculation process shown in S21 of Figure 12 may be a process that uses a logic to predict the core body temperature itself, predicts the core body temperature at regular intervals from the start of bathing, and calculates the change in core body temperature from the start of bathing to the prediction point. In this case, in S22, it is determined whether the core body temperature has risen to or above the target increase amount (for example, 0.4℃) (whether the core body temperature has risen to or above the target increase amount (0.4℃)), and if it is determined that it has risen to or above the target increase amount (S22:YES), the process proceeds to S41, and if it is determined that it has not risen to or above the target increase amount (S22:NO), the process proceeds to S31. However, the bathing navigation device 2 does not use the core body temperature itself, but rather a prediction model that calculates a predicted probability p, which is the probability that the core body temperature will rise to a target level (the probability that the core body temperature will rise to the target temperature). If the predicted probability p is equal to or greater than the cutoff value cv, the device notifies the bather M to dispense the water, and if the predicted probability p is not equal to or greater than the cutoff value cv, it does not notify the bather M to dispense the water. This makes the prediction result less susceptible to the bather's body temperature before entering the bath. Such a prediction model is simpler than, for example, a prediction model constructed by considering the heat balance from the skin to the core, and it becomes possible to predict the rise in core body temperature with high accuracy without placing an excessive computational load on the device or equipping it with high computing power. Furthermore, the bathing navigation device 2 extracts feature data x that is significant in the rise of core body temperature based on bathing environment information, biometric information, and bather's physical information. By substituting the extracted feature data x into the prediction model shown in Equation 1 to calculate the prediction probability p, the prediction probability p becomes personalized, making it possible to recommend that bather M exit the bath before deviating from a physiologically safe timing.

[0159] For example, in the prediction probability calculation process shown in S21 of Figure 12, the prediction probability p may be calculated using a different logic than the prediction model in Figure 13.

[0160] For example, steps S42, S51, and S53 in Figure 12 may be omitted. However, the bathing navigation device 2 predicts that the core body temperature has risen above the target amount and recommends that the bather M get out of the bath. After a predetermined time has elapsed, it issues a warning to the bather M to get out of the bath, thereby preventing the bather M, whose core body temperature has risen above the target amount, from continuing to bathe at a time that is significantly outside of a physiologically safe period.

[0161] For example, in the above embodiment, the bathing navigation program 30 accepts the setting or modification of setting information 43 by displaying the setting screen D1 on the smartphone 6, but the setting or modification of setting information 43 may also be accepted using the user IF 13 of the bathing navigation device 2. Such a bathing navigation program 30 can set the setting information 43 without using the smartphone 6, so the bather's physical information can be easily set or modified when the bather changes or before bathing. For example, the bathing navigation program 30 may access a device that stores bather's physical information and acquire the bather's physical information before calculating the prediction probability p using a prediction model.

[0162] For example, the cutoff value cv does not have to be a value that equals the recall rate and the accuracy rate. However, by setting the cutoff value cv to a value that equals the recall rate and the accuracy rate, the timing of the recommendation to leave the bath coincides with the timing when the bather M becomes aware of sweating or feels the warming effect, making it possible for the bather who is recommended to leave the bath to receive the warming effect from the water and then leave.

[0163] For example, steps S42, S51, and S53 in Figure 12 are optional. However, the bathing navigation program 30 predicts that the core body temperature has risen above the target amount and recommends getting out of the bath. After a predetermined time has elapsed, it issues a warning to the bather M to get out of the bath, thereby preventing the bather M, whose core body temperature has risen above the target amount, from continuing to bathe at a time that is significantly outside of a physiologically safe period.

[0164] For example, the predetermined time set in the warning condition S42 in Figure 12 may be uniform regardless of the water temperature. However, if the bathing navigation program 30 sets the predetermined time in the warning condition to differ according to the water temperature, the timing of the warning to bather M to dispense the water will differ according to the water temperature. This allows the program to issue a warning to bather M when their core body temperature rises above the target amount to dispense the water at an appropriate timing in accordance with the change in core body temperature.

[0165] For example, steps S31, S51, and S53 in Figure 12 are optional. However, if the bathing navigation program 30 is configured to issue a warning to exit the bath if, for example, the bather M is an elderly person whose core body temperature does not rise easily, and the bathing time exceeds the exit warning time before the predicted probability p exceeds the cutoff value cv, then it is possible to encourage the bather M to exit the bath before it deviates significantly from a physiologically safe timing, in accordance with the bather M's physical function.

[0166] For example, steps S32 and S33 in Figure 12 are optional. However, the bathing navigation program 30 can make bather M aware that their bathing time is getting long by advising them to exit the bath before the bathing time exceeds the exit warning time, thereby encouraging bather M to exit the bath safely.

[0167] For example, the reflector 3 may be located outside the main unit 21. However, by having the reflector 3 located inside the main unit 21, it is possible to position the reflector 3 near the millimeter-wave radar 18, making it easier to limit the radar illumination area K. In addition, the ease of installation and handling of the bathing navigation device 2 is improved.

[0168] For example, the bathing navigation device 2 may perform either detection of bathers M based on the response of millimeter-wave radar or detection of bathers M based on the radio wave intensity of the wearable terminal 5. By performing only one of these methods, costs can be reduced. However, performing both methods improves the accuracy of entry and exit detection.

[0169] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of any multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel, as long as no inconsistencies arise in the processing content.

[0170] Furthermore, the processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be implemented in various forms, such as a recording medium or method that stores a program for executing the process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0171] 1. Bathing Navigation System 2. Bathing Navigation Device 3 Reflectors 5. Wearable devices 11 CPU 13a Display 13b Indicator lamp 13c Stop button 14 Communications Department 18 mm wave radar 28. Water temperature sensor 29. Water pressure sensor 30 Bathing Navigation Program

Claims

1. A bathing navigation device that can be retrofitted to a bathroom, Controller and A bather detection unit that detects bathers, A water pressure sensor installed in the aforementioned bathroom measures the water pressure of the bathtub water, Output section, It has, The bather detection unit comprises at least one or both of the following: a millimeter-wave radar whose beam, directed toward the water in the bathtub, is cut off by a reflector; and a sensing unit capable of detecting radio waves generated by a wearable device worn by the bather. The aforementioned controller, Based on the detection results of the bather detection unit, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathroom and when the bather leaves the bathroom. Based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathtub and when the bather exits the bathtub. Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, the location of the bather in the bathroom is determined, and if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub, an output process is performed to output hot water information related to hot water discharge from the output unit. Execute A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

2. A bathing navigation device that can be retrofitted to a bathroom, Controller and A bather detection unit that detects bathers, A water pressure sensor installed in the aforementioned bathroom measures the water pressure of the bathtub water, Output section, It has, The bather detection unit comprises at least one or both of the following: a millimeter-wave radar and a sensing unit capable of detecting radio waves generated by a wearable device worn by the bather. The aforementioned controller, Based on the detection results of the bather detection unit, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathroom and when the bather leaves the bathroom. Based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathtub and when the bather exits the bathtub. Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, the location of the bather in the bathroom is determined, and if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub, an output process is performed to output hot water information related to hot water discharge from the output unit. Execute, Furthermore, it has a bathing environment information acquisition unit that acquires bathing environment information, which is information related to the bathing environment. The aforementioned controller, A process for acquiring bather body information, which acquires bather body information relating to the body of the bather, A biometric information acquisition process that acquires the biometric information of the bather, Execute, The output processing described above is: When the bathing is detected in the bathing entry / exit detection process, a bathing exit timing detection process is performed to detect a bathing exit timing that prompts the bather to exit the bath, based on at least one of the bathing environment information acquired by the bathing environment information acquisition unit, the bather's physical information acquired in the bather's physical information acquisition process, and the biometric information acquired in the biometric information acquisition process. When the hot water dispensing timing is detected in the hot water dispensing timing detection process, a notification process is performed to notify the bather that the hot water has been dispensed. including, A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

3. In the bathing navigation device described in claim 2, The aforementioned notification process is: A first hot water discharge recommendation process that recommends dispensing hot water using the output unit before a deviation timing that deviates from a physiologically safe timing, A first hot water supply warning process, which uses the output unit to warn of hot water supply after the recommendation timing at which the first hot water supply recommendation process recommended the supply of hot water, including, A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

4. In the bathing navigation device described in claim 2 or claim 3, The output unit has a stop button to stop the output, The aforementioned controller, After the hot water information is output by the output process, if the stop button is operated, a stop process is performed to stop the output of the hot water information. Execute A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

5. A bathing navigation device that can be retrofitted to a bathroom, Controller and A bather detection unit that detects bathers, A water pressure sensor installed in the aforementioned bathroom measures the water pressure of the bathtub water, Output section, It has, The bather detection unit comprises at least one or both of the following: a millimeter-wave radar and a sensing unit capable of detecting radio waves generated by a wearable device worn by the bather. The aforementioned controller, Based on the detection results of the bather detection unit, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathroom and when the bather leaves the bathroom. Based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathtub and when the bather exits the bathtub. Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, the location of the bather in the bathroom is determined, and if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub, an output process is performed to output hot water information related to hot water discharge from the output unit. Execute, Furthermore, it has a bathing environment information acquisition unit that acquires bathing environment information, which is information about the bathing environment of the bather. The aforementioned controller, A biometric information acquisition process that acquires the biometric information of the bather, A process for acquiring bather body information, which is information about the body of the bather, Execute, The output processing described above is: Based on the biometric information acquired in the biometric information acquisition process, the bathing environment information acquired by the bathing environment information acquisition unit, and the bather's physical information acquired in the bather's physical information acquisition process, feature data significant to the rise in core body temperature is extracted, and the extracted feature data is substituted into a prediction model for calculating the prediction probability, which is the probability that the bather's core body temperature will exceed the target rise amount, and a prediction probability calculation process is performed to calculate the prediction probability. If the predicted probability calculated in the prediction probability calculation process is equal to or greater than the threshold, the output unit is used to recommend that the bather dispense the bathwater, and if the predicted probability calculated in the prediction probability calculation process is not equal to or greater than the threshold, the output unit is used to not recommend that the bather dispense the bathwater, in a second bathwater dispensing recommendation process. including, A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

6. In the bathing navigation device described in claim 5, The output processing described above further includes: The system includes a second hot water discharge warning process, which, after recommending that the bather discharge hot water in the second hot water discharge recommendation process, determines that a warning condition is met, and the warning condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the second hot water discharge recommendation process without detecting the discharge of hot water in the bathing / discharge detection process. A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

7. In a bathing navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5, or 6, The main unit and the sensor unit are connected via a cable to enable communication. The main unit comprises the controller and the bather detection unit, and is mounted on the wall of the bathroom. The sensor device has the water pressure sensor and is detachably attached to the bathtub. A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

8. In the bathing navigation device described in claim 7, The main unit has an output unit and a stop button for stopping the output of the output unit. A bathing navigation device configured in such a way.

9. A bathing navigation system comprising a bathing navigation device and a wearable terminal, The aforementioned bathing navigation device is a device that can be retrofitted to a bathroom. The aforementioned wearable device is a device that is attached to a person bathing and is capable of generating radio waves. The aforementioned bathing navigation device is The bath navigation device is equipped with a millimeter-wave radar, and based on at least one of the following, the reaction of the millimeter-wave radar, which is directed toward the water in the bathtub and cut off by a reflector, and the radio wave intensity of the wearable terminal sensed via a sensing unit provided in the bath navigation device, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathroom and when the bather leaves the bathroom. Based on the water pressure of the bathwater measured by a water pressure sensor provided in the bathing navigation device, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathwater and when the bather exits the bathwater. Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, the location of the bather in the bathroom is determined, and if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub, an output process is performed to output information regarding the hot water supply to the output unit provided in the bath navigation device. Execute A bathing navigation system configured as follows.

10. A bathing navigation system comprising a bathing navigation device and a wearable terminal, The aforementioned bathing navigation device is a device that can be retrofitted to a bathroom. The aforementioned wearable device is a device that is attached to a person bathing and is capable of generating radio waves. The aforementioned bathing navigation device is An entry / exit detection process that detects when a bather enters the bathroom and when a bather leaves the bathroom, based on at least one of the response of a millimeter-wave radar provided in the bathing navigation device and the radio wave intensity of the wearable terminal sensed via a sensing unit provided in the bathing navigation device. Based on the water pressure of the bathwater measured by a water pressure sensor provided in the bathing navigation device, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathwater and when the bather exits the bathwater. Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, the location of the bather in the bathroom is determined, and if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub, an output process is performed to output information regarding the hot water supply to the output unit provided in the bath navigation device. Execute, Furthermore, the bathing navigation device is It has a bathing environment information acquisition unit that acquires bathing environment information, which is information about the bathing environment of the bather, An information processing device that is communicatively connected to the bathing navigation device, and which performs a receiving process to receive setting information from the information processing device that is capable of receiving setting information including bather body information relating to the bather's body and bathroom information relating to the bathroom, The output processing described above is: A water dispensing timing detection process detects a water dispensing timing to prompt the bather to dispense water, based on at least one of the bather's physical information included in the setting information received in the reception process, the bathroom information, and the bathing environment information acquired by the bathing environment information acquisition unit. When the hot water dispensing timing is detected in the hot water dispensing timing detection process, a notification process is performed to notify the bather that the hot water has been dispensed. including, A bathing navigation system configured as follows.

11. A bathing navigation program that can be executed by a bathing navigation device that can be retrofitted to a bathroom, wherein the bathing navigation device comprises a controller, a bather detection unit for detecting a bather, a water pressure sensor for measuring the water pressure of the bathtub installed in the bathroom, and an output unit, wherein the bather detection unit comprises at least one or both of the following: a millimeter-wave radar whose radar beam irradiated toward the water in the bathtub is cut off by a reflector, and a sensing unit capable of detecting radio waves generated by a wearable terminal worn by the bather. The aforementioned controller, Based on the detection results of the bather detection unit, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathroom and when the bather leaves the bathroom. Based on the water pressure value measured by the water pressure sensor, an entry / exit detection process is performed to detect when the bather enters the bathtub and when the bather exits the bathtub. Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection process, the output process determines the location of the bather in the bathroom, and if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub, outputs information regarding the hot water discharge from the output unit. To execute A bathing navigation program structured in such a way.

12. A bathing navigation method for managing the bathing of bathers, An entry / exit detection step that detects when a bather enters the bathroom and when a bather leaves the bathroom, based on at least one of the following: the response of a millimeter-wave radar that cuts off radar irradiated toward the water in the bathtub installed in the bathroom, and the radio wave intensity of a wearable device worn by the bather. An entry / exit detection step that detects when the bather enters the bathtub and when the bather exits the bathtub, based on the water pressure of the hot water measured by a water pressure sensor attached to the bathtub, Based on the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection step and the entry / exit detection result of the entry / exit detection step, the output step determines the location of the bather in the bathroom and outputs information regarding the hot water discharge if the location of the bather is inside the bathtub. To do A bathing navigation method configured in such a way.

Images