DK202000919A1 - Dehydration detector, an electronic sensor for retrofitting the water supply to the toilet which collects data to assess the risk of dehydration in a citizen. - Google Patents

Abstract

The dehydration detector (the invention) is retrofitted to a water connection hose to a toilet to detect if a citizen is in danger of being dehydrated, and needs supervision or other action. The detector registers data on the frequency of toilet flushing and the validity of the installation by collecting temperature differences between a water connection and ambient air. From this data can be deduced how often and when a toilet flush is performed. By recording how temperatures in water connection and air approach each other before and after a flush, it can be assessed whether a toilet installation should be inspected and assess whether data are reliable to form the basis for a decision to inspect a citizen or not. Data can be plotted on graphs to train caregivers or others in seeing patterns and comparing with previous graphs for the same citizen or other citizens so that it can be decided whether a citizen should be supervised. Data can also be used for computer-programmed learning and detection of change in patterns or recognition of patterns that can trigger an automated response. Dehydration detector (the invention) can also be mounted at several drainage points in a citizen's home, to gain more knowledge about whether a citizen changes behavior or behaves differently than other comparable citizens.

Description

DK 2020 00919 A1

DESCRIPTION The invention relates to an electronic product, called a dehydration detector, which is mounted on existing piping to a toilet to collect information on the frequency of toilet visits in a citizen's home. The collected information is sent to connected Internet servers where it is used to estimate the citizen is dehydrated and in that case inform those responsible, A person's decreasing frequency of toilet visits is an indicator of higher risk of dehydration. The invention is characterized in that toilet visits are detected by measurements of the temperature difference between a water-carrying pipe and ambient air. The invention is mounted without tools, without supply voltage and without modifying the toilet or piping. The installation is hidden from the citizen together with the piping, so that, for example, demented citizens accidentally come into contact with the invention. Other known technologies are mechanical and / or visible and exposed mats "," infrared detection "," water tank level gauge "," camera "), which gives disadvantages in terms of servicing, cleaning or that possibly demented citizens destroy the function. that the invention makes it possible to estimate the citizen's risk of dehydration without visible or functional change of the citizen's home - which is especially intended for elderly or demented citizens. cases of dehydration of especially single elderly and people in need of care, which has a very high value.The consequences of dehydration are highly undesirable and include impaired function, discomfort, illness, injury and death.Dehydration can clearly affect the quality of life and longevity of a person. person (typically the elderly) who does not feel a natural thirst.In a particular application, the invention may mounted on the water pipe that supplies the entire citizen's home {typically at the stopcock) and count the frequency of activities involving draining water (showers, faucets, toilet, etc}. The collected information is sent to connected internet servers to assess whether the citizen has a normal activity. Reduced activity may mean that the citizen has become immobile as a result of an accident in the event of a fall or sudden illness, The connected internet servers can use the collected information | combination with data input from other sources to improve the assessment of activity level, for example knowledge of the citizen's geographical position, from sensors to motion detection, etc. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, where fig, 1 to § show components, functions, examples and tests involved in connecting a water pipe and dehydration detector in interaction with the Internet servers, In fig. 1, the essential components are designated, the dehydration detector (D1) is the size of a small matchbox with one end measuring the temperature of the toilet water connection hose (V1) and another end at a reasonable distance measuring the air temperature, the dehydration detector (D1) is mounted with strips {D2) on water connection hose (V1), 2/4

DK 2020 00919 A1 alternatively with elastics or other practical fastening mechanisms in a typical plumbing tool box, see also fig. 2, The dehydration detector (D1) can optionally be wrapped in shrink plastic for aesthetic reasons if the plastic packaging is waterproof) to avoid fouling / sludge assembly or production according to the conditions as no parts need to be serviced or replaced | detector lifetime, the dehydration detector (D1) sends signals containing data contents of temperature measurements to a signal receiver ($ 1). Signal receiver {S1) collects data and sends these to connected internet servers, The water connection hose (V1) to a toilet can sit both internally | cistern or external, In addition, an installation requires a power supply (S3) for the Signal Receiver ($ 1) and a cable for network connection (S2).

Fig. 2 shows 2 different mounts of the Dehydration Detector (DT) on the water connection hose (V1) with strips (D2). In Fig. 3, the internal components of the dehydration detector (1) and the signal receiver {S1) are defined. The detector's electronics are wrapped in plastic (D1), which is waterproof and does not need to be opened after installation. Several versions of plastic can be made if, for example, the plumber himself wants to cover the detector with shrink plastic around a larger area during installation. When the dehydration detector (D1) is attached to the water connection hose (V1) with, for example, strips (D2), one NTC resistor (D3) detects the temperature in the room and another NTC resistor (D6) has a short distance to the water connection hose (V1) and its temperature . A micro-chip and ram (D5) read the temperatures of the NTC resistor (D3, DB) and transmit radio signals (D7) via an antenna (D4). The signals (D7) are received wirelessly by the signal receiver ($ 1), with electronics in the form of i.a. antenna, CPU and RAM (S4), which are transmitted via the Internet connection (52) to connected Internet servers. The same signal receiver (31) can be used to receive signals from 1 or more than 1 detectors, as far as the wireless signals can reach, which can save on the amount of equipment installed in homes with several toilets or, for example, dense homes for the elderly. Fig. 4 depicts the method for detecting a toilet flush based on temperature variations. Note that the y-axis of the graph shows how much the temperature drops, ie. the higher, the greater the temperature drop in the water connection hose (V1) compared to the surrounding air. Before rinsing, the temperature measured on the water connection hose (V1) of NTC resistor (D8) will be approx. the same as the air temperature measured by NTC resistor (D3), it is seen in Fig. 4 as a difference of 0 (or no decrease | temperature from air to the water connection hose). Just below and after a toilet flush, the temperature of the water connection hose (V1) will drop rapidly as the supplied water is significantly below room temperature, it can be seen in fig. 4 as a rapid change in the temperature difference (temperature on V1 decreases rapidly). Immediately after the toilet flush is over, the equalization begins again between the temperature measured on the air and the water connection hose (VT). A peak, or "mountain peak" therefore always appears within a few minutes after a flush. It is these "mountain peaks" that must be detected, each representing a flush. 4-1 in fig.4, then the temperature difference will again be completely equalized as the water connection hose (V1) again gets the same temperature as the air. If after 10 minutes or more a toilet flush is performed again, a new “mountain top” will appear, graph 4-2 in fig 4. The shorter time after a new flush is made, the higher the next "mountain top" will be, as the temperature of the water connection hose (V1) approaches the least possible due to, more water flow per unit time, Variations in the "mountain peaks" height after rinsing per. unit of time is input for experiential learning if the installation in question is well-functioning and sensitive (precision in detecting dehydration), The experiential 3/4

DK 2020 00919 A1 learning can be performed by people who are trained to recognize patterns on graphs or computer-programmed learning. Where there are mountain peaks, there are also valleys. A valley indicates that there has been a break in the flush and water flow in the water connection hose (V1), which is input to experiential learning that the toilet works properly and for example does not run constantly with water.

In FIG. The graphs from Fig. 4 are shown with data from actual citizens. However, only the "mountain peaks and valleys" are marked with dots, to show the interesting focus points for counting rinsing and lengths of breaks in rinsing, Graph 5-1 and graph 5, respectively. -2 | fig.5 shows the difference between a normal period for the citizen and a period when the citizen did not get enough water, the frequency and number of toilet flush mountain peaks ”) decreases sharply even though the citizen is still clearly at home and able to use the toilet at intervals. A person or computer program can clearly see this change in the pattern and preventively seek out the citizen or activate an action.

Claims (1)

DK 2020 00919 A1 CLAIMS Claim 1: Electronic product, called dehydration detector (D1), which is mounted on an existing water connection hose (V1) to supply a toilet with water, and measures temperature differences between water connection hose (V1) and air temperature using NTC resistors (D3, D6) then toilet flush can be registered and counted as "mountain peaks" with short-term increase and then gradual decrease in the temperature difference (between D3 and D6, see also graph 4-1, fig 4) Registered "valleys" (see the description and graph 4-2, fig 4) is read as a decrease in the temperature difference towards 0 as a function of time. Data consisting of these mentioned "mountain peaks" and "valleys" as well as the actual temperature readings are sent by antenna (D4) to a signal receiver (S1) and further (S2) as time-stamped data to Internet-connected servers. learning is trained or programmed to see and compare patterns in this data and choose to respond to installation errors, and assess the risk of dehydration depending on other context (how vulnerable the citizen is, it must be quick or slow to respond, etc.). "mountain top" data indicate a toilet flush for the experiential learning, and thus how often a toilet is used which is essential to assess whether a person may be at risk of dehydration or have fallen if the frequency goes down. Differences in the "height of mountain peaks" and their temporal distances (see graph 4-2 fig 4) are indications for the experiential learning whether the installation in question is well-functioning and sensitive in terms of precision in detecting toilet flushing and thus dehydration. Each "valley" in data is an indication of the experiential learning whether the toilet is still working or the water is constantly running when the temperature difference must gradually decrease towards 0 as a function of time after a fault or stabilizes at a higher level if water constantly cools the water connection hose (V1) when the toilet is running. Requirement 2: An additional dehydration detectors (D1), in addition to those on toilets from claim 1, can be mounted on a central water pipe in a dwelling, for example the water supply pipe after the main tap and send data wirelessly to the same signal receiver (S1) as other dehydration detectors in the dwelling. This additional dehydration detector (D1) then measures temperature differences between water pipes and air (D3, D6) when an arbitrary drain takes place in the home, regardless of whether it is a toilet or a tap. Drains can be registered and counted as "mountain peaks" with short-term increase and then gradual decrease in the temperature difference (between D3 and D6, see also graph 4-1, fig. 4). Registered "valleys" (see graph 4-2, fig. 4) are read. data consisting of these mentioned "mountain peaks" and "valleys" as well as the actual temperature readings are sent with antenna (D4) to a signal receiver (S1) and further (S2) as time-stamped data to internet connected servers . With data collected by these internet connected servers, experiential learning can be trained or programmed to see and compare patterns in this data and choose to respond to errors in installations, and assess the risk of citizen presence and change in behavior depending on other context (where exposed is the citizen, it must be quick or slow to react, etc.). Each "mountain top" data indicates a drain of water for the experiential learning, and thus how frequently taps are used which is essential to assess whether a person is present and active or inactive and may need emergency assistance if the frequency decreases. Toilet flushes are registered by other sensors and can therefore be designated in the amount of drains so that taps and toilets can be separated for extra information for the experience-based learning. Differences in the "height of mountain peaks" as well as their temporal 2/3 DK 2020 00919 A1 distances (see graph 4-2 fig 4) are indications for the experience-based learning whether the installation in question is well-functioning and sensitive with regard to precision in detecting drains and thus the precision of an assessment of whether to look after the citizen. Each "valley" in the data is an indication of the experiential learning about the drains still working as the temperature difference must fall gradually towards 0 as a function of the time after a drain and will otherwise stabilize at a higher level if taps and pipes are leaking and require repair to improve the function. Requirement 3: An additional dehydration detectors (D1), in addition to those on toilets from claim 1 and central water pipes from claim 2, can be mounted on the water supply pipe to all taps in a dwelling, and send data wirelessly to the same signal receiver (S1) as other dehydration detectors in the dwelling . This additional dehydration detector (D1) then measures temperature differences between the faucet's water pipes and air (D3, D6) when a drain takes place from the faucet. Drains can be registered and counted as "mountain peaks" with short-term increase and then gradual decrease in the temperature difference (between D3 and D6, see also graph 4-1, fig. 4). Registered "valleys" (see graph 4-2, fig. 4) are read. data consisting of these mentioned "mountain peaks" and "valleys" as well as the actual temperature readings are sent with antenna (D4) to a signal receiver (S1) and further (S2) as time-stamped data to internet connected servers With data collected by these internet connected servers, experiential learning can be trained or programmed to see and compare patterns in this data and choose to respond to errors in installations, and assess the risk of citizen presence and change in behavior depending on other context (where exposed is the citizen, it must be quick or slow to react, etc.) Each "mountain top" data indicates a drain of water from a specific tap that is typically used for certain purposes by the citizen wash or fill a drinking mug, dish, etc.). This "mountain top" is input to the experiential learning, to assess whether a citizen is active and follows usual procedures or has changed behavior and needs to be supervised. The experiential learning can compare with other sensors in the citizen's home, to assess differences in the "height of mountain peaks" and their temporal distances (see graph 4-2 fig 4) are indications for the experiential learning whether the installation in question is well-functioning and sensitive in terms of precision in detection. of bottlings and thus the precision of an assessment of whether to look after the citizen. Each "valley" in the data is an indication of the experiential learning about bottling still works as the temperature difference must gradually decrease towards 0 as a function of the time after a bottling and otherwise will stabilize at a higher level if the tap is leaking and requires repair to improve function . 3/3