Heated Toilet Seat Control Using Learned Usage Schedules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional control systems for heated toilet seats require users to predict usage patterns, leading to potential discomfort and inefficient energy usage, as they cannot dynamically adapt to varying user habits and lifestyles.
Innovation Solution
A seat toilet device equipped with a sensor and a study-memory module that records and analyzes usage patterns over time, adjusting the heating state based on identified busy and idle periods to optimize energy consumption without compromising user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional control systems use predetermined energy saving periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but user comfort deteriorates when users need to use the toilet during those periods
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors usage conditions through sensors and adjusts heating operations in real-time based on detected patterns, eliminating the need for predetermined energy saving periods while maintaining both energy efficiency and user comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically learns and adapts to user habits through the study-memory module, which records usage patterns and autonomously determines optimal heating schedules without requiring user input or prediction, enabling the system to serve itself in optimizing energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional control systems require users to predict usage patterns, then energy saving periods can be set, but adaptability to varying user habits deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static predetermined schedules to dynamic adaptive control, where the study-memory module continuously learns evolving user habits and adjusts heating operations accordingly, enabling real-time adaptation to varying lifestyles and usage patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The control system autonomously observes, learns, and adapts to user behavior patterns without requiring user prediction or input, allowing it to self-optimize energy saving strategies while maintaining adaptability to individual habits
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 system automatically learns and adapts to usage habits, ensuring the toilet seat remains heated during use while minimizing energy waste by entering energy-saving modes only when not in use, thus balancing user comfort and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for sensing a use condition of the seat toilet set and sending the sensed result to the study-memory module
Implementation Method 2
a seat toilet device... provides better user experiences... enables temperature conditioning (e.g., heating) such that the user, when sitting on the seat toilet set, will not feel cold
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatically configuring an electronic toilet device includes detecting usage of the electronic toilet device throughout a first time period. The first time period is divided into a plurality of discrete time units. The method further includes recording a usage state for each of the plurality of time units in the first time period based on the detecting and using the recorded usage states to configure an operating schedule for the electronic toilet device for a next time period. The method further includes operating the electronic toilet device throughout the next time period according to the operating schedule while detecting and recording a usage state for each of the plurality of time units in the next time period and periodically configuring an operating schedule for each subsequent time period using the recorded usage states associated with a preceding time period.