JP2005097898A - Toilet control unit and system toilet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet control unit which is operated in interlock with use of a toilet bowl, flexibly copes with a variety of types of hardware and software, can be installed in a toilet room at a low cost, and achieves an ideal and comfortable space, and to provide a system toilet having the toilet control unit mounted therein. <P>SOLUTION: The toilet control unit is connectable to a warm water washing toilet seat device. According to the unit, communication by means of a first protocol is achieved between the toilet control unit and a controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device, and communication by means of a second protocol different from the first protocol is achieved between the toilet control unit and a sub-unit connected to the same. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a toilet control unit and a system toilet. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toilet control unit capable of controlling various devices in cooperation with a warm water washing toilet seat device and a system toilet including the toilet control unit.

  For human life, toilets are inseparable and have a great position in daily life. With the change of toilet style from so-called “Japanese style” to “Western style”, “Washing type” was introduced, and innovative mechanisms such as “Heating type toilet seat” and “Warm water washing toilet seat device” were added. Convenience and comfort have improved.

  Furthermore, recently, there has been disclosed an idea for preventing the sound generated during use or washing of the toilet from leaking to the outside by generating an imitation sound and obtaining the effect of “mute”.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a toilet automation system that automatically opens and closes a toilet door and operates a sound generator together with illumination.
Patent Document 2 discloses a toilet device having input means capable of inputting voice data from the outside and output means capable of outputting the voice data.
On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses a sanitary washing device that sounds a radio in conjunction with a toilet seat switch.
JP-A-8-228965 JP 2003-3550 A JP 60-43541 A

  The present inventor believes that the toilet should be a space that is comfortable and comfortable, moisturizes life, and has a healing effect, not just a space for adding work. For example, a housewife working for housework or childcare, or a husband who has come home from work needs a space where he (her) can be warmly welcomed, relaxed, healed and refreshed. In this sense, like a bathroom, a toilet is an optimal space where you can relax alone without being interfered by others.

  However, there are some technical breakthroughs when trying to realize a toilet that is an ideal comfortable space based on this idea. First of all, various functions that provide comfort and healing effects need to be seamlessly linked to toilet use and cleaning operations, which are the basic functions of toilets. Further, it is desirable that the toilet can be additionally installed as much as possible without newly installing a toilet or the like, and that the cost is low. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to handle a wide variety of hardware and software that are expected to appear in the future, and to have the flexibility to add them as needed.

  None of the conventional techniques provides satisfactory solutions to these requirements.

  The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such problems, the purpose of which is linked to the use of the toilet, can flexibly respond to a wide variety of hardware and software, can be installed at low cost, The present invention relates to a toilet control unit capable of realizing an ideal comfortable space and a system toilet equipped with the control unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to the present invention, a toilet control unit that can be connected to a warm water washing toilet seat device can communicate with the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device using the first protocol. And a toilet control unit characterized in that communication with a second unit different from the first protocol is possible with a subunit connected to the toilet control unit. The

  According to the said structure, it becomes possible to connect the subunit which has a different communication protocol, and to operate | move in cooperation with operation | movement of a warm water washing toilet seat apparatus. As a result, a variety of subunits can be connected, and the problem of placing a burden on the controller of the hot water toilet seat device can be solved.

  Alternatively, according to the present invention, a CPU and a communication interface are provided, and communication based on the first protocol is possible with the controller of the warm water toilet seat device via the communication interface, and The toilet control unit is characterized in that communication based on a second protocol different from the first protocol is enabled between a subunit different from the controller.

  According to the said structure, it becomes possible to connect the subunit which has a different communication protocol, and to operate | move in cooperation with operation | movement of a warm water washing toilet seat apparatus. And it becomes possible to control the operation | movement of a subunit by translating the command from the controller of a warm water washing toilet seat apparatus by CPU. As a result, a variety of subunits can be connected, and the problem of placing a burden on the controller of the hot water toilet seat device can be solved.

  Here, if the operation of the subunit is controlled based on the information transmitted based on the first protocol from the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device, an instruction from the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device or The operation of the subunit can be controlled by the detection result of the sensor.

  Further, at least one of the sensor and the input device can be connected, and at least one of the detection information of the sensor and the information input to the input device is based on the first protocol, the controller of the hot water washing toilet seat device Can be fed back to the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device, sensor information and information input via an input device such as an operation switch.

  Further, if at least one of the sensor and the input device is connectable, and the operation of the subunit is controlled based on at least one of the detection information of the sensor and the information input to the input device, Based on sensor information and information input via an input device such as an operation switch, the operation of the sub-unit is controlled by the independent judgment of the toilet control unit, regardless of the judgment of the control unit of the hot water washing toilet seat device. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the control unit of the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus and at the same time to easily control a more complicated system.

  Further, the first sensor is connectable, the detection information of the first sensor, and the detection information of the second sensor transmitted from the controller of the warm water toilet seat device based on the first protocol, Based on the above, the operation of the subunit can be controlled. For example, by combining detection information such as a seating sensor, a human body detection sensor, and a human body detection sensor provided in a warm water washing toilet seat device with detection information of an entrance detection sensor connected to a toilet control unit, It is possible to comprehensively determine the usage state and control the operation of various subunits accordingly.

  In addition, if the subunit has a CPU, the translation processing between the first protocol and the second protocol and the judgment processing for controlling the subunit can be executed reliably and easily. Can do.

  In addition, if the second subunit can be connected and communication can be performed with the second subunit based on a third protocol different from the second protocol, a plurality of protocols having different protocols can be provided. Subunits can be connected and controlled.

  Further, if the lighting device can be connected and further includes a power source for emitting the illumination, for example, the user can be detected and the indirect illumination can be automatically turned on.

  Further, if it is further provided with a memory in which voice data is stored, for example, a voice guide or the like can be played when operating the hot water washing toilet seat device.

  Further, if an audio amplifier that can reproduce sound by connecting a speaker is further provided, music, a sound guide, or sound effects can be easily played.

  Furthermore, if the output to the plurality of speakers can be switched based on information provided from at least one of the connected sensor and the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device, the orientation of the user during stereo playback, surround playback, etc. It is possible to always provide an optimal sound field according to the sound.

  On the other hand, a system toilet according to the present invention includes a warm water washing toilet seat device and any one of the toilet control units described above connected to a controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device. According to the above configuration, various subunits with different communication protocols can be connected and controlled, and music playback, voice guidance, lighting, etc. are automatically executed without imposing a burden on the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device Can be made.

  For example, when a user approaches, detection is performed by at least one of a sensor included in the warm water washing toilet seat device and a sensor connected to the toilet control unit, and reproduction of music can be started by the subunit.

  Further, when the user approaches, it is detected by at least one of a sensor of the warm water washing toilet seat device and a sensor connected to the toilet control unit, and the lighting device connected to the toilet control unit is turned on. it can.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to control various subunits in conjunction with or independently of the operation of the warm water washing toilet seat device, and to flexibly cope with a wide variety of hardware and software at a low cost. A toilet control unit that can be installed and can realize an ideal comfortable space and a system toilet equipped with the toilet control unit can be realized, and there are significant industrial advantages.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The inventor has invented a toilet control unit that can be connected to and interlocked with a warm water washing toilet seat device that is already widely used. This control unit can control various sound generators such as a CD (Compact Disc) player, lighting devices, sensors, air conditioners, video equipment such as televisions, and the like. Furthermore, it controls data transmission / reception devices connectable to the Internet, ubiquitous reception devices, and the like, and enables data exchange via these devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a system toilet provided with a toilet control unit of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of such a system toilet.

  The toilet control unit (Entertainment Control Center: ECC) 100 is connected to the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus 200 as described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A plurality of subunits 300 and subunits 400 can be connected to the toilet control unit 100.

  The warm water washing toilet seat device 200 is a device that can spray hot water while a user is sitting on the toilet seat to wash “wet” and the like, and is widely used as a trade name “washlet” and the like. The controller 202 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 204, and controls toilet seat heaters and motors, operation switch input monitoring, and display LEDs based on inputs from various sensors such as a seating sensor 206. Controls blinking of (Light Emitting Diode).

  On the other hand, the toilet control unit 100 of the present invention has a CPU 102 uniquely, and can perform bidirectional or unidirectional communication (communication 1) with the CPU 204 of the warm water washing toilet seat device 200 based on a predetermined protocol. Has been. Then, the toilet control unit 100 transmits an instruction from the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat device to the subunit, or obtains various sensor information and transmits it to the controller 202. Further, depending on the contents of the process, the toilet control unit 100 can independently determine and control the operation of the subunit.

  On the other hand, the subunit 300 includes a unique CPU 302, and communication based on a predetermined protocol is possible with the CPU of the toilet control unit 100. And based on this communication, it operate | moves according to the command from the toilet control unit 100. FIG. Furthermore, it is possible to operate independently based on information from a sensor or the like provided in the subunit 300 itself. Various information obtained by the subunit 300 (for example, the operating state of the CD, thermistor input data, etc.) is temporarily received and interpreted by the CPU 302 of the subunit 300, and based on a predetermined protocol as digital data, the toilet control unit It is transmitted to 100 CPUs 102.

  As described above, the CPU 302 of the subunit 300 interprets the information and appropriately transmits the information to the CPU 102, thereby reducing the burden on the CPU 102. For example, when a thermistor is connected to the CPU 302, by performing digital filter processing on the output signal from the thermistor, the CPU 102 receives only the data after the filter processing, so the processing becomes easier. In addition, the CPU 302 of the subunit 300 can be operated only for such digital filter processing and communication with the CPU 102.

  Specific examples of the sub-unit 300 include, for example, a CD (Compact Disc) player, an automatic opening / closing unit for a toilet seat lid, a room warming control board, an artificial sound generator, a deodorizing device, a heating device, a scent discharge device, a television, and an Internet connection. Possible terminal devices can be mentioned.

  When a plurality of subunits 300 are connected to the toilet control unit 100, their communication protocols (for example, communication 2, communication 3,...) Need not be the same. For example, it is possible to execute communication based on a different protocol with the toilet control unit 100 for each subunit 300.

  On the other hand, the subunit 400 does not include an original CPU and provides information to the toilet control unit 100 or operates based on a command from the toilet control unit 100. That is, the subunit 400 does not execute communication based on a predetermined protocol with the CPU 102 of the toilet control unit, and generates, for example, a predetermined range of voltage and current, or changes resistance.

  Specific examples of the subunit 400 include, for example, various sensors including an illuminance sensor such as a thermistor, a Hall element, and CdS (cadmium sulfide), a switch, and the like. As a specific example of the subunit 400, an output system includes, for example, an illumination unit such as an LED or a light bulb, a speaker, a heater unit, a drive unit using a motor or an actuator, and a switch on which a user performs a predetermined input operation. And the like, or a deodorizing device, a heating device, a scent generating device, a ventilating device, or the like combining them.

  When a plurality of subunits 400 are connected to the toilet control unit 100, their connection specifications do not have to be the same. For example, each subunit 400 can be connected to the toilet control unit 100 with different specifications.

The specific example shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The toilet control unit 100 appropriately includes an audio ROM (Read Only Memory) 114, an amplifier 116, an LED driver 118, and the like. The toilet control unit 100 is connected with an acoustic unit 300 and a display unit 400 as sub-units. These may constitute the center unit 500 as illustrated in FIG.
The sound unit 300 corresponds to the subunit 300 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a CPU 302, a CD (Compact Disc) playback unit 304, and an amplifier 306, and can play back a CD according to a command from the toilet control unit 100. It is possible.

  On the other hand, the operation / display unit 400 corresponds to the subunit 400 illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes, for example, a sensor unit 402, a display unit 404, and an operation unit 406. In the sensor unit 402, for example, an entrance sensor, a remote control sensor, and the like are provided. The display unit 404 displays track information and other various information when playing a CD or other various media. The operation unit 406 enables input / change of reproduction operations such as audio and other various settings.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the appearance of the center unit 500. That is, in the case of the specific example shown in the figure, the toilet control unit 100 is accommodated therein. The panel of the center unit 500 displays a sensor window 502 for various sensors such as an entrance sensor and a remote control sensor, and a display unit for displaying a track number and time when playing a CD (Compact Disc) and other various media. An operation unit 506 that displays various settings and enables a change operation, a slot 508 into which a medium such as a CD can be inserted, and the like are provided. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the center unit 500 can be accommodated in a cabinet 900 installed behind the toilet bowl, for example.

  Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an indirect lighting unit 600, a speaker 700, and the like are appropriately provided in the cabinet 900 provided behind the toilet bowl. These also correspond to the subunit 400 shown in FIG.

  As described above, the toilet control unit 100 of the present invention does not have a CPU such as the sound unit 300, which has a CPU, and the operation / display unit 400, the indirect lighting unit 600, or the speaker 700. Control various subunits. In the system toilet, it is necessary to operate these subunits 300 and 400 in conjunction with the warm water washing toilet seat device 200 or independently.

  In order to link these subunits 300 and 400 with the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus 200, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a method of directly connecting these subunits to the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus 200 is also conceivable. That is, in the configuration of the comparative example illustrated in FIG. 4, the subunits 300 and 400 are directly connected to the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat device 200.

  However, the communication form (communication 1) possessed by the CPU 204 of the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus 200 is, for example, only a format conforming to RS-232C, and there is a problem that it cannot support other protocols. That is, when the communication of the subunit 300 is based on another protocol, it cannot be connected, and the types of subunits that can be connected are significantly limited.

  Similarly, the connection specifications that can be supported by the controller 202 of the hot-water washing toilet seat device are limited for the connection of the subunit 400 that does not have a CPU, and it is difficult to flexibly support connection forms of various specifications. It is. In other words, since the number of A / D (analog / digital) ports and D / A (digital / analog) ports provided in a general microcontroller is limited, many sensors cannot be connected. For example, even when the CPU 204 provided in the controller 202 is a 16-bit microcontroller and the number of pins of the CPU as a whole is 100, the effective number of pins is 84. When the resolution is 8 bits, only 8 A / D ports and 2 D / A ports are provided. That is, the number and types of subunits 400 that can be connected to the CPU 204 are considerably limited.

  On the other hand, there is a problem that the CPU 204 of the warm water washing toilet seat device does not have a sufficient margin for controlling the plurality of subunits.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the role of the controller 202 in the warm water washing toilet seat device. That is, in the warm water washing toilet seat device 200, various sensors, motors, heaters, display devices, alarm devices, switches, and the like are connected to the controller 202, and it is necessary to monitor and control them comprehensively. Therefore, the CPU 204 needs to execute “interrupt processing” with extremely high frequency. Further, for example, in order to precisely control the temperature of the toilet seat, the toilet seat heater is controlled by a sine wave phase angle control method. This also consumes the power of the CPU 204.

  For this reason, it cannot be said that the processing capacity of the CPU 204 has sufficient margin. For example, if the communication speed of 38,400 bps (bit per second) employed in a general CD player controller is further supported, Burden.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, by providing the toilet control unit 100 having its own CPU, the subunits 300 and 400 having various communication forms or connection forms can be provided. They can be freely connected, and the cooperative operation between these subunits and the warm water washing toilet seat device 200 can be surely executed.

  In addition, although there is a limit to the A / D port and D / A port of the CPU 204 of the control unit of the hot water washing toilet seat device and the CPU 102 of the toilet control unit, the CPU 302 can be connected by connecting the subunit 300. Input units such as thermistors and output units such as motors can be added, greatly improving system expandability. That is, various subunits 300 and 400 can be connected and controlled without imposing a burden on the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus. Moreover, it becomes easy to add a new subunit, and flexible expandability can be obtained.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the system toilet of the present invention.
The toilet control unit 100 in this specific example includes a CPU 102, a memory 104, a communication interface (I / F) 106, an input / output (I / O) unit 108, an audio ROM 114, an audio amplifier 116, an LED driver 118, and the like.
The communication interface 106 transmits and receives data based on a predetermined protocol between the controller 202 of the hot water washing toilet seat apparatus and the subunit 300 having other CPUs. Communication (communication 1) between the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat device and the toilet control unit 100 can be performed by, for example, a half-duplex asynchronous serial method called “UART”. The communication speed can be 9600 bps.

  On the other hand, the communication (communication 2, communication 3...) Between the toilet control unit 100 and the subunit 300 can have various forms. An example of a protocol that can be supported by the communication I / F 106 is given below.

  The toilet control unit 100 does not need to be able to support all these protocols. That is, the protocol that can be supported by the toilet control unit 100 can be appropriately determined according to the protocol of the subunit to be connected. In this way, the toilet control unit 100 can communicate with the subunit 300, and can also control the subunit 300 based on these protocols by translating commands from the controller 202 of the warm water flush toilet seat device.

  On the other hand, a general CD player is often controlled based on a unique specification different from any of the protocols listed above. Even in such a case, by installing the communication interface in the toilet control unit 100, it becomes possible to communicate with the CD player, and the CD player can be controlled in cooperation with the operation of the warm water washing toilet seat device.

  On the other hand, the I / O unit 108 can connect the subunits 400 such as various sensors, display devices, and input devices, and can be connected according to the specifications of the subunits 400. For example, an A / D converter or the like is provided as necessary.

  In the case of the specific example shown in FIG. 6, the audio amplifier 116 is connected to the speaker 700, and for example, it is possible to extract and reproduce audio data stored in the audio ROM 114.

  Furthermore, the indirect illumination unit 600 is connected to the LED driver 118. As described in detail later, when a person is detected in the dark by the sensor (sub unit 400), the indirect lighting unit 600 can be automatically turned on.

  Hereinafter, the data transfer relationship between the controller 202 of the warm water flush toilet seat device and the toilet control unit (ECC) 100 according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first specific example of a data exchange relationship between the controller 202 and the ECC 100. In this specific example, unidirectional communication is performed from the controller 202 to the ECC 100. That is, the ECC 100 translates the command transmitted from the controller 202 via the communication 1 and transmits the command to the subunit 300 via the communication 2. The subunit 300 operates according to the instruction. Similarly, the ECC 100 translates a command from the controller 202 and controls the subunit 400 based on the contents thereof.
That is, in this specific example, the ECC 100 functions as a slave of the controller 202. In this case, the ECC 100 only translates a command from the controller 202. The controller 202 needs to know the existence of the ECC 100 and the subunits 300 and 400 and the control method thereof.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second specific example of the data transfer relationship between the controller 202 and the ECC 100. In this specific example, bidirectional communication is performed between the ECC 100 and the controller 202. For example, the ECC 100 passes detection information of the connected sensor (subunit 400) to the controller 202 via the communication 1. In response to this, the controller 202 transmits a predetermined command to the ECC 100 via the communication 1. The ECC 100 translates this command and transmits it to the subunit 300 via the communication 2. The subunit 300 operates according to the instruction.

  That is, in the case of this specific example, the ECC 100 has not only a slave of the controller 202 but also a role of feeding back information. Also in this case, the controller 202 needs to know the existence of the ECC 100 and the subunits 300 and 400 and the control method thereof.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third specific example of the data exchange relationship between the controller 202 and the ECC 100. Also in this specific example, bidirectional communication is performed between the ECC 100 and the controller 202. That is, as in the second specific example described above with reference to FIG. 8, for example, the ECC 100 passes detection information of the connected sensor (subunit 400) to the controller 202 via the communication 1. In response to this, the controller 202 transmits a predetermined command to the ECC 100 via the communication 1. The ECC 100 translates this command and transmits it to the subunit 300 via the communication 2. The subunit 300 operates according to the instruction. That is, in the case of this specific example, the ECC 100 has not only a slave of the controller 202 but also a role of feeding back information.

  Further, in this specific example, the ECC 100 is capable of executing subunit control based on its own judgment. For example, the ECC 100 can operate the subunit 300 regardless of the controller 202 using the detection result of the sensor (subunit 400) as a trigger. For example, when the entrance detection sensor (subunit 400) connected to the ECC 100 detects the entry of a person into the toilet, the ECC 100 detects the CD player (subunit 300) via the communication 2 regardless of a command from the controller 202. ) Can be instructed to play back. This eliminates the need for the controller 202 to know the presence of the ECC 100 and the subunits 300 and 400 and the control method, thereby reducing the burden on the controller 202 and greatly expanding the expandability of the system.

  Furthermore, the ECC 100 can request information from the controller 202. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing this specific example. That is, in this specific example, the ECC 100 can request the controller 202 for necessary information and control the subunit 300 (or 400) based on the transmitted information. For example, in the above-described specific example, after the indirect illumination (subunit 400) is turned on and the entrance detection sensor (subunit 400) no longer detects the presence of a person, the ECC 100 detects the seating with respect to the controller 202. Request for detection information of sensor or human body detection sensor. When at least one of these sensors detects the presence of a person, the lighting state of the indirect illumination (sub unit 400) can be maintained.

  Further, the ECC 100 may control the operation of the controller 202.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing this specific example. In other words, the ECC 100 makes a determination based on the detection results of the subunit 400 (for example, an entrance detection sensor) directly connected to the ECC 100 and the sensors (human body detection sensor, seating detection sensor, etc.) connected to the controller 202. Send instructions to. The controller 202 performs an operation based on the command.

  In this way, since the ECC 100 can control the hot water washing toilet seat as a whole, the consistency of the control becomes high. However, since the burden on the CPU 102 of the ECC 100 increases, the expandability of the system may be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the system toilet of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the system toilet in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of the system toilet in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the user 10 enters the toilet, the entrance detection sensor 400 connected to the ECC 100 first detects and passes detection information to the ECC 100. As the room entry detection sensor 400, for example, an infrared pyroelectric sensor (motion sensor) can be used. The infrared pyroelectric sensor has a wider detection range than the human body detection sensor and the seating detection sensor (these are usually infrared sensors) provided in the warm water washing toilet seat device. Therefore, the entry detection sensor 400 can detect the moment when the user 10 opens the toilet door and enters the room.

  The ECC makes a determination based on the information from the room entry detection sensor 400, issues a command to the subunit (voice guidance unit) 300, and makes a pleasant sound “pawn” from the speaker 700. Thereby, the effect that the user 10 is greeted with a sound and it is an automation system toilet is acquired.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the user 10 sits on the toilet seat and, for example, operates the remote controller 120 to turn on the automatic opening / closing mode of the toilet seat lid, the speaker 700 sets “auto open / close setting”. I heard a voice guide. As shown in FIG. 13, a setting signal from the remote controller 120 is transmitted to the controller 202, and the controller 202 transmits a command to the ECC 100 based on this information, and the ECC 100 translates this command to use for voice guidance. It can be executed by operating the unit 300.

  Alternatively, when a setting signal from the remote controller 120 is transmitted to the controller 202, the information is transmitted from the controller 202 to the ECC 100, and the ECC 100 makes a determination based on the information and transmits a command to the voice guide unit 300 to operate. Can be executed.

  In addition, for example, when the user 10 operates the buttocks cleaning switch of the remote controller 120, a voice guide can be played from the speaker 700 that "wet cleaning starts" based on the same operation.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the user 10 is sitting in front of the toilet seat and is sitting, the seating detection sensor does not detect in order to prevent the washing water from scattering. In this state, when the user 10 operates the cleaning switch of the remote controller 120, a warning sound “Puppu” flows from the speaker 700. This operation may be executed by the controller 202 making a determination based on the detection state of the seating sensor and the operation information of the remote controller 120 and transmitting a command to the ECC 100, or the detection state of the seating sensor and the remote controller 120. The operation information may be transmitted from the controller 202 to the ECC 100, and the ECC 100 may make a determination based on these to transmit a command to the voice guide unit 300.

  When the user 10 finishes cleaning and leaves the toilet, detection of both the sensor of the warm water cleaning toilet seat device and the entrance detection sensor 400 connected to the ECC 100 ends. At this time, for example, a sound of “popon” may be sent from the speaker 700 and the user 10 may be seen off, and at the same time, it may be notified that the user has gone out of the detection range of the room entry detection sensor 400.

  The “voice guide function” as described above can be used, for example, in the initial setting operation of the warm water washing toilet seat device. According to the present invention, since a voice guide unit can be added via the ECC 100, a wide variety of voice guides and various sound effects can be introduced without restriction. There will be no problem of overloading. As a result, it is possible to realize a “universal design” system toilet that can be handled equally by users in any physical state.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the system toilet in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of the system toilet in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the user 10 enters the toilet, the entrance detection sensor 400 connected to the ECC 100 first detects and passes detection information to the ECC 100. The ECC makes a determination based on this information, issues a command to the subunit (CD player playback unit) 300, and plays the CD from the speaker 700. In this case, the ECC 100 transmits a command to the subunit 300 based on information from the room entry detection sensor 400.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the user 10 enters the room and the room detection sensor detects the CD, the CD is not yet reproduced, and the user 10 sits on the toilet seat and You may make it start reproduction | regeneration of CD, when a seating detection sensor or a human body detection sensor detects. In this case, the controller 202 makes a determination based on information from the seating detection sensor or the human body detection sensor, or the information from these sensors is transmitted to the ECC and the ECC makes a determination, whereby the reproduction of the CD player 300 is performed. Be started.

  In addition, when an infrared pyroelectric sensor (motion sensor) is used as the room entry detection sensor 400, when the user 10 sits on the toilet seat and maintains a stationary state, it is not detected. In such a case, while one of the sensors is detecting the user 10 based on the OR (logical sum) including the detection results of the seating detection sensor and the human body detection sensor of the warm water washing toilet seat device, The player 300 may continue to play back.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14C, when the user 10 leaves the toilet seat or leaves the toilet, the reproduction of the CD is stopped. Also in this case, the CD playback is stopped by the controller 202 or the ECC 100 making a determination in consideration of the detection results of the seating sensor and the human body detection sensor of the hot water washing toilet seat device and the entrance sensor 400 connected to the ECC 100 as appropriate. Can do. In the present embodiment, the reproduction operation of the CD player has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various media such as an MD (mini-disc) DVD (digital versatile disc) and a semiconductor memory, for example. It is also possible to control the reproduction of audio or video by radio, the reproduction of radio, television, and other various media.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the stereo output from the speakers 700 provided on the left and right can be switched according to the orientation of the user 10.
FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment in which the speaker output is switched according to the orientation of the user 10.
That is, as shown in FIG. 16, in the state where the user 10 enters the toilet and faces the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus 200, the left audio from the speaker 700A and the speaker 700B out of the pair of left and right speakers. To the right.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when the user 10 is sitting on the toilet seat device 200, right sound flows from the speaker 700 </ b> A and left sound flows from the speaker 700 </ b> B. As described above, when the output from the speakers 700A and 700B is switched according to the direction of the user 10, natural stereo reproduction is always possible regardless of the direction of the user 10.

  The timing for switching between left and right audio can be determined by a sensor or the like. For example, when at least one of the entrance sensor 400 and the human body detection sensor 400 detects the user and the seating sensor 206 does not detect the seating, it is determined that the user 10 faces the toilet as illustrated in FIG. Then, the left audio is output from the speaker 700A and the right audio is output from the speaker 700B. When the seating sensor 206 detects the seating, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the right sound can be heard from the speaker 700A and the left sound from the speaker 700B.

  Further, when switching between left and right voices, for example, by using an electronic volume and electronic switching, it is possible to switch the voices without being interrupted and without causing switching noise. Alternatively, when switching, a monaural state, that is, a state in which a sound in which left and right sounds are synthesized is output from the left and right speakers 700A and 700B may be switched and switched.

  As described above, it is possible to always perform natural stereo reproduction by determining the orientation of the user 10 based on information from a sensor or the like and appropriately switching the output from the speakers 700A and 700B.

Furthermore, in a so-called surround system, the output from the speaker can be switched according to the orientation of the user.
18 and 19 are schematic views illustrating switching of the output from the speaker in accordance with the orientation of the user in the surround system.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 18, when the user 10 is facing the warm water washing toilet seat device 200, the left front audio output from the speaker 700A, the right front audio output from the speaker 700B, and the left from the speaker 700C. The audio output for the rear and the audio output for the right rear are sent from the speaker 700C, respectively. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19, in the state where the user 10 is seated on the toilet seat device 200, the right rear audio output from the speaker 700A, the left rear audio output from the speaker 700B, and the right front audio from the speaker 700C. The audio output and the audio output for the left front can be sent from the speaker 700D, respectively.

  Thus, even in the surround system, a natural sound field can always be reproduced for the user 10 by appropriately switching the output from each speaker according to the orientation of the user 10. A normal toilet is a sealed space of about one tatami mat and has high potential performance acoustically. That is, stereo reproduction or surround reproduction in the toilet is excellent in localization and frequency characteristics, and can create a sound field full of realism. According to the present invention, it is possible to always provide a natural sound field by appropriately switching outputs from a plurality of speakers when reproducing sound in such a toilet.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of the present embodiment. That is, in this modified example, music (or video) distributed via the Internet is appropriately reproduced. In addition, information such as music and video may be downloaded and reproduced from a server in a home or the same network via a LAN (Local Area Network) instead of the Internet.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the system toilet in the third embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the toilet bowl in a present Example.
Furthermore, FIG. 23 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of the system toilet in the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 21A, when the user 10 enters the toilet, the entrance detection sensor 400 </ b> A connected to the ECC 100 first detects and passes detection information to the ECC 100. Separately from this, the illuminance sensor 400B is connected to the ECC 100. The ECC 100 makes a determination based on information from the entrance detection sensor 400A and the illuminance sensor 400B, and can issue a command to the subunit (indirect lighting unit) 600 only when the illuminance in the toilet is below a certain level. .

  As described above with respect to the first embodiment, when an infrared pyroelectric sensor (motion sensor) is used as the room entry detection sensor 400, the detection range can be widened. That is, as shown in FIG. 21B, the indirect lighting unit 600 can be turned on at the moment when the user 10 opens the toilet door.

  Further, in this case, if the indirect lighting unit 600 is provided behind the toilet as shown in FIG. 22, the lighting light does not directly enter the line of sight of the user 10, but soft indirect light reflected from the wall surface on the back of the toilet. L is obtained. Even in weak direct light, such as when waking up at night and entering the bathroom, it often feels dazzling, but by introducing the indirect lighting effect like this example, `` glare '' can be suppressed sufficiently and even at night Comfortable and sufficient illuminance can be obtained.

  Furthermore, when the indirect lighting unit 600 is provided behind the toilet as shown in FIG. 22, the indirect light L reflected from the rear wall surface in the state where the toilet seat lid is opened as shown in FIG. Furthermore, it is reflected and diffused on the surface of the lid, so to speak, it is in a state where “after light has changed”. And the light reflected on the lid of the toilet seat spreads softly behind the toilet, and a very pleasant visual effect can be obtained. That is, the user 10 can be relaxed and a relaxation effect can be given. This becomes more effective when combined with music, fragrance and the like. Therefore, a subunit for reproducing music (not shown) and a subunit capable of releasing scent components such as aroma may be connected to the ECC 100 and operated.

  For example, when a white light emitting LED (light emitting diode) is used as the light source of the indirect illumination unit 600, characteristics such as long life and low power consumption can be obtained with moderate illuminance.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21C, when the user 10 sits on the toilet seat and takes a stationary state, the detection is performed when an infrared pyroelectric sensor (motion sensor) is used as the entrance detection sensor 400A. Disappear. Also in this case, as described above with respect to the second embodiment, the indirect illumination unit 600 is determined by making a determination based on OR (logical sum) including the detection results of the seating detection sensor and the human body detection sensor of the warm water washing toilet seat device. The lighting state of can be maintained.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 21D, when the user 10 leaves the toilet seat and leaves the toilet, none of the seating detection sensor, the human body detection sensor, and the entrance detection sensor 400A is detected. Thus, the indirect lighting unit 600 is turned off.

  According to the present invention, a comfortable indirect illumination can be realized without adding a burden to the controller 202 by adding an entrance sensor, an illuminance sensor, or an indirect illumination unit via the ECC 100.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 24 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of the system toilet of this embodiment.
That is, in this embodiment, the ubiquitous receiving unit 300 is connected to the ECC 100 as a subunit. The ubiquitous receiving unit 300 includes a CPU 302 and a wireless unit 320, and is obtained wirelessly from the ubiquitous terminal 20 such as a mobile phone, an IC card, or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag carried by the user. The user (owner) is authenticated based on the information. The authenticated data is transmitted to the ECC 100 and translated. Then, the translated authentication data is transmitted to the controller 202. Based on this authentication data, the controller 202 executes an operation in accordance with conditions set for the user. For example, cleaning data such as the temperature of the cleaning water, the temperature of the toilet seat, the strength of the cleaning water, the cleaning mode, and the position of the cleaning nozzle are stored in the controller 202 for each user, and based on the authentication data transmitted from the ECC 100. The cleaning set to the conditions of the user can be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, based on the authentication data from the ubiquitous receiving unit 300, music set in advance for the user can be reproduced, or the conditions of indirect lighting can be changed. Furthermore, based on the authentication data, stock price information set for the user can be downloaded from the Internet and displayed on the display, or can be streamed from the speaker 700.

  FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of the present embodiment. That is, in this modified example, individual cleaning data is stored in the ECC 100. Then, based on the authentication data transmitted from the ubiquitous receiving unit 300, the ECC 100 determines and transmits the cleaning condition data set for the user to the controller 202. Based on the cleaning condition data, the controller 202 sets the temperature of the wash water, the temperature of the toilet seat, the strength of the wash water, and the like, and executes individual operations.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. For example, a concrete structure, arrangement relation, connection relation, number, etc. of a toilet control unit, a hot water washing toilet seat apparatus, and a subunit are appropriately selected by those skilled in the art, and the present invention is similarly implemented. What can be obtained is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, all toilet control units and system toilets that can be appropriately designed and implemented by those skilled in the art based on the toilet control units and system toilets described above as embodiments of the present invention are also within the scope of the present invention. Belonging to.

It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the system toilet provided with the toilet control unit of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the specific example of the system toilet concerning embodiment of this invention. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the appearance of a center unit 500. FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing the comparative example which connects a subunit directly to the controller 202 of the warm water washing toilet seat apparatus. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the role of the controller 202 in a warm water washing toilet seat apparatus. It is a block diagram which illustrates the composition of the system toilet of the present invention. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first specific example of a data exchange relationship between a controller 202 and the ECC 100. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second specific example of a data exchange relationship between the controller 202 and the ECC 100. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third specific example of a data exchange relationship between the controller 202 and the ECC 100. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example in which the ECC 100 requests information from the controller 202. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example in which the ECC 100 controls the operation of a controller 202. FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing operation | movement of the system toilet in 1st Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the system toilet in 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram showing operation | movement of the system toilet in the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the system toilet in 2nd Example. It is a schematic diagram showing the Example which switches a speaker output according to the direction of the user. It is a schematic diagram showing the Example which switches a speaker output according to the direction of the user. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates switching the output from a speaker according to a user's direction in a surround system. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates switching the output from a speaker according to a user's direction in a surround system. It is a schematic diagram showing the modification of 2nd Example. It is a schematic diagram showing operation | movement of the system toilet in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the back surface of the toilet bowl in 3rd Example. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the system toilet in 3rd Example. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the system toilet of the 4th Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the modification of 4th Example.

Explanation of symbols

10 User 20 Ubiquitous terminal 100 Toilet control unit 102 CPU
104 Memory 106 Communication Interface 108 I / O Unit 116 Amplifier 118 LED Driver 120 Remote Controller 200 Hot Water Washing Toilet Seat Device 202 Controller 204 CPU
206 Seating sensor 300 Sub unit 300 CD player, ubiquitous receiving unit, voice guide unit,
300 acoustic unit 304 CD playback unit 306 amplifier 320 wireless unit 400 sub-unit, entrance detection sensor, display unit 400A entrance detection sensor 400B illuminance sensor 402 sensor unit 404 display unit 406 operation unit 500 center unit 502 sensor window 504 display unit 506 operation unit 508 Slot 600 Indirect lighting unit 700 Speaker 900 Cabinet

Claims (15)

A toilet control unit that can be connected to a warm water washing toilet seat device,
Second communication different from the first protocol is possible between the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device and the subunit connected to the toilet control unit. Toilet control unit, characterized in that communication by protocol is possible. CPU,
A communication interface;
With
Via the communication interface, communication based on the first protocol is possible with the controller of the hot-water washing toilet seat apparatus, and the first protocol is with a subunit different from the controller. A toilet control unit characterized in that communication based on a different second protocol is possible.   The toilet control unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation of the subunit is controlled based on information transmitted based on the first protocol from a controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device. At least one of the sensor and the input device can be connected,
4. At least one of detection information of the sensor and information input to the input device is transmitted to a controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device based on the first protocol. The toilet control unit according to one. At least one of the sensor and the input device can be connected,
The toilet control unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation of the subunit is controlled based on at least one of detection information of the sensor and information input to the input device. A first sensor is connectable,
The operation of the subunit is controlled based on the detection information of the first sensor and the detection information of the second sensor transmitted from the controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device based on the first protocol. The toilet control unit according to claim 1, wherein the toilet control unit is a toilet control unit.   7. The toilet control unit according to claim 1, wherein the sub unit includes a CPU.   2. The second subunit is connectable, and communication based on a third protocol different from the second protocol is enabled between the second subunit and the second subunit. The control unit for toilets as described in any one of -7.   The toilet control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a power source for enabling connection of a lighting device and causing the lighting to emit light.   The toilet control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a memory in which audio data is stored.   The toilet control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an audio amplifier capable of reproducing sound by connecting a speaker.   12. The toilet control unit according to claim 11, wherein outputs to the plurality of speakers can be switched based on information provided from at least one of a connected sensor and a controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device. A hot water washing toilet seat device;
The toilet control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, connected to a controller of the warm water washing toilet seat device,
A system toilet characterized by comprising   When the user approaches, detection by at least one of a sensor of the warm water washing toilet seat device and a sensor connected to the toilet control unit is performed, and reproduction of music is started by the subunit. 13. System toilet according to 13. When the user approaches, it is detected by at least one of a sensor of the warm water washing toilet seat device and a sensor connected to the toilet control unit, and the lighting device connected to the toilet control unit is turned on. The system toilet according to claim 13.

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