Intelligent Multipurpose Restroom Stall Reservation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multipurpose restroom stalls, designed for users with disabilities, are often underutilized due to their limited number and confusion with available ordinary stalls, leading to inconvenience for intended users.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that forecasts the intention of users to visit a restroom area and reserves a multipurpose restroom stall by analyzing location data, camera images, or sound, ensuring the stall is available and inviting the user upon arrival, preventing misuse by able-bodied individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multipurpose restroom stall is provided for users with disabilities, then accessibility for intended users is improved, but the stall is often underutilized and misused by able-bodied individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by forecasting user intent before the user actually reaches the restroom. It analyzes movement patterns, location data, and behavioral indicators to predict which users need the multipurpose stall, and reserves it in advance. This prevents both misuse by able-bodied users (who wouldn't be forecasted as needing it) and ensures availability for intended users who might otherwise find it occupied or unavailable.
2Reliability
If the number of multipurpose restroom stalls is increased, then availability for intended users is improved, but the facility space and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multipurpose restroom stall is equipped with self-service features including automatic door opening/closing, automated toilet paper dispensing, and self-cleaning functions. This reduces the need for multiple stalls by ensuring each stall can be independently and efficiently used by any intended user without requiring additional facilities or staff intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system reserves the multipurpose stall in advance for forecasted intended users, maximizing the utilization of existing stall capacity. By predicting usage needs before users arrive at the restroom, the system ensures that the limited number of multipurpose stalls are allocated efficiently, reducing the need to construct additional stalls.
3Reliability
If a reservation system is implemented for multipurpose restroom stalls, then availability for intended users is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical reservation systems with an intelligent forecasting system that uses sensors, cameras, and data analysis to automatically predict user needs. Instead of requiring users to manually reserve stalls or implementing complex booking infrastructure, the system analyzes behavioral patterns and movement data to automatically forecast and reserve stalls, simplifying the overall system while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus disclosed has a controller. The controller forecasts whether an intended user will go to a restroom area in a facility. The intended user being a user who is eligible for using a multipurpose restroom stall. When it is forecast that the intended user will go to the restroom area, the controller reserves a multipurpose restroom stall provided in the restroom area by locking the door of the multipurpose restroom stall.