EP4109430B1

EP4109430B1 - Systems and methods for controlling intelligent toilets.

Info

Publication number: EP4109430B1
Application number: EP22178459.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guanjun Yang
Original assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-21
Filing date: 2022-06-10
Publication date: 2025-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2042-06-10
Also published as: EP4109430A1

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202121384008.4 filed in the Chinese Intellectual Property Office on June 21, 2021 .

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of sanitary devices, and more particularly, to an intelligent toilet remote controller and an intelligent toilet control system.

BACKGROUND

An existing intelligent toilet is generally provided with a remote controller, and a user controls the intelligent toilet to execute corresponding operations through the remote controller, such as controlling various cleaning functions of the intelligent toilet. US 2015/000025 A1 discloses a touch free toilet control panel display, which may be used for activating various components of a smart toilet.
However, an intelligent toilet remote controller basically has a simple remote control function, and a cleaning duration of a spraying rod of the intelligent toilet cannot be displayed. As to some remote controllers with a screen, buttons are simply arranged in an on-screen menu. At present, in order to reflect an excellent heating function, manufacturers in the market usually set a very long cleaning duration. However, the lack of display of the cleaning duration in the prior art will cause the user to be unable to clearly know how much time is needed to finish cleaning, which affects user experience.

SUMMARY

Thus, it is necessary to provide an intelligent toilet remote controller and an intelligent toilet control system to solve the technical problem that a cleaning time is not displayed in the prior art.
The present application provides an intelligent toilet control system, as defined in claim 1 or claim 2.
According to the present application, the cleaning timing display is added on the intelligent toilet remote controller, which increases functions of time reminding and human-machine sensory interaction and plays a better role in customer care. In another example, the buttons of the remote controller may command a flush to remove the contents of the bowl of the toilet and the timing display may relate to the flushing cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an intelligent toilet remote controller according to an embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the intelligent toilet remote controller according to the embodiment of the present application; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic systematic diagram of an intelligent toilet control system according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for counting cleaning time of an intelligent toilet by using the intelligent toilet remote controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Reference numerals
10 refers to an intelligent toilet remote controller; 1 refers to a housing; 11 refers to buttons; 2 refers to a display hardware; 21 refers to a communication line; 22 refers to a rear panel; 23 refers a key panel; 24 refers to a battery; 25 refers to a battery cap; 3 refers to a button film; 4 refers to an electric control board; 20 refers to an intelligent toilet; and 201 refers to a bidet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is further described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an intelligent toilet remote controller according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the intelligent toilet remote controller according to the embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a schematic systematic diagram of an intelligent toilet control system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an intelligent toilet remote controller 10 according an embodiment of the present application comprises: a remote controller body and a controller accommodated in the remote controller body and used for a communicative connection with an intelligent toilet 20 as shown in FIG. 3. The remote controller body is provided with a cleaning timing display, and the cleaning timing display is communicatively connected with the controller of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10.
In an embodiment, the controller of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may comprise a processor configured to perform an operation, function, or the like as described in the present disclosure. The processor may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. The processor is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.
In order to save water and show a cleaning process to a customer at the same time, so as to convey more human-computer interactions, the cleaning process is shown on the remote controller in a time mode in the present application.
Specifically, the cleaning timing display is added in the button-type remote controller in the present application, and the controller is in interaction and real-time communication with the intelligent toilet.
A user operates the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 to send a cleaning command, and after the intelligent toilet 20 receives the cleaning command, a spraying rod is stretched or extended out to spray water. When water is sprayed out, the intelligent toilet 20 sends a command back to the intelligent toilet remote controller 10, and the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 starts to count a cleaning time. Meanwhile, the controller or the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 controls the cleaning timing display to display the cleaning time. When the cleaning lasts for a predetermined amount of time, such as 5 minutes, or the user actively presses a stop button, or after the user starts other functions, the time counting is stopped. Meanwhile, the controller or the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 controls the cleaning timing display to stop displaying the cleaning time.
According to the present application, the cleaning timing display is added on the intelligent toilet remote controller, which increases functions of time reminding and human-machine sensory interaction and plays a better role in customer care.

Embodiment 2

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an intelligent toilet remote controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present application comprises: a remote controller body and a controller accommodated in the remote controller body and used for communicational connection with the intelligent toilet 20. The remote controller body is provided with a cleaning timing display, and the cleaning timing display is connected communicatively with the controller. In an embodiment, the controller of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may comprise a processor configured to perform an operation, function, or the like as described in the present disclosure. The processor may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. The processor is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.
The remote controller body comprises a housing 1 and a button film 3 attached on an outer surface of the housing 1. An electric control board 4 is arranged in the housing 1, and the controller is fixed on the electric control board 4. The cleaning timing display is a display hardware 2 arranged on one side of the button film 3 facing the housing 1, and the display hardware 2 is communicatively connected with the controller. The part of the button film 3 where the button film 3 contacts the display hardware 2 is a semitransparent film. The display hardware 2 is a digital tube or a display screen. The display hardware 2 is communicatively connected with the controller through a communication line 21, one end of the communication line 21 is communicatively connected with the display hardware 2, and the other end of the communication line 21 is inserted into the housing 1 to be communicatively connected with the controller. The communication line 21 is a flexible flat cable. The electric control board 4 is provided with a timer and a radio frequency module, and the controller is communicatively communicated with the timer, the radio frequency module and the display hardware 2 respectively. The housing 1 is provided with one or more buttons 11, the buttons 11 contact corresponding switches on the electric control board 4, and the switches are communicatively connected with input ends of the controller.
Specifically, the display hardware 2 is added to the button-type remote controller as the cleaning timing display in this embodiment. The display hardware 2 is the digital tube or the display screen. Meanwhile, the controller is communicatively connected with the radio frequency (RF) module. By using the RF module, the remote controller may be in interaction and real-time communication with the host. The controller is mounted on the electric control board 4, and the controller is communicatively connected with the timer, the RF module, and the display hardware 2 through the communication line on the electric control board 4 respectively.
The intelligent toilet remote controller 10 further comprises a rear panel 22 disposed on an outer surface of the housing 1, a key panel 23, a battery 24 disposed in the housing 1, and a battery cap 25 disposed on one end of the battery 24.
A user operates the remote controller through the button 11, and the button 11 contacts or disconnects with the switch on the electric control board 4, so as to input instructions to the controller. After receiving the input instructions of the button 11, the controller sends a cleaning command to the intelligent toilet 20 as shown in FIG. 3 through the radio frequency module. After the intelligent toilet receives the cleaning command, a spraying rod is stretched or extended out to spray water. When water is sprayed out, the intelligent toilet 20 sends a command back to the intelligent toilet remote controller 10, and the controller or the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 controls the timer to start to count a cleaning time. Meanwhile, the controller or the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 controls the display hardware 2 to display the cleaning time. When the cleaning lasts for a predetermined amount of time such as 5 minutes, or the user actively presses a stop button, or after the user starts other functions, the time counting is stopped. The intelligent toilet remote controller 10 displays a current cleaning duration on the display hardware 2. If the cleaning continues, the time counting continues.
The display hardware 2 (the digital tube or the display screen) and the electric control board 4 are fixed in the housing 1 of the remote controller. The button film 3 is attached on the front face of the housing 1, and the button film 3 is designed as the semitransparent film at the part of the timing figure, that is, the semitransparent film is used at the part of the button film 3 where the button film 3 contacts the display hardware 2. Therefore, visually when the timing figure is not displayed, the background color of the film is the same color, so that a display position cannot be seen from the front face, and the figure is shown through the display hardware 2 during displaying.
The display hardware 2 is inserted into the housing 1 through a communication line 21 and is communicatively connected with the controller on the electric control board 4. The communication line 21 is the flexible flat cable.
The intelligent toilet remote controller of the present application communicates with the intelligent toilet through the RF module, and when the intelligent toilet is cleaned, the time is counted through the timer, so that the cleaning time of the current user is displayed on the intelligent toilet remote controller, thus increasing functions of time reminding and human-machine sensory interaction, and playing a better role in customer care. Meanwhile, the button film adopts the semitransparent film at the part of the button film where the button film contacts the display hardware, so that an appearance is more uniform.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 3 is a schematic systematic diagram of an intelligent toilet control system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, an intelligent toilet control system according to an embodiment of the present application comprises an intelligent toilet 20 and the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 as described above. The host of the intelligent toilet 20 is communicatively connected with the controller or processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10.
The intelligent toilet remote controller 10 comprises a remote controller body and a controller accommodated in the remote controller body and used for communicational connection with an intelligent toilet. The remote controller body is provided with a cleaning timing display, and the cleaning timing display is communicatively connected with the controller.
According to the present application, the cleaning timing display is added on the intelligent toilet remote controller, which increases functions of time reminding and human-machine sensory interaction and plays a better role in customer care.
In this embodiment, the intelligent toilet 20 comprises a bidet 201 including at least one spraying rod configured to be stretched or extended out to spray water. When water is sprayed out, the intelligent toilet 20 sends a command back to the intelligent toilet remote controller 10. The intelligent toilet remote controller 10 controls a timer to start to count a cleaning time. Meanwhile, the controller or the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 controls the display hardware 2 to display the cleaning time. When the cleaning lasts for a predetermined amount of time such as 5 minutes, or the user actively presses a stop button, or after the user starts other functions, the time counting is stopped. The intelligent toilet remote controller 10 displays a current cleaning duration on the display hardware 2. If the cleaning continues, the time counting continues.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for counting cleaning time of the intelligent toilet by using the intelligent toilet remote controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the intelligent toilet and the intelligent toilet remote controller may be the intelligent toilet and the intelligent toilet remote controller as described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, or Embodiment 3.
At act S101, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may transmit a cleaning command to the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 of the intelligent toilet 20. The cleaning command is configured to control the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 to start a cleaning. When the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 receives the cleaning command, the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 may extend the spraying rod to spray water and transmit a response or a command to the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 to confirm that the cleaning has been started.
At act S102, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may receive the response from the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201. The response indicates that the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 has started the cleaning.
At act S103, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may start counting cleaning time in response to the received response from the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201. The cleaning time may be counted as soon as the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 receives the response from the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201.
At act S104, the cleaning timing display of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may display the counted cleaning time to the user while counting the cleaning time.
At act S105, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. In an embodiment, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may determine whether the counted cleaning time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes).
In another embodiment, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may determine whether the user actively stops the cleaning by pressing a stop button of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10. In another embodiment, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may determine whether the user starts another operation of the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 by pressing a corresponding button of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10.
When the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied (Yes in S105), the method for counting cleaning time of the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 proceeds to S106.
At act S106, the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may stop counting the cleaning time and displaying the counted cleaning time. The processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 may instruct the intelligent toilet to perform an operation accordingly.
In an embodiment, the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 may stop the cleaning when the counted cleaning time is equal to or longer than a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes).
In another embodiment, the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 may stop the cleaning when the user presses the stop button of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10. In another embodiment, the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 may perform the operation when the user presses the corresponding button of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10.
When the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller 10 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (No in S105), the method for counting cleaning time of the intelligent toilet 20 or the bidet 201 returns to S103 so as to continue to count the cleaning time.

Claims

An intelligent toilet control system, comprising:
an intelligent toilet (20) including a spraying rod configured to be stretched or extended out to spray water; and

an intelligent toilet remote controller (10), comprising: a remote controller body; and

a processor accommodated in the remote controller body and configured to be communicatively connected with the intelligent toilet (20),

wherein the remote controller body comprises a cleaning timing display,

wherein the cleaning timing display is communicatively connected with the processor, and

wherein a host of the intelligent toilet (20) is configured to be communicatively connected with the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10);

wherein a user operates the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) to send a cleaning command, and after the intelligent toilet (20) receives the cleaning command, the spraying rod is stretched or extended out to spray water;

wherein when water is sprayed out of the spraying rod, the intelligent toilet (20) is configured to send a response back to the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), and the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) is configured to start to count a cleaning time;

wherein the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) is configured to control the cleaning timing display to display the cleaning time;

wherein the counting of the cleaning time is stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied and the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) is configured to control the cleaning timing display to stop displaying the cleaning time when the predetermined condition is satisfied.
An intelligent toilet control system, comprising:
an intelligent toilet (20) comprising a bidet (201) including at least one spraying rod configured to be stretched or extended out to spray water; and

an intelligent toilet remote controller (10), comprising: a remote controller body; and

a processor accommodated in the remote controller body and configured to be communicatively connected with the intelligent toilet (20),

wherein the remote controller body comprises a cleaning timing display,

wherein the cleaning timing display is communicatively connected with the processor, and

wherein a host of the intelligent toilet (20) is configured to be communicatively connected with the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10);

wherein a user operates the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) to send a cleaning command, and after the intelligent toilet (20) receives the cleaning command, the spraying rod is stretched or extended out to spray water;

wherein when water is sprayed out of the spraying rod, the intelligent toilet (20) is configured to send a response back to the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), and the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) is configured to start to count a cleaning time;

wherein the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) is configured to control the cleaning timing display to display the cleaning time;

wherein the counting of the cleaning time is stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied and the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10) is configured to control the cleaning timing display to stop displaying the cleaning time when the predetermined condition is satisfied.
The intelligent toilet control system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the remote controller body comprises:
a housing; and

a button film attached on an outer surface of the housing;

wherein the cleaning timing display is arranged on a side of the button film facing the housing; and

wherein the cleaning timing display is communicatively connected with the processor.
The intelligent toilet control system according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the button film where the button film contacts the cleaning timing display is a semitransparent film.
The intelligent toilet control system of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the cleaning timing display is a digital tube or a display screen.
The intelligent toilet control system according to claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the cleaning timing display is communicatively connected with the processor through a communication line, wherein a first end of the communication line is communicatively connected with the cleaning timing display, and wherein a second end of the communication line is inserted into the housing so as to be communicatively connected with the processor.
The intelligent toilet control system of claim 6, wherein the communication line is a flexible flat cable.
The intelligent toilet control system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising an electric control board accommodated in the housing, wherein the processor is fixed on the electric control board.
The intelligent toilet control system according to claim 8, wherein the electric control board comprises a timer and a radio frequency module, and wherein the processor is communicatively connected with the timer, the radio frequency module, and the cleaning timing display respectively.
The intelligent toilet control system according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises one or more buttons, wherein the one or more buttons contact corresponding switches on the electric control board, and wherein the switches are communicatively connected with input ends of the processor.
The intelligent toilet control system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller is configured to be communicatively connected with the host of the intelligent toilet via the radio frequency module.
The intelligent toilet control system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined condition is:
the cleaning lasts for a predetermined period of time; or

the user actively stops the cleaning by pressing a stop button of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10); or

the user starts other functions of the intelligent toilet (20) or, if present, the bidet (201).
The intelligent toilet control system of claim 12, wherein the predetermined period of time is 5 minutes.
A method for counting cleaning time of an intelligent toilet by using an intelligent toilet control system according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 13 when dependent on claim 1, the method comprising:
transmitting, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), a cleaning command to the intelligent toilet (20), wherein the cleaning command is configured to control the intelligent toilet (20) to start a cleaning, wherein when the intelligent toilet (20) receives the cleaning command, the intelligent toilet (20) extends the spraying rod to spray water and transmits a response to the intelligent toilet remote controller (10),

receiving, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), the response from the intelligent toilet (20), wherein the response indicates that the intelligent toilet (20) has started the cleaning;

starting, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), counting cleaning time in response to the received response from the intelligent toilet (20);

displaying, by a cleaning timing display of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), the counted cleaning time while counting the cleaning time;

determining whether at least one predetermined condition is satisfied; and

stopping, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), counting the cleaning time and displaying the counted cleaning time in response to a determination that the at least one predetermined condition is satisfied.
A method for counting cleaning time of an intelligent toilet by using an intelligent toilet control system according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 13 when dependent on claim 2, the method comprising:
transmitting, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), a cleaning command to the bidet (201), wherein the cleaning command is configured to control the bidet (201) to start a cleaning, wherein when the bidet (201) receives the cleaning command, the bidet (201) extends the spraying rod to spray water and transmits a response to the intelligent toilet remote controller (10),

receiving, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), the response from the bidet (201), wherein the response indicates that the bidet (201) has started the cleaning;

starting, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), counting cleaning time in response to the received response from the bidet (201);

displaying, by a cleaning timing display of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), the counted cleaning time while counting the cleaning time;

determining whether at least one predetermined condition is satisfied; and

stopping, by the processor of the intelligent toilet remote controller (10), counting the cleaning time and displaying the counted cleaning time in response to a determination that the at least one predetermined condition is satisfied.