Toilet device, control device for toilet device, method for controlling toilet device, and computer program for control device

Abstract

This toilet device comprises: a toilet body including a toilet bowl; a water discharge part that executes a washing process for discharging wash water to the toilet bowl; and a control device that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the washing process is completed, that uses the acquired first image data to identify a filthy location where filth is adhered to the toilet bowl, and that, if the filthy location is identified as being a first location, causes the water discharge part to execute a first washing process for washing the first location.

Description

Toilet device, control device for toilet device, method for controlling toilet device, and computer program for control device.

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a toilet device, a control device for a toilet device, a method for controlling a toilet device, and a computer program for a control device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet flushing device including an imaging unit, a determination unit, and a flushing control unit. The imaging unit images the bowl portion after a flushing operation is performed. The determination unit determines the presence or absence of dirt in the bowl portion using image information captured by the imaging unit. The flushing control unit controls the flushing operation for the bowl portion based on the determination result obtained by the determination unit.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-193838

[0004] In the above technology, the presence or absence of dirt cannot be determined until the flushing process is completed. The present specification discloses a technology capable of executing a flushing process in accordance with dirt on a toilet bowl before the flushing process is completed.

[0005] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a toilet device. The toilet device may include: a toilet body having a toilet bowl; a water discharge unit that executes a flushing process of discharging flushing water into the toilet bowl; and a control device, wherein the control device acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the flushing process is completed, specifies a dirt position representing the position of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and causes the water discharge unit to execute a first flushing process for cleaning the first position when the dirt position is specified as the first position.

[0006] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to control devices. A control device may be a control device for a toilet device, which may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl. A control device may include an acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, an identification unit that uses the acquired first image data to identify a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and a cleaning process control unit that, when the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

[0007] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to methods for controlling a toilet device. The toilet device includes a toilet body having a toilet bowl and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl, and the method may include an acquisition step of acquiring first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, an identification step of identifying a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and a cleaning process control step of causing the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location if the dirt location is identified as a first location.

[0008] Other technologies disclosed herein relate to computer programs for control devices. A toilet device may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl. The computer program may cause the computer of the control device to function as an acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, an identification unit that uses the acquired first image data to identify a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and a cleaning process control unit that, when the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the toilet device of the embodiment. It shows a cross-sectional view of the toilet body and toilet seat in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center in the left-right direction. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the inside of the toilet bowl and a schematic diagram showing the flow of flushing water in the III-III cross section. Figure 2 shows the back surfaces of the toilet seat 14 and functional unit 16 in the IV-IV cross section. It shows a flow chart of the flushing control process. It shows a flow chart continuing from Figure 5. It shows a table showing the discharge configuration of the embodiment.

[0010] (First Embodiment) (Configuration of Toilet Device 10) As shown in Figure 1, the toilet device 10 is a flush toilet. The toilet device 10 is used fixed to the floor. The toilet device 10 may be, for example, a so-called wall-mounted flush toilet that is fixed to the wall.

[0011] The toilet device 10 comprises a toilet bowl 12, a toilet seat 14, a functional unit 16, and a control device 17. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the left-right direction at the center of the toilet bowl 12 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 2, the toilet bowl 12 comprises a toilet body 20 and an upper end flange 30. The toilet body 20 is made of ceramic. In a modified example, the toilet body 20 may be made of resin. The toilet body 20 includes a toilet bowl 22 for receiving waste. A tank 18 is housed at the lower end of the toilet body 20. The tank 18 is shown in a side view. The tank 18 stores flushing water for flushing the toilet bowl 22. The position of the tank 18 is not particularly limited. For example, the tank 18 may be located behind the toilet bowl 12. The toilet device 10 includes a flush button (not shown) which is electrically connected to a water discharge unit 40, which will be described later. When the user operates the flush button, flushing water is discharged from the tank 18 to the toilet bowl 22 via the water outlet 40. The functional unit 16 may have functions such as an opening and closing function that automatically opens and closes the toilet lid and toilet seat 14 (not shown) in accordance with the user's actions, local flushing, warm air drying, and deodorizing functions.

[0012] In the toilet unit 10, flushing water from the tank 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 not only by operating the flush button, but also by operating a lever located on the toilet unit 10. The flush button may be located on a remote controller electrically connected to the water outlet 40 by either a wired or wireless connection. Flushing water from the tank 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22 even without user operation. For example, if the sensor does not detect a user, flushing water from the tank 18 may be supplied to the toilet bowl 22.

[0013] The toilet seat 14 is attached to the toilet bowl body 20 so as to be openable and closable. The toilet seat 14 is sat on by the user. The toilet seat 14 has an opening 14a.

[0014] Hereinafter, the direction in which the toilet seat 14 and the functional unit 16 are aligned will be referred to as the front-to-back direction. In the front-to-back direction, the side on which the toilet seat 14 is positioned relative to the functional unit 16 will be referred to as the front side of the front-to-back direction, and the opposite side will be referred to as the back side. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction will be referred to as the left-to-right direction. In the left-to-right direction, the far side of the paper in Figure 1 will be referred to as the right side, and the near side of the paper in Figure 1 will be referred to as the left side. The left and right directions correspond to the left and right as seen from the perspective of a user facing the toilet device 10. The vertical direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction will be referred to as the up-and-down direction. In the up-and-down direction, the side on which the tank 18 is positioned relative to the toilet body 20 will be referred to as the down side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the up side.

[0015] The toilet bowl 22 has a shape that is generally recessed downwards. The toilet body 20 includes a water reservoir 24 located at the lower end of the toilet bowl 22, a drain pipe 36 communicating with the water reservoir 24, and a drain port 34 opening into the water reservoir 24. The water reservoir 24 is part of the toilet bowl 22. Water is accumulated in the water reservoir 24 up to the water level WS. The water level WS coincides with the top 36a of the drain pipe 36. In other words, when flushing water is not supplied to the toilet bowl 22, the area below the water level WS is referred to as the water reservoir 24.

[0016] The water reservoir 24 is connected to the drain pipe 36 via the drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 extends upward from the drain outlet 34. The drain pipe 36 bends downward at its top 36a and extends downward. The drain pipe 36 extends to the outside of the toilet bowl 12.

[0017] An upper flange portion 30 is positioned around the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22. The upper flange portion 30 is positioned at the upper end of the toilet bowl body 20. The upper flange portion 30 protrudes inward from the upper edge 22a so as to face the surface of the toilet bowl 22. The lower surface 30a of the upper flange portion 30 is positioned vertically in the vertical direction.

[0018] (Configuration of the water discharge section) The water discharge section 40 discharges the cleaning water from the tank 18 into the toilet bowl 22. As shown in Figure 3, the water discharge section 40 includes a right-side water outlet 50, a left-side water outlet 52, a rear water outlet 54, a jet water outlet 56, a pump 58, and a switching valve 59. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the positions of each water outlet 50, 52, 54, and 56 when the toilet bowl 12 is viewed from above. The right-side water outlet 50 is located on the right side of the toilet bowl 22, on the upper flange portion 30 of the toilet bowl 22. The left-side water outlet 52 is located on the left side of the toilet bowl 22, on the upper flange portion 30 of the toilet bowl 22. As shown in Figure 3, the right-side water outlet 50 and the left-side water outlet 52 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction, in the center of the toilet bowl 22 in the left-right direction. The cleaning water from tank 18 is supplied by a pump to the right-side discharge port 50, the left-side discharge port 52, the rear discharge port 54, and the jet discharge port 56.

[0019] The right-side water outlet 50 opens towards the front. The cleaning water supplied from the tank 18 and reaching the right-side water outlet 50 spreads out vertically to conform to the shape of the outlet. As a result, the cleaning water discharged from the right-side water outlet 50 flows straight parallel to the front, while also spreading upwards and downwards. The cleaning water flowing upwards comes into contact with the upper end flange portion 30 and flows along the upper end flange portion 30 along the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22 toward the front.

[0020] The left-side outlet 52 opens towards the front. The cleaning water supplied from the tank 18 and reaching the left-side outlet 52 spreads out vertically to conform to the shape of the outlet. As a result, the cleaning water discharged from the left-side outlet 52 flows straight parallel to the front, while also spreading upwards and downwards. The cleaning water flowing upwards comes into contact with the upper end flange portion 30 and flows along the upper end flange portion 30 along the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22 toward the front.

[0021] The rear outlet 54 is located at the upper end of the back side of the toilet bowl 22. The rear outlet 54 opens toward the front. The cleaning water supplied from the tank 18 and discharged from the rear outlet 54 spreads out in the vertical and horizontal directions. As a result, the cleaning water discharged from the rear outlet 54 reaches the lower surface of the upper end flange portion 30. Consequently, the entire area beyond the right outlet 50 and the left outlet 52 can be cleaned up to the upper edge 22a of the toilet bowl 22.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the jet outlet 56 is positioned in the lower part of the water reservoir 24, through a through hole provided in the toilet bowl 22. The jet outlet 56 opens toward the back. The washing water supplied from the tank 18 and discharged from the jet outlet 56 carries the waste and other debris accumulated in the water reservoir 24, along with the water, into the drain outlet 34 and then into the drain pipe 36.

[0023] Pump 58 draws up cleaning water from tank 18 and sends it towards switching valve 59. Switching valve 59 switches the connection between pump 58 and each of the discharge ports 50, 52, 54, and 56.

[0024] (Configuration of camera and lighting unit) As shown in Figure 4, the toilet device 10 comprises an imaging device 60, a right-side lighting unit 62, and a left-side lighting unit 64. The imaging device 60 is located at the front end of the functional unit 16, facing the inner surface of the toilet bowl 22. That is, the imaging device 60 is positioned above the toilet bowl 22 and behind the toilet bowl 22. The imaging device 60 can image the entire inner surface of the toilet bowl 22. The imaging device 60 has an image sensor for electromagnetic waves of any wavelength of visible light, ultraviolet light, or infrared light. The imaging device 60 generates image data using the electromagnetic waves received by the image sensor. The image data representing the image of the toilet bowl 22 captured by the imaging device 60 is transmitted to the control device 17.

[0025] The right-side lighting unit 62 and the left-side lighting unit 64 are positioned on the underside 14b of the toilet seat 14. The right-side lighting unit 62 and the left-side lighting unit 64 are composed of light sources such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The right-side lighting unit 62 and the left-side lighting unit 64 may be changed according to the imaging device 60. If the imaging device 60 has a visible light image sensor, visible light may be emitted. Visible light may be monochromatic light other than white light, such as red or green. If the imaging device 60 has an ultraviolet image sensor, ultraviolet light may be emitted. If the imaging device 60 has an infrared image sensor, infrared light may be emitted. The right-side lighting unit 62 and the left-side lighting unit 64 each illuminate downwards. The inner surface of the toilet bowl 22 is illuminated by the right-side lighting unit 62 and the left-side lighting unit 64. The right-side lighting unit 62 is positioned to the right of the position of the imaging device 60, and the left-side lighting unit 64 is positioned to the left. That is, the line segment connecting the right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 is perpendicular to the line segment perpendicular to the direction toward the front from the imaging device 60. With this configuration, the toilet bowl 22 can be imaged by the imaging device 60 while the right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 are lit. The right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 illuminate the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 from the left and right directions and from above. The imaging device 60 can take images under appropriate brightness. By illuminating the dirt from the right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 and taking images with the imaging device positioned between the right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64, it is possible to suppress the difficulty in imaging the area around the dirt due to the shadow of the dirt. In a modified example, the multiple light sources may be arranged facing different directions from each other in directions other than the left and right directions.

[0026] The control device 17 includes a CPU and a storage unit. The storage unit is equipped with volatile and non-volatile memory. In the control device 17, the CPU executes processing according to the computer program stored in the storage unit. The control device 17 is electrically connected to the functional unit 16, the tank 18, the pump 58, the switching valve 59, the imaging device 60, the right illumination unit 62, and the left illumination unit 64, and can control the operation of these components.

[0027] (Washing control process; Figures 5 and 6) The control device 17 performs the washing control process. As shown in Figure 5, the washing control process is started when the user operates the washing button. In a modified example, the control device 17 may start the washing control process when it receives a signal from the seating sensor located in the functional unit 16 indicating that the user has sat on the toilet seat 14, and then receives a signal indicating that the user has left the seat. In another modified example, the washing control process may start when it receives a signal from the sensor that detects the opening and closing of the toilet lid indicating that the valve lid has been closed, and a signal from the motion sensor indicating that the user has moved away from the toilet unit 10.

[0028] In S10, the control device 17 transmits an imaging instruction to the imaging device 60, the right illumination unit 62, and the left illumination unit 64. In response, the right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 light up. Subsequently, the imaging device 60 images the toilet bowl 22. In S12, the control device 17 acquires image data representing the toilet bowl 22 from the imaging device 60. In S14, the control device 17 uses the image data acquired in S12 to identify the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22, and for the identified dirt, it identifies at least one of the following: the location of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22, external shape information relating to the external shape of the dirt, and its properties. The external shape information includes information representing at least one of the external dimensions of the dirt, the volume of the dirt, the amount of dirt, the external shape of the dirt, and the area of ​​contact between the dirt and the toilet bowl 22.

[0029] Specifically, the control device 17 stores a pre-trained model. The pre-trained model is, for example, a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). The pre-trained model is trained in advance using deep learning. The deep learning uses a large number of image data in which the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 are identified. The deep learning also uses supervised learning data in which at least one of the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 is associated with the manner in which the washing water is discharged during the washing process. Using the pre-trained model, the control device 17 identifies at least one of the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt for each image represented by the multiple acquired image data, and identifies the washing water discharge manner associated with it. This allows the control device 17 to select the optimal water discharge manner according to the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt. The processes S28, S44, and S60 described later are similar.

[0030] In S16, the control device 17 determines whether the dirt was identified in S14. If it is determined that the dirt has been identified (YES in S16), the process proceeds to S17. On the other hand, if it is determined that the dirt has not been identified (NO in S16), the process proceeds to S20. In S17, the control device 17 determines whether at least one of the following has been identified for the dirt identified in S14: the location of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22, external shape information, and properties. If it is determined that at least one of the following has been identified (YES in S17), the process proceeds to S18. If it is determined that none of the location, external shape information, or properties of the dirt have been identified (NO in S17), the process proceeds to S20.

[0031] In the modified example, the process in S16 does not need to be performed. In this case, in S14, a trained model may be prepared so that at least one of the location of the dirt, the external shape information, and the properties can be identified.

[0032] In S18, an appropriate water discharge mode is selected according to at least one of the location, external shape information, and characteristics of the dirt. The water discharge mode is predetermined to determine how much cleaning water to discharge using at least one of the right-side water outlet 50, the left-side water outlet 52, and the rear water outlet 54. The control device 17 controls the drive of the pump 58 and the switching valve 59 according to the water discharge mode. The jet water outlet 56 is not used in this process. The specific water discharge modes will be explained with reference to Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the toilet bowl 22 comprises a first area AR1, a second area AR2, a third area AR3, and a fourth area AR4. Each area AR1, AR2, AR3, and AR4 is defined by planes perpendicular to the left-right direction and planes perpendicular to the front-back direction at the center of the toilet bowl 22 in the left-right direction and the center in the front-back direction. The first area AR1 is located on the right side in the front direction. The second area AR2 is located on the right side in the direction of the back. The third area AR3 is located on the left side in the direction of the back. The fourth area AR4 is located on the left side in the direction of the front.

[0033] The following describes a case where the water discharge mode is selected according to the location of the dirt. In this case, in S14, the location of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22 is identified. Each of the water outlets 50, 52, and 54 is capable of discharging three levels of cleaning water, represented as large, medium, and small. The control device 17 adjusts the large, medium, and small water volumes by adjusting the rotation speed of the pump 58. The "large" water volume is the largest. The "medium" water volume is the second largest. The "small" water volume is the smallest. As shown in Figure 7, for example, if it is identified that dirt is adhering to the first area AR1, the control device 17 selects the water discharge modes of "large" for the right water outlet 50, "small" for the left water outlet 52, and "small" for the rear water outlet 54. For example, if dirt is identified as being present in the second region AR2, the control device 17 selects a water discharge pattern where the right outlet 50 has a "high" water flow rate, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water flow rate, and the rear outlet 54 has a "high" water flow rate. For example, if dirt is identified as being present in the third region AR3, the control device 17 selects a water discharge pattern where the right outlet 50 has a "low" water flow rate, the left outlet 52 has a "high" water flow rate, and the rear outlet 54 has a "high" water flow rate. For example, if dirt is identified as being present in the fourth region AR4, the control device 17 selects a water discharge pattern where the right outlet 50 has a "low" water flow rate, the left outlet 52 has a "high" water flow rate, and the rear outlet 54 has a "low" water flow rate.

[0034] In the above water discharge configuration, when the location of the dirt is in the front (i.e., in the first region AR1 and the fourth region AR4), the rear water outlet 54 is set to a "small" water volume. When the location of the dirt is in the rear (i.e., in the second region AR2 and the third region AR3), the rear water outlet 54 is set to a "large" water volume. When the location of the dirt is on the right side (i.e., in the first region AR1 and the second region AR2), the water volume of the right water outlet 50 located on the right side of the toilet bowl 22 is set to a "large" water volume, and the water volume of the left water outlet 52 located on the left side of the toilet bowl 22 is set to a "small" water volume. When the location of the dirt is on the left side (i.e., in the third region AR3 and the fourth region AR4), the water volume of the left water outlet 52 located on the left side of the toilet bowl 22 is set to a "large" water volume, and the water volume of the right water outlet 50 located on the right side of the toilet bowl 22 is set to a "small" water volume. By varying the amount of cleaning water discharged from each outlet 50, 52, and 54 according to the location of the dirt, dirt can be removed appropriately without excess or deficiency of cleaning water. By reducing the amount of water in areas where dirt is not attached, the amount of cleaning water used can be reduced.

[0035] The following describes a case where the water discharge mode is selected according to the location and external shape information of the dirt. In this case, in S14, the location and external shape information of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22 are identified. The external shape information of the dirt is shown in three stages represented by S1, S2, and S3. External shape information "S1" has the smallest volume. External shape information "S2" has the next smallest volume after external shape information "S1". External shape information "S3" has the largest volume. External shape information may be other than volume. For example, external shape information "S1" may be shown in order of smallest contact area between the dirt and the toilet bowl 22, external dimensions, or quantity, in S1, S2, and S3.

[0036] For example, if it is determined that dirt with external shape information "S3" is attached to the first region AR1, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "high" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "low" water volume. Similarly, if it is determined that dirt with external shape information "S2" or "S1" is attached to the first region AR1, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "medium" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "low" water volume. In this water discharge mode, if the external shape information of the dirt is "S3" and it is relatively large, the water volume of the right outlet 50, which is located near the location of the dirt (i.e., in the front right direction), is set to "high". Then, if the external shape information of the dirt at the same location is "S2" or "S1" and it is relatively small, the water volume of the right outlet 50, which is located near the location of the dirt (i.e., in the front right direction), is set to "medium". This water discharge pattern is the same even when the location of the dirt is in the fourth region AR4 instead of the first region AR1, except that the water volume of the left and right water outlets 50 and 52 is reversed.

[0037] Next, if it is determined that dirt with external shape information "S3" is attached to the second region AR2, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "high" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "high" water volume. Similarly, if it is determined that dirt with either external shape information "S2" or "S1" is attached to the second region AR2, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "medium" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "medium" water volume. In this water discharge mode, if the external shape information of the dirt is "S3" and it is relatively large, the water volume of the right outlet 50 and the rear outlet 54, which are located near the location of the dirt (i.e., in the rear right direction), are set to "high". Then, if the external shape information of the dirt at the same position is "S2" or "S1" and is relatively small, the water volume of the right-side spout 50 and the rear spout 54, which are located near the position of the dirt (i.e., towards the back right), are set to "medium". This water discharge pattern is the same even when the position of the dirt is in the third region AR3 instead of the second region AR2, except that the water volumes of the left and right spouts 50 and 52 are reversed.

[0038] In other water discharge modes, if the location of the dirt is on the front side (i.e., the first region AR1 and the fourth region AR4), only the right-side water outlet 50 and the left-side water outlet 52 may be used. That is, the rear water outlet 54 and the jet water outlet 56 are not used. For example, if it is determined that dirt with external shape information "S3" is attached to the first region AR1, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right-side water outlet 50 has a "high" water volume and the left-side water outlet 52 has a "low" water volume. Similarly, if it is determined that dirt with external shape information "S2" and "S1" is attached to the first region AR1, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right-side water outlet 50 has a "medium" water volume and the left-side water outlet 52 has a "low" water volume. This water discharge mode is the same even if the location of the dirt is in the fourth region AR4 instead of the first region AR1, except that the water volumes of the left and right water outlets 50 and 52 are reversed. By varying the amount of cleaning water discharged from each outlet 50, 52, and 54 according to the external shape information of the dirt, the dirt can be removed appropriately without excess or deficiency of cleaning water.

[0039] The following describes the case where the water discharge mode is selected according to the location and characteristics of the stain. In this case, in S14, the location and characteristics of the stain adhering to the toilet bowl 22 are identified. The characteristics of the stain are shown in three stages represented by P1, P2, and P3. Characteristics "P1" corresponds to either hard stool or lumpy stool, which are Bristol Scale type 1. Characteristics "P2" corresponds to either slightly hard stool, normal stool, or slightly soft stool, which are Bristol Scale types 2 to 5. Characteristics "P3" corresponds to either muddy stool or watery stool, which are Bristol Scale types 6 to 7.

[0040] For example, if it is determined that dirt of either properties "P1" or "P2" is attached to the first region AR1, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "high" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "low" water volume. Similarly, if dirt of property "P3" is attached to the first region AR1, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "medium" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "low" water volume. In such a water discharge mode, if the dirt has properties "P1" or "P2" and is relatively hard, the water volume of the right outlet 50, which is located near the location of the dirt (i.e., towards the front on the right side), is set to "high". Furthermore, if the nature of the dirt at the same location is "P3" and relatively soft, the water volume of the right-side spout 50, located near the location of the dirt (i.e., towards the front right), is set to "medium". This water discharge pattern is the same even when the location of the dirt is in the fourth region AR4 instead of the first region AR1, except that the water volumes of the left and right spouts 50 and 52 are reversed.

[0041] Next, if it is determined that dirt of either property "P1" or property "P2" is attached to the second area AR2, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "high" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "high" water volume. Similarly, if dirt of property "P3" is attached to the second area AR2, the control device 17 selects a water discharge mode in which the right outlet 50 has a "medium" water volume, the left outlet 52 has a "low" water volume, and the rear outlet 54 has a "medium" water volume.

[0042] In such a water discharge mode, when the properties of dirt are "P1" and "P2" and the dirt is relatively hard, the water volume of the right water discharge port 50 and the water volume of the rear water discharge port 54 located near the dirt position (i.e., the direction of the inner right side) are set to "large". When the properties of dirt are "P3" and the dirt is relatively soft at the same position, the water volume of the right water discharge port 50 and the water volume of the rear water discharge port 54 located near the dirt position (i.e., the direction of the inner right side) are set to "medium". This water discharge mode is the same when the dirt position is in the third area AR3 instead of the second area AR2, except that the water volumes of the left and right water discharge ports 50 and 52 are reversed. By varying the water volume of cleaning water discharged from each of the water discharge ports 50, 52 and 54 according to the properties of the dirt, the dirt can be appropriately removed without excess or deficiency of cleaning water.

[0043] In S20, the control device 17 selects a normal water discharge mode. The normal water discharge mode may be in any form. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the right water discharge port 50, the left water discharge port 52, and the rear water discharge port 54 may all be in a water discharge mode with a "small" water volume. In this way, the control device 17 executes the cleaning process even when no dirt adheres to the toilet bowl 22. Therefore, even when the control device 17 has not identified the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22 itself in S14, or cannot identify the position of the dirt, etc., the dirt can be removed by causing each water discharge port 50, 52, 54 to discharge cleaning water in the normal water discharge mode. By setting all the water volumes from the right water discharge port 50, the left water discharge port 52, and the rear water discharge port 54 to the same water discharge mode, the entire toilet bowl 22 can be cleaned evenly without unevenness.

[0044] In the cleaning control process, the cleaning process is executed by selecting either a water discharge mode corresponding to the dirt position, etc., or a normal water discharge mode. By varying the water volume of cleaning water discharged from each water discharge port 50, 52, 54 according to the dirt position, etc., the dirt can be appropriately removed while suppressing the amount of cleaning water. On the other hand, when the dirt itself cannot be identified or the position of the dirt, etc., cannot be specified, cleaning in the normal water discharge mode allows the entire toilet bowl 22 to be cleaned evenly without unevenness.

[0045] In S22, the control device 17 executes a rim cleaning process in accordance with the water discharge mode selected in either one of S18 and S20. In the rim cleaning process, the control device 17 uses a pump to cause each of the water discharge ports 50, 52, and 54 to discharge an amount of cleaning water corresponding to the selected water discharge mode. Upon receiving an instruction from the control device 17, the pump executes a cleaning process of discharging cleaning water from each of the water discharge ports 50, 52, and 54 in accordance with the instruction. The discharge of cleaning water from each of the water discharge ports 50, 52, and 54 continues until the process of S34 described later.

[0046] From S24 to S30, the control device 17 executes the same processes as those from S10 to S16. When it is determined that dirt adheres to the toilet bowl 22 (YES in S30), the control device 17 proceeds to the process of S32. On the other hand, when it is determined that no dirt adheres to the toilet bowl 22 (NO in S30), the control device 17 proceeds to the process of S34 without executing the process of S32.

[0047] In S32, the control device 17 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of execution of the rim cleaning process in S22. The predetermined time is, for example, 10 seconds. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S32), the process proceeds to S34. When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S32), the process returns to S24. That is, after starting the rim cleaning process, the control device 17 continues to execute the rim cleaning process until the predetermined time elapses while dirt remains adhering to the toilet bowl 22.

[0048] In S34, the control device 17 terminates the rim cleaning process. That is, upon receiving an instruction from the control device 17, the pump terminates the discharge of cleaning water from each of the water discharge ports 50, 52, and 54 in accordance with the instruction. This completes the cleaning process.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, from S40 to S46, the control device 17 executes the same processes as those from S10 to S16 in FIG. 5. When it is determined that dirt adheres to the toilet bowl 22 (YES in S46), the control device 17 proceeds to the process of S48. On the other hand, when it is determined that no dirt adheres to the toilet bowl 22 (NO in S46), the control device 17 proceeds to the process of S52 without executing the processes from S48 to S50.

[0050] In S48 and S50, the control device 17 performs the same processing as in S18 and S22 in Figure 5.

[0051] In S52, the control device 17 performs a jet rim cleaning process. In the jet rim cleaning process, the control device 17 uses a pump to discharge a predetermined amount of cleaning water to the right outlet 50, the left outlet 52, the rear outlet 54, and the jet outlet 56. The jet outlet 56 can discharge cleaning water in two stages, represented as large and medium. When the pump receives an instruction from the control device 17, it performs a cleaning process in which it discharges cleaning water from each outlet 50, 52, 54, and 56 according to the instruction. After performing the rim cleaning process in S22, if the control device 17 determines that dirt is attached to the toilet bowl 22 using the image data acquired in S42 (YES in S46), it performs the rim cleaning process again in S50. By repeating the cleaning in this way, the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 can be removed.

[0052] In S54, the control device 17 terminates the jet rim cleaning process. That is, when the pump receives an instruction from the control device 17, it terminates the discharge of cleaning water from each of the discharge ports 50, 52, 54, and 56 according to the instruction. This completes the cleaning process.

[0053] In steps S56 to S62, the control device 17 performs the same processing as in steps S10 to S16 in Figure 5. If the control device 17 determines that there is dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 (YES in S62), it proceeds to step S64. On the other hand, if it determines that there is no dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 (NO in S62), it terminates the processing shown in Figure 6.

[0054] In S64, the control device 17 selects an appropriate water discharge pattern according to at least one of the location, external shape information, and characteristics of the dirt. The water discharge pattern is a cleaning pattern using at least one of the right-side water outlet 50, the left-side water outlet 52, the rear water outlet 54, and the jet water outlet 56. The specific water discharge patterns for the right-side water outlet 50, the left-side water outlet 52, and the rear water outlet 54 have already been explained in S18. In this pattern, the water volume of the jet water outlet 56 is further set. When the water discharge pattern is selected according to the location of the dirt, the jet water outlet 56 is set to a "high" water volume regardless of whether the dirt is attached to any of the areas from the first area AR1 to the fourth area AR4.

[0055] The following describes how the water discharge mode is selected according to the location and external shape information of the dirt. If dirt with external shape information "S1" is attached to any of the areas from the first area AR1 to the fourth area AR4, the jet nozzle 56 is set to a water volume of "medium". If dirt with external shape information "S2" and "S3" is attached to any of the areas from the first area AR1 to the fourth area AR4, the jet nozzle 56 is set to a water volume of "high".

[0056] The following describes a case where the water discharge mode is selected according to the nature of the dirt. Regardless of which of the types of dirt (P1 to P3) is attached to the jet nozzle 56, the water flow rate is set to "high".

[0057] In S66, the control device 17 performs a jet rim cleaning process according to the water discharge pattern selected in S64. In the jet rim cleaning process, the control device 17 uses a pump to discharge a volume of cleaning water corresponding to the selected water discharge pattern to each of the water outlets 50, 52, 54, and 56. When the pump receives an instruction from the control device 17, it performs a cleaning process in which it discharges cleaning water from each of the water outlets 50, 52, 54, and 56 according to the instruction.

[0058] In S68, the control device 17 terminates the jet rim cleaning process. That is, when the pump receives an instruction from the control device 17, it terminates the discharge of cleaning water from each of the discharge ports 50, 52, 54, and 56 according to the instruction. This completes the cleaning process.

[0059] In the cleaning control process, the control device 17 performs, for example, deep learning to create a trained model such as a CNN. For deep learning, a large number of image data are used in advance, in which the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 have been identified. For deep learning, training data is also used in which at least one of the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22 is associated with the manner in which the cleaning water is discharged during the cleaning process. Using the trained model obtained by deep learning, the control device 17 identifies at least one of the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt for each image represented by the multiple image data acquired in S12, S26, S42, and S58, and identifies the washing water discharge manner associated with it. As a result, the control device 17 can select the optimal water discharge manner according to the location, external shape information, and properties of the dirt.

[0060] The control device 17 further trains a trained model using new training data that associates at least one of the location, external shape information, and characteristics of the dirt, which are identified using at least one of the image data acquired in S12, S26, S42, and S58, with the water discharge pattern of the cleaning water in the cleaning process performed in at least one of S22, S50, S52, and S66. This allows the control device 17 to select the optimal water discharge pattern while learning each time it performs a cleaning process.

[0061] (Effect) With this configuration, the control device 17 transmits imaging instructions to the imaging device 60, the right illumination unit 62, and the left illumination unit 64 in S10, before the cleaning process is started in S22 in Figure 5. In S14, the control device 17 uses the image data acquired in S12 to identify at least one of the following: the location of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22, its external shape information, and its characteristics. In S18, the control device 17 selects an appropriate water discharge mode according to at least one of the location of the dirt, its external shape information, and its characteristics. In S22, the control device 17 executes the cleaning process using the selected water discharge mode. As a result, the control device 17 can identify the dirt before the cleaning process is started, and can execute the cleaning process using the optimal cleaning mode for the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl 22.

[0062] If the control device 17 detects in S46 that dirt is present in the toilet bowl 22 (YES in S46), it performs a rim cleaning process in S50. In the rim cleaning process, cleaning water is discharged from at least one of the right outlet 50, the left outlet 52, and the rear outlet 54. Then, in S52, the control device 17 performs a jet rim cleaning process. In the jet rim cleaning process, water is discharged from at least one of the right outlet 50, the left outlet 52, and the rear outlet 54, and cleaning water is also discharged from the jet outlet 56.

[0063] In S46, if the control device 17 detects that there is no dirt in the toilet bowl 22 (NO in S46), in S52, the control device 17 executes the jet rim cleaning process. With this configuration, if there is dirt in the toilet bowl 22, the control device 17 cleans the upper part of the toilet bowl 22 with the rim cleaning process, and then cleans the entire toilet bowl 22 with the jet rim cleaning process. If there is no dirt in the toilet bowl 22, the control device 17 cleans the entire toilet bowl 22 with the jet rim cleaning process without executing the rim cleaning process. In this way, the control device 17 can execute an appropriate cleaning process depending on whether or not there is dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22.

[0064] The toilet device 10, which includes a toilet body 20 having a toilet bowl 22, a water discharge unit 40 that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl 22, an imaging device 60, a right-side lighting unit 62, and a left-side lighting unit 64, is useful even on its own.

[0065] (Correspondence) The image data acquired in S12 and S26 in Figure 5, and in S42 and S58 in Figure 6 are examples of the "first image data". The first region AR1, the second region AR2, the third region AR3, and the fourth region AR4 are examples of the "first position". The first region AR1, the second region AR2, the third region AR3, and the fourth region AR4 are examples of the "second position". The rim cleaning process in S22 in Figure 5, the rim cleaning process in S50 in Figure 6, the jet rim cleaning process in S52, and the jet rim cleaning process in S66 are examples of the "first cleaning process". The right outlet 50, the left outlet 52, and the rear outlet 54 are examples of the "first outlet". The right-side outlet 50, the left-side outlet 52, the rear outlet 54, and the jet outlet 56 are each examples of a "second outlet." The water volume is an example of a "flowing water pattern." The "medium" and "large" water volumes are each examples of a "first water volume." The "small" and "medium" water volumes are each examples of a "second water volume." The rim cleaning process in S50, the jet rim cleaning process in S52, and the jet rim cleaning process in S66 in Figure 6 are each examples of a "second cleaning process." The rim cleaning process performed in S22 with a normal water discharge pattern and the jet rim cleaning process in S52, performed after it is determined in S46 that no dirt is attached, are each examples of a "third cleaning process."

[0066] (Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, the processes from S24 to S32 and from S40 to S68 are omitted in the cleaning control process. In S18, the control device 17 selects the water discharge mode for the jet rim cleaning process instead of selecting the water discharge mode for the rim cleaning process. In S22, the control device 17 executes the jet rim cleaning process using the water discharge mode selected in S18. The control device 17 does not execute the processes from S24 to S32. After the completion of S22, the control device 17 executes the jet rim cleaning process in S34 and terminates the cleaning control process. In a modified example, the control device 17 may continue to execute the processes from S56 to S68.

[0067] (Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, the processes from S24 to S32 are omitted in the cleaning control process. In this case, the control device 17 executes the rim cleaning process in S22, then skips S24 to S32, and finishes the rim cleaning process in S34.

[0068] There is no limit to the number of times the processes from imaging to rim cleaning in the cleaning control process (for example, processes S24 to S50 and S56 to S66) can be performed. In a modified example, jet rim cleaning may be performed instead of rim cleaning.

[0069] The following are aspects of the technology disclosed herein.

[0070] The first embodiment is a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl, and a control device which acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, identifies a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and when the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the water discharge unit comprises a plurality of discharge ports, including a first discharge port and a second discharge port, the first discharge port discharges the cleaning water to a region different from that of the second discharge port, and the control device may, when the location of the soiling is identified as the first location, discharge cleaning water in a first flowing form from the first discharge port and discharge cleaning water in a second flowing form different from the first flowing form from the second discharge port.

[0072] In a third embodiment, in any one of the first to second embodiments described above, the control device may use the first image data to identify external shape information relating to the external shape of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and change the flow pattern of the washing water discharged into the toilet bowl according to the identified external shape information.

[0073] In a fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments described above, the control device may use the first image data to identify the properties of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and vary the flow pattern of the washing water discharged to the toilet bowl according to the identified properties of the dirt.

[0074] In a fifth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments described above, the control device may execute the cleaning process using a trained model obtained using training data in which at least one of the dirt location, the external shape information, and the properties of the dirt is associated with the manner in which the cleaning water is discharged during the cleaning process.

[0075] In the sixth embodiment, the control device may train the trained model using new training data which associates at least one of the following: the location of the soiling identified using the first image data, the external shape information, the properties of the feces adhering to the toilet bowl, and the manner in which the washing water is discharged in the washed process that has already been performed.

[0076] In the seventh embodiment, in any one of the first to sixth embodiments described above, the control device may, after acquiring the first image data, further acquire a second image data representing the toilet bowl, use the acquired second image data to identify the location of the soiling, and if the location of the soiling is identified as the second location, cause the water outlet to perform a second cleaning process to clean the second location.

[0077] In the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects described above, the control device may perform the third cleaning process if the location of the contamination is not identified.

[0078] The ninth embodiment is one of the first to eighth embodiments described above, wherein the water discharge unit is provided with a plurality of discharge ports, and the plurality of discharge ports include a first discharge port that discharges the cleaning water into the toilet bowl from above the water level of the water accumulated at the bottom of the toilet bowl, and a second discharge port that discharges the cleaning water into the water, and the control device may, when it detects the presence of dirt at the first position, discharge the cleaning water from the first discharge port, and then discharge the cleaning water from the first and second discharge ports, and when it detects that there is no dirt, discharge the cleaning water from the first and second discharge ports to clean the entire toilet bowl.

[0079] The tenth embodiment may further include an imaging device positioned above and behind the toilet bowl, as in any one of the first to ninth embodiments described above.

[0080] An eleventh embodiment further comprises, in the tenth embodiment, a plurality of light sources positioned above the toilet bowl, wherein the plurality of light sources may include two light sources positioned in different directions from each other, straddling the position of the imaging device.

[0081] A twelfth embodiment is a control device for a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl. The control device may include an acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, an identification unit that uses the acquired first image data to identify a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and a cleaning process control unit that, when the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

[0082] A thirteenth aspect is a method for controlling a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl. The method may include an acquisition step of acquiring first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, a identification step of identifying a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and a cleaning process control step of causing the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location when the dirt location is identified as a first location.

[0083] A fourteenth aspect is a computer program for a control device that controls a toilet device. The toilet device may include a toilet body having a toilet bowl and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl, and the computer program may cause the computer of the control device to function as an acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, an identification unit that identifies a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and a cleaning process control unit that causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location when the dirt location is identified as a first location.

[0084] The specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above. These are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0085] (1) The number of water discharge outlets 40 may be one, two, three, or five or more. The position of the water discharge outlets 40 is not limited as long as it is possible to perform the cleaning process. The right water outlet 50, the left water outlet 52, the rear water outlet 54, and the jet water outlet 56 of the water discharge outlet 40 may each be capable of discharging cleaning water in multiple stages. For example, there may be two stages, three stages, or four or more stages.

[0086] (2) The control device 17 may identify at least one of the following: the location of the dirt attached to the toilet bowl 22, external shape information, and properties, and may change the water discharge pattern (i.e., the combination of the water outlet and water volume for washing water).

[0087] (3) The imaging device 60 may be positioned above the toilet bowl 22 and behind the toilet bowl 22. The left-right position of the imaging device 60 is not limited.

[0088] (4) The right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 may be positioned on either the left or right side of the position of the imaging device 60 in the left-right direction. The front-back position of the right illumination unit 62 and the left illumination unit 64 is not limited.

[0089] (5) Instead of determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed, S32 in Figure 5 may be determined to be whether the number of times the process in S30 has been executed is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times. In this case, the control device 17 may continue to execute the rim cleaning process after starting the rim cleaning process until it determines that dirt is attached to the toilet bowl 22 a predetermined number of times or more.

[0090] (6) In S46 of Figure 6, if it is determined that dirt is attached to the first region AR1, and in S50 and S52 the control device 17 performs a rim cleaning process and a jet rim cleaning process in a water discharge mode for cleaning the first region AR1, and then in S60 it is determined that dirt is attached to the second region AR2, then in S66 the jet rim cleaning process may be performed in a water discharge mode for cleaning the second region AR2. In this modified example, the first region AR1 is an example of a "first position", and the second region AR2 is an example of a "second position". The image data acquired in S42 of Figure 6 is an example of "first image data", and the image data acquired in S58 is an example of "second image data". S50 and S52 are examples of "first cleaning processes", and S66 is an example of "second cleaning processes". In this modified example, we have explained an example where the "first position" and the "second position" are different, but the "first position" and the "second position" may be the same.

[0091] (7) In the embodiments described above, the water discharge mode is varied, i.e., the total amount of water discharged. In modified examples, in addition to the water discharge mode, the flow rate (i.e., the amount of water per unit time), flow velocity, discharge period, and discharge direction may also be varied. For example, instead of a "large" water discharge, water with a relatively fast flow velocity may be discharged, and instead of a "small" water discharge, water with a relatively slow flow velocity may be discharged. For example, instead of a "large" water discharge, the flow rate may be made relatively large, and instead of a "small" water discharge, the flow rate may be made relatively small. In these cases, the water discharge may be constant regardless of the flow velocity. For example, instead of a "large" water discharge, the discharge period may be made relatively long, and instead of a "small" water discharge, the discharge period may be made relatively short. For example, the discharge direction may be varied depending on the location of the dirt, etc.

[0092] The technical elements described in at least one of this specification and the drawings exhibit technical utility individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in at least one of this specification and the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical utility.

[0093] 10: Toilet unit, 12: Toilet bowl, 14: Toilet seat, 14a: Opening, 14b: Back surface, 16: Functional unit, 17: Control device, 18: Tank, 20: Toilet body, 22: Toilet bowl, 22a: Upper edge, 24: Water reservoir, 30: Upper flange, 30a: Bottom surface, 34: Drain outlet, 36: Drain pipe, 36a: Top, 40: Water outlet, 50: Right side water outlet, 52: Left side water outlet, 54: Rear water outlet, 56: Jet water outlet, 60: Imaging device, 62: Right side lighting unit, 64: Left side lighting unit

Claims

1. A toilet device comprising: a toilet body having a toilet bowl; a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl; and a control device that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, identifies a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and, if the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

2. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the water discharge unit comprises a plurality of discharge ports including a first discharge port and a second discharge port, the first discharge port discharges the cleaning water to a region different from that of the second discharge port, and the control device, when the soiled position is identified as the first position, discharges cleaning water in a first flowing form from the first discharge port and discharges cleaning water in a second flowing form different from the first flowing form from the second discharge port.

3. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the control device uses the first image data to identify external shape information relating to the external shape of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and changes the flow pattern of the washing water discharged into the toilet bowl according to the identified external shape information.

4. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device uses the first image data to identify the properties of the dirt adhering to the toilet bowl, and changes the flow pattern of the washing water discharged to the toilet bowl according to the identified properties of the dirt.

5. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device causes the cleaning process to be performed using a trained model obtained using training data associated with at least one of the location of the dirt, the external shape information, the properties of the dirt, and the manner in which the cleaning water is discharged during the cleaning process.

6. The toilet device according to claim 5, wherein the control device trains the trained model using new training data which associates at least one of the soiled location identified using the first image data, the external shape information, the properties of the feces adhering to the toilet bowl, and the manner in which the washing water is discharged in the completed washing process.

7. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device, after acquiring the first image data, further acquires a second image data representing the toilet bowl, identifies the location of the soiling using the acquired second image data, and, if the location of the soiling is identified as a second location, causes the water outlet to perform a second cleaning process to clean the second location.

8. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device causes a third cleaning process to be performed when the location of the soiling cannot be identified.

9. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the water discharge unit comprises a plurality of discharge ports, the plurality of discharge ports comprising a first discharge port that discharges the cleaning water into the toilet bowl from above the water level of the water accumulated at the bottom of the toilet bowl, and a second discharge port that discharges the cleaning water into the water, and the control device, when it detects the presence of dirt at the first position, discharges the cleaning water from the first discharge port, and then discharges the cleaning water from the first and second discharge ports, and when it detects that there is no dirt, discharges the cleaning water from the first and second discharge ports to clean the entire toilet bowl.

10. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an imaging device positioned above and behind the toilet bowl.

11. The toilet device according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of light sources positioned above the toilet bowl, wherein the plurality of light sources include two light sources positioned in different directions from each other, straddling the position of the imaging device.

12. A control device for a toilet, wherein the toilet has a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl, and the control device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed, an identification unit that identifies a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data, and a cleaning process control unit that, when the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

13. A method for controlling a toilet device, wherein the toilet device comprises a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl, the method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed; an identification step of identifying a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl using the acquired first image data; and a cleaning process control step of causing the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location when the dirt location is identified as a first location.

14. A computer program for a control device for controlling a toilet device, wherein the toilet device comprises a toilet body having a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit that performs a cleaning process by discharging cleaning water into the toilet bowl, and the computer program causes the computer of the control device to function as: an acquisition unit that acquires first image data representing an image of the toilet bowl before the cleaning process is completed; an identification unit that uses the acquired first image data to identify a dirt location representing the location of dirt adhering to the toilet bowl; and a cleaning process control unit that, when the dirt location is identified as a first location, causes the water discharge unit to perform a first cleaning process to clean the first location.

Images