Sensor window contamination determination device, sensor window contamination determination method, and program

Abstract

Provided are a sensor window contamination determination device capable of detecting contamination of a sensor window of an in-toilet device by a method that is low-cost and hardly affected by contamination, a sensor window contamination determination method, and a program. The sensor window contamination determination device comprises a distance measurement sensor unit, an illuminance sensor unit, and a determination unit. The distance measurement sensor unit is provided inside an in-toilet device that is installed in a toilet bowl and provided with a sensor window, and measures a distance via the sensor window. The illuminance sensor unit is provided inside the in-toilet device, and measures illuminance via the sensor window. The determination unit determines the presence or absence of contamination of the sensor window on the basis of the measured distance and the measured illuminance.

Description

Sensor window contamination determination device, sensor window contamination determination method and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor window contamination determination device, a sensor window contamination determination method, and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting whether or not a user is sitting on a toilet seat based on the measurement results of a distance measurement sensor.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 261128

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a distance measuring sensor is attached to an in-bowl device to measure distance. If feces or other dirt adheres to the sensor window of the in-bowl device during toilet use, the laser light emitted from the distance measuring sensor may be reflected not from the intended human body but from the dirt on the sensor window, which could change the distance measurement results. To prevent errors in distance measurement, a method of using multiple distance measuring sensors for redundancy could be considered. However, using multiple distance measuring sensors increases costs, and if dirt adheres to all distance measuring sensors at the same time, accurate distance measurements may not be possible.

[0005] Therefore, in order to continue using the in-bowl equipment, it is necessary to detect dirt on the sensor window of the in-bowl equipment. However, there was a problem that it was not possible to detect dirt on the sensor window of the in-bowl equipment at low cost and withstand the influence of dirt.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a sensor window dirt determination device, a sensor window dirt determination method, and a program that can detect dirt on a sensor window of a toilet bowl device at low cost and in a manner that is less susceptible to dirt.

[0007] The sensor window dirt determination device of the present disclosure is a toilet interior device installed in a toilet, and comprises: a distance measurement sensor unit provided inside the toilet interior device with a sensor window, which measures distance through the sensor window; an illuminance sensor unit provided inside the toilet interior device, which measures illuminance through the sensor window; and a determination unit which determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance.

[0008] The disclosed method for determining whether a sensor window is dirty comprises: a computer, which is a toilet device installed in a toilet and equipped with a sensor window, measuring a distance through the sensor window inside the toilet device; measuring illuminance through the sensor window inside the toilet device; and determining whether the sensor window is dirty or not based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance.

[0009] The program of the present disclosure is a toilet device installed in a toilet, and has a sensor window. Inside the toilet device, the program causes a computer to execute a process of measuring distance via the sensor window, measuring illuminance via the sensor window within the toilet device, and determining whether or not the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance.

[0010] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a sensor window dirt determination device, a sensor window dirt determination method, and a program that can detect dirt on a sensor window of a toilet bowl device at low cost and in a manner that is less susceptible to dirt.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment on a toilet; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment on a toilet; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a determination unit of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a table showing the determination results of the determination unit of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the determination results of the determination unit of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the determination results of the determination unit of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the determination results of the determination unit of a sensor window dirt determination device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment;

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0013] First Embodiment First, the configuration of a sensor window contamination determination device 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sensor window contamination determination device according to this embodiment.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the sensor window dirt determination device 1 includes a distance measurement sensor unit 11, an illuminance sensor unit 12, and a determination unit 13. The distance measurement sensor unit 11 is an in-bowl device installed in a toilet bowl, and is provided inside the in-bowl device equipped with a sensor window, and measures distance via the sensor window. The illuminance sensor unit 12 is provided inside the in-bowl device, and measures illuminance via the sensor window. The determination unit 13 determines whether the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and measured illuminance.

[0015] The sensor window dirt determination device 1 according to the first embodiment determines whether or not the sensor window 21 of the toilet in-bowl equipment 20 is dirty by using only two types of sensors, a distance measurement sensor unit 11 and an illuminance sensor unit 12, and by using the illuminance sensor unit 12 which is less susceptible to dirt on the sensor window 21. Therefore, the sensor window dirt determination device 1 can detect dirt on the sensor window of the toilet in-bowl equipment at low cost and in a method that is less susceptible to dirt.

[0016] Second Embodiment Next, the configuration of a sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to a second embodiment will be described using Figures 1 to 3. The sensor window dirt determination device 2 has a configuration similar to that of the sensor window dirt determination device 1 according to the first embodiment (see Figure 1), and is a specific embodiment of the sensor window dirt determination device 1. Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams showing an example of installation of the sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to this embodiment on a toilet. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the toilet when the lid and toilet seat are open. On the other hand, Figure 3 is a diagram showing the toilet when the toilet seat is closed.

[0017] 1 to 3, the sensor window dirt determination device 2 is a device for determining dirt on a sensor window 21 of a toilet in-bowl device 20. The toilet in-bowl device 20 is, for example, a sensor device used in a toilet bowl, and is equipped with a sensor window 21. Note that the toilet in-bowl device 20 may not be a sensor device, but may simply be a housing.

[0018] The sensor window dirt determination device 2 includes a distance measurement sensor unit 11, an illuminance sensor unit 12, and a determination unit 13. The distance measurement sensor unit 11 is provided inside the toilet in-bowl equipment 20. The distance measurement sensor unit 11 measures distance via a sensor window 21 of the toilet in-bowl equipment 20. Here, the distance measurement sensor unit 11 is provided so that the measurement direction is near the center of the hole in the toilet bowl.

[0019] The illuminance sensor unit 12 is provided inside the toilet in-bowl equipment 20 together with the distance measurement sensor unit 11. The illuminance sensor unit 12 is an illuminance sensor that measures illuminance through a sensor window 21 of the toilet in-bowl equipment 20. Here, the illuminance sensor unit 12 is provided so that the measurement direction is near the center of the hole in the toilet bowl.

[0020] The determination unit 13 communicates with the distance measurement sensor unit 11 and the illuminance sensor unit 12 and is configured as a device outside the toilet. The determination unit 13 determines whether or not the sensor window 21 is dirty based on the measured distance measured by the distance measurement sensor unit 11 and the measured illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor unit 12. The determination unit 13 also determines the degree of dirt on the sensor window based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. The degree of dirt on the sensor window is expressed in three levels, for example, small, medium, and large. Furthermore, the determination unit 13 determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty and the degree of dirt on the sensor window by taking into account whether the toilet light in the toilet where the toilet is installed is on, whether the toilet lid is open, and whether or not a user is sitting on the toilet. The determination unit 13 may be configured as a device inside the toilet, or may be provided in the toilet in-bowl device 20.

[0021] The distance measurement sensor unit 11 measures distance by shining a laser beam on an object and measuring the time it takes for the laser beam to bounce back. Therefore, if there is dirt or other material between the laser beam and the object being measured, the laser beam bounces back faster, shortening the measured distance and resulting in an inaccurate result. Therefore, using only the distance measurement sensor unit 11 may result in an inaccurate measured distance. On the other hand, since the illuminance sensor unit 12 measures the amount of incoming light, even if part of the sensor window 21 becomes dirty and the amount of light changes, this is an actual measurement result and highly reliable information is obtained. Therefore, the measured illuminance, which is highly reliable, is added to the measured distance to supplement the measured distance. The determination unit 13 combines the measured distance of the distance measurement sensor unit 11 and the measured illuminance of the illuminance sensor unit 12 to determine whether the sensor window 21 of the device is dirty or not.

[0022] Next, the operation of the sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the determination unit 13 of the sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the determination results of the determination unit 13 of the sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to the present embodiment. Figs. 6 to 12 are diagrams schematically showing the determination results of the determination unit 13 of the sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to the present embodiment.

[0023] When the sensor window dirt determination device 2 detects that a user has entered the toilet, it performs the processes of the following steps S101 to S111. The distance measurement sensor unit 11 measures distance at predetermined intervals and transmits the results to the determination unit 13. The illuminance sensor unit 12 measures illuminance at predetermined intervals and transmits the results to the determination unit 13.

[0024] First, the determination unit 13 of the sensor window dirt determination device 2 determines whether the measured distance measured by the distance measurement sensor unit 11 is the maximum value (step S101). The maximum value refers to the maximum distance (mm) that the distance measurement sensor unit 11 can measure. If the measured distance is the maximum value, the laser light from the distance measurement sensor unit 11 is not blocked by a user seated on the toilet, small, medium, or large dirt on the sensor window 21, or the toilet lid. On the other hand, if the measured distance is not the maximum value, the laser light from the distance measurement sensor unit 11 is blocked by a user seated on the toilet, small, medium, or large dirt on the sensor window 21, or the toilet lid.

[0025] If it is determined in step S101 that the measured distance is the maximum value (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102. In the process of step S102, the determination unit 13 determines that the sensor window 21 is clean. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the determination unit 13 determines that the toilet lid is open, the user is not seated, and the sensor window 21 is clean. Here, the determination result of the determination unit 13 is not affected by the state (on or off) of the toilet interior lighting.

[0026] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the measured distance is not the maximum value (NO in step S101), the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the determination unit 13 determines whether the measured distance is greater than the seating distance. The seating distance (mm) is a statistical value obtained by measuring the distances of multiple people seated on the toilet seat in advance. For example, the seating distance L is expressed as L = M ± 3σ. Here, M is the average value of the seating distances. σ represents the variance. Note that the seating distance is not limited to the above example and may be a statistical value such as the median. If the measured distance is less than the maximum value and greater than the seating distance, the laser light from the distance measuring sensor unit 11 is blocked by the toilet lid, or by the toilet lid and small dirt on the sensor window 21. On the other hand, if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, the laser light from the distance measuring sensor unit 11 is blocked by medium or large dirt on the sensor window 21, or by a user sitting on the toilet.

[0027] If it is determined in step S103 that the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance (NO in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the determination unit 13 determines whether the measured illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor unit 12 is greater than a predetermined threshold. When the lights in the toilet are turned on, the measured illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor unit 12 decreases in this order due to medium soiling of the sensor window 21, large soiling, or a user sitting on the toilet bowl. The threshold value of the measured illuminance is set to a value that allows a distinction between medium soiling of the sensor window 21 and large soiling of the sensor window 21.

[0028] If it is determined in step S104 that the measured illuminance is greater than the predetermined threshold (YES in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. In the process of step S105, the determination unit 13 determines that the sensor window 21 is medium dirty. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the determination unit 13 determines that the toilet interior light is on, the toilet lid is open, the user is not seated, and the sensor window 21 is medium dirty.

[0029] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the measured illuminance is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (NO in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the determination unit 13 determines whether the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than the predetermined threshold. When a user sits on the toilet, the user moves, causing the measured distance to fluctuate over the predetermined period (i.e., the deviation of the measured distance becomes larger). On the other hand, if the sensor window 21 is heavily soiled, the measured distance is less likely to fluctuate over the predetermined period. The threshold for the deviation of the measured distance in step S106 is set to a value that can distinguish between a user sitting on the toilet and heavily soiled sensor window 21.

[0030] If it is determined in step S106 that the deviation of the measured distances is greater than the predetermined threshold value (YES in step S106), the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the determination unit 13 determines that there is no dirt on the sensor window 21. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the determination unit 13 determines that the toilet light is on, the toilet lid is open, the user is seated, and the sensor window 21 is not dirty.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the deviation of the measured distance is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value (NO in step S106), the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the determination unit 13 determines that the sensor window 21 is heavily soiled. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 9, the determination unit 13 determines that the sensor window 21 is heavily soiled. Here, the determination result of the determination unit 13 is not affected by the state of the toilet interior lighting (on or off), the state of the toilet lid (closed or open), or whether the user is seated (seated or not).

[0032] If it is determined in step S103 that the measured distance is greater than the seating distance (YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S109.

[0033] In step S109, the determination unit 13 determines whether the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times over a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the sensor window 21 is slightly dirty, the measured distance will fluctuate over the predetermined period (i.e., the deviation of the measured distance will be large). On the other hand, if the sensor window 21 is not dirty, the measured distance will not fluctuate over the predetermined period. The threshold value for the deviation of the measured distance in step S109 is set to a value that can determine whether the sensor window 21 is slightly dirty or not.

[0034] If it is determined in step S109 that the deviation of the measured distance is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value (NO in step S109), the process proceeds to step S110. In the process of step S110, the determination unit 13 determines that the sensor window 21 is not soiled. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 10, the determination unit 13 determines that the toilet lid is closed, the user is not seated, and the sensor window 21 is not soiled. Here, the determination result of the determination unit 13 is not affected by the state (on or off) of the lighting in the toilet.

[0035] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the deviation of the measured distance is greater than the predetermined threshold value (YES in step S109), the process proceeds to step S111. In the process of step S111, the determination unit 13 determines that the sensor window 21 is slightly soiled. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 11, the determination unit 13 determines that the toilet lid is closed, the user is not seated, and the sensor window 21 is slightly soiled. Here, the determination result of the determination unit 13 is not affected by the state (on or off) of the lighting in the toilet.

[0036] As described above, the sensor window dirt determination device 2 according to the second embodiment determines whether or not the sensor window 21 of the toilet interior device 20 is dirty by using not only the distance measured by the distance measurement sensor unit 11 but also the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor unit 12. The sensor window dirt determination device 2 determines whether or not the sensor window 21 of the toilet interior device 20 is dirty by using only two types of sensors, the distance measurement sensor unit 11 and the illuminance sensor unit 12, and by using the illuminance sensor unit 12, which is less affected by dirt on the sensor window 21. Therefore, the sensor window dirt determination device 2 can detect dirt on the sensor window of the toilet interior device at low cost and in a manner that is less affected by dirt. Furthermore, by combining the distance measurement sensor with an illuminance sensor, the sensor window dirt determination device 2 can determine whether the user is seated or the toilet lid is closed.

[0037] Each component in the above-described embodiments may be configured with hardware or software, or both, and may be configured with a single piece of hardware or software, or may be configured with multiple pieces of hardware or software. Each device and each function (processing) may be realized by a computer 1000 having a processor 1001 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 1002 serving as a storage device, as shown in FIG. 12. For example, a program for performing the method (video processing method) in the embodiment may be stored in the memory 1002, and each function may be realized by the processor 1001 executing the program stored in the memory 1002.

[0038] These programs include instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The programs may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The programs may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0040] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Supplementary Note 1) A sensor window dirt determination device, comprising: a toilet interior device installed in a toilet, the toilet interior device having a sensor window, a distance measurement sensor unit provided inside the toilet interior device and measuring distance through the sensor window; an illuminance sensor unit provided inside the toilet interior device and measuring illuminance through the sensor window; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. (Supplementary Note 2) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is equal to or greater than a maximum value. (Supplementary Note 3) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is less than a maximum value and greater than a user's seating distance, and if the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 4) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is less than a maximum value and greater than a user's seating distance, and if a deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 5) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, and if the measured illuminance is greater than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 6) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, and if the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if a deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 7) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than a seating distance, if the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if a deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than the predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 8) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit further determines a degree of dirt on the sensor window based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance.(Supplementary Note 9) The sensor window dirt determination device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the determination unit further determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty and the degree of dirt on the sensor window by taking into consideration whether or not the light in the toilet in which the toilet is installed is on, whether or not the toilet lid is open, and whether or not a user is sitting on the toilet. (Supplementary Note 10) A sensor window dirt determination method, wherein a computer is an internal toilet device installed in the toilet, the internal toilet device having a sensor window, measures a distance through the sensor window, measures illuminance through the sensor window within the internal toilet device, and determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. (Supplementary Note 11) The sensor window dirt determination method according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is equal to or greater than a maximum value. (Supplementary Note 12) The method for determining sensor window dirt according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is less than a maximum value and greater than the user's seating distance, and if a deviation between the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is less than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 13) The method for determining sensor window dirt according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is less than a maximum value and greater than the user's seating distance, and if a deviation between the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 14) The method for determining sensor window dirt according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is less than the seating distance, and if the measured illuminance is greater than a predetermined threshold. (Appendix 15) The method for determining whether the sensor window is dirty described in Appendix 10, wherein the computer further determines that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, if the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.(Supplementary Note 16) The method for determining dirt on a sensor window according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines that there is no dirt on the sensor window if the measured distance is equal to or less than the sitting distance, if the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than the predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 17) The method for determining dirt on a sensor window according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines the degree of dirt on the sensor window based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. (Supplementary Note 18) The method for determining dirt on a sensor window according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the computer further determines the presence or absence of dirt on the sensor window and the degree of dirt on the sensor window by taking into consideration whether a light in the toilet in which the toilet is installed is on, whether the toilet lid is open, and whether a user is sitting on the toilet. (Supplementary Note 19) A program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: a toilet interior device that is installed in a toilet bowl and has a sensor window, measures a distance through the sensor window inside the toilet interior device, measures illuminance through the sensor window inside the toilet interior device, and determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. (Supplementary Note 20) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, that further causes a computer to execute the process of determining that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is equal to or greater than a maximum value. (Supplementary Note 21) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, that further causes a computer to execute the process of determining that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is less than a maximum value and greater than a user's seating distance, and if the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 22) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, further causing a computer to execute a process of determining that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is less than a maximum value and greater than a user's seating distance, and if a deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 23) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, further causing a computer to execute a process of determining that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, and if the measured illuminance is greater than a predetermined threshold.(Supplementary Note 24) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, further causing a computer to execute a process of determining that the sensor window is dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, if the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if a deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 25) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, further causing a computer to execute a process of determining that the sensor window is not dirty if the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance, if the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if a deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than the predetermined threshold. (Supplementary Note 26) The program according to Supplementary Note 19, further causing a computer to execute a process of determining the degree of dirt on the sensor window based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. (Appendix 27) The program described in Appendix 19 further causes a computer to execute a process of determining whether the sensor window is dirty and the degree of dirt on the sensor window, taking into consideration whether the lighting in the toilet where the toilet is installed is on, whether the toilet lid is open, and whether a user is sitting on the toilet.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention.

[0042] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-056825, filed on March 31, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0043] 1, 2 Sensor window dirt determination device 11 Distance measurement sensor unit 12 Illuminance sensor unit 13 Determination unit 20 Toilet in-bowl equipment 21 Sensor window

Claims

1. a distance measuring sensor unit that is provided inside the toilet device and has a sensor window and measures a measurement distance through the sensor window; a determination unit that determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty, The determination unit If the measured distance is equal to or greater than the maximum value, it is determined that the sensor window is clean. Sensor window dirt detection device.

2. The toilet device further includes an illuminance sensor unit that is provided inside the toilet device and measures the measured illuminance through the sensor window, When the measured distance is less than the maximum value, the determination unit determines whether or not the sensor window is dirty based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 1 .

3. When the measurement distance is less than the maximum value, the determination unit determines the degree of dirt along with the presence or absence of dirt on the sensor window. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 2 .

4. The determination unit further determines at least one of whether or not a person is sitting on the toilet bowl, whether the toilet lid is open or closed, and whether the toilet seat is open or closed. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 3 .

5. The determination unit If the measured distance is less than the maximum value and greater than the user's seating distance, If the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is not dirty; If the deviation of the measured distance measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is dirty. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 2 .

6. The determination unit If the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance of the user and if the measured illuminance is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is dirty. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 2 .

7. The determination unit When the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance of the user and the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, If the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is dirty; If the deviation of the measured distance measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is clean. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 2 .

8. The determination unit The degree of contamination of the sensor window is determined based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 2 .

9. The determination unit The presence or absence of dirt on the sensor window and the degree of dirt on the sensor window are determined based on whether the light in the toilet where the toilet is installed is on, whether the toilet lid is open, and whether a user is sitting on the toilet. The sensor window contamination determination device according to claim 2 .

10. The computer a toilet device installed in a toilet bowl, the toilet device having a sensor window, measuring a measurement distance through the sensor window inside the toilet device; If the measured distance is equal to or greater than the maximum value, it is determined that the sensor window is clean. How to determine sensor window dirt.

11. The computer Further measuring the measured illuminance through the sensor window inside the toilet-in-bowl device; The presence or absence of dirt on the sensor window is determined based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. The method for determining contamination of a sensor window according to claim 10.

12. The computer If the measured distance is less than the maximum value and greater than the user's seating distance, If the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is not dirty; If the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within the predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is dirty. The method for determining contamination of a sensor window according to claim 11.

13. The computer If the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance of the user and if the measured illuminance is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is dirty. The method for determining contamination of a sensor window according to claim 11.

14. The computer When the measured distance is equal to or less than the seating distance of the user and the measured illuminance is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, If the deviation of the measured distances measured multiple times within a predetermined period is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is dirty; If the deviation of the measured distance measured multiple times within a predetermined period is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the sensor window is clean. The method for determining contamination of a sensor window according to claim 11.

15. The computer The degree of contamination of the sensor window is determined based on the measured distance and the measured illuminance. The method for determining contamination of a sensor window according to claim 11.

16. The computer The presence or absence of dirt on the sensor window and the degree of dirt on the sensor window are determined based on whether the light in the toilet where the toilet is installed is on, whether the toilet lid is open, and whether a user is sitting on the toilet. The method for determining contamination of a sensor window according to claim 11.