WO2023241766A1 - A management system for monitoring a facility, a method and use therefore and a facility - Google Patents

A management system for monitoring a facility, a method and use therefore and a facility Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023241766A1
WO2023241766A1 PCT/DK2023/050146 DK2023050146W WO2023241766A1 WO 2023241766 A1 WO2023241766 A1 WO 2023241766A1 DK 2023050146 W DK2023050146 W DK 2023050146W WO 2023241766 A1 WO2023241766 A1 WO 2023241766A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
facility
data
management system
user
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2023/050146
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Holger Søe PLOUGSGAARD
Peter Fosmark
Original Assignee
Pressalit A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pressalit A/S filed Critical Pressalit A/S
Publication of WO2023241766A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023241766A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/04—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
    • G08B21/0407—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons based on behaviour analysis
    • G08B21/0423—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons based on behaviour analysis detecting deviation from an expected pattern of behaviour or schedule
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/006—Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/04—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
    • G08B21/0438—Sensor means for detecting
    • G08B21/0469—Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to management and monitoring of lavatory facilities.
  • US2015228181 and US 20150206077 disclose data collection and monitoring systems for at least one defined space within a public or commercial facility including: a plurality of sensors each monitoring a predetermined parameter related to the status of a device, such as a dispenser for various consumable goods, for example paper towels, liquid soap and toilet paper.
  • a data collecting unit is arranged for communicating with said sensors arranged relatively to the device, within a range of communication which corresponds to the extent of said defined space.
  • the data collecting unit is also arranged for communicating with at least one mobile device for a user and with a central server which is associated with a storage medium.
  • the storage medium is adapted for storing and monitoring data related to said sensors.
  • Said data collecting unit is arranged for forwarding data relating to the sensors to the mobile device when the mobile device enters said space.
  • This prior art does not provide a guidance to the user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
  • the data collection and monitoring system does not provide a solution for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
  • US2019013101 discloses a healthcare monitoring system comprising a plurality of sensor devices coupled to appliances and fixtures within a dwelling environment, at least one of the plurality of sensor devices comprising sensor elements including an accelerometer configured to detect a usage associated with the appliances and fixtures, and a computing device operative to receive event signals from the plurality of sensor devices, generate a collection of data with the event signals, analyse the collection of data, generate analytics and pattern data based on the analysis, and generate notifications based on abnormalities in the analytics and pattern data.
  • This prior art does not provide guidance to the user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
  • the healthcare monitoring system does not provide a solution for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a management system for monitoring and controlling a facility and/or facility device or devices, and a method for monitoring and controlling a facility and/or facility device or devices.
  • the present invention addresses this by providing a method of monitoring a facility comprising one or more devices.
  • the method comprising acts performed by a processor of:
  • each sensor being configured to retrieve data related to a use of a device
  • the output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the status information.
  • the present invention addresses this by providing a management method for handling data information in a management system related to at least one facility, wherein the management system comprises a processing unit, a storage medium, at least one detection means and at least one indicating means, wherein the method comprises following acts: J
  • the management method for handling data information in a management system may relate to a public, a private or a commercial facility, e.g. facilities such as a kitchen, lavatory or care facilities.
  • the management system comprises at least one detection means for detecting the status of and/or an event in relation to the facility and/or facility device.
  • the detection means may comprise at least one detector unit configured to detect the status of said facilities and/or said facility device.
  • the detector unit may be a sensor for measuring weight or fluid or temperature and/or for example detecting sound etc.
  • the detection means is capable of detecting if the facility and/or facility device are broken and/or out of order.
  • the detection means may also be capable of detecting if the facility and/or facility device are used incorrectly or for too long time.
  • the detection means may also detect the use/activation/deactivation of the facility and/or facility de- vice(s) for example for statistical use or for prediction of maintenance.
  • the management system is configured to retrieve data information from the lavatory facility. The data information is retrieved using a data receiving unit. A user of the facility may use one or more of the facility devices. The data information may be retrieved during use and/or after use. The data information is provided by said detection means. The data information may be transmitted directly from the detection means to the processing unit and/or via another device.
  • the detection means are also referred to as sensors.
  • the data receiving unit may be the processing unit or simply referred to as a processor.
  • the status of said facilities and/or said facility device may e.g. include on, off, use, use type, functioning, not functioning, connected, disconnected, a measurement in relation to said facilities and/or said facility device etc.
  • the management system furthermore comprises a processing unit.
  • the processing unit is configured to analyse the data information to find out if the facility and/or facility device are broken and/or out of order or if the facility and/or facility device are used incorrectly or for too long time, needs planed sendee etc.
  • the processing unit is configured to generate status information of said facility and/or said facility device.
  • the processing unit may be a single unit or several units.
  • the status information is based on the retrieved data information.
  • the status information may also be analysed for maintenance reasons, such that a maintenance crew is capable of keeping the facility functional.
  • the status information may be transmitted to the facility device or devices.
  • the status information may alternatively or in combination be available in sites other than the facility.
  • the processing unit may also be arranged for statistical analysis, health surveillance etc based on the data information from the facility and/or facility device.
  • the management system also comprises at least one indicating means.
  • the indicating means comprises one or more indications units.
  • the indication unit may for example be a visual and/or an auditory indicator unit.
  • the indicating means may be configured to indicate one or more status information related to said facility and/or said facility device ⁇ ).
  • the indicating means may be configured to indicate the status of said facility and/or said facility device to a user, such that the user is capable of receiving information related to the status of said facility and/or said facility device.
  • the information from the indicating means may for example be classified by importance, criticality’ and/or urgency.
  • the management system may be capable of transmitting the status information to the indicating m eans in the facility, such that user is capable of receiving information if the facility and/or facility device are broken and/or out of order.
  • the management system may be capable of transmitting the status information to the indicating means in the facility, such that the user is capable of receiving information if the device or devices are used incorrectly or for too long time.
  • the management system may be capable of transmitting the status information to different user types.
  • the information sent to each of the user types based on the same status information may be the same or different. I.e., the same status information or information based on said status information may be transmitted to different user types by different means and/or in different form e.g., simple information, warning, an instruction, a nudging signal.
  • the same or different status information may be provided to different user types based on the same detected event and/or data information. For example, in case of vandalism one information may be provided to a guard marked as urgent (in order to stop the vandalism now), another to a cleaning staff with status important (to clean after the vandalism) and a third to a service crew with status critical (to repair and make the facility usable again).
  • the management system may be an external management system.
  • the management system may be a cloud solution.
  • the management system may be configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface.
  • the management system furthermore comprises a control unit.
  • the control unit controls the data communication between the facility management user interface and the facility and/or facility device.
  • the facility management user interface may access a plurality of facilities and/or facilitydevices.
  • the data information and the status information may be stored in a storage medium.
  • the control unit may control the data communication means, wherein the control unit may control data information and/or status information between one or more storage mediums and/or said facility and/or said facility device.
  • the data communication may be wireless.
  • the method may alter the acts, if needed.
  • the method may repeat one or mor of the acts, if needed.
  • the management system is capable of detecting overload, vandalism, and improperuse.
  • the management system is capable of preventing further damage in the facility and on the facility devices because the management system is capable of warning one or more users/user types.
  • the management system may be capable of analyzing the use of the facility and/or facility devices, analyzing the user activity facility and/or facility devices and/or analyzing the user status such as health status of a primary' user of the facility and/or facility devices.
  • the method comprises further acts of:
  • the detection means comprises at least one detection unit arranged relative to or on a device in the facility, such that said detection unit is capable of detecting the use of the device.
  • the detection means is capable of detecting the use of the facility and/or the facility device while the user is using the facility and/or the facility device.
  • the detection means comprises at least one detection unit arranged relative to or on a device in the facility, such that the detection unit is capable of detecting the use of a plurality of devices, such as a toilet, fixture, shower and/or changing table etc.
  • the detection unit may also be capable of detecting the use of a paper towels, liquid soap and/or toilet paper etc.
  • a plurality of detection units such as sensors, each monitoring a facility device and provides one or more predetermined parameters related to the status of the facility device.
  • the detection unit may be wirelessly connected to the management system.
  • the managements system may comprise a number of facility devices at the same or different locations.
  • the managements system may comprise a number of detections means at the same or different locations.
  • the method comprises further acts of
  • the indicating means comprises at least one indicator unit arranged relative to or on a device in the facility, such that the indicator unit is capable of sending information to a user when the user is using the facility.
  • the indicating means may be configured to inform said user in the facility and/or users somewhere else.
  • the indicating means may comprise at least one indicator unit arranged relative to and/or in and/or on a device in the facility, such that the indicator unit is capable of sending a status information to the user when the user is using the facility.
  • the indication unit may be a visual and/or an auditory indicator unit.
  • a visual indicator unit may be light from one or more lamps.
  • An auditory indicator unit may be sound waves from a speaker or a buzzer or similar.
  • the management system may comprise nudging means configured to provide a nudging signal related to the user’s behavioural pattern. By analysing the user’s movement and the use of the devices, the user’s behavioural pattern can be identified and predicted. Using nudging to positively reinforce a certain behavioural pattern may be provided with the use of nudging means and/or indicating means.
  • the nudging means may comprise visual and/or auditory' nudging unit or units.
  • the indicating means may be used as a part of the nudging means, such that the nudging means also comprises one or more of the visual and/or auditory indicator unit or units. For example, the nudging may be used to enhance the features of hand washing nudging.
  • Nudging means may also comprise means for focusing attention such as means for enhancing the focus while urinating.
  • the management system and method may provide statistics related to single user behaviour, such as hand wash statistics.
  • the management system and method may provide statistics related to health tracking during toilet use analysis, such that during detection of toilet flush time the system may detect big and small flush and timestamp of those. This can be used to detect early urinary' infection.
  • the management system may provide statistics related to resource consumption such as water consumption estimation and the use of soap, toilet paper etc.
  • the management system and method may provide statistics related to quality of help, time between events and follow up by guard, carer, facility manager, cleaning etc.
  • the method comprises further acts of
  • the data information retrieved from said facility and/or said facility device may be stored in a storage medium related to the management system.
  • the data information may be stored in an external storage medium related to the management system.
  • the management system may comprise more than one storage medium.
  • the storage medium may be a cloud database solution or similar.
  • the data information retrieved may be processed, sorted, filtered and/or reduced before being transferred/transmitted to the processing unit and/or storage medium in order to only transfer relevant, selected and/or anonymized data to the cloud and/or data storage medium.
  • Selecting and/or minimizing the data transferred and/or stored is an advantage in that it may significantly reduces the bandwidth and/or data capacity needed to use the system.
  • Selecting and/or minimizing the data transferred and/or stored further has the advantage that the unit transmitting the data may be operated in a power saving mode allowing the use of battery' powered devices, detectors and/or transmitters.
  • only transferring and/or storing selected and/or reduced data may help data security and especially security of potential personal data.
  • sound data it is possible to avoid the transmittal and/or logging of language and sound indicators for personal activities and only transmit selected information such as events related to selected classifiers indicating specific activity i.e. toilet flush, a fall, door opening, distress call or distress related sounds etc.
  • Such reduced data sets may for example comprise or contain: a code for event type, time stamp for event start and/or time stamp for event stop.
  • At least part of the data processing such as sound data processing is preferably earned out at the facility i.e. before being transmitted to the cloud/remote part of the system.
  • a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm at the device or detector and/or in relation to the device or detector may advantageously be used to select, filter, process, recognize and/reduce the detected signal before sending to the cloud/remote part of the system.
  • ML Machine Learning
  • Sound classifiers may in various embodiments be used to identify and categorize sounds detected.
  • the ML sound classifier may preferably be pre-trained.
  • the ML sound classifier is trained using raw sound data from the detection means.
  • the rawsound data may for a selected time be transmitted to the management system for training the NIL algorithm.
  • the ML algorithm on the detection means or other device at the facility may be updated at regular pre-set intervals or when needed. In case raw 7 sound data is streamed from the facility /device for example for the purpose of training the ML algorithm, the user, personnel etc. on site will be made explicitly aware of the sound recording.
  • the sound classified data may be transferred to the data management system constantly or when an event is detected by the sound classifier. It also an option to transfer the sound classifier data at specific times, in batches, by manual order etc. in case data is needed and/or gathered for statistical purpose.
  • Sound classifiers may be used to detect a number of different events e.g. start and stop of tap water, toilet flush etc. However, in advanced setups sound classifiers may even be used to detect the temperature of water as the temperature induced change in viscosity of the water may lead to variations in sound pattern s.
  • Sound classifiers may also be used to detect specific W'ater patterns, splashes etc. as the turbulence etc. results in different sounds and sound patterns from the water.
  • Sound classifiers may further be used for identification of:
  • the method and system may also be arranged to recognize nationality/language of a user based on sound detection.
  • the information provided via indication means may be localized or adapted e.g. based on the detected language.
  • the temperature of the room, water from one or more devices such as taps or showers, the user body temperature may also be detected via traditional temperature measurements and devices therefor and/or IR measurements. Based on the temperature information from the detection means, the method and system may indicate a need for showering in order to raise body temperature or otherwise lower or raise body, room, water, device temperature.
  • the method comprises further acts of:
  • the data information retrieved from said facility may be stored in a storage medium related to the management system.
  • One or more facility managers or other personnel and/or user types may be capable of accessing the data information in the storage medium from a facility management user interface or other approved interfaces.
  • the maintenance crew may use a maintenance interface.
  • the maintenance interface may have restricted access to the information in the storage medium related to the management system.
  • the interfaces may be mobile units.
  • the method and system is implemented at an end user/owner different from the service provider.
  • the system is setup to ensure that data, preferably anonymized data, is collected by the system and that the system is configured to warn the end user/owner about critical events or the upcoming need for maintenance.
  • the method and system may detect device/detector malfunctions and transmit this information to one or more users via one or more indicating means and/or interfaces.
  • the invention is also directed at a management method for handling data information in a management system related to at least one facility, wherein the management system comprises a processing unit, a storage medium, at least one detection means and at least one indicating means, wherein the method comprises following acts:
  • the management system is configured to handle data information related to public, private or commercial facilities such as lavatories, kitchens etc.
  • the management system comprises at least one detection means for detecting the use of one or more facilities having at least one facility device.
  • the management system comprises a processor unit which is configured to analyse at least one data information.
  • the processor unit may also be configured to generate at least one status information based on the analysed data information.
  • the management system comprises data communication means configured to receive and send data information and/or status information between said management system and said facility and/or said facility device.
  • the data communication means may receive and send data information and/or status information between said management system and said facility and/or said facility device using a wireless solution.
  • the management system comprises at least one indicating means for indicating the status of said facility and/or said facility device, wherein the indication means is configured to send status information to a user of the facility and/or said facility device.
  • the management system may also comprise at least one indicating means for indicating the status of said facility and/or said facility device, wherein the indication means is configured to send status information to at least one facility management user interface and or to one or more other user types via text message, voice message, an app, push message etc.
  • the indicating means may provide information to a number of different user types.
  • the user types may include a primary user (actual user of facility), caretaker (e.g. nurse or assistant helping the primary user), facility manager, sendee crew, guard, cleaning personnel.
  • the indicating means may be one or more of a lamp, speaker, text message, voice message, app and/or haptic feedback.
  • the management system comprises a storage medium for storing data information and/or status information.
  • the management system may provide statistical information which relates to the use of the facility based on the data information and/or the status information.
  • the management system may provide statistics related to the user behaviour.
  • the management system may provide statistics related to the success of a positive reinforcement related to user behaviour.
  • the management system may provide statistics related to health tracking during toilet use analysis. This can be used to detect diseases and/or disorders in an early stage.
  • the management system may provide statistics related to resource consumption related to the facility.
  • the management system is configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface.
  • the management system may be configured to be accessible from at least one user interface.
  • the user interface may be a facility management user interface used by a facility manager.
  • the user interface may be an administrator user interface used by an administrator, for example to perform an initialising set up of the management system and/or changing settings in the management system.
  • the management system may also be ac- Ded from a cleaning crew user interface and/or a service crew user interface. Different users of the management system may have different access clearance to the systems’ functions.
  • a user interface may be on a workstation, pc or laptop and/or via an app on a mobile device such as a telephone, watch or tablet.
  • said indicating means comprises a visual and/or auditory indicator unit.
  • This invention may provide a guidance to the user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
  • the management system provides a solution for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility with the use of indicating means and/or nudging means.
  • the indicating means and/or nudging means may e.g. be visual and/or auditory units.
  • said detection means comprise at least one detector unit configured to detect the status of said facility and/or said facility device.
  • the detection means automatically detect improper use or overload of the devices in the facility.
  • the indicating unit automatically alerts the user of improper use or overload. The user must stop the ongoing action immediately.
  • the indicating unit also automatically alerts the facility manager or other relevant user type that improper use or overload has occurred.
  • the facility manager may send instructions to the service crew to check for example if something is broken. Every device may comprise an automatic built-in self-test, such that the facility manager gets information directly from the device itself and information if the device is broken. Alternatively, the facility manager may be capable to run a diagnostic program to test each one of the devices directly.
  • the present managements systems and the devices used for the methods may comprise primary and/or secondary units.
  • Primary units may communicate with the cloud/remote parts of the management system, other primary units and/or secondary' units.
  • the secondary units may communicate with priniary units and/or other secondary units.
  • the system may comprise only primary units if desired.
  • the detection means and/or indicating means of the management system and method may be primary'- and/or secondary' units.
  • cloud connection is provided by a standard modem or telecom structures including e.g.3G, LTE-M1, 4G, Nb-IoT and/or 5G.
  • a standard modem or telecom structures including e.g.3G, LTE-M1, 4G, Nb-IoT and/or 5G.
  • local wifi, ethernet and/or LPWA-technology such as LoRaWan is used for cloud communication.
  • Primary and/or secondary' units may communicate via BLE (Bloototh Low 7 Energy) connection, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Lora and/or Wi-Fi.
  • BLE Battery Low 7 Energy
  • primary 7 and/or secondary' units are arranged to have a power safe mode as well as low energy data communication modes.
  • the primary and/or secondary units may be at least partly battery driven, which is particularly advantageous in case of units with a power safe mode as well as low energy data communication modes.
  • the system is implemented at an end user/owner different from the service provider.
  • the system is setup to ensure that data, preferably anonymized data, is collected by the system and that the system is configured to warn the end user/owner about critical events or the upcoming need for maintenance.
  • the managements system and method may also be inter linked with visual or audio devices such as light dampers, speakers, light/image projectors.
  • the light may be automatically dampened or changed to a warmer colour by activation of a lift.
  • a light or image projector may also be activated by registration of a care situation such as changing or personal care of a user.
  • the system and method may also comprise means for voice control of one or more devices such as changing of water temperature, turn on light etc. Said voice control may in some embodiments be using the system’s sound classifier system.
  • system may be integrated with existing home automation or home sound and/or home video system.
  • the system may also be arranged to provide temperature data from one or more types of temperature detectors.
  • the temperature detectors may e.g. be IR temperature detectors or contact detectors in e,g. a toilet seat or in a support mat on a lift or care rest.
  • the system and method may be arranged to provide detailed information about a user’s health status, weight etc., including detailed information about composition, amount, color, structure, justify, frequency of feces and/or urine.
  • system and method is arranged to prevent or delay or otherwise control flush of the toilet for detection to occur in the toilet.
  • detection means for health- related measurements such as detectors in the toilet, may be induced by events detected by other detection means/devices e.g. based on statistics and/or learnings from the system.
  • Sound classifiers may be used to detect urine flow and/or amount. Similarly, sound classifiers may be used alone or in combination with other detectors to detect start of toilet use, type of toilet use and/or end of toilet use. Based on this type of data, the system and method may be able to evaluate the basic health status and even predict potential health issues such as constipation or urinary' tract infections.
  • Detailed information regarding the weight of a user may e.g. be achieved form the toilet seat, toilet chair or similar during use. Especially measurements of weight over time may be used to get information flow 7 , type, condition of feces and/or urine.
  • the present method and system it is thus possible to collect and/or analyse different types of health information from one or more users at single events and/or over a longer period thereby providing important information which for example may be used for health care protocols or indicating the need for medical care.
  • the system and method may be arranged to indicate health related issues and information to one or more user types.
  • User ID may be detected via a QR code, voice recognition, face recognition or similar. All data relating to personal information may be anonymized or otherwise protected before transmittal and/or storage.
  • Installation of the system and or subsequent update or exchange of devices may be carried out on site or remotely.
  • a user may enter a specified device ID into the system preferably together with location, type and/or use.
  • the system may provide feedback for example in case the ID is already used or if the ID doesn’t relate to an existing device whereby typos and other errors may be avoided.
  • the installation/registration of device ID may be carried out/registered offline.
  • the device ID is preferably registered on the package of the device and/or in deliverypapers. Preferably, the device is unique.
  • the device ID is indicated on the device itself enabling to debug and e.g. locate a device which has been registered in a wrong location.
  • the system and method may thus for example be used for monitoring a lavatory facility with multiple users in a public space.
  • detectors such as microphones in or connected to a primary or secondary device with a sound classifier may be used to register one or more of
  • These data may be transmitted at each detected event or may be transmitted in predetermined intervals or by request of a user such as a facility manager.
  • the data in this case is not personalized and mainly of statistical use or for use in predicting need for cleaning and/or maintenance.
  • information may be provided via indication means at the facility and/or to one or more other types of users in the same or other facility /location.
  • the system and method may also as an example be used in facilities in relation to persons needing extra nudging, care or monitoring such as people suffering from dementia or even children.
  • detectors such as microphones in or connected to a primary or secondary device with a sound classifier may be used to register one or more of
  • These data may be transmitted at each detected event or may be transmitted in predetermined intervals or by request of a user such as a facility manager.
  • the data in this case the data may be directly linked to a person ID and thus protected from unintended use.
  • the system may assist to e.g. ensure turning off water or the stove.
  • the data information may also be used to inform of time of day, need for sleep, need for food etc. including guides on how to get/do it.
  • the information provided by the system may be standard instructions triggered by specific actions/ events or may be personalized information, instructions and/or help based on statistics calculated by the system based on data from the specific user and/or specific facility and/or facility device and/or based on information/instructions entered into the system by one or more users locally and/or remotely. Based on the detected activity, information may be provided via indication means at the facility and/or to one or more other types of user in the same or other facility /location for help, information, planning etc.
  • the method and system may provide various modes of nudging and/or gamifying.
  • the feedback plant may be arranged to signal based on one or more user activities.
  • the feedback plant may be arranged to change color based on a user’s statistic in relation to washing hands after toilet use, brushing teeth, eating lunch etc. If the user is doing good, the plant will be green. If the user is doing less than good, the plant may be yellow. If the user is doing poorly, the plant may be red.
  • the feedback device may also be shaped as a pet etc.
  • the feedback plant may be arranged near the feature it is intended to give feedback on e.g. in the bath room. However, if it is arranged in another room or location, it may be a remote reminder and trigger of an action for the user. In relation to the present method and system, the feedback plant may be used as the indicating means.
  • Another example of effective nudging/gamification may be the “target fly” in a toilet, providing an aim when urinating.
  • the target may be arranged to detect if it is hit or not thereby giving feedback in form of a rating, sound or change of color etc.
  • the target may be static, or it may be movable by automation e.g. by interaction with the method and system in which case it may be considered an indication means and/or a detection unit.
  • the information detected, stored and/or transmitted by the system and method may be used to assist single specified users, groups of users, unknown users etc.
  • the information detected, stored and/or transmitted by the system and method may be used to predict times of increased activity, needs of various primary users, best mode interac- tion/indication via indication means, notice changes in behavioral of individuals and/or average user types of users and preferably indicating and/or transmitting information related hereto.
  • Patters for detection such as predetermined activation of detection means and/or devices may be based om learnings and/or statistics from the information detected, stored and/or transmitted by the system and method.
  • the status information comprises information of a type of use being compliant use or non-compliant use.
  • the output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the device and the type of use.
  • the sensors are arranged relative to or on one of the devices in the facility.
  • the user types include a facility manager, cleaning personnel, caretaker, nurse, guard and/or primary user.
  • the primary user is a user of the one or more devices in the facility.
  • the status information may indicate a distress call, maintenance, reparation, out-of-order and/or in-use.
  • the indicating means may be configured for outputting the generated use-information to said primary user when using one or more of the devices in the facility, so as to warn or nudge the primary user of use of the facility and/or devices.
  • the method comprises further acts of:
  • one sensor is a microphone and the retrieved data is audio data.
  • a sound classifier may be used to determine an activation action status information of the facility, of one or more of the devices, or of a primary.
  • the threshold may be based on one or more sound classifies.
  • one sensor is temperature sensor adapted to measure a temperature change of a metal in direct contact with a w 7 ater conduit for determining presence of a water flow in the water conduit.
  • one sensor is a load sensor, deflection sensor or inclinometer arranged a device.
  • the sensor may be configured for measuring an applied force to the device or a deflection of the device.
  • At least a part of the data is acquired at predetermined intervals and/or at specified events.
  • the management system comprises:
  • each sensor being configured to retrieve data related to a use of a device
  • a processing unit configured to acquire data from the one or more sensors, process the acquired data to determine an activation action of the device, compare the acquired data following the activation action to a threshold level to determine the use of the device to be non-compliant use or compliant use, and transmit output data comprising status information of the facility or one or more of the devices.
  • the output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the device and the type of use.
  • the management system is configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface.
  • the indicating means comprises a visual and/or an auditory indicator unit.
  • the management system is configured to perform one or more of the disclosed methods.
  • the management system comprises a storage medium for storing data comprising in-formation of at least the activation action and the use of the device of non-compliant use or compliant use.
  • the objective of the invention is achieved with a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one or more method acts of the one or more methods disclosed.
  • the objective of the invention is achieved with a computer-readable media comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one or more method acts of the one or more methods disclosed.
  • One objective of the invention is achieved with a use of the management system comprising at least two sensors, one being a microphone and where the microphone is activated in response to a determine activation action of a device or the facility.
  • One objective of the invention is achieved with a facility comprising one or more devices and the management system comprising at least two sensors, one being a microphone and where the microphone is activated in response to a determine activation action of a device or the facility.
  • a PIR sensor may be implemented for touch free application.
  • the PIR sensor may then be used also for retrieving data or active other devices.
  • An analogue temperature sensor may be used for mounting on pipes for monitoring a water flow.
  • the water supply flow to a toilet cistern, as well as a faucet’s cold and hot water supply may be relevant to measure as this can indicate an activation action, the duration of the activation action, as well as a leak that causes a sustained activation.
  • the method has the following properties:
  • the sensor can be easily retrofitted onto standard fittings via a mounting adapter and without interfering with the water installation by disassembling and reassembling water pipes. This means that a plumber is not required for proper installation, which reduces installation costs, the risk of subsequent water leakage, but also the installation time.
  • NTC thermistor is an electrical component who’s resistance value changes significantly as the temperature changes, relative to alternative sensor types.
  • the resistor material is typically encapsulated in an epoxy and pre-terminated with wires, which is the preferred sensor element wrapping variant for the described use.
  • the sensor is typically connected to the signal processing device via a set of wires, meaning it can be several meters away. This also has the cost advantage that the signal processing unit does not necessarily need to be protected against condensation as it is typically not cooled below condensation temperature as the sensor element often is, e.g. when measuring on a cold-water pipe.
  • the outer sensor wrapping may comprise a mounting adapter, which ensures that the sensor can be easily attached to the side of the pipe on which flow is to be measured. Between the pipe and the sensor, a thin heat-conducting polymer or paste may typically be fitted to ensure good thermal contact between the two.
  • the mounting adapter is typically constructed from a poor heat conductor e.g. plastic. If the mounting adapter is constructed from a good heat conductor, the contact surface between the sensor element and the mounting adapter must preferably be thermally insulated. This grants the sensor element a temperature that is primarily influenced by the temperature of the metal pipe.
  • a correct mounting location is a prerequisite for the sensor to reliably distinguish between a water flow that is either initiated or stopped with a response time less than five seconds.
  • the mounting location must be a place with direct metal contact between the sensor and the water to be measured, possibly via a thread. This could be on the outside of a metal adaptor for an extension hose, at a pipe joint or directly on a metal pipe.
  • An activation action value (trigger criterion) may be determined during the production of the system. When the measured weight exceeds the activation action value, the activation action is triggered and when the measured weight value falls below the activation action value, the activation action comes to an end.
  • the following method can be used. This method is based on the assumption that a sensor is usually not exposed to activity. The measurement over for example the last 24 hours when there is no activity, is used to establish an ongoing reference for ceased activity.
  • the activation criterion for activity is therefore a sudden change from a reference measurement. And when the sensor returns to the ongoing reference, it triggers the ceased activity criterion.
  • the trigger criterion can be chosen as continuous variations in weight above a given value over a given time.
  • the trigger criterion for cessation of activity is selected as continuous variations in weight below the given value over a given time. This means that weight gradients over a given measurement time are used as a trigger criterion.
  • the trigger criterion can be selected as combinations of the above.
  • Detecting non-compliance in terms of overloading requires a suitable sensor technology that, in addition to normal use, also can measure the degree of loading, making it possible to detect an overload.
  • the device subject for measuring overload may include a height-adjustable toilet and/or a height-adjustable changing table.
  • Overload refers to excessive static or dynamic impact on a surface adapted for a person to sit or lie when used.
  • a sensor based on force measurement in conjunction with the actuator that regulates the height of the toilet or changing table may be very desirable.
  • the load can be measured as a force and can happen inside the actuator itself, in connection with the bottom mounting of the actuator, or a fixed anchor point connected to a chainring bottom bracket.
  • Force measurement can also be performed on moving points but may unnecessarily complicate the concept.
  • the sensor type may typically be referred to as a load cell.
  • a load may also be determined through torque measurements by use of deflection sensors fx. strain gauge or inclinometers.
  • Data acquired at the facility in the management system can be used for two purposes: Help and maintenance.
  • Non-compliant use can be either too prolonged use or a load that exceeds the specified load for a shorter or longer period of time.
  • an on-site user receives an immediate acoustic reminder in the form of an annoying or deterrent sound as soon as a non-compliant use occurs in connection with a changing table, e g. a pulsating beep sound or an alarm clock-like sound depending on the type of unwanted use.
  • the system reacts and prompts you to use soap and wash for e.g. 15 seconds.
  • the user can acknowledge with a word such as yes or ok, which is interpreted by a sound classifier that is activated by the words yes and ok.
  • a voice-based receipting should be carefully evaluated in view of the users feeling of privacy..
  • acknowledgement can be achieved via sensors to detect water flow or soap application.
  • a supervisor can receive a text message with an incident description and the address of the system location as soon as a non-compliant use occurs.
  • Non-compliant use can be either too prolonged use (Sleeping alarm) or a load that exceeds the specified load for a shorter (impact) or longer period of time (overload).
  • the system sends information to different user types depending on their relevance and in a manageable format.
  • a cleaning manager receives a text message or email informing that a system with a given address has been used as soon as an application is completed.
  • Both a cleaning manager and a system owner can access a cloud portal to get an overview of when a given system or many systems have been used in a given period, e.g. via a spreadsheet or Power Bi interface.
  • the same information can also be sent to preselected users at a pre-selected fixed interval via email, for example, once a month.
  • the maintenance manager can receive a text message or email with an incident description, advice on how to check the product for normal function, contact information for the service organization behind the system, and the address of the system location every time an overload occurs.
  • a smartphone app can of course also be used.
  • it is relatively costly to develop and operate.
  • the user must likewise own a smartphone, which also increases the total operating costs for the user.
  • the selected data can reliably and cost-effectively represent the type of activity to be measured.
  • cost-effective represents a total consideration of development costs to realize the interpretation of the data type, installation costs, and ongoing costs to maintain the data source.
  • a more complex sound classifier that can identify the sound of a person falling and distress sounds can also be combined with human feedback acknowledgement in the form of “yes or no” to reduce the number of false identifications.
  • the information being processed can optionally result in an immediate response. This includes overload cases and hygiene-related nudging in connection with hand washing.
  • the use of an external processor will require a response time of max one second, which cannot always be guaranteed with an information transport path that uses a cellular network. This means that high system reliability is compromised.
  • the cellular infrastructure is used as a data connection to an external server instead, there is no interaction with the site’s LAN or wireless LAN network and no documentation task regarding IT security. This means that the ease of installation will be very good.
  • the cellular infrastructure presents an ongoing challenge in terms of the cost of the data connection. This generally becomes smaller as less data is exchanged, which increases the incentive for a high degree of local data processing and minimal data exchange with external servers.
  • Detection of water flow through water temperature analysis is simple to realize, meaning that a simple signal analysis based on gradient estimation can provide high detection reliability and calculate when a flow starts and when it stops again. This means that the measured temperature changes slowly over time when the water is still and the measured temperature changes quickly over time wlien the water is moving. * If a water leak occurs, the measured water temperature is atypically high or low over a longer period of time.
  • All threshold values are local. For example, the temperature gradients thresholds for starting and stopping water flow and the flush time threshold for a large or small flush.
  • the evaluation can be done manually with time series analysis and statistical tools or automatically via machine learning algorithms.
  • Data sent to external processes may all have been through local processing first and an extract of this can be sent to external processes if the criteria below are met.
  • meta data can be included in the form of a data set for average and peak measurements during the measured load period. Meta data can be used by the system owner to achieve an overview of the degree to which the equipment has been close to being overloaded.
  • meta data can be included in the form of a data set for repeated measurements with a fixed time interval of average and peak measurements throughout the measured load period. Setting the time interval to e.g. 2 to 5 seconds gives a very’ detailed picture of how the system is being used. Meta data can be used by the system owner to achieve an overview of the degree to which the equipment has been close to being overloaded.
  • meta data can be included in the form of a data set for repeated measurements with a fixed time interval of average and peak measurements throughout the measured load period until the load ceases. Setting the time interval to e g. 2 seconds gives a very detailed picture of how the system has been used. Meta data can be used by the system owner to get an overview of what happened in the period around the overload, which can be especially relevant in connection with compensation for damaged inventory.
  • the sleeping alarm criteria is triggered.
  • a sleeping alarm code is then transmitted to an external processor. This information represents the highest degree of signal compression. (Sleeping alarm can trigger a call to a guard)
  • activity time is used as soon as the activity ends.
  • a large or small flush code and water flow duration is transmitted to the external processor. This may trigger a cleaning call. If the maximum flush time or small leakage criteria is exceeded, a large or small water leakage code and water flow duration is transmitted to the external processor. This may trigger a call to a maintenance manager. Use at a hand washbasin
  • a large or small water leakage code and water flow duration is transmitted to the external processor. This may trigger a call to a maintenance manager.
  • Information on normal water flow can be relevant here in the form of usage time of either cold or hot water or both.
  • the system is designed to communicate wirelessly directly between multiple secondary’ devices with a short-range communication form such as BLE. If several secondary devices are used in a context w-here they need to communicate wdth each other in a nudging case, the inter-communication between secondary' modules in that context should not be considered as communication to external processes.
  • a given signal from an analog sensor needs to be measured locally 5 to 100 times per second.
  • This raw signal is sent to an algorithm that continuously calculates gradient, peak, and average values once per second.
  • This signal now contains four values, which is referred to as a pre-processed signal.
  • the pre-processed signal is then passed on to algorithms that measure whetl ler it is greater or less than various limit values. If this happens, different timers are initiated or stopped. Passing these timers at different limit values can trigger an event detection trigger criterion.
  • the method and the facility system may advantageously be used in mobile facilities for reducing facility maintenance costs and increasing personal safety (distress call).
  • the fall sound can be used to trigger a sound classifier for fall sounds.
  • the system can now audibly say: “Should assistance be called? Answer yes or no”
  • the user s answer “yes or no” is detected by a sound classifier for yes and no sounds.
  • the system now responds in one of four ways to reduce the number of erroneous calls for assistance.
  • Fig. 1 Illustrating an embodiment of a management system for handling data information related to a facility.
  • Fig. 2 Showing an embodiment of a facility.
  • Figs. 3a-c Illustrating one use of warning/alert features.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate embodiments of a temperature sensor for_monitoring a water flow.
  • Figs. 6, 7, 9 illustrate embodiments of weight or load measurements on a device.
  • Figs. 8,10 a-c illustrates an embodiment of a changing table, when a torque is applied.
  • Figs. 11-18 illustrate flow diagrams for embodiments of monitoring a facility.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a management system 1 for handling data information related to a facility 2.
  • the management system 1 handles data information and status information to and from a facility 2 via data communication.
  • the management system 1 may be part of the facility 2.
  • the management system may be a part of an external solution, such as a cloud solution or similar.
  • the management system may be accessed for user interfaces, such as an administrator 6 user interface or a facility manager 3 user interface 45.
  • the administrator configures the management system 1, such that the one or more lavatory facilities are correctly registered in the management system 1.
  • Unitializing settings 7,8,9 which are registered in the management system 1 may be information such as identification number of the facility 2, the location of the facility 2, device information and detection limitation, warning and/or alert information, time schedule and maintenance information etc. Maintenance tasks are handled by the cleaning crew 4 and the sendee crew 5. Maintenance tasks may be controlled by the facility management.
  • the management system 1 comprises detection means for detecting the status of the facility.
  • the management system 1 comprises detection means for detecting the status of at least one facility device 10, 11, 12, 13.
  • the management system 1 may be configured to retrieve data information from the facility 2 before, during and after the user uses the facility 2.
  • the management system 1 comprises detection means for detecting the status of secondary functions in the facility 2, such as the condition of temperature in the room, the condition of the floor, the condition of the light etc.
  • the management system 1 is capable of retrieving this information.
  • the management system 1 comprises indicating means for indicating the status of said facility 7 2 and/or said facility device wherein the indication means is configured to send status information to the user before, during and after the use of the facility.
  • the management system 1 comprises a processor unit 14 configured to analysing the data information and generating at least one status information based on the analysed data information.
  • the management system 1 may provide statistical information which relates to the use of the facility 2.
  • the management system 1 also comprises data communication means configured to receive and send data information and/or status information between the management system and the facility and/or said facility device or said processer 14 close to the facility device.
  • the data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the facility 2.
  • the data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the detection means.
  • the data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the indicating means.
  • the data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the facility devices as such.
  • Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a facility 2.
  • the facility 2 comprises a facility device, such as a toilet 10, a washbasin 11, dispensers 12, and a changing table 13.
  • Evety one of the facility devices may be provided with one or more detectors.
  • the detectors may be sensors specific for the purpose of the measurement.
  • the facility 2 may be provided with at least one microphone or similar.
  • the indication means may be a visual and/or an auditor ⁇ ' indicator unit provided in the facility 2.
  • a visual indicator unit may be light from one or more lamps.
  • An auditory indicator unit may be sound waves from a speaker or a buzzer or similar. These units are shown in fig. 2b.
  • Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate the use of warning and alert features.
  • the warning or alert is activated if devices are out of order or subject to improper use or overload etc.
  • Information regarding devices being out of order or subject to improper use or overload etc. is sent to the facility manager, fig. 1, 3. And/or guard 5.
  • the facility manager sends instructions to the service crew 5.
  • the user of the lavatory also receives information, using visual or auditory information, for example sound through a loudspeaker or flashing light, telling the user something is wrong.
  • Fig. 3a illustrates overload of the changing table.
  • the detection means automatically detect a weight load larger than maximum allowed load.
  • An indicating unit automatically alert the user that the changing table has exceeded the weight limit. The user must stop the ongoing action and remove the weight on the changing table immediately.
  • the indicating unit also automatically alerts the facility manager that the changing table has exceed the weight limit.
  • the facility manager may send instructions to the service crew to check the function of changing table to see if the changing table is broken.
  • the changing table may comprise an automatic built-in self-test, such that the38ave38ityy manager gets information directly from the changing table if the changing table is broken.
  • the facility manager may be capable of running a diagnostic program to test the changing table directly.
  • Fig. 3b illustrates improper use of the changing table.
  • the detection means automatically detects fluctuating weight load (impact).
  • An indicating unit automatically alerts the user to stop the ongoing action and remove the item causing the fluctuating weight load on the changing table immediately.
  • the indicating unit also automatically alerts the facility manager that fluctuating weight load has been observed on the changing table.
  • Fig. 3c illustrates improper use of the changing table.
  • the detection means automatically detect a con stant weight load on the changing table for a period of time exceeding the allowed period of time.
  • An indicating unit automatically alerts the user that the weight load on the changing table must be removed immediately. The sound may be similar to an alarm clock. This may prevent people from for example sleeping on a changing table.
  • the indicating unit also automatically alert the facility manager and/or guard 5 that a constant weight load on the changing table for a period of time has been observed.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 illustrates two embodiments of a temperature sensor for mounting on pipes for monitoring a water flow 20 in a metal conduit 22.
  • the temperature sensors comprise a mounting adapter 26, a thermistor element 28 with cables 30, a thermally conductive polymer or paste 24 and a thermally isolating element 32.
  • Figs. 6-8 illustrate embodiments of weight or load measurements on a changing table 13.
  • Fig. 9 illustrates one embodiment of weight or load measurements on a height adjustable toilet 10.
  • the illustrated embodiments in figs. 6 and 9 use an actuator 40 for performing a height adjustment of the changing table and the toilet, respectively.
  • the toilet is adjusted by displacing the toilet along a chassis whereas the changing table is displaced by use of a chain system 42.
  • the weight or load on the device can be determined by use of one or more load cells 44 placed in strategically points in the installation.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a changing table 13 and corresponding load measurement method, where the vertical forces between all contact points to wall point and floor of the rack holding the table are measured. The sum of these force measurements is an expression of the total load force and the load from the user can be directly deduced hereof.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a changing table 13 with a measuring method consists of one or two force gauges placed at the stop point of the changing table’s pivot, which ensures that the table remains horizontal.
  • the changing table has two swivel joints. With increased bed load, the measured force F at a w 7 ell-defined distance from the swivel joint is a direct expression of the applied torque T, which can also be a relevant measurement parameter for overloading.
  • a variant of the measurement method consists of one or two torque meters T placed close to the rotary joint of the changing table. With increased table load, the measured torque is a direct expression of the applied torque.
  • the torque meters can be suitably- realized as load cells located close to the pivot point, which measure deflection in the chassis frame of the changing table.
  • Figs 10 a-c illustrate that when a torque is applied from a changing table top, it will cause a deflection in the horizontal chassis 52.
  • the deflection at points 54, 56 will bend inwards or outwards depending on the height of the table and the magnitude of the torque T. .Analysing points 54 and 56 together can therefore derive both the height of the table and the magnitude of the torque.
  • the deflection in points 54 and 56 can be measured with strain gauge sensors 37 or inclinometers 36 that measure the angle to the direction of gravity.
  • An important feature of this measurement method is that a permanent deformation in the vertical chassis due to overloading can be measured immediately after the changing table is no longer in use. This is relevant info for a maintenance manager.
  • a variant of the torque measurement method consists of one or more deflection sensors placed on or in the horizontal chassis that holds the changing table. When a torque T) is applied from the changing table top it will cause a deflection in the vertical chassis. This is best measured in point 60. The deflection in point 60 can be measured with a strain gauge sensor.
  • a variant of the torque measurement method measures the angle to the direction of gravity at point 58. This will also be influenced by the degree of bending in the horizontal chassis discussed above. Without taking into account variations in the deflection of the vertical chassis, this measurement method offers a relatively simple and inexpensive way to estimate the applied torque but with limited accuracy due to unknown table height. If information from e g. an actuator contains table height, this can be included in a more accurate torque estimate.
  • An important feature of the inclinometer measurement method in point 58 is that a permanent deformation in the horizontal or vertical chassis due to overloading can be measured immediately after the use of the changing table has ceased. This is relevant info for a facility manager 3 or service crew 5.
  • FIGS 11-14 illustrate flow diagrams for different status information.
  • alLimit Overload level a2Limit: Activity level a2Limitl Non activity level alLimitlmpactl Non-Impact level nlmpact Number of impacts before impact trig.
  • alTl Overload time before overload trig alT2 Time window for impact count a2Tl Activity time before activity trig a2Tl l Non activity time before non-activity trig a3T2 Sleeping alarm time a3T21 Sleeping alarm disable time
  • Figure 11 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘acute clean- ing’/activity.
  • the information is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the cleaning crew 4.
  • Figure 12 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘Overload’.
  • An info is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the facility manager 3 and/ or a guard 5.
  • the nudging sound continues until the measured weight is at an inactivity level.
  • Figure 13 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘Impact’
  • a nudging sound is generated locally to warn about a non-compliant use.
  • Information is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the facility manager 3 and/ or a guard 5.
  • the nudging sound continues until the measured weight is at an inactivity level.
  • the criteria may be intended to detect if a user is jumping on the equipment 10 and 13 in a non-compliant way.
  • Figure 14 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘Sleeping alarm’.
  • the measured weight has been bigger than the activity threshold limit for a certain threshold time, the criteria for sleeping is reached.
  • a nudging sound is generated locally to warn about a non-compliant use.
  • Information is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the facility manager 3 and/ or a guard 5.
  • the nudging sound continues until the measured weight is at an inactivity level.
  • the measured weight has to be at an inactivity level for specific threshold time to avoid that the nudging sound reappears the same time the measured weight is bigger than the activity threshold limit.
  • Figure 15 illustrates an algorithm for monitoring the use of a toilet 10:
  • the flush time can be included in a cloud algorithm that estimates the need for toilet paper refills, as paper consumption is significantly different for the two types of use.
  • the optical movement sensor 38 in the system can be used as a touchless flush button.
  • the small flush I activated as soon the hand is close the sensor.
  • This information can be used by the processer unit 14 in the same way as the small/big flush estimate from the water flow sensor.
  • the processer also has the ability to generate an electrical signal that can initiate a toilet flush.
  • Figure 16 illustrates an algorithm for monitoring the use of a washbasin 1 1 :
  • a timestamp is stored locally.
  • the signal is transmitted to an optional nudging feature related to hand washing.
  • Figure 17 illustrates an algorithm for monitoring for leakage
  • the info is sent to the cloud to be forwarded to a facility manager 3.
  • Figure 18 illustrates an algorithm for nudging at washbasin:
  • Nudging can be a light indication 70, sound indication 71, or a mechanical movement 72 that reminds the toilet user to wash their hands. • The nudging stops after acknowledgement from registered soap consumption and the water to the washbasin has been activated for longer than the time defined by the small flush washbasin water flow timer.
  • nudging If a predefined nudging timeout is exceeded, nudging prompts stop until the next toilet flush.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to management of lavatory facilities. The object of the invention is to provide a management system for monitoring and controlling a facility and/or facility device or devices, and a method for monitoring and controlling a facility and/or facility device or devices. It is a further object of the invention to provide a management system and a method for proving guidance to a user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility. It is a further object of the invention to provide a management system and a method for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility. The present invention addresses this by providing a management method for handling data information in a management system related to at least one facility, wherein said management system comprises a processing unit, a storage medium, at least one detection means and at least one indicating means, wherein the method comprises following acts; - retrieving data information from the facility using a data receiving unit during use, wherein the data information is provided by said detection means, - analysing the data information using said processing unit, - generating status information related to said facility and/or said facility device, - transmitting the status information to indicating means in the facility, such that a user is capable of receiving information related to the status of said facility and/or said facility device.

Description

A management system for monitoring a facility, a method and use therefore and a facility
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to management and monitoring of lavatory facilities.
Background of the Invention
US2015228181 and US 20150206077 disclose data collection and monitoring systems for at least one defined space within a public or commercial facility including: a plurality of sensors each monitoring a predetermined parameter related to the status of a device, such as a dispenser for various consumable goods, for example paper towels, liquid soap and toilet paper. A data collecting unit is arranged for communicating with said sensors arranged relatively to the device, within a range of communication which corresponds to the extent of said defined space. The data collecting unit is also arranged for communicating with at least one mobile device for a user and with a central server which is associated with a storage medium. The storage medium is adapted for storing and monitoring data related to said sensors. Said data collecting unit is arranged for forwarding data relating to the sensors to the mobile device when the mobile device enters said space. This prior art does not provide a guidance to the user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility. The data collection and monitoring system does not provide a solution for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
US2019013101 discloses a healthcare monitoring system comprising a plurality of sensor devices coupled to appliances and fixtures within a dwelling environment, at least one of the plurality of sensor devices comprising sensor elements including an accelerometer configured to detect a usage associated with the appliances and fixtures, and a computing device operative to receive event signals from the plurality of sensor devices, generate a collection of data with the event signals, analyse the collection of data, generate analytics and pattern data based on the analysis, and generate notifications based on abnormalities in the analytics and pattern data. This prior art does not provide guidance to the user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility. The healthcare monitoring system does not provide a solution for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
Object of the Invention
The object of the invention is to provide a management system for monitoring and controlling a facility and/or facility device or devices, and a method for monitoring and controlling a facility and/or facility device or devices.
It is a further an object of the invention to provide a management system and a method for providing guidance to a user during use of the facility or devices in the facility.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a management system and a method for damage control, preventing lavatory’ facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility.
Description of the Invention
The present invention addresses this by providing a method of monitoring a facility comprising one or more devices. The method comprising acts performed by a processor of:
- acquiring data from one or more sensors deployed in the facility, each sensor being configured to retrieve data related to a use of a device,
- processing the acquired data to determine an activation action of the device,
- comparing the acquired data following the activation action to a threshold level to determine the use of the device to be non-compliant use or compliant use, and
- generating and transmitting output data compri sing status information of the facility or one or more of the devices.
The output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the status information.
Alternatively, the present invention addresses this by providing a management method for handling data information in a management system related to at least one facility, wherein the management system comprises a processing unit, a storage medium, at least one detection means and at least one indicating means, wherein the method comprises following acts: J
- retrieving data information from said facility using a data receiving unit, wherein the data information is provided by said detection means,
- analysing the data information using said processing unit,
- generating status information related to said facility and/or a facility device
- transmitting an instruction based on the status information to at least one user type, optionally transmitting the instruction via the indicating means in the facility, such that a user is capable of receiving information related to the status of said facility and/or said facility device.
The management method for handling data information in a management system may relate to a public, a private or a commercial facility, e.g. facilities such as a kitchen, lavatory or care facilities. The management system comprises at least one detection means for detecting the status of and/or an event in relation to the facility and/or facility device. The detection means may comprise at least one detector unit configured to detect the status of said facilities and/or said facility device. The detector unit may be a sensor for measuring weight or fluid or temperature and/or for example detecting sound etc. The detection means is capable of detecting if the facility and/or facility device are broken and/or out of order. The detection means may also be capable of detecting if the facility and/or facility device are used incorrectly or for too long time. The detection means may also detect the use/activation/deactivation of the facility and/or facility de- vice(s) for example for statistical use or for prediction of maintenance. The management system is configured to retrieve data information from the lavatory facility. The data information is retrieved using a data receiving unit. A user of the facility may use one or more of the facility devices. The data information may be retrieved during use and/or after use. The data information is provided by said detection means. The data information may be transmitted directly from the detection means to the processing unit and/or via another device.
The detection means are also referred to as sensors.
The data receiving unit may be the processing unit or simply referred to as a processor. The status of said facilities and/or said facility device may e.g. include on, off, use, use type, functioning, not functioning, connected, disconnected, a measurement in relation to said facilities and/or said facility device etc.
The management system furthermore comprises a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to analyse the data information to find out if the facility and/or facility device are broken and/or out of order or if the facility and/or facility device are used incorrectly or for too long time, needs planed sendee etc. The processing unit is configured to generate status information of said facility and/or said facility device. The processing unit may be a single unit or several units.
The status information is based on the retrieved data information. The status information may also be analysed for maintenance reasons, such that a maintenance crew is capable of keeping the facility functional. The status information may be transmitted to the facility device or devices. The status information may alternatively or in combination be available in sites other than the facility.
The processing unit may also be arranged for statistical analysis, health surveillance etc based on the data information from the facility and/or facility device.
The management system also comprises at least one indicating means. The indicating means comprises one or more indications units. The indication unit may for example be a visual and/or an auditory indicator unit. The indicating means may be configured to indicate one or more status information related to said facility and/or said facility device^). The indicating means may be configured to indicate the status of said facility and/or said facility device to a user, such that the user is capable of receiving information related to the status of said facility and/or said facility device.
The information from the indicating means may for example be classified by importance, criticality’ and/or urgency.
The management system may be capable of transmitting the status information to the indicating m eans in the facility, such that user is capable of receiving information if the facility and/or facility device are broken and/or out of order. The management system may be capable of transmitting the status information to the indicating means in the facility, such that the user is capable of receiving information if the device or devices are used incorrectly or for too long time. The management system may be capable of transmitting the status information to different user types. The information sent to each of the user types based on the same status information may be the same or different. I.e., the same status information or information based on said status information may be transmitted to different user types by different means and/or in different form e.g., simple information, warning, an instruction, a nudging signal.
For example, the same or different status information may be provided to different user types based on the same detected event and/or data information. For example, in case of vandalism one information may be provided to a guard marked as urgent (in order to stop the vandalism now), another to a cleaning staff with status important (to clean after the vandalism) and a third to a service crew with status critical (to repair and make the facility usable again).
The management system may be an external management system. The management system may be a cloud solution. The management system may be configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface. The management system furthermore comprises a control unit. The control unit controls the data communication between the facility management user interface and the facility and/or facility device. The facility management user interface may access a plurality of facilities and/or facilitydevices. The data information and the status information may be stored in a storage medium. The control unit may control the data communication means, wherein the control unit may control data information and/or status information between one or more storage mediums and/or said facility and/or said facility device. The data communication may be wireless. The method may alter the acts, if needed. The method may repeat one or mor of the acts, if needed.
The management system is capable of detecting overload, vandalism, and improperuse. The management system is capable of preventing further damage in the facility and on the facility devices because the management system is capable of warning one or more users/user types. The management system may be capable of analyzing the use of the facility and/or facility devices, analyzing the user activity facility and/or facility devices and/or analyzing the user status such as health status of a primary' user of the facility and/or facility devices.
In an advantageous method of the invention, the method comprises further acts of:
- using detection means when the user is using the facility, wherein the detection means comprises at least one detection unit arranged relative to or on a device in the facility, such that said detection unit is capable of detecting the use of the device.
The detection means is capable of detecting the use of the facility and/or the facility device while the user is using the facility and/or the facility device. The detection means comprises at least one detection unit arranged relative to or on a device in the facility, such that the detection unit is capable of detecting the use of a plurality of devices, such as a toilet, fixture, shower and/or changing table etc. The detection unit may also be capable of detecting the use of a paper towels, liquid soap and/or toilet paper etc.
A plurality of detection units, such as sensors, each monitoring a facility device and provides one or more predetermined parameters related to the status of the facility device. The detection unit may be wirelessly connected to the management system.
The managements system may comprise a number of facility devices at the same or different locations. The managements system may comprise a number of detections means at the same or different locations.
In a further advantageous method of the invention, the method comprises further acts of
- using indicating means to inform said user in the facility, wherein the indicating means comprises at least one indicator unit arranged relative to or on a device in the facility, such that the indicator unit is capable of sending information to a user when the user is using the facility.
The indicating means may be configured to inform said user in the facility and/or users somewhere else. The indicating means may comprise at least one indicator unit arranged relative to and/or in and/or on a device in the facility, such that the indicator unit is capable of sending a status information to the user when the user is using the facility. The indication unit may be a visual and/or an auditory indicator unit. A visual indicator unit may be light from one or more lamps. An auditory indicator unit may be sound waves from a speaker or a buzzer or similar.
The management system may comprise nudging means configured to provide a nudging signal related to the user’s behavioural pattern. By analysing the user’s movement and the use of the devices, the user’s behavioural pattern can be identified and predicted. Using nudging to positively reinforce a certain behavioural pattern may be provided with the use of nudging means and/or indicating means. The nudging means may comprise visual and/or auditory' nudging unit or units. The indicating means may be used as a part of the nudging means, such that the nudging means also comprises one or more of the visual and/or auditory indicator unit or units. For example, the nudging may be used to enhance the features of hand washing nudging. Nudging means may also comprise means for focusing attention such as means for enhancing the focus while urinating.
The management system and method may provide statistics related to single user behaviour, such as hand wash statistics. The management system and method may provide statistics related to health tracking during toilet use analysis, such that during detection of toilet flush time the system may detect big and small flush and timestamp of those. This can be used to detect early urinary' infection. The management system may provide statistics related to resource consumption such as water consumption estimation and the use of soap, toilet paper etc. The management system and method may provide statistics related to quality of help, time between events and follow up by guard, carer, facility manager, cleaning etc.
In a still further advantageous method of the invention, the method comprises further acts of
- storing said data information in a storage medium related to the management system.
The data information retrieved from said facility and/or said facility device may be stored in a storage medium related to the management system. The data information may be stored in an external storage medium related to the management system. The management system may comprise more than one storage medium. The storage medium may be a cloud database solution or similar.
The data information retrieved may be processed, sorted, filtered and/or reduced before being transferred/transmitted to the processing unit and/or storage medium in order to only transfer relevant, selected and/or anonymized data to the cloud and/or data storage medium.
Selecting and/or minimizing the data transferred and/or stored is an advantage in that it may significantly reduces the bandwidth and/or data capacity needed to use the system.
Selecting and/or minimizing the data transferred and/or stored further has the advantage that the unit transmitting the data may be operated in a power saving mode allowing the use of battery' powered devices, detectors and/or transmitters.
Furthermore, only transferring and/or storing selected and/or reduced data may help data security and especially security of potential personal data. For example, in the case of sound data it is possible to avoid the transmittal and/or logging of language and sound indicators for personal activities and only transmit selected information such as events related to selected classifiers indicating specific activity i.e. toilet flush, a fall, door opening, distress call or distress related sounds etc.
Such reduced data sets may for example comprise or contain: a code for event type, time stamp for event start and/or time stamp for event stop.
At least part of the data processing such as sound data processing is preferably earned out at the facility i.e. before being transmitted to the cloud/remote part of the system. Preferably a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm at the device or detector and/or in relation to the device or detector may advantageously be used to select, filter, process, recognize and/reduce the detected signal before sending to the cloud/remote part of the system.
Sound classifiers may in various embodiments be used to identify and categorize sounds detected. The ML sound classifier may preferably be pre-trained. In some setups, the ML sound classifier is trained using raw sound data from the detection means. The rawsound data may for a selected time be transmitted to the management system for training the NIL algorithm. The ML algorithm on the detection means or other device at the facility may be updated at regular pre-set intervals or when needed. In case raw7 sound data is streamed from the facility /device for example for the purpose of training the ML algorithm, the user, personnel etc. on site will be made explicitly aware of the sound recording.
The sound classified data may be transferred to the data management system constantly or when an event is detected by the sound classifier. It also an option to transfer the sound classifier data at specific times, in batches, by manual order etc. in case data is needed and/or gathered for statistical purpose.
Sound classifiers may be used to detect a number of different events e.g. start and stop of tap water, toilet flush etc. However, in advanced setups sound classifiers may even be used to detect the temperature of water as the temperature induced change in viscosity of the water may lead to variations in sound pattern s.
Sound classifiers may also be used to detect specific W'ater patterns, splashes etc. as the turbulence etc. results in different sounds and sound patterns from the water.
Sound classifiers may further be used for identification of:
Toilet flush, toilet malfunction, leaking toilet, valve failure in toilet
Tap/shower on/off, tap/show7er running, amount of water flow from tap/shower, tap/shower malfunction
Use of toilet paper, extend of use of toilet paper
Use of air hand driers, use of electrical paper dispensers
Use of douche toilet, use of specified douche toilet function with pre-set ID
Lise of soap or other dispenser functions with pre-set individual ID
Use of mechanical malfunction, degree of wear of mechanical devices, need for maintenance such as lubrication, shift of movable parts, tightening of joints, screws etc. The method and system may also be arranged to recognize nationality/language of a user based on sound detection. The information provided via indication means may be localized or adapted e.g. based on the detected language.
The temperature of the room, water from one or more devices such as taps or showers, the user body temperature may also be detected via traditional temperature measurements and devices therefor and/or IR measurements. Based on the temperature information from the detection means, the method and system may indicate a need for showering in order to raise body temperature or otherwise lower or raise body, room, water, device temperature.
In a still further advantageous method of the invention, the method comprises further acts of:
- storing said data information from said facility in a storage medium related to the management system, such that a facility manager is capable of accessing the data information in the storage medium from a facility management user interface.
The data information retrieved from said facility may be stored in a storage medium related to the management system. One or more facility managers or other personnel and/or user types may be capable of accessing the data information in the storage medium from a facility management user interface or other approved interfaces. The maintenance crew may use a maintenance interface. The maintenance interface may have restricted access to the information in the storage medium related to the management system. The interfaces may be mobile units.
In various setups the method and system is implemented at an end user/owner different from the service provider. In this case it may be advantageous if the system is setup to ensure that data, preferably anonymized data, is collected by the system and that the system is configured to warn the end user/owner about critical events or the upcoming need for maintenance. Similarly, the method and system may detect device/detector malfunctions and transmit this information to one or more users via one or more indicating means and/or interfaces. The invention is also directed at a management method for handling data information in a management system related to at least one facility, wherein the management system comprises a processing unit, a storage medium, at least one detection means and at least one indicating means, wherein the method comprises following acts:
- retrieving data information from said facility using a data receiving unit, wherein the data information is provided by said detection means,
- analysing the data information using said processing unit,
- generating status information related to said facility and/or a facility device
- transmitting an instruction based on the status information to at least one user type, optionally via the indicating means in the facility 2, such that a user is capable of receiving information related to the status of said facility 2 and/or said facility device.
The features discussed in relation to the method herein also relates to the management system itself and vice versa.
The management system is configured to handle data information related to public, private or commercial facilities such as lavatories, kitchens etc. The management system comprises at least one detection means for detecting the use of one or more facilities having at least one facility device.
The management system comprises a processor unit which is configured to analyse at least one data information. The processor unit may also be configured to generate at least one status information based on the analysed data information.
The management system comprises data communication means configured to receive and send data information and/or status information between said management system and said facility and/or said facility device. The data communication means may receive and send data information and/or status information between said management system and said facility and/or said facility device using a wireless solution.
The management system comprises at least one indicating means for indicating the status of said facility and/or said facility device, wherein the indication means is configured to send status information to a user of the facility and/or said facility device. The management system may also comprise at least one indicating means for indicating the status of said facility and/or said facility device, wherein the indication means is configured to send status information to at least one facility management user interface and or to one or more other user types via text message, voice message, an app, push message etc.
The indicating means may provide information to a number of different user types. The user types may include a primary user (actual user of facility), caretaker (e.g. nurse or assistant helping the primary user), facility manager, sendee crew, guard, cleaning personnel. The indicating means may be one or more of a lamp, speaker, text message, voice message, app and/or haptic feedback.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the management system comprises a storage medium for storing data information and/or status information.
The management system may provide statistical information which relates to the use of the facility based on the data information and/or the status information.
The management system may provide statistics related to the user behaviour. The management system may provide statistics related to the success of a positive reinforcement related to user behaviour. The management system may provide statistics related to health tracking during toilet use analysis. This can be used to detect diseases and/or disorders in an early stage. The management system may provide statistics related to resource consumption related to the facility.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the management system is configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface.
The management system may be configured to be accessible from at least one user interface. The user interface may be a facility management user interface used by a facility manager. The user interface may be an administrator user interface used by an administrator, for example to perform an initialising set up of the management system and/or changing settings in the management system. The management system may also be ac- cessed from a cleaning crew user interface and/or a service crew user interface. Different users of the management system may have different access clearance to the systems’ functions.
A user interface may be on a workstation, pc or laptop and/or via an app on a mobile device such as a telephone, watch or tablet.
In a still further advantageous embodiment of the invention, said indicating means comprises a visual and/or auditory indicator unit.
This invention may provide a guidance to the user during use of the facility device or devices in the facility. The management system provides a solution for damage control, preventing lavatory facilities against overload, vandalism and improper use of the facility device or devices in the facility with the use of indicating means and/or nudging means. The indicating means and/or nudging means may e.g. be visual and/or auditory units.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, said detection means comprise at least one detector unit configured to detect the status of said facility and/or said facility device.
For example, the detection means automatically detect improper use or overload of the devices in the facility. The indicating unit automatically alerts the user of improper use or overload. The user must stop the ongoing action immediately. The indicating unit also automatically alerts the facility manager or other relevant user type that improper use or overload has occurred. The facility manager may send instructions to the service crew to check for example if something is broken. Every device may comprise an automatic built-in self-test, such that the facility manager gets information directly from the device itself and information if the device is broken. Alternatively, the facility manager may be capable to run a diagnostic program to test each one of the devices directly.
The present managements systems and the devices used for the methods may comprise primary and/or secondary units. Primary units may communicate with the cloud/remote parts of the management system, other primary units and/or secondary' units. The secondary units may communicate with priniary units and/or other secondary units. The system may comprise only primary units if desired.
The detection means and/or indicating means of the management system and method may be primary'- and/or secondary' units.
Preferably, cloud connection is provided by a standard modem or telecom structures including e.g.3G, LTE-M1, 4G, Nb-IoT and/or 5G. Alternatively or in combination herewith local wifi, ethernet and/or LPWA-technology such as LoRaWan is used for cloud communication.
Primary and/or secondary' units may communicate via BLE (Bloototh Low7 Energy) connection, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Lora and/or Wi-Fi.
Preferably, primary7 and/or secondary' units are arranged to have a power safe mode as well as low energy data communication modes. The primary and/or secondary units may be at least partly battery driven, which is particularly advantageous in case of units with a power safe mode as well as low energy data communication modes.
In various setups the system is implemented at an end user/owner different from the service provider. In this case it may be advantageous if the system is setup to ensure that data, preferably anonymized data, is collected by the system and that the system is configured to warn the end user/owner about critical events or the upcoming need for maintenance.
The managements system and method may also be inter linked with visual or audio devices such as light dampers, speakers, light/image projectors.
For example, the light may be automatically dampened or changed to a warmer colour by activation of a lift. A light or image projector may also be activated by registration of a care situation such as changing or personal care of a user. The system and method may also comprise means for voice control of one or more devices such as changing of water temperature, turn on light etc. Said voice control may in some embodiments be using the system’s sound classifier system.
In some embodiments the system may be integrated with existing home automation or home sound and/or home video system.
The system may also be arranged to provide temperature data from one or more types of temperature detectors. The temperature detectors may e.g. be IR temperature detectors or contact detectors in e,g. a toilet seat or in a support mat on a lift or care rest.
The system and method may be arranged to provide detailed information about a user’s health status, weight etc., including detailed information about composition, amount, color, structure, odeur, frequency of feces and/or urine.
In case of detection of information relating to feces and/or urine, it may be an advantage that system and method is arranged to prevent or delay or otherwise control flush of the toilet for detection to occur in the toilet. The activation of detection means for health- related measurements, such as detectors in the toilet, may be induced by events detected by other detection means/devices e.g. based on statistics and/or learnings from the system.
Sound classifiers may be used to detect urine flow and/or amount. Similarly, sound classifiers may be used alone or in combination with other detectors to detect start of toilet use, type of toilet use and/or end of toilet use. Based on this type of data, the system and method may be able to evaluate the basic health status and even predict potential health issues such as constipation or urinary' tract infections.
Detailed information regarding the weight of a user may e.g. be achieved form the toilet seat, toilet chair or similar during use. Especially measurements of weight over time may be used to get information flow7, type, condition of feces and/or urine.
By the present method and system, it is thus possible to collect and/or analyse different types of health information from one or more users at single events and/or over a longer period thereby providing important information which for example may be used for health care protocols or indicating the need for medical care. The system and method may be arranged to indicate health related issues and information to one or more user types.
User ID may be detected via a QR code, voice recognition, face recognition or similar. All data relating to personal information may be anonymized or otherwise protected before transmittal and/or storage.
Installation of the system and or subsequent update or exchange of devices may be carried out on site or remotely. A user may enter a specified device ID into the system preferably together with location, type and/or use. The system may provide feedback for example in case the ID is already used or if the ID doesn’t relate to an existing device whereby typos and other errors may be avoided. The installation/registration of device ID may be carried out/registered offline.
Subsequent registration of devices in the same location will allow the devices “to know" that they are in the same location and that they may communicate.
The device ID is preferably registered on the package of the device and/or in deliverypapers. Preferably, the device is unique.
In case of error in a device it may be an advantage if the device ID is indicated on the device itself enabling to debug and e.g. locate a device which has been registered in a wrong location.
The system and method may thus for example be used for monitoring a lavatory facility with multiple users in a public space. In this case detectors such as microphones in or connected to a primary or secondary device with a sound classifier may be used to register one or more of
When someone enters
- Use of toilet
- Use of paper
- Use of tap
- Use of soap
- Use of means for drying hands - Use of chan ogin og facilities
Exits.
These data may be transmitted at each detected event or may be transmitted in predetermined intervals or by request of a user such as a facility manager. The data in this case is not personalized and mainly of statistical use or for use in predicting need for cleaning and/or maintenance. Based on the detected activity, information may be provided via indication means at the facility and/or to one or more other types of users in the same or other facility /location.
The system and method may also as an example be used in facilities in relation to persons needing extra nudging, care or monitoring such as people suffering from dementia or even children. In this case detectors such as microphones in or connected to a primary or secondary device with a sound classifier may be used to register one or more of
- When someone enters
- Use of toi let
- Use of paper
- Use of tap
- Use of soap
- Use of means for drying hands.
If the faci lity is a kitchen
- use of stove unintended use of and accidents in relation to cooking opening/closing fridge spillage
In general
- Distress calls
Indications of confusion
- Hyper activity
Lack of activity
- Unexpected activity
These data may be transmitted at each detected event or may be transmitted in predetermined intervals or by request of a user such as a facility manager. The data in this case the data may be directly linked to a person ID and thus protected from unintended use. Based on the data information, the system may assist to e.g. ensure turning off water or the stove. The data information may also be used to inform of time of day, need for sleep, need for food etc. including guides on how to get/do it. The information provided by the system may be standard instructions triggered by specific actions/ events or may be personalized information, instructions and/or help based on statistics calculated by the system based on data from the specific user and/or specific facility and/or facility device and/or based on information/instructions entered into the system by one or more users locally and/or remotely. Based on the detected activity, information may be provided via indication means at the facility and/or to one or more other types of user in the same or other facility /location for help, information, planning etc.
In case of users needing nudging, the method and system may provide various modes of nudging and/or gamifying.
An example is a “feedback plant”. The feedback plant may be arranged to signal based on one or more user activities. For example, the feedback plant may be arranged to change color based on a user’s statistic in relation to washing hands after toilet use, brushing teeth, eating lunch etc. If the user is doing good, the plant will be green. If the user is doing less than good, the plant may be yellow. If the user is doing poorly, the plant may be red. The feedback device may also be shaped as a pet etc. The feedback plant may be arranged near the feature it is intended to give feedback on e.g. in the bath room. However, if it is arranged in another room or location, it may be a remote reminder and trigger of an action for the user. In relation to the present method and system, the feedback plant may be used as the indicating means.
Another example of effective nudging/gamification may be the “target fly” in a toilet, providing an aim when urinating. The target may be arranged to detect if it is hit or not thereby giving feedback in form of a rating, sound or change of color etc. The target may be static, or it may be movable by automation e.g. by interaction with the method and system in which case it may be considered an indication means and/or a detection unit. The information detected, stored and/or transmitted by the system and method may be used to assist single specified users, groups of users, unknown users etc. The information detected, stored and/or transmitted by the system and method may be used to predict times of increased activity, needs of various primary users, best mode interac- tion/indication via indication means, notice changes in behavioral of individuals and/or average user types of users and preferably indicating and/or transmitting information related hereto. Patters for detection such as predetermined activation of detection means and/or devices may be based om learnings and/or statistics from the information detected, stored and/or transmitted by the system and method.
The invention has now been explained with reference to a few embodiments which have only been discussed in order to illustrate the many possibilities and varying design possibilities achievable with the management system and the method related to a management system according to the present invention.
In one embodiment of the method, the status information comprises information of a type of use being compliant use or non-compliant use. The output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the device and the type of use.
In one embodiment of the method, the sensors are arranged relative to or on one of the devices in the facility.
In one embodiment of the method, the user types include a facility manager, cleaning personnel, caretaker, nurse, guard and/or primary user.
The primary user is a user of the one or more devices in the facility.
In one embodiment of the method, the status information may indicate a distress call, maintenance, reparation, out-of-order and/or in-use.
In one embodiment the method comprises acts of:
- generating use-information to a primary user based on the determined use of the one or more devices device, and - using indicating means comprised in the facility. The indicating means may be configured for outputting the generated use-information to said primary user when using one or more of the devices in the facility, so as to warn or nudge the primary user of use of the facility and/or devices.
In one embodiment, the method comprises further acts of:
- storing the acquired and/or generated data in a storage medium, and
- providing a user interface, so that one or more user types can remotely access the stored data.
In one embodiment of the method, one sensor is a microphone and the retrieved data is audio data. A sound classifier may be used to determine an activation action status information of the facility, of one or more of the devices, or of a primary.
The threshold may be based on one or more sound classifies.
In one embodiment of the method, one sensor is temperature sensor adapted to measure a temperature change of a metal in direct contact with a w7ater conduit for determining presence of a water flow in the water conduit.
In one embodiment of the method, one sensor is a load sensor, deflection sensor or inclinometer arranged a device. The sensor may be configured for measuring an applied force to the device or a deflection of the device.
In one embodiment of the method, at least a part of the data is acquired at predetermined intervals and/or at specified events.
One objective of the invention is achieved by a management system for handling data information from one or more facilities. The management system comprises:
- one or more sensors deployed in one of the facility/facilities, each sensor being configured to retrieve data related to a use of a device,
- a processing unit configured to acquire data from the one or more sensors, process the acquired data to determine an activation action of the device, compare the acquired data following the activation action to a threshold level to determine the use of the device to be non-compliant use or compliant use, and transmit output data comprising status information of the facility or one or more of the devices.
The output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the device and the type of use.
In one embodiment, the management system is configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface.
In one embodiment of the management system, the indicating means comprises a visual and/or an auditory indicator unit.
In one embodiment, the management system is configured to perform one or more of the disclosed methods.
In one embodiment the management system comprises a storage medium for storing data comprising in-formation of at least the activation action and the use of the device of non-compliant use or compliant use.
In one aspect, the objective of the invention is achieved with a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one or more method acts of the one or more methods disclosed.
In one aspect, the objective of the invention is achieved with a computer-readable media comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one or more method acts of the one or more methods disclosed.
One objective of the invention is achieved with a use of the management system comprising at least two sensors, one being a microphone and where the microphone is activated in response to a determine activation action of a device or the facility. T1
One objective of the invention is achieved with a facility comprising one or more devices and the management system comprising at least two sensors, one being a microphone and where the microphone is activated in response to a determine activation action of a device or the facility.
PIR sensor
A PIR sensor may be implemented for touch free application. The PIR sensor may then be used also for retrieving data or active other devices.
Temperature sensor
An analogue temperature sensor may be used for mounting on pipes for monitoring a water flow.
The water supply flow to a toilet cistern, as well as a faucet’s cold and hot water supply may be relevant to measure as this can indicate an activation action, the duration of the activation action, as well as a leak that causes a sustained activation.
Thorough research has illustrated that this can be realized in a highly cost-effective way through simple technology used in the correct way, as described below.
Studies have shown that the measurement method must be able to reliably measure temperature changes of at least around 1/1000 degrees Celsius with an iteration time of one second. Through appropriate signal analysis, this allows one to reliably detect when a water flow starts and stops.
The method has the following properties:
* The sensor can be easily retrofitted onto standard fittings via a mounting adapter and without interfering with the water installation by disassembling and reassembling water pipes. This means that a plumber is not required for proper installation, which reduces installation costs, the risk of subsequent water leakage, but also the installation time.
* The sensor does not require maintenance. A very' cost-effective design uses a so-called NTC thermistor. It is an electrical component who’s resistance value changes significantly as the temperature changes, relative to alternative sensor types. The resistor material is typically encapsulated in an epoxy and pre-terminated with wires, which is the preferred sensor element wrapping variant for the described use.
The sensor is typically connected to the signal processing device via a set of wires, meaning it can be several meters away. This also has the cost advantage that the signal processing unit does not necessarily need to be protected against condensation as it is typically not cooled below condensation temperature as the sensor element often is, e.g. when measuring on a cold-water pipe.
The outer sensor wrapping may comprise a mounting adapter, which ensures that the sensor can be easily attached to the side of the pipe on which flow is to be measured. Between the pipe and the sensor, a thin heat-conducting polymer or paste may typically be fitted to ensure good thermal contact between the two.
The mounting adapter is typically constructed from a poor heat conductor e.g. plastic. If the mounting adapter is constructed from a good heat conductor, the contact surface between the sensor element and the mounting adapter must preferably be thermally insulated. This grants the sensor element a temperature that is primarily influenced by the temperature of the metal pipe.
A correct mounting location is a prerequisite for the sensor to reliably distinguish between a water flow that is either initiated or stopped with a response time less than five seconds. The mounting location must be a place with direct metal contact between the sensor and the water to be measured, possibly via a thread. This could be on the outside of a metal adaptor for an extension hose, at a pipe joint or directly on a metal pipe.
Weight sensor for detection of general use versus vandalism:
General use: An activation action value (trigger criterion) may be determined during the production of the system. When the measured weight exceeds the activation action value, the activation action is triggered and when the measured weight value falls below the activation action value, the activation action comes to an end.
If the sensor measurement tends to slowly alter its offset, the following method can be used. This method is based on the assumption that a sensor is usually not exposed to activity. The measurement over for example the last 24 hours when there is no activity, is used to establish an ongoing reference for ceased activity.
The activation criterion for activity is therefore a sudden change from a reference measurement. And when the sensor returns to the ongoing reference, it triggers the ceased activity criterion.
Alternatively, the trigger criterion can be chosen as continuous variations in weight above a given value over a given time. The trigger criterion for cessation of activity is selected as continuous variations in weight below the given value over a given time. This means that weight gradients over a given measurement time are used as a trigger criterion.
Alternatively, the trigger criterion can be selected as combinations of the above.
Overload:
Detecting non-compliance in terms of overloading requires a suitable sensor technology that, in addition to normal use, also can measure the degree of loading, making it possible to detect an overload.
The device subject for measuring overload may include a height-adjustable toilet and/or a height-adjustable changing table.
Overload refers to excessive static or dynamic impact on a surface adapted for a person to sit or lie when used. To minimize or eliminate maintenance costs and provide good protection against vandalism, a sensor based on force measurement in conjunction with the actuator that regulates the height of the toilet or changing table may be very desirable.
Alternative measurement methods may be used:
The load can be measured as a force and can happen inside the actuator itself, in connection with the bottom mounting of the actuator, or a fixed anchor point connected to a chainring bottom bracket.
Force measurement can also be performed on moving points but may unnecessarily complicate the concept.
The sensor type may typically be referred to as a load cell.
A load may also be determined through torque measurements by use of deflection sensors fx. strain gauge or inclinometers.
Data acquired at the facility in the management system can be used for two purposes: Help and maintenance.
Example of voluntary help:
A situation where a non-compliant application is used to alert the system user in order to voluntarily stop the bad application.
Non-compliant use can be either too prolonged use or a load that exceeds the specified load for a shorter or longer period of time.
For example, an on-site user receives an immediate acoustic reminder in the form of an annoying or deterrent sound as soon as a non-compliant use occurs in connection with a changing table, e g. a pulsating beep sound or an alarm clock-like sound depending on the type of unwanted use.
Another example of voluntary help is nudging. See the logic description under “Examples of local data processing”.
Nudging methods: Light or movement nudging:
E.g. when an on-site user needs to be nudged to wash their hands or use soap, this is typically done through a pleasant notification in the form of constant or flashing lights, or a moving object close to water faucets or soap dispensers.
When the nudging stops, the light turns off.
Voice guided nudging:
This can either be proactive and only say something before the user performs the action. This option will probably be the most popular as the user will only feel monitored to a limited extent.
Ex. The system says “Remember to wash your hands” or “Remember to use soap when washing your hands” or “Remember to use soap when washing your hands for at least 15 seconds”
Proof of evidence of effect is best achieved via sensors to detect water flow or soap application. These do not affect the user’s sense of being monitored.
Nudging can also be reactive to varying degrees.
It can start by saying remember to wash your hands.
If the w7ater then runs for too short a time, the system reacts and prompts you to wash for another 15 seconds, for example.
If no soap is used during hand washing, the system reacts and prompts you to use soap and wash for e.g. 15 seconds.
If an acknowledgement function is desired, the user can acknowledge with a word such as yes or ok, which is interpreted by a sound classifier that is activated by the words yes and ok. A voice-based receipting should be carefully evaluated in view of the users feeling of privacy..
Alternatively, acknowledgement can be achieved via sensors to detect water flow or soap application.
Example of involuntary help:
A situation where a non-compliant application is used to summon a predetermined guard and/or a predetermined maintenance manager depending on the nature of the application. z /
A supervisor can receive a text message with an incident description and the address of the system location as soon as a non-compliant use occurs.
Non-compliant use can be either too prolonged use (Sleeping alarm) or a load that exceeds the specified load for a shorter (impact) or longer period of time (overload).
In other words, the system sends information to different user types depending on their relevance and in a manageable format.
Example of maintenance:
A cleaning manager receives a text message or email informing that a system with a given address has been used as soon as an application is completed.
Both a cleaning manager and a system owner can access a cloud portal to get an overview of when a given system or many systems have been used in a given period, e.g. via a spreadsheet or Power Bi interface. The same information can also be sent to preselected users at a pre-selected fixed interval via email, for example, once a month.
In the event of a non-compliant use involving a load that exceeds the specified load for a shorter or longer period of time, the maintenance manager can receive a text message or email with an incident description, advice on how to check the product for normal function, contact information for the service organization behind the system, and the address of the system location every time an overload occurs.
In all of the above examples, a smartphone app can of course also be used. However, it is relatively costly to develop and operate. In addition, the user must likewise own a smartphone, which also increases the total operating costs for the user.
Data processing and transmission:
What data can be selected
The selected data can reliably and cost-effectively represent the type of activity to be measured. Here, cost-effective represents a total consideration of development costs to realize the interpretation of the data type, installation costs, and ongoing costs to maintain the data source.
From this, it is decided to select data from a single weight sensor designed as a load cell placed in a carefully selected location in a changing table or toilet to represent usage info and short or long-term overloads. Based on this, it is decided to select data from a water flow sensor based on temperature measurement to represent usage info and usage time for water flow for both a toilet and sink (faucet, washbasin).
From this, it is decided to select data from a PIR sensor with a narrow detection angle to detect activity close to a soap dispenser (and or sink).
The use of data from sound sources is in many ways very attractive from an installation and maintenance perspective but is developmentally challenging in term s of cost due to the complexity of ensuring high reliability of the sound classifier when the microphone harvesting the data is disturbed by extraneous sound sources.
Data from sound sources only really makes economic sense when the sound source originates from a human, where alternative sensor technologies are less attractive.
In terms of development, it is also an economic advantage to only be able to identify simple human sounds such as yes and no, and a two-way communication between system and human where the human only has to say simple sounds is therefore preferable. Privacy concerns also motivates to limit the number of identified sounds.
A more complex sound classifier that can identify the sound of a person falling and distress sounds (e.g. calls for help) can also be combined with human feedback acknowledgement in the form of “yes or no” to reduce the number of false identifications.
What can be processed on-site (local processor)
There are four criteria for local data processing
20- Response time - The information being processed can optionally result in an immediate response. This includes overload cases and hygiene-related nudging in connection with hand washing. The use of an external processor will require a response time of max one second, which cannot always be guaranteed with an information transport path that uses a cellular network. This means that high system reliability is compromised.
2- Cost- Desire to minimize data exchange with external processes from a cost perspective. For example, when using an information transport path that uses a cellular network, this consideration is particularly attractive as increased data volume is subsequently charged for. 3- Connectivity - It makes good business sense to not add extra installation cost to ensure a high success rate for cloud connectivity. Adding an external antenna to compensate for a bad antenna signal may for that reason not be considered attractive. A common feature of wireless network technologies such as cellular networks is that there is a correlation between high data transmission capacity and the requirement for a strong antenna signal. This means that a location in a basement and/or far away from an antenna mast will result in a weak antenna signal and therefore a low data transmission capacity. A modern 5G technology like NB-IoT offers low transmission capacity and can tolerate a weak antenna signal and increasingly has global coverage. Low transmission capacity goes hand in hand with a high degree of local data processing.
4- Ease of use - The criterion that was the main reason for choosing the other three criteria. There is often an option for a virtually free high-capacity data connection to an external server via a wireless LAN network in the area where the system is to be installed. However, the area’s IT manager typically does not want foreign IT equipment connected to the area’s LAN or wireless LAN network for IT security reasons. The system is considered foreign IT equipment and it is thus a contractually a heavy documentation task for each installation site to have the system recognized as IT secure equipment.
If the cellular infrastructure is used as a data connection to an external server instead, there is no interaction with the site’s LAN or wireless LAN network and no documentation task regarding IT security. This means that the ease of installation will be very good.
On the other hand, the cellular infrastructure presents an ongoing challenge in terms of the cost of the data connection. This generally becomes smaller as less data is exchanged, which increases the incentive for a high degree of local data processing and minimal data exchange with external servers.
Examples of local data processing:
Detection of water flow through water temperature analysis s The measurement method is simple to realize, meaning that a simple signal analysis based on gradient estimation can provide high detection reliability and calculate when a flow starts and when it stops again. This means that the measured temperature changes slowly over time when the water is still and the measured temperature changes quickly over time wlien the water is moving. * If a water leak occurs, the measured water temperature is atypically high or low over a longer period of time.
8 All threshold values are local. For example, the temperature gradients thresholds for starting and stopping water flow and the flush time threshold for a large or small flush. A min. water flow timer related to nudging as well as atypical high or low water temperature threshold and detection time threshold before leak calls.
» All threshold values can be continuously evaluated in the cloud with periodic data extraction of time series regarding the measured temperature. Following the evaluation, all local thresholds are automatically updated.
8 The evaluation can be done manually with time series analysis and statistical tools or automatically via machine learning algorithms.
What can be transmitted for external processes (server/cloud):
Data sent to external processes may all have been through local processing first and an extract of this can be sent to external processes if the criteria below are met.
Activity changing table
When the criteria for activity at a changing table is no longer met, a code indicating that the changing table has been activated and the duration of the activity is transmitted to the external processor. This information represents the highest degree of signal compression. (Activity can trigger a cleaning call).
In addition, optional meta data can be included in the form of a data set for average and peak measurements during the measured load period. Meta data can be used by the system owner to achieve an overview of the degree to which the equipment has been close to being overloaded.
In addition, optional meta data can be included in the form of a data set for repeated measurements with a fixed time interval of average and peak measurements throughout the measured load period. Setting the time interval to e.g. 2 to 5 seconds gives a very’ detailed picture of how the system is being used. Meta data can be used by the system owner to achieve an overview of the degree to which the equipment has been close to being overloaded.
In a start-up phase, it can make sense to choose metadata as it provides a good understanding of how the system is used by the end user, but in the long term, this info does not provide significant added value and can therefore be deselected. Overload or impact on changing table
When the overload or impact criteria are met, a code indicating that the changing table has been overloaded with the weight of said overload being transmitted to the external processor. This information represents the highest degree of signal compression. (Overload can trigger a call to a guard and a maintenance manager).
In addition, optional meta data can be included in the form of a data set for repeated measurements with a fixed time interval of average and peak measurements throughout the measured load period until the load ceases. Setting the time interval to e g. 2 seconds gives a very detailed picture of how the system has been used. Meta data can be used by the system owner to get an overview of what happened in the period around the overload, which can be especially relevant in connection with compensation for damaged inventory.
Sleeping alarm regarding changing table
When the criteria for activity at a changing table has been met for long enough, the sleeping alarm criteria is triggered. A sleeping alarm code is then transmitted to an external processor. This information represents the highest degree of signal compression. (Sleeping alarm can trigger a call to a guard)
Use at a toilet
Weight measurement:
The same criteria apply here as with a changing table when it comes to weight load. When used as part of a nudging feature, activity time is used as soon as the activity ends.
Water flow:
In the case of water flow detection, a distinction is made between normal use and a fail situation.
If the criteria for a small or large flush are met, a large or small flush code and water flow duration is transmitted to the external processor. This may trigger a cleaning call. If the maximum flush time or small leakage criteria is exceeded, a large or small water leakage code and water flow duration is transmitted to the external processor. This may trigger a call to a maintenance manager. Use at a hand washbasin
Water flow:
In the case of water flow detection, a distinction is made between normal use and a fail situation.
If the maximum flush time or small leakage criteria is met, a large or small water leakage code and water flow duration is transmitted to the external processor. This may trigger a call to a maintenance manager.
Information on normal water flow can be relevant here in the form of usage time of either cold or hot water or both. When the flow7 criterion ends, a code for cold or hot water and the duration of the W'ater flow is transmitted to the external processor or locally in a nudging case.
Nudging
The system is designed to communicate wirelessly directly between multiple secondary’ devices with a short-range communication form such as BLE. If several secondary devices are used in a context w-here they need to communicate wdth each other in a nudging case, the inter-communication between secondary' modules in that context should not be considered as communication to external processes.
However, in the absence of a BLE interface, the above-mentioned communication can happen via an external processor. Here, however, the external processes simply act as a data transport path that is rated.
All data on nudging scope and success rate is continuously sent to external processes if this type of overview is selected. A statistical overview-- can therefore be extracted from here.
When is data collected
Typically, a given signal from an analog sensor needs to be measured locally 5 to 100 times per second. This raw signal is sent to an algorithm that continuously calculates gradient, peak, and average values once per second. This signal now contains four values, which is referred to as a pre-processed signal.
The pre-processed signal is then passed on to algorithms that measure whetl ler it is greater or less than various limit values. If this happens, different timers are initiated or stopped. Passing these timers at different limit values can trigger an event detection trigger criterion. The method and the facility system may advantageously be used in mobile facilities for reducing facility maintenance costs and increasing personal safety (distress call).
Reduced maintenance costs
When maintenance becomes condition-based rather than callout-based, an opportunity to perform maintenance on a more informed basis is provided and maintenance will therefore often happen less frequently. This means time spent on cleaning and consumable refills such as toilet roll and soap can be reduced during periods of limited use.
Increased
Figure imgf000035_0001
Scenario 1 :
When vandalism is detected as soon as it occurs, the time it takes to report the equipment failure is reduced. This reduces the risk of a normal user being injured after using faulty equipment that has not yet been reported.
Scenario 2:
If a user falls in the bathroom environment, the fall sound can be used to trigger a sound classifier for fall sounds.
If the user shouts for help, produces complaint sounds, or similar, this can trigger a sound classifier for distress call.
In both cases, the system can now audibly say: “Should assistance be called? Answer yes or no” The user’s answer “yes or no” is detected by a sound classifier for yes and no sounds. The system now responds in one of four ways to reduce the number of erroneous calls for assistance.
20- The system says “response not understood. Should assistance be called? Answer yes or no”
2- The system says “response not understood. Assistance is called”
3- The system says “answer understood. Assistance is called”
4- The system says “answer understood. Assistance is not called”
Description of the Drawing
The embodim ents of the inventi on are described in the following with reference to: Fig. 1 : Illustrating an embodiment of a management system for handling data information related to a facility.
Fig. 2: Showing an embodiment of a facility.
Figs. 3a-c: Illustrating one use of warning/alert features.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate embodiments of a temperature sensor for_monitoring a water flow.
Figs. 6, 7, 9 illustrate embodiments of weight or load measurements on a device.
Figs. 8,10 a-c illustrates an embodiment of a changing table, when a torque is applied.
Figs. 11-18 illustrate flow diagrams for embodiments of monitoring a facility.
In the explanation of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements will be provided with the same designations in different figures. Therefore, no explanation of all details will be given in connection with each single embodiment of the invention.
List of designations
20 Management system
2 Facility
3 Facility manager
4 Cleaning crew
5 Sendee Crew fx guard, caretaker, nurse
6 Administrator
7-9 Initialising settings
10 Toilet
11 Washbasin
12 Dispenser
13 Changing table
14 Processer
15 F acility manager user interface
16 Cleaning crew user interface
17 User interface for designation
20 Waterflow
22 Conduit
24 Heat transferring element 26 Mounting adapter
28 Thermistor
30 Cables
Heat isolation element
35 Microphone
36 Inclinometer
37 Deflection sensor (strain gauge)
38 Optical movement sensor (typical PIR based)
40 Actuator
42 Chain
44 Load cell
52 Chassis
54 Measuring point 1
56 Measuring point 2
58 Measuring point 3
60 Measuring point 4
70 Light
71 Sound
7? Movement
73 Wireless circuit
80 Aquiring unit in the processer
81 Processing unit in the processer
82 Comparing unit in the processer
83 Transmitting unit in the processer
84 Sound classifier unit in the processer
85 CPU unit in the processer
86 Storage unit in the processer Detailed Description of the Invention
An embodiment of the invention is explained in the following detailed description. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its scope to the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a management system 1 for handling data information related to a facility 2. The management system 1 handles data information and status information to and from a facility 2 via data communication. The management system 1 may be part of the facility 2. The management system may be a part of an external solution, such as a cloud solution or similar. The management system may be accessed for user interfaces, such as an administrator 6 user interface or a facility manager 3 user interface 45. The administrator configures the management system 1, such that the one or more lavatory facilities are correctly registered in the management system 1. Unitializing settings 7,8,9 which are registered in the management system 1 may be information such as identification number of the facility 2, the location of the facility 2, device information and detection limitation, warning and/or alert information, time schedule and maintenance information etc. Maintenance tasks are handled by the cleaning crew 4 and the sendee crew 5. Maintenance tasks may be controlled by the facility management.
The management system 1 comprises detection means for detecting the status of the facility. The management system 1 comprises detection means for detecting the status of at least one facility device 10, 11, 12, 13. The management system 1 may be configured to retrieve data information from the facility 2 before, during and after the user uses the facility 2. The management system 1 comprises detection means for detecting the status of secondary functions in the facility 2, such as the condition of temperature in the room, the condition of the floor, the condition of the light etc. The management system 1 is capable of retrieving this information.
The management system 1 comprises indicating means for indicating the status of said facility7 2 and/or said facility device wherein the indication means is configured to send status information to the user before, during and after the use of the facility. 31
The management system 1 comprises a processor unit 14 configured to analysing the data information and generating at least one status information based on the analysed data information. The management system 1 may provide statistical information which relates to the use of the facility 2.
The management system 1 also comprises data communication means configured to receive and send data information and/or status information between the management system and the facility and/or said facility device or said processer 14 close to the facility device. The data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the facility 2. The data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the detection means. The data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the indicating means. The data communication means may comprise wireless data communication to and from the management system 1 and the facility devices as such.
Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a facility 2. In this embodiment, the facility 2 comprises a facility device, such as a toilet 10, a washbasin 11, dispensers 12, and a changing table 13. Evety one of the facility devices may be provided with one or more detectors. The detectors may be sensors specific for the purpose of the measurement. Alternatively, the facility 2 may be provided with at least one microphone or similar. By analysing the user’s movement and the use of the devices, the user’s behavioural pattern can be identified and predicted. Using nudging to positively reinforce a certain behavioural pattern may be provided with the use of indicating means. The indication means may be a visual and/or an auditor}' indicator unit provided in the facility 2. A visual indicator unit may be light from one or more lamps. An auditory indicator unit may be sound waves from a speaker or a buzzer or similar. These units are shown in fig. 2b.
Fig. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate the use of warning and alert features. The warning or alert is activated if devices are out of order or subject to improper use or overload etc. Information regarding devices being out of order or subject to improper use or overload etc. is sent to the facility manager, fig. 1, 3. And/or guard 5. The facility manager sends instructions to the service crew 5. Furthermore, the user of the lavatory also receives information, using visual or auditory information, for example sound through a loudspeaker or flashing light, telling the user something is wrong.
Fig. 3a illustrates overload of the changing table. The detection means automatically detect a weight load larger than maximum allowed load. An indicating unit automatically alert the user that the changing table has exceeded the weight limit. The user must stop the ongoing action and remove the weight on the changing table immediately. The indicating unit also automatically alerts the facility manager that the changing table has exceed the weight limit. The facility manager may send instructions to the service crew to check the function of changing table to see if the changing table is broken. The changing table may comprise an automatic built-in self-test, such that the38ave38ityy manager gets information directly from the changing table if the changing table is broken. Alternatively, the facility manager may be capable of running a diagnostic program to test the changing table directly.
Fig. 3b illustrates improper use of the changing table. The detection means automatically detects fluctuating weight load (impact). An indicating unit automatically alerts the user to stop the ongoing action and remove the item causing the fluctuating weight load on the changing table immediately. The indicating unit also automatically alerts the facility manager that fluctuating weight load has been observed on the changing table.
Fig. 3c illustrates improper use of the changing table. The detection means automatically detect a con stant weight load on the changing table for a period of time exceeding the allowed period of time. An indicating unit automatically alerts the user that the weight load on the changing table must be removed immediately. The sound may be similar to an alarm clock. This may prevent people from for example sleeping on a changing table. The indicating unit also automatically alert the facility manager and/or guard 5 that a constant weight load on the changing table for a period of time has been observed.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrates two embodiments of a temperature sensor for mounting on pipes for monitoring a water flow 20 in a metal conduit 22. The temperature sensors comprise a mounting adapter 26, a thermistor element 28 with cables 30, a thermally conductive polymer or paste 24 and a thermally isolating element 32.
Figs. 6-8 illustrate embodiments of weight or load measurements on a changing table 13. Fig. 9 illustrates one embodiment of weight or load measurements on a height adjustable toilet 10.
The illustrated embodiments in figs. 6 and 9 use an actuator 40 for performing a height adjustment of the changing table and the toilet, respectively. The toilet is adjusted by displacing the toilet along a chassis whereas the changing table is displaced by use of a chain system 42.
The weight or load on the device can be determined by use of one or more load cells 44 placed in strategically points in the installation.
Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a changing table 13 and corresponding load measurement method, where the vertical forces between all contact points to wall point and floor of the rack holding the table are measured. The sum of these force measurements is an expression of the total load force and the load from the user can be directly deduced hereof.
Fig. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a changing table 13 with a measuring method consists of one or two force gauges placed at the stop point of the changing table’s pivot, which ensures that the table remains horizontal. The changing table has two swivel joints. With increased bed load, the measured force F at a w7ell-defined distance from the swivel joint is a direct expression of the applied torque T, which can also be a relevant measurement parameter for overloading.
A variant of the measurement method consists of one or two torque meters T placed close to the rotary joint of the changing table. With increased table load, the measured torque is a direct expression of the applied torque. The torque meters can be suitably- realized as load cells located close to the pivot point, which measure deflection in the chassis frame of the changing table. Figs 10 a-c illustrate that when a torque is applied from a changing table top, it will cause a deflection in the horizontal chassis 52. The deflection at points 54, 56 will bend inwards or outwards depending on the height of the table and the magnitude of the torque T. .Analysing points 54 and 56 together can therefore derive both the height of the table and the magnitude of the torque. The deflection in points 54 and 56 can be measured with strain gauge sensors 37 or inclinometers 36 that measure the angle to the direction of gravity.
An important feature of this measurement method is that a permanent deformation in the vertical chassis due to overloading can be measured immediately after the changing table is no longer in use. This is relevant info for a maintenance manager.
A variant of the torque measurement method consists of one or more deflection sensors placed on or in the horizontal chassis that holds the changing table. When a torque T) is applied from the changing table top it will cause a deflection in the vertical chassis. This is best measured in point 60. The deflection in point 60 can be measured with a strain gauge sensor.
A variant of the torque measurement method measures the angle to the direction of gravity at point 58. This will also be influenced by the degree of bending in the horizontal chassis discussed above. Without taking into account variations in the deflection of the vertical chassis, this measurement method offers a relatively simple and inexpensive way to estimate the applied torque but with limited accuracy due to unknown table height. If information from e g. an actuator contains table height, this can be included in a more accurate torque estimate.
An important feature of the inclinometer measurement method in point 58 is that a permanent deformation in the horizontal or vertical chassis due to overloading can be measured immediately after the use of the changing table has ceased. This is relevant info for a facility manager 3 or service crew 5.
Figures 11-14 illustrate flow diagrams for different status information. In the figures, the following reference are used: alLimit: Overload level a2Limit: Activity level a2Limitl Non activity level alLimitlmpactl Non-Impact level nlmpact Number of impacts before impact trig. alTl Overload time before overload trig alT2 Time window for impact count a2Tl Activity time before activity trig a2Tl l Non activity time before non-activity trig a3T2 Sleeping alarm time a3T21 Sleeping alarm disable time
Figure 11 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘acute clean- ing’/activity.
When the measured weight has been bigger than a activity threshold limit for a certain threshold time, the criteria for activity is reached.
When the measured weight has been smaller than a threshold limit for a certain threshold time, the criteria for inactivity is reached.
In that case the information is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the cleaning crew 4.
Figure 12 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘Overload’.
When the measured weight has been bigger than a threshold limit for a certain threshold time, the criteria for overload is reached.
In that case a nudging sound is generated locally to warn about a non-compliant use.
An info is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the facility manager 3 and/ or a guard 5.
The nudging sound continues until the measured weight is at an inactivity level.
Figure 13 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘Impact’
When the measured weight has been bigger than a threshold limit (typical the overload limit) and lower than a lower threshold limit a specific number of times within a specific time frame, then the criteria for impact is reached.
In that case a nudging sound is generated locally to warn about a non-compliant use. Information is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the facility manager 3 and/ or a guard 5.
The nudging sound continues until the measured weight is at an inactivity level.
The criteria may be intended to detect if a user is jumping on the equipment 10 and 13 in a non-compliant way.
Figure 14 illustrates the flow diagram for data resulting in a status of ‘Sleeping alarm’. When the measured weight has been bigger than the activity threshold limit for a certain threshold time, the criteria for sleeping is reached.
In that case a nudging sound is generated locally to warn about a non-compliant use. Information is sent to the cloud to be optionally forwarded to the facility manager 3 and/ or a guard 5.
The nudging sound continues until the measured weight is at an inactivity level.
The measured weight has to be at an inactivity level for specific threshold time to avoid that the nudging sound reappears the same time the measured weight is bigger than the activity threshold limit.
Figure 15 illustrates an algorithm for monitoring the use of a toilet 10:
• When the signal analysis detects a water flow to the cistern, a timestamp is stored locally. The signal is transmitted to an optional nudging feature related to hand washing.
• When the signal analysis detects that the water flow stops again, a signal is sent to the cloud that the toilet has been used and the duration of the water flow. Information on the duration of the water flow indicates whether there has been a large or small flush -> urine or faeces, which is relevant information in relation to a cleaning call, as the degree of contamination is different in the two cases.
• If the flush time exceeds the maximum flush time, there is a large leak and this information is then sent to the cloud to be relayed to a facility manager 3.
• The flush time can be included in a cloud algorithm that estimates the need for toilet paper refills, as paper consumption is significantly different for the two types of use.
• The interpretation of the length of a flush as a large or small flush is initially done locally based on a default threshold time. If it is exceeded, it is a major flush. This information is passed on to the optional nudging feature related to hand washing.
An alternative way to determine big or small flush in a nudging case is the following: The optical movement sensor 38 in the system can be used as a touchless flush button. The small flush I activated as soon the hand is close the sensor.
If the hand is in the flush position for eg. 2-3 seconds then it indicates that the user wants a big flush and the flush time just increase from a small to a big flush .
This information can be used by the processer unit 14 in the same way as the small/big flush estimate from the water flow sensor.
The processer also has the ability to generate an electrical signal that can initiate a toilet flush.
Figure 16 illustrates an algorithm for monitoring the use of a washbasin 1 1 :
8 When the signal analysis detects a water flow7, a timestamp is stored locally. The signal is transmitted to an optional nudging feature related to hand washing.
• When the signal analysis detects that the water flow stops again, a signal is sent to the cloud that the sink has been used along with the duration of the W'ater flow7.
8 If the flush time exceeds the maximum flush time, there is a large leak or a faucet that is not turned off and this info is sent to the cloud to be forwarded to a facility m anager 3.
Figure 17 illustrates an algorithm for monitoring for leakage:
8 If a water temperature is detected that is atypically high or low for a time that exceeds the detection time before leak calls, the info is sent to the cloud to be forwarded to a facility manager 3.
Figure 18 illustrates an algorithm for nudging at washbasin:
8 When a water flow to the toilet is detected, nudging for hand washing is initiated. Alternatively, when the weight load on the toilet stops.
8 Nudging can be a light indication 70, sound indication 71, or a mechanical movement 72 that reminds the toilet user to wash their hands. • The nudging stops after acknowledgement from registered soap consumption and the water to the washbasin has been activated for longer than the time defined by the small flush washbasin water flow timer.
• If it is detected during or after handwashing that the toilet has detected a big flush and the water flow7 timer is less than the big flush-handwash, the water flow7 timer starts nudging again.
8 If a predefined nudging timeout is exceeded, nudging prompts stop until the next toilet flush.
• Daily nudging data is sent to the cloud e.g. after a nudging session is completed or at appropriate intervals. For example, once a day if there has been a nudging activity in the past 24 hours.

Claims

1 . A method (100) of monitoring a facility (2) comprising one or more devices (10, 1 1 , 12, 13), said method comprising acts performed by a processor (14) of:
Acquiring (80) data from one or more sensors deployed in the facility, each sensor being configured to retrieve data related to a use of one of the devices or the facility, processing (81 ) the acquired data to determine an activation action of the device, comparing (82) the acquired data following the activation action to a threshold level to determine the use of the device to be non-compliant use or compliant use, and generating and transmitting (83) output data comprising status information of the facility or one or more of the devices, wherein said output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the status information.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the status information comprises information of a type of use being compliant use or non-compliant use, and wherein said output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the device and the type of use.
3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sensors are arranged relative to or on one of said devices (10,11,12,13) in the facility (2).
4. The method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the user types include a facility manager, cleaning personnel, caretaker, nurse, guard, and/or primary user, said primary user is a user of one or more devices in the facility (2).
5. The method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the status information may indicate a distress call, maintenance, reparation, out-of-order and/or in-use.
6. The method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said method comprises acts of: - generating use-information to a primary user based on the determined use of the one or more devices device, and
- using indicating means comprised in the facility, said indicating means being configured to outputting the generated use-information to said primary user when using one or more of the devices in the facility (2), so as to warn or nudge the primary user of use of the facility and/or devices.
7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises further acts of:
- storing the acquired and/or generated data in a storage medium, and
- providing a user interface (15, 16, 17) so that one or more user types can remotely access the stored data.
8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one sensor is a microphone (35) and the retrieved data is audio data, wherein a sound classifier (84) is used to determine an activation action of the facility, of one or more of the devices, or of a primary user and wherein the threshold is based on one or more sound classifies.
9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one sensor is temperature sensor (28) adapted to measure a temperature change of a metal in direct contact with a water conduit for determining presence of a water flow in the water conduit.
10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one sensor is a load sensor (44) or deflection sensor (37) or inclinometer (36) arranged a device, said sensor being configured for measuring an applied force to the device or a deflection of the device.
11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the data is acquired at pre-determined intervals and/or at specified events.
12. A management system (1) for handling data information from one or more facilities (2), said management system (1) comprising: - one or more sensors (44, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38) deployed in one of the facility/facilities (2), each sensor being configured to retrieve data related to a use of a device (10, 11,
12. 13),
- a processing unit (14) configured to acquire (80) data from the one or more sensors (44, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38), process (81) the acquired data to determine an activation action of the device, compare (82) the acquired data following the activation action to a threshold level to determine the use of the device to be non-compliant use or compliant use, and
- transmit (83) output data comprising status information of the facility or one or more of the devices, wherein said output data is transmitted to at least one user type based on the device and the type of use.
13. The management system according to claim 12, wherein the management system is configured to be accessible from at least one facility management user interface (15).
14. The management system according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein said indicating means comprises a visual (70, 72) and/or an auditory (71) indicator unit.
15. The management system according to any one or more of claims 13-14 configured to perform the method according to any one or more of claims 1-11.
16. The management system according to any one or more of claims 12-15, wherein the management system comprises a storage medium for storing data comprising information of at least the activation action and the use of the device of non-compliant use or compliant use.
17. Computer program product comprising instructions, which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one or more method acts of the method (100) according to any one or more of claims 1-11.
18. Computer-readable media (86) comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one or more method acts of the method (100) according to any one or more of claims 1-11.
19. Use of the management system according to any one of claims 12-16, comprising at least two sensors, one being a microphone (35) and where the microphone is activated in response to a determine activation action of a device or the facility.
20. Facility comprising one or more devices and the management system according to any one of claims 12-16, comprising at least two sensors, one being a microphone (35) and where the microphone is activated in response to a determine activation action of a device or the facility.
PCT/DK2023/050146 2022-06-14 2023-06-14 A management system for monitoring a facility, a method and use therefore and a facility WO2023241766A1 (en)

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