Urine Tracking via Image Recognition in Smart Toilets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic urine positioning methods and devices for smart toilets are complex in structure and movement mode, require high accuracy in installation and urine tracking, and are influenced by environmental factors, leading to potential cross-contamination and reduced accuracy in health data analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using an image sensor and a urine-collection device with a liquid-collection head that tracks and collects urine through image recognition, identifying urine and the collecting member in images, and implementing tracking movement based on image processing, eliminating the need for sector scanning and precise coordinate calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-contact temperature sensor driven by a stepping motor is used to scan temperature in sector scanning mode, then cross-contamination is avoided, but the structure becomes complex and the positioning movement mode becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sector scanning system (stepping motor + temperature sensor) with an optical detection system (image sensor). The image sensor captures the entire toilet bowl area in a single frame, eliminating the need for mechanical movement and complex positioning mechanisms while maintaining the ability to locate urine without contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sequential scanning (sector scanning along an arc) to two-dimensional simultaneous imaging (capturing the entire bowl area). This dimensional change allows all detection points to be captured at once, eliminating mechanical complexity while preserving cross-contamination avoidance through non-contact detection.
2Measurement precision
If coordinate calculation is performed first and then urine tracking is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the installation requirements and tracking accuracy requirements become higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the toilet bowl interior through image capture. The image sensor produces a visual representation where urine appears as a distinct region, allowing direct visual tracking without complex coordinate transformations. The collecting device follows the visual pattern in the image, simplifying the tracking mechanism while maintaining accuracy.
3Device complexity
If urine identification is performed solely based on temperature, then the detection method is simple, but environmental factors and other influences greatly affect accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection capabilities into a single image sensor system. The sensor simultaneously captures visual information (color, shape), thermal information (temperature distribution), and spatial information (position, size). By combining these multiple information sources, the system achieves accurate urine identification that is resistant to environmental factors while maintaining relative simplicity.
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 provides a simple structure and high accuracy in urine tracking, preventing cross-contamination and improving health data analysis accuracy by using image recognition to automatically track and collect urine without contacting the toilet bowl, enhancing response speed and reducing environmental influence.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring an image of an interior of a toilet bowl through an image sensor, wherein the image of the interior of the toilet bowl comprises an image of urine or an image simultaneously showing the urine and the collecting and tracking member
Data Source
AI summary
A method of automatically tracking urine in a toilet includes creating a background image of an interior of a toilet bowl using an image sensor, wherein the background image shows the interior of the toilet bowl. The method also includes acquiring an image of the interior of the toilet bowl using the image sensor, wherein the acquired image shows urine and a collecting and tracking member in the interior of the toilet bowl. The method further includes producing a difference image that shows a difference between the acquired image and the background image, and processing the difference image to identify a location of the urine and the collecting and tracking member, and moving the collecting and tracking member to the identified location of the urine.