Urinal Glucose Screening With Automated Optical Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dipstick urine tests require multiple cumbersome steps, inconveniencing users and reducing the efficiency of urine analysis.

Innovation Solution

A urinal system integrated with a urinal bowl, drain, spreading layer, image capturing unit, optical sensing unit, urine analysis unit, and display unit, which automatically captures and analyzes urine sample color changes to provide test results without manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional dipstick test method is used, then urine analysis can be performed, but multiple cumbersome steps are required which inconvenience users and reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine analysis efficiencyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The urinal system performs urine analysis automatically without requiring user intervention for manual dipstick handling. The system self-captures images, self-analyzes results through the urine analysis unit, and self-displays outcomes, eliminating the need for users to manually dip, wait, and interpret dipstick color changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (urine collection, image capture, optical sensing, analysis, and display) into a single integrated urinal system. The urinal bowl, spreading layer, image capturing unit, optical sensing unit, urine analysis unit, and display unit work together as one unified system, eliminating the need for separate manual操作步骤.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If manual dipstick test steps are followed, then urine components can be analyzed, but the process requires 4-5 steps which increases time consumption and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine component analysis accuracyVSAvoidtime required for urine test

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual dipstick test process with an automated optical detection system. Instead of manually dipping a strip and visually comparing colors, the system uses an image capturing unit to photograph the spreading layer, an optical sensing unit to detect color changes, and a computer to analyze the results, thereby eliminating manual操作步骤 and reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spreading layer is pre-prepared with reagents that automatically react with urine components upon contact. The system is pre-configured with imaging and analysis capabilities, so when urine is introduced, the chemical reaction and detection process occur automatically without requiring users to perform preliminary manual preparation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated detection components are integrated into the urinal, then analysis speed and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine analysis speedVSAvoidurinal system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The urinal system integrates multiple functions into a single device: the urinal bowl serves for urine collection, the spreading layer performs both sample distribution and chemical analysis, the image capturing unit documents the reaction, the optical sensing unit detects color changes, the urine analysis unit processes data, and the display unit presents results. This multi-functional integration achieves automation while consolidating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables fast and accurate urine analysis directly from a urinal, reducing the number of steps and improving efficiency by integrating components to analyze and display results directly from the urinal bowl.

Implementation Method 1

The spreading layer is configured to accept a urine sample on a upper side and passing the sample to a lower side, opposite and each side containing a reagent that can react with glucose in the urine sample, as it passes through the spreading layer, to cause a color change in the reagent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectColor change reaction:

Implementation Method 2

The optical sensing unit is configured to detect the color change in the reagent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 3

The image capturing unit is configured to capture an image of the color change in the reagent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Data Source

PatentUS12590450B2Urinal system

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 OH JAY K

AI summary

The present invention is a urinal system that includes a urinal bowl, a drain, a urinal screen, a spreading layer, an image capturing unit, an optical sensing unit, a urine analysis unit, and a display unit. The spreading layer attached to the urinal screen contains a reagent that can react with glucose in a urine sample to cause a color change in the reagent. The image capturing unit is configured to capture an image of the color change in the reagent when the optical sensing unit detects the color change in the reagent. The urine analysis unit is configured to perform operations to analyze the image of the color change in the reagent and generate a test result based on the operations about the components of the urine sample. The display unit is configured to display the test result for presentation to a user.