Toilet Human Detection Control for False Presence Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toilet apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the presence or absence of a human body, leading to incorrect operations such as unnecessary washing or lid closure during standing urination, due to sensitivity issues with radio wave sensors.
Innovation Solution
A toilet apparatus with a human body detector that uses multiple establishment times and sensitivities to differentiate between the presence and absence of a human body, preventing false detections and improving precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensitivity of the radio wave sensor is increased to detect the human body when the user is substantially stationary, then the detection capability for stationary users is improved, but the radio wave sensor undesirably detects humans not intending to use the toilet room, leading to false presence detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the establishment time variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the establishment time based on the signal strength from the radio wave sensor. When signal strength is high (indicating intentional use), the establishment time is shortened for faster response. When signal strength is low (indicating potential false detection), the establishment time is extended to filter out spurious detections. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between detecting stationary users and avoiding false detections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of establishment time based on signal strength conditions. By adjusting this temporal parameter dynamically, the system adapts its detection behavior to different situations. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high sensitivity for detecting stationary users while simultaneously filtering out false detections from humans not intending to use the toilet.
2Speed
If the establishment time is shortened to respond quickly to user presence, then the response speed is improved, but false detections from peripheral areas cannot be filtered out, leading to incorrect operations
Solution Approach 1:
The establishment time is dynamically adjusted based on signal strength rather than being fixed. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve fast response when appropriate (high signal strength) while maintaining detection accuracy when needed (low signal strength requiring longer verification). The control unit automatically adapts the establishment time to balance response speed and detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of signal strength before finalizing the detection result. By assessing the signal strength first and then determining the appropriate establishment time, the system prepares in advance for the correct response duration. This preliminary action ensures that false detections are filtered out before triggering operations, while legitimate detections respond quickly.
3Extent of automation
If the radio wave sensor detects human body presence to trigger washing and lid closure operations, then the automation of toilet functions is improved, but unnecessary operations occur when the detected human is not intending to use the toilet
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring signal strength and using it to adjust the establishment time for detection confirmation. This feedback mechanism ensures that automation operations (washing and lid closure) are triggered only when there is confirmed intent to use the toilet, not merely when a human is detected in the vicinity. The feedback loop prevents water waste by verifying detection validity before executing automated functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment of establishment time based on signal strength creates an adaptive automation system. Rather than rigidly triggering operations on any detection, the system dynamically evaluates whether the detection is legitimate before activating automated functions. This dynamic control prevents unnecessary washing operations and associated water waste while maintaining appropriate automation for genuine use cases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for precise detection of a human body's presence, reducing unnecessary operations and improving the timing of toilet functions, thus enhancing user experience and reducing water waste.
Implementation Method 1
a human body detector that radiates a radio wave and detects a human body based on a signal that is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet apparatus according to an embodiment includes a human body detector and a controlled part. The toilet apparatus is mounted to a toilet. The human body detector radiates a radio wave and detects a human body based on the signal that is obtained. The human body detector outputs a control signal based on the detection result. The controlled part is controlled based on the control signal. The human body detector has two or more establishment times from when the signal is obtained until when the detection result based on the signal is established.