JP2005168952A - Toilet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet apparatus which has an individual authenticating function and provides high reliability in the operation of a means for receiving individual identification information while keeping individual authentication security, offers simultaneously acquired organism information to a high quality medical action, and reduces standby electric power required for the operation of the means for receiving the individual identification information. <P>SOLUTION: The standby electric power required for the operation of the means for receiving the individual identification information is reduced by starting the means for receiving the individual identification information to identify an individual by using the operation of a detecting means for detecting the usage of the toilet apparatus as a trigger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a pair of data of a biological information measurement value obtained by carrying out quantitative / qualitative measurement on a specific component contained in excreted urine and personal identification information specifying who the excretion person is Thus, the invention relates to a toilet device that can improve the quality of medical practice as a post-process.

A conventional personal authentication device uses a bidirectional communication technology using wireless transmission for cooperation between a home server and each appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, there is one that attempts to send biometric information provided in a household appliance to a medical institution via a public line (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
In addition, in order to prevent the occurrence of a personal authentication error, some biometric information measuring apparatuses use personal authentication using fingerprint determination as an implementation specification (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-136173 A JP 2000-175872 A JP 2003-077071 A

However, in the case of Patent Document 1, for example, cooperation between home appliances at home is performed, but the result of cooperation is not linked to medical practice. We do not assume the cooperation with the most appropriate medical practice for each individual. In addition, since the linkage relationship is always maintained, each linkage is easy and security problems such as personal authentication errors are unlikely to occur. On the other hand, there is a problem of operational reliability due to the complicated system configuration, There has been a problem that the system cost becomes high and the spread is hindered, and standby power for maintaining the system is large.
In addition, for example, in Patent Document 2, the prevention medical care cooperation with a medical institution using a residential device at home is described, but the diagnosis, treatment, and management performed by the medical institution are mentioned. It was not expected to have an effect on the cure of the disease.
Further, in the case of Patent Document 3, since contact with the instrument is unavoidable, a sanitary problem may occur when the biological information measuring device is incorporated in a toilet. In addition, since it is indispensable that the finger is brought into contact with the detection surface, it has been desired to realize personal authentication without consciousness in consideration of use by an elderly person or the like.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize high reliability of the operation of receiving means for receiving personal identification information while ensuring personal authentication security, and to obtain biometric information acquired at the same time. The present invention realizes a toilet device with a personal authentication function that can be used for high-quality medical practice and can reduce standby power required for the operation of receiving means for receiving the personal identification information.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, biological information measuring means for measuring biological information that can be collected from a user's excrement, and transmission of personal identification information for identifying the user In a toilet apparatus having receiving means for receiving personally-identified information transmitted from the means and detecting means for detecting use of a device incorporating the receiving means, the receiving means triggered by the detection means being actuated The standby power required for the operation of the means for receiving the personal identification information can be reduced.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the biological information measuring means is activated by using the detection means as a trigger, so that only when the toilet device is used. Since it is personal authentication, it is possible to achieve high reliability of the means for receiving the personal identification information while ensuring personal authentication security.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the measurement mode of the biological information measuring unit is changed on the basis of reception of the personal identification information by the receiving unit, so that the biological information is provided for each individual. Measurement specifications can be set, and biometric information acquired at the same time can be used for high-quality medical practice.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the detection means is activated, the biological information measurement means starts to operate and the personal identification information for identifying the user is authenticated. In the following, the biometric information measurement value and the personal identification information are used as a pair of data, so that even if it takes time to measure the biometric information incorporated in the toilet device, it operates as a toilet device without personal authentication. Since it can operate by separating itself, there is no waiting time and the usability as a toilet device does not deteriorate.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the detecting means is activated, the user is specified as a user by using at least one of the transmission means having the highest reception intensity and the transmission means having the smallest fluctuation in reception intensity. By doing so, it is possible to reliably detect a person using the toilet device, and no erroneous personal recognition is performed.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the transmitting means transmits the personal identification information at random time intervals defined with a maximum value and a minimum value as predetermined values. Even if the received signal cannot be received due to one-time interference, the personal information can be reliably received and the reception strength can be confirmed when it is next received, so that erroneous personal recognition is not performed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the transmission means is activated by using a signal transmitted from the reception means as a trigger, so that standby power required for the reception means operation of the personal identification information is obtained. It was possible to reduce

  According to the present invention, high reliability of operation of receiving means for receiving personal identification information is achieved while ensuring personal authentication security, and at the same time, the obtained biological information is used for high-quality medical practice, and the reception of the personal identification information is performed. There is an effect that a toilet device with a personal authentication function capable of reducing standby power required for the means operation can be realized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a toilet unit incorporating the urine collection means of the present invention.
The toilet unit 1 is composed of a Western-style toilet 11 and a functional case 2 in which a toilet seat 21 and a toilet lid 22 are rotatably locked. The functional case 2 is provided with a seating sensor 23 for detecting the proximity and seating of the user. As a sensor method, an infrared triangulation method, an ultrasonic sensing method, and a capacitance detection method through a toilet seat are generally used. The function case 2 incorporates a sanitary washing device for washing the user's local area, and the later-described biological information measuring device and sanitary washing device operate via an operation display unit 5 provided on the wall. Displays instructions and measurement results. The operation display unit 5 is connected to the in-hospital LAN inside the medical institution, or is connected to the attending physician or medical service institution via a telephone line or the like when the installation location is home, or the display content of the operation display unit 5 is displayed on the page. It should be sent to the attending physician or medical service organization in the form of output, resulting in high-quality cooperation. The connection relating to the information is not limited to a telephone line, but may use information transmission using wireless or power line communication. On the back of the toilet unit 1, water is supplied to the toilet unit 1, water supply / drainage to the biological information measuring device is performed, a sampling device for excrement samples excreted in the toilet unit 1, and qualitative / quantitative measurement of specific components A cabinet 4 in which a biological information measuring device that implements the above is incorporated is disposed. The cabinet may be one in which the width or height of the cabinet 4 is changed for each selected function, or other additional members are assembled separately.

  Inside the Western-style toilet 11, a ball surface 12 for storing a stored water 13 for receiving a user's excrement is configured. Above the ball surface 12, a rim surface 14 that abuts against the toilet seat 21 is formed. The stored water 13 communicates with a sewage pipe (not shown) through a trap portion 15. At the bottom of the ball surface 12, a jet water discharge nozzle 31 that directs the water discharge direction toward the trap portion 15 is configured. The water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 31 generates a negative pressure with respect to the trap portion 15 and sends the accumulated water 13 to the sewage pipe.

  The urine collection unit 50 provided on the ball surface 12 performs qualitative / quantitative measurement of specific components contained in excreted urine. Urine collected by the urine collection unit 50 is sent to a biological information measuring device arranged in the cabinet 4 or directly sensed by a biochemical sensor such as a biosensor arranged at the tip of the urine collection unit 50. Alternatively, it is possible to take a method in which a urine sample is collected and stored in a container by a predetermined amount so as to be measured by another large clinical test apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of personal authentication in the toilet apparatus of the present invention.
In the cabinet 4 provided on the back of the toilet unit 1, a receiver 40 that receives personal information from a transmitter 60 owned by the user 6 is assembled. As an assembly part of the transmitter 60, it is recommended to wrap around the wrist like a wristwatch, or to provide a substantially bag-like part on the sleeve part or shoulder part of the sleepwear so as not to feel uncomfortable even during a bet. When the user 6 approaches the toilet device in which the biological information measuring device is assembled or is seated and can be excreted, the toilet device recognizes personal information via a wireless signal, and measures the personal information of the user and the measurement. It will recognize what biological information should be and its measurement accuracy, range, and conditions. For example, if it is a metabolic disease, preparations for measurement should be started on the assumption that the amount of urine per time should be measured. In other words, preparation of urine sample collection. If the biological information measurement results are data paired with personal information, not only can the medical action as a post-process be ensured, but also the nurse can automate the undesirable action of excrement measurement. It can be expected that both labor saving and increasing medical practice will increase the duration of nursing action for patients.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of personal authentication in the toilet apparatus of the present invention.
A ball surface 12 is formed inside the Western-style toilet 11, and a jet water discharge nozzle 31 provided at the bottom portion is directed toward the trap portion 15 in the water discharge direction. The water discharged from the jet water discharge nozzle 31 generates a negative pressure with respect to the trap portion 15, and the stored water 13 is sent to the sewage pipe by the generated siphon phenomenon. A rim water discharge hole 32 is formed in the upper portion of the ball surface 12 so as to supply water. Similarly, a rim surface 14 that abuts on the toilet seat is formed above the ball surface 12. The water supply to the jet water discharge nozzle 31 and the rim water discharge hole 32 is supplied from the water channel switching means 3 that distributes and supplies tap water. When urine is excreted with respect to the stored water whose water level has dropped, the water level rises. If the change in the water level is measured as a pressure change value converted into a head, the amount of urine can be obtained. Multiplying the urine volume by various specific component concentrations analyzed with a large-scale clinical tester from a biological information measuring device or a collected sample, the actual excretion amount for each component becomes useful information for medical practice. . The concentration of the specific component contained in the urine may be obtained by using the analysis result of the sample collected by the urine collection unit 50 that is rotationally driven in the ball surface shown in FIG. It may be a measured value. A receiver 40 that receives personal information from a transmitter 60 owned by the user 6 is attached to the front inner side of the Western-style toilet 11. In this example, it is assumed that the receiver 40 transmits an activation signal to the transmitter 60. However, the transmitter 60 may have a specification for transmitting personal information at predetermined intervals. In this example, the transmitter 60 is incorporated in the slipper 61 worn by the user 6. In the above-described method, the user 6 cannot completely recognize the transmitter 60 no matter how small the size is. However, the user 6 forgets the presence of the transmitter 60 when the transmitter 6 is incorporated into the slipper 61. As a result, the psychological and mental pressure given to the user 6 can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, when it is incorporated in nighty clothes, there is almost no possibility that others will misuse personal information. In the case of the slipper 61, there is a possibility of misuse that the slipper 61 of another person is used by mistake. Therefore, considering the magnitude of the patient's mental state and the degree of influence of the misuse on the patient, decide. As a medium in which the transmitter 60 is incorporated, a general card-like one may be used. A medical staff may determine the specifications in consideration of various requirements.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of the toilet apparatus according to the present invention.
The controller of the toilet device is a biological information measuring means for sensing the user's excrement, a toilet / toilet seat means including a sanitary washing device and excrement sewage discharge function, a human body detection means for detecting the use state of the toilet device, and the user A transmitter that performs wireless power supply using electromagnetic induction to a transmitter held by the transmitter, a receiver that detects personal information, and a paper to link a biological information measurement value and personal information as a pair to a medical practice It controls the output means that cooperates with output and information transmission. The human body detection means is a device that detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat, a proximity sensor that detects that the user has approached the toilet device, and the like. The transmitter controller of the user receives the power supply from the toilet device and activates other function means, the power conversion means for converting the received power for function drive, and personal information wirelessly to the toilet device It controls transmission means for transmission, storage means for personal information, and input means for inputting personal information of the user.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart in the toilet apparatus of the present invention.
When the user enters the toilet booth (step A) and sits on the toilet device, a seating signal is detected (step B), and personal authentication means incorporated in the toilet device is activated (step C). The receiver 40 transmits a power source radio wave for driving the transmitter to the transmitter 60 held by the user (step D). The transmitter 60 receives the power source radio wave (step E), converts the energy into electric power (step F), reads the stored personal information (step G), and then directs the stored personal information to the receiver 40 of the toilet device. The personal information is transmitted (step H). The toilet device that has received the personal information (step I) recognizes the personal information (step J). For example, when it is recognized that the urine volume needs to be measured, the biological information measurement such as starting preparation for lowering the stored water level shown in FIG. 3 or setting the measurement concentration / item. The apparatus is activated (step K). When the measurement of the biological information measurement value is completed (step L) following the collection of the urine sample, the measurement result is sent to a medical practice as a subsequent process (step M). For example, if the urine flow rate in the urinary tract is measured, the urine flow rate fluctuation graph is output to the doctor so that it can be taken to the doctor, or the information on the user whose metabolic status is managed is stored on the server via the hospital LAN. To be used in such a way that changes over time are monitored. The collection and management of information is automated, which not only saves labor in medical institutions, but is expected to improve the quality of medical practice through measurement without mistakes and high-quality medical care associated with a reduction in the burden on nurses. become. Note that the intention of Step B is the same whether it is a proximity sensor or the like that detects not only sitting but also a user approaching the toilet apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of a system block diagram in the toilet apparatus of the present invention.
In this example, the transmitter of the user has no receiving means and the system is simplified. The toilet device controller receives biological information measuring means for sensing the user's excrement, toilet bowl / toilet seat means including a sanitary washing device and excrement sewage discharge function, human body detection means for detecting the use state of the toilet apparatus, Radio wave intensity judging means, receiving means for detecting personal information, and output means for cooperating with paper output and information transmission in order to cooperate with medical practice as a pair of biological information measurement value and personal information . The human body detection means is a device that detects that the user is seated on the toilet seat, a proximity sensor that detects that the user has approached the toilet device, and the like. The controller of the transmitter possessed by the user is a time measuring means for measuring the personal information transmission timing, a random number generating means for determining the transmission timing, a transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the personal information to the toilet device, a storage means for personal information, and a use The input means for inputting the personal information of the person is controlled. Since the transmitter possessed by the user does not have a receiving means, it is possible to manufacture a transmitter with high operational reliability and low cost.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram according to the second embodiment of the system block diagram of the toilet apparatus of the present invention.
When a user and a neighbor are present in the vicinity of the toilet device, the transmitter does not transmit personal information in response to an instruction to start the toilet device, and therefore receives personal information from both. When the toilet device detects that it is seated and detects that the biological information measuring device can be used, it tries to recognize the personal information, but if it receives personal information at the same time (timing A), The information is mixed, and the toilet device cannot be recognized correctly. However, since each transmitter transmits personal information at random intervals within a predetermined time range in which a maximum value and a minimum value are determined, the personal information of both can be recognized next time. (Timing B) When the reception intensity of the user and the neighbor is compared, the reception intensity is high because the user is in the vicinity, and the toilet device can recognize the personal information of the user. In consideration of the power supply life in the transmitter, it is recommended that the interval time for transmitting personal information is set randomly within a range of about 3 to 10 seconds.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment of the system block diagram of the toilet apparatus of the present invention.
When the user enters the toilet booth (step A) and sits on the toilet device, a seating signal is detected (step B), and personal authentication means incorporated in the toilet device is activated (step C). The transmitter possessed by the user transmits personal information at random intervals (step D) regardless of the operation of the toilet device. The toilet device receiver receives the personal information (step E). When the received personal information is one, personal information can be recognized, but when there are a plurality of personal information, the personal information cannot be recognized as it is. (Step F) The reception strength is confirmed (Step G), the user with the strongest reception strength is recognized as the user, and the stored personal information is read and recognized (Step H). For example, when the user needs to measure the urine sugar level in a diabetic patient, the biological information measuring device is activated (step I) by detecting the urination of a predetermined time such as a predetermined time after a meal. Will be implemented. When the measurement of the biological information measurement value is completed (step J) following the collection of the urine sample, the measurement result is sent to a medical practice as a subsequent process (step K). Note that the intention of Step B is the same whether it is a proximity sensor or the like that detects not only sitting but also a user approaching the toilet apparatus.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view in which a second embodiment of the system block diagram according to the toilet apparatus of the present invention is incorporated in a toilet booth. A plurality of vertical toilet booths 7 are provided (simultaneous toilets), and the user 6 is actually excreting the toilet apparatus 1 and is waiting for entering the room. The transmitter 60 owned by the user 6 wirelessly transmits personal information to the receiver 40 included in the cabinet 4. This figure shows a state in which the next user is waiting outside the toilet booth while being used at the same time in the toilet booth 7 which has been set as a coalition.

  FIG. 10 is a graph showing the positional relationship between the transmitter and the receiver in the example of FIG. When the receiver of the rightmost toilet booth is targeted, the distance between the receiver 60 and the transmitter 40 owned by the user from A to F is in the positional relationship as shown in this figure, and the rightmost toilet booth ( It can be seen that the distance between the receiver 60 of the user of the booth equipped with the corresponding transmitter 40 and the transmitter 40 is the shortest.

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing the reception intensity in the example of FIG. In general, since the reception intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the transmitter 60 and the receiver 40, the reception intensity of the user's own transmitter 60 is the strongest and can be recognized as a user. Since the toilet booth 7 has walls, the intensity of radio waves received from other booths and the outside tends to be small.

  FIG. 12 is another example of a plan view in which the second embodiment of the system block diagram according to the toilet apparatus of the present invention is incorporated in a toilet booth. A plurality of horizontal toilet booths 7 are provided (simultaneous toilets), and for the toilet apparatus 1, there are a user 6 who is actually excreting and a person who is waiting to enter the room. The transmitter 60 owned by the user 6 wirelessly transmits personal information to the receiver 40 included in the cabinet 4. This figure shows the state where the next user is waiting outside the toilet booth while being used at the same time in the toilet booth.

  FIG. 13 is a graph showing the positional relationship between the transmitter and the receiver in the example of FIG. When the receiver 40 of the rightmost toilet booth is targeted, the distance between the receiver 60 and the transmitter 40 owned by the user 6 from A to D is as shown in the figure, and the rightmost toilet It can be seen that the distance to the user of booth 7 (booth equipped with the corresponding transmitter 40) is short.

  FIG. 14 is a graph showing the reception intensity in the example of FIG. In general, since the reception intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the transmitter 60 and the receiver 40, it is shown that the reception intensity of the user is the strongest and can be recognized as the user. Since the toilet booth 7 has walls, the intensity of radio waves received from other booths and the outside tends to be small. In this example, the difference in reception intensity between users A and B is small. In that case, a determination condition described later may be added.

  FIG. 15 is a graph showing temporal variations in reception intensity in the example of FIG. Since the user A is sitting in the toilet booth 7, the time variation of the reception intensity hardly occurs. On the other hand, the user outside the toilet booth does not stop at the exact same position, and repeats small body movements constantly, so the reception intensity always fluctuates. If the received intensity difference is small, the user with the smaller variation may be determined as the user.

It is a perspective view which shows the Example of the toilet apparatus incorporating the urine collection means of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation state of the toilet apparatus of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a system block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st Example of this invention. It is a system block diagram which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. It is an example of the top view which incorporated the 2nd Example of this invention in the toilet booth. It is a graph which shows the transmitter / receiver positional relationship in one example incorporated in the toilet booth of the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a graph which shows the receiving intensity in one example integrated in the toilet booth of the 2nd Example of this invention. It is the other example of the top view which incorporated the 2nd Example of this invention in the toilet booth. It is a graph which shows the transmitter / receiver positional relationship in the other example which incorporated the 2nd Example of this invention in the toilet booth. It is a graph which shows the receiving intensity in the other example which incorporated the 2nd Example of this invention in the toilet booth. It is a graph which shows the time fluctuation of the reception strength in the other example which incorporated the 2nd Example of this invention in the toilet booth.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toilet unit 2 ... Function case 3 ... Water channel switching means 4 ... Cabinet 5 ... Operation display part 6 ... User 7 ... Toilet booth 11 ... Western-style toilet 12 ... Ball surface 13 ... Reservoir 14 ... Rim surface 15 ... Trap part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Drain socket 21 ... Toilet seat 22 ... Toilet lid 23 ... Seating sensor 31 ... Zette water discharge nozzle 32 ... Rim water discharge nozzle 40 ... Receiver 50 ... Urine collection unit 60 ... Transmitter 61 ... Slipper

Claims (7)

Biological information measuring means for measuring biological information that can be collected from the excrement of the user, receiving means for receiving the personal identification information transmitted from the transmitting means for personal identification information for identifying the user, and the reception In a toilet apparatus having a detecting means for detecting use of a device incorporating the means,
A toilet apparatus, wherein the receiving means is activated by using the detection means as a trigger. The toilet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biological information measuring unit is activated by using the detection unit as a trigger. The toilet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a measurement mode of the biological information measuring unit is changed based on reception of the personal identification information by the receiving unit. The biometric information measuring means starts operating with the detection means being actuated, and the biometric information measurement value and the personal identification information are obtained after the time when the personal identification information for identifying the user is authenticated. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the toilet device is paired data. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit is activated, the user is specified using at least one of a transmission unit having the highest reception intensity and a transmission unit having a small variation in reception intensity. The toilet device described. The toilet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmission means transmits the personal identification information at random time intervals defined with a maximum value and a minimum value as predetermined values. The toilet device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit is activated using a signal transmitted from the reception unit as a trigger.