JP2009229315A - Excrement property measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an excrement property measuring instrument excelling in the hygienic aspect while being prevented from giving a physiological feeling of dislike to a tested person in checking the properties of feces. <P>SOLUTION: This excrement property measuring instrument includes a radiation temperature distribution measuring means for receiving infrared rays radiated from an object in a prescribed measurement domain set in the vicinity of a part for excretion of the tested person to measure temperature distribution in a measurement domain, an excreta identifying means for identifying the kind of excreta excreted in the measurement domain based on the temperature distribution measured by the measuring means, and a feces property determining means for determining the properties of feces by applying a beforehand prepared property criterion to temperature distribution used by the identifying means for identifying the excreta as feces. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an excrement property measuring apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an excrement property measuring apparatus that determines the properties of stool as an index for grasping the health condition of a subject.

  Conventionally, in order to grasp the health condition of the body, it has been widely performed to check the properties of excreta excreted in the toilet bowl, particularly the stool.

  As a technique for confirming the properties of stool in this way, for example, a stool receiving part of the stool that is excreted by the subject is provided in a retractable manner, and the stool collected by extending the stool receiving part into the toilet bowl during excretion There is a test toilet seat that extracts and analyzes components (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, an imaging means for imaging the stool in the toilet bowl is provided, and an image of the stool imaged by the imaging means is presented so that the subject can visually recognize the size, color, and hardness of the stool directly from the image. The excrement confirmation apparatus made into this is known (for example, refer patent document 2).
JP-A-11-72492 JP 2006-61296 A

  However, the above conventional technique has the following problems.

  In the inspection toilet seat described in Patent Document 1, since the stool receiving part directly touches the stool, it is necessary to wash the stool receiving part after use, but the stool remains in the stool receiving part even after washing. There was a problem that it was unsanitary.

  In the excrement confirmation device described in Patent Document 2, the inside of the toilet becomes dark due to the sitting of the subject, and thus there is a problem that it is difficult to take an image of a stool by an imaging unit unless separate illumination is used. In addition, even in the situation where stool can be captured by the imaging means, there is a problem that viewing the actual stool image itself gives the subject a physiological disgust.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an excrement property measuring apparatus that is excellent in hygiene and prevents a subject from having a physiological disgust when confirming the properties of stool. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 measures the temperature distribution in the measurement area by receiving infrared rays emitted from an object in a predetermined measurement area set near the local area when the subject is excreted. Radiant temperature distribution measuring means, stool identifying means for identifying the type of stool excreted in the measurement area based on the temperature distribution measured by the radiant temperature distribution measuring means, and the stool identifying means is distinguished from stool And a stool property determination means for determining the property of the stool by applying a property determination criterion prepared in advance to the temperature distribution in this case.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the urine temperature is calculated as the temperature of the urine excreted by the subject based on the temperature distribution when the stool identification means identifies the urine. It has a temperature calculation means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the stool properties are confirmed based on the temperature distribution obtained by measurement using infrared rays radiated from an object in a predetermined measurement region, special lighting or stool is used. It is not necessary to make contact, and it becomes possible to know the state of the stool without giving the subject a load of visually recognizing the actual stool.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the body temperature can be estimated from the temperature of urine immediately after excretion, which is closely related to the body temperature. It becomes possible to grasp the state more accurately.

  Hereinafter, an excretion property measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a use state of the excrement property measuring apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing a remote control device of the excrement property measuring apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the excrement property measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The excrement property measuring apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is a toilet device having a function of determining the nature and state (characteristic) of excretion excreted by the subject P. As shown in FIG. A device main body 10 for defecation, and a remote control device 11 attached to the side wall W of the toilet booth where the device main body 10 is installed and for operating the device main body 10 Yes.

  That is, the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 is configured such that when the subject P operates the remote control device 11, the excretion excreted in the apparatus main body 10, the local washing of the subject P after excretion, The device body 10 can measure the properties of excretion excreted by the subject P, and display the measurement result on the display unit 44 provided in the remote control device 11. To the subject P.

  More specifically, the apparatus main body 10 has a toilet unit 12 disposed on the floor G, a casing 14 mounted on the upper surface of the rear side of the toilet unit 12, and a rotation to the casing 14 respectively. The toilet seat 15 and the toilet lid 16 are pivotally supported.

  The toilet unit 12 has a function of discharging the excretion excreted by the subject P to the drain port 13 formed in the floor G, and the toilet unit discharges the wash water stored in the water storage tank into the bowl unit 17. A cleaning means 78 (see FIG. 3) is provided, and a siphon phenomenon is forcibly generated in the trap pipe 18 by the water flow from the toilet cleaning means 78 to discharge excrement to the drain port 13. ing.

  The casing 14 includes a sanitary washing device unit 19, an excrement property measuring unit 20, and a device main body control unit 21 that controls the entire device main body unit 10.

  The sanitary washing device unit 19 includes sanitary washing means for washing the local area of the subject P and local drying means for drying the washed local area. In FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the sanitary washing device unit 19 and the toilet unit 12 described above are combined into a toilet device unit 77.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3, in the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, a sanitary washing means is the apparatus main body control part 21 and the sanitary washing water injector controlled by the same apparatus main body control part 21 The local drying means is composed of an apparatus main body control unit 21 and a hot air generator 24 controlled by the apparatus main body control unit 21.

  The excrement property measuring unit 20 includes a radiation temperature distribution measuring unit 60 configured to be able to measure infrared rays radiated from the urine flow excreted by the subject P, a stool identification unit, a stool property determining unit, and a urine temperature calculating unit. And the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 functioning as

  The radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is radiated from the excrement when the excrement excreted in the bowl portion 17 by the subject P passes through a predetermined measurement region set near the local area when the subject P excretes. The temperature distribution in the measurement region is measured by receiving infrared rays, which will be described in detail later.

  In addition, the apparatus main body control unit 21 functions as a recording unit that records the temperature data calculated by the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 and the stool property data based on the data obtained by the radiation temperature distribution measurement unit 60. The RAM 34 includes a CPU 36 that controls the overall operation of the apparatus main body 10 such as the operation of the RAM 34, and a ROM 38 that stores various programs that the CPU 36 executes to control the overall operation of the apparatus main body 10. That is, the apparatus main body control unit 21 including the CPU 36, the ROM 38, and the RAM 34 controls the overall operation of the apparatus main body unit 10.

  Here, the ROM 38 provided in the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be further described. The ROM 38 is a main part of the present invention and will be described in detail later using the flow of FIG. When the object passing through the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is identified as stool, the stool property determining means determines the property of the stool from the temperature distribution measured by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60. A property determination table is stored as a property determination reference to be referred to.

  The apparatus main body control unit 21 can transmit and receive various control signals and various measurement result information between the apparatus main body unit 10 and the remote control device 11 via the communication unit 32 provided in the apparatus main body unit 10. It is composed. The communication unit 32 is also controlled by the CPU 36 described above.

  Next, the remote control device 11 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the remote control device 11 includes a function operation unit 42 having various operation buttons for operating the excrement property measuring apparatus 1, and the control contents and various measurements of the excrement property measuring apparatus 1. Record information such as various control signals and various measurement result information between the display unit 44 for displaying the result and the apparatus main body unit 10, and information on the stool property measurement result in the apparatus main body unit 10. The CPU 48 controls the overall operation of the remote control device 11 such as the operation of the RAM 48, the display unit 44, the communication unit 46, and the RAM 48, and various programs executed by the CPU 50 to control the overall operation of the remote control device 11. ROM52. The CPU 50, ROM 52, and RAM 48 constitute a control unit 54 that controls the overall operation of the remote control device 11.

  In addition, the function operation unit 42 includes an individual measurement switch 55 operated by the subject P when starting the excretion property measurement in the apparatus main body 10, and the subject P when finishing the excretion property measurement in the apparatus main body 10. The measurement end switch 56 operated by the operator, the toilet cleaning switch 57 operated by the subject P when cleaning the toilet unit 12, and the sanitary cleaning switch 58 instructing the sanitary cleaning device unit 19 to start the cleaning operation of the anus or urethra mouth And a local drying switch 59 for instructing the start of the drying operation of the anus or urethral orifice after washing, an operation end switch 61 for instructing the end of the local washing operation and the drying operation, and settings for performing various settings, etc. And a switch 63.

  The individual measurement switch 55 includes four buttons in the remote control device 11 shown in FIG. 2, for example, for each subject who uses the excrement property measurement device 1 for a long time, such as a family (for each individual). Assigned to be used.

  Specifically, when there are four subjects, subject A, subject B, subject C, and subject D, subject A has a “1” button, subject B has a “2” button, and subject C has a “3” button. Subject D uses the button “4”.

  These four individual measurement switches 55 function as operation start instruction means for instructing the start of the measurement operation of the radiation temperature distribution measurement means 60, but each button is provided in the RAM 48 of the control unit 54. A dedicated storage area is allocated for each, and for example, when the excretion property measurement is performed by pressing the button “1”, the obtained result is stored in the storage area dedicated to the button “1”. I have to.

  That is, the subject A performs the excrement property measurement by pressing the assigned “1” button, so that the subject A has a storage area of the RAM 48 assigned to the “1” button. Only excrement property measurement results can be accumulated. The excrement property measurement results include the fecal property measurement results and the urine temperature measurement results (urine temperature measurement values).

  Further, each button of the individual measurement switch 55 may be configured such that the accumulated stool property measurement result can be displayed on the display unit 44.

  Thereby, for example, the button “1” is pressed, and the excrement property measurement result of the subject A accumulated in the storage area of the RAM 48 assigned to the button “1” is displayed on the display unit 44. It is possible to easily know the transition of the excrement of subject A.

  Further, when the individual measurement switch 55 is pressed, it may be configured to request a password when functioning as an operation start instruction means or when displaying the excrement property measurement history.

  With this configuration, it is possible to prevent leakage of personal information and protect privacy.

(Specific configuration of radiation temperature distribution measuring means)
Next, a specific configuration of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 provided inside the casing 14 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 includes a plurality of light receiving elements 62a that vertically and horizontally output a thermoelectromotive force generated by receiving infrared rays radiated from urine according to the temperature of urine as a detection signal. It has a temperature detecting element 62 as a light receiving element portion formed adjacently. As the temperature detecting element 62, a thermopile element array in which a plurality of thermopile elements that connect a large number of thermocouples and output a thermoelectromotive force generated by receiving infrared rays as a detection signal are packaged together can be adopted. .

  When a thermopile element array is adopted as the temperature detecting element 62, this thermopile element array is composed of 64 thermopiles in a matrix of 8 rows × 8 columns on a silicon substrate (not shown) as shown in FIG. Elements (light receiving elements 62a) are arranged adjacent to each other, and constitute a light receiving element group having a substantially flat plate shape in appearance.

  Further, the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is a condensing optical system 66 for condensing the infrared rays radiated from the urine disposed in front of the temperature detection element 62 and passing through the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 on the temperature detection element 62. A contact-type reference temperature element 68 disposed close to the temperature detection element 62, an address signal output means 70 for outputting an address signal of each light receiving element 62a at a predetermined timing in accordance with the control of the apparatus main body control unit 21, and a plurality of Scanning means 72 for selecting each detection signal from the light receiving element 62 a based on the address signal input from the address signal output means 70, the detection signal from the light receiving element 62 a selected by the scanning means 72, and the reference temperature element 68. Amplifying means 74 for amplifying the detection signal from the control unit 2, and converting the detection signal from the amplifying means 74 into a digital signal to convert the detection signal from the apparatus main body control unit 2. And a, an A / D converter 76 to be sent to.

  The temperature detecting element 62, the reference temperature element 68, the scanning means 72, and the amplifying means 74 are sealed and housed in a housing (not shown), and a urine temperature measurement in which a condensing optical system 66 is integrally formed on the front surface of the housing. A module 80 is configured.

  The radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is connected to the apparatus main body control unit 21 via the excrement physical property measurement control circuit 27.

  The excrement property measurement control circuit 27 executes a process which will be described later with reference to the flows of FIGS. 11 to 13, and based on the temperature distribution in the measurement region 64 obtained by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60. By functioning as a stool identification means for identifying the type of stool excreted in the measurement region 64, or by applying the above-described property determination table to the temperature distribution when the stool identification means identifies as stool, Urine that functions as stool property determination means for determining the stool properties, or calculates the urine temperature that is the temperature of urine excreted by the subject based on the temperature distribution when the stool identification means later identifies urine It functions as temperature calculation means.

  Next, a method for setting the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 will be described below.

  In order to measure the exact temperature of the urine excreted from the subject P, it is preferable to measure the temperature of the urine immediately after being discharged, but in order to measure it, the measurement region 64 of the temperature detecting element 62 is set. It is necessary to locate the urine stream immediately after being discharged from the subject P.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 (hereinafter, the measurement region of the temperature detection element is referred to as the measurement region of the urine temperature measurement module or the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60). Is also referred to as a measurement area of the urethra of the subject P located in the toilet space 90 formed by the buttocks P-1 of the subject P seated on the toilet seat 15 and the toilet bowl surface 17a of the toilet part 12. -2 vicinity. 5A is a plan view showing the arrangement of the urine temperature measurement module 80 in the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5A.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the urine temperature measurement module 80 in the radiation temperature distribution measurement means 60 has a toilet space 90 formed by the central axis 65 of the measurement region 64 seated on the toilet seat 15. The casing of the excrement property measuring unit 20 in an upwardly inclined state toward the buttocks P-1 of the subject P seated on the toilet seat 15 so as to gradually approach toward the urethral distal end P-2 of the subject P located inside 14 is provided.

  As described above, since the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 is set in the vicinity of the urethral distal end P-2, which is a region formed by sitting on the toilet seat 15, excretion from the urethral distal end P-2 of the subject P. The temperature of the urine can be measured at a position immediately after being performed, and the temperature of the urine can be accurately measured without being affected by heat radiation from the excreted urine to the surrounding air.

  Further, when the subject P is seated on the toilet seat 15, the position of the heel portion P-1 including the urethral distal end P-2 of the subject P in the toilet space 90 is stabilized by the toilet seat opening 15a. Even if the measurement region of the detection element 62 is fixed with respect to the toilet seat 15 position, the urine excreted by the subject P can be reliably captured in the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 at the position immediately after excretion.

  By the way, in the state where the subject P is seated on the toilet seat 15 as described above, the urethral distal end P-2 of the subject P is generally stably present on the lateral center line of the toilet seat 15. However, in this state, the hip P-1 of the subject P is present in the left-right direction of the urethral distal end P-2 of the subject P.

  For this reason, it can be said that the installation position of the temperature detecting element 62 is suitable for the optical urine temperature measurement in the toilet space 90 and close to the vertical plane including the horizontal center line of the toilet seat 15. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the central axis 65 of the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 that is the light receiving unit of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is set to the left and right of the toilet seat 15 in the toilet space 90. A urine temperature measurement module 80 including a temperature detection element 62 is disposed so as to be disposed on a vertical plane passing through the center of the direction. In FIG. 5A, the AA cross section is a vertical plane of the toilet space 90 that passes through the center line in the left-right direction of the toilet seat 15.

  Further, the plurality of light receiving elements 62 a in the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 are arranged behind the toilet space 90. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the urine temperature measurement module 80 provided with the temperature detection element 62 is formed behind the toilet space 90, that is, on the lower surface of the rear part of the toilet seat 15 and the upper part of the toilet part 12. It is arrange | positioned at the center front-end part of the casing 14 protruded between the rear part upper surface of the rim | limb part 12a made.

  By configuring in this way, the vicinity of the urethral distal end P-2 of the subject P seated on the toilet seat 15 is reliably captured in the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60, and the urethral distal end P- of the subject P is captured. The temperature of urine immediately after excreted from 2 can be easily measured.

  Next, based on the above-described configuration, the stool property is determined by applying the above-described property determination standard (property determination table) to the temperature distribution in the measurement region 64 obtained by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60. The processing concept of the fecal property determination means will be described. The processing of the stool property determination means constitutes the main part of the present invention, but here, only how to determine the stool property from the obtained temperature distribution will be described, and the actual processing will be described. This flow will be described later with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the detection signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion means 76 is transmitted to the excretion property measurement control circuit 27.

  In the excrement property measurement control circuit 27, the supplied detection signal is sequentially converted into temperature data for each light receiving element 62a. Here, the temperature data refers to data indicating individual temperature values obtained for each light receiving element 62a, such as “36.1 ° C.”, for example.

  In particular, the temperature detecting element 62 used in the present embodiment is provided with a total of 64 light receiving elements 62a (8 vertical × 8 horizontal). In the measurement control circuit 27, 64 pieces of temperature data are obtained.

  The 64 series of temperature data are arranged as 8 × 8 two-dimensional data in consideration of the image formation state on the temperature detection element 62 by the condensing optical system 66, as shown on the left side of FIG. This is data indicating temperature distributions corresponding to the respective directions in the measurement region 64 in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the following description, data obtained by two-dimensionally arranging temperature data obtained by one scan is referred to as temperature distribution data. That is, this temperature distribution data is a form of temperature distribution in the measurement region 64 measured by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60. The temperature distribution data shown in FIG. 6 is temperature distribution data obtained by measuring the urine flow at an arbitrary moment, and is shown as an example of temperature distribution data obtained when the urine flow is measured. .

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 quantizes the obtained temperature distribution data. Here, the quantization means that each temperature data constituting the temperature distribution data is further converted into a discrete level value. Specifically, if the temperature data is less than 28 ° C., the level 1 is 28 ° C. If it is less than 32 ° C., it is converted to a ternary value of level 2, and if it is not less than 32 ° C. and less than 42 ° C., it is converted to a level 3. For convenience, in the following description, data quantized corresponding to one temperature data is called quantized data, and distribution data quantized corresponding to one temperature distribution data is called quantized distribution data.

  Although the quantization is not limited to three values, there are the following reasons for the above-mentioned temperature range and threshold value, which is useful when the properties of excrement are measured later. That is, the temperature lower than 28 ° C. (level 1) can be considered as an object that is familiar with the temperature in the bowl portion 17 and can be considered as a portion where there is no object of excretion property measurement. As an object quantized to level 1, for example, when the temperature of the place where the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 is installed is 20 ° C., the toilet bowl surface 17a at 20 ° C. or the sealed water at 15 ° C. Is mentioned. Of course, the toilet bowl surface 17a and the sealed water should be excluded from the measurement target (object non-detection) in the excrement property measurement.

  Also, 28 ℃ or more and less than 32 ℃ (level 2) means an object whose temperature is higher than the temperature but a lower temperature or an object whose temperature was originally near the body temperature but decreased due to heat dissipation. Can do. Examples of the object quantized to level 2 include the lower end portion of the stool excreted from the anus, the urine flow, and the temperature of the air around the stool. Note that the urine flow itself has a high flow rate and the measurement region 64 is located near the urethral distal end P-2 as described above, so that there is almost no temperature drop in the measurement region 64.

  Moreover, 32 degreeC or more and less than 42 degreeC (level 3) can be said to be an object of body temperature vicinity. Examples of the object quantized to level 3 include urine flow, stool immediately after excreted from the human body, a part of the human body such as a hand, and the like, which is a measurement target of the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 according to the present invention. A certain urine flow is also classified in this level 3.

  The quantized data converted from each temperature data in this way becomes the quantized distribution data shown on the right side of FIG. 6 when arranged as 8 × 8 two-dimensional data in the same manner as the temperature distribution data described above. This quantized distribution data is also a form of the temperature distribution in the measurement region 64 measured by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60, similarly to the temperature distribution data.

  The obtained temperature distribution data and quantized distribution data are stored in the temporary storage area of the excretion property measurement control circuit 27 as a pair of corresponding data.

  The process from the generation of the temperature data to the storage of the temperature distribution data and the quantized distribution data is performed for each scan (for example, every 0.1 second), which is the excrement property measurement control circuit. By accumulating a predetermined number of times in the 27 temporary storage areas, it is used in later processing as a continuous data group over time.

  A series of temperature distribution data accumulated for a predetermined number of times in this manner is referred to as a temperature distribution data group in the following description, and a series of quantization distribution data accumulated for a predetermined number of times is referred to as a quantization distribution data group. The temperature distribution data group and the quantized distribution data group can also be said to be one form of the temperature distribution in the measurement region 64 measured by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60.

  The predetermined number of times described above (the number of scans necessary to configure the temperature distribution data group and the quantized distribution data group) is not particularly limited, and the usage state of the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 of the subject P It can be appropriately determined according to the performance of the temperature detecting element 62. For example, in this embodiment, since scanning is performed every 0.1 second, the predetermined number of times is 10 times (both distribution data groups for 1 second) or 50 times (both distribution data groups for 5 seconds). And so on.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the temperature distribution data and the quantized distribution data are accumulated a predetermined number of times so that a change in the temperature distribution over time in the measurement region 64 can be detected.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a quantum temperature data group obtained when an object enters the measurement region 64. FIG. 7 (a) is urine, (b) is hard stool, (c) is normal stool, (D) is a stool quantum temperature data group. In FIG. 7, for the convenience of explanation, five quantized distribution data are extracted from the obtained quantized distribution data group.

  As shown in FIG. 7, objects such as urine, hard stool, normal stool, and soft stool are quantized in this way, and each quantized distribution data or each quantized distribution data is referred to with time. , It is possible to find features according to each object.

  FIG. 8A shows a property determination table using these features as determination elements. FIG. 8B is a table showing the characteristics of the urine flow shown for explanation in comparison with hard stool, normal stool, and soft stool, and the stool identification means measures the radiation temperature distribution measurement means 60. This is a urine identification table that is referred to when an object passing through the region 64 is identified as urine. This urine identification table is also stored in the ROM 52 together with the property determination table shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the property determination table of FIG. 8A and the table of FIG. 8B, the determination elements are “linearity”, “area etc.”, “detection time”, “continuity”, The five "upper and lower temperature differences" are defined, and the properties of each object (urine, stool (hard stool, normal stool, soft stool)) are defined.

  Here, the linearity means the linearity in the vertical direction of the level 3 and level 2 quantized data for each quantized distribution data.

  For example, referring to the quantized distribution data of urine flow shown in FIG. 7A, the level 3 quantized data is linearly arranged in the vertical direction. In the table shown in FIG. The linearity is “high (linear)”.

  Further, referring to the stool quantization distribution data shown in FIG. 7 (b), the level 3 quantization data is hardly linear in the vertical direction, and the property determination shown in FIG. 8 (a). In the table, the straightness of hard stool is defined as “low (lumpy)”.

  Similarly, in the property determination table, the linearity of normal stool and soft stool is also defined.

  “Area etc.” refers to the width, area, and shape of level 3 and level 2 quantized data for each quantized distribution data.

  For example, referring to the quantized distribution data of the urine flow shown in FIG. 7A, three level 3 and level 2 quantized data are arranged in the horizontal direction. In the table shown in FIG. The flow area is “thin”.

  Further, referring to the stool quantization distribution data shown in FIG. 7 (b), the level 3 and level 2 quantization data have about 4 spreads in the left-right direction, but continuously in the up-down direction. In the property determination table shown in FIG. 8A, the stool area and the like are defined as “lumped”.

  In addition, referring to the quantized distribution data for normal flights shown in FIG. 7 (c), the level 3 and level 2 quantized data have about 4 spreads in the left-right direction, and there are interruptions, but in the up-down direction. Since a continuous tendency is observed, in the property determination table shown in FIG. 8A, the area of the normal stool is defined as “thick”.

  Similarly, in the property determination table, the area of soft stool is also defined.

  Further, the “detection time” will be described later with reference to the flow of FIG. 10, but a predetermined object (from the time when the subject P gives an instruction to start measurement until the end of the measurement) For example, it means the duration when hard stool) is detected.

  The general time required for urination is said to be 5 to 15 seconds. In the table shown in FIG. 8B, the detection time of the urine flow is “5 to 15 seconds”.

  In addition, since hard stool is generally excreted during constipation, and it takes time to excrete, in the property determination table shown in FIG. Will be defined.

  The time required for excretion of normal stool is generally said to be about 10 to 20 seconds. In the property determination table shown in FIG. 8A, the detection time for normal stool is “about 10 to 20 seconds”. Will be defined.

  Similarly, in the property determination table, the stool detection time is also defined as “about 5 to 10 seconds”.

  “Continuity” is an element indicating whether or not the same pattern of quantization distribution data continues when each quantization distribution data is verified over time in the quantization distribution data group.

  For example, referring to the quantitated distribution data of urine flow shown in FIG. 7A, although there are some differences, almost the same pattern of quantized distribution data is continuous, and the table shown in FIG. Then, the continuity of the urine flow is “high”.

  Further, referring to the stool quantization distribution data shown in FIG. 7B, a state in which massive stools fall is shown as a pattern, and the patterns do not overlap so much in any quantization distribution data. In addition, since hard stool is excreted during constipation and the interval of excretion is often wide, in the property determination table shown in FIG. Will be defined.

  In addition, referring to the quantized distribution data of normal stool shown in FIG. 7 (c), since it is excretion of stool, the interval of excretion may open, but it will be continuous when excreted. Therefore, in the property determination table shown in FIG. 8A, the continuity of normal stool is defined as “almost continuous”.

  In addition, referring to the quantized distribution data of soft stool shown in FIG. 7 (d), since it is excretion of stool, the interval of excretion may open, but it will continue when excreted. In the property determination table shown in FIG. 8A, the stool continuity is defined as “almost continuous”.

  The “upper and lower temperature difference” is an element indicating how much temperature difference is present when comparing the vicinity of the upper part and the vicinity of the lower part in the quantized distribution data.

  For example, referring to the quantization distribution data of the urine flow shown in FIG. 7A, since the level 3 quantization data is continuous in the vertical direction, the table shown in FIG. The temperature difference is “very small”.

  Further, referring to the quantized distribution data of stool shown in FIG. 7 (b), a state in which massive stools fall is shown as a pattern and is not continuous in the vertical direction. In the property determination table shown, the temperature difference between the upper and lower stool is defined as “medium or large”.

  In addition, referring to the quantized distribution data of normal stool shown in FIG. 7 (c), when excreted, it continues in the vertical direction, but the quantized distribution data at the moment when excretion is interrupted is obtained, In the property determination table shown in FIG. 8A, the vertical temperature difference of normal stool is defined as “medium”.

  Further, referring to the stool quantization distribution data shown in FIG. 7 (d), although the level 3 quantization data is continuous in the vertical direction, since it is a stool, the urine flow does not flow down fast, Since heat dissipation is detected near the lower part of the quantized distribution data, the upper and lower temperature difference of soft stool is defined as “small” in the property determination table shown in FIG.

  The quantized distribution data of urine flow and loose stool will be relatively similar, but since the urine flow is faster than the stool, the difference in temperature between the upper and lower urine flow is Although it is “very small”, the upper and lower temperature difference of soft stool remains “small”, and the upper and lower temperature difference is a large factor in distinguishing between urine flow and soft stool.

  In other words, it can be said that the vertical temperature difference is an element for detecting the flow velocity of the object to be measured.

  Therefore, compare the contrast between the upper and lower temperature difference (“small”) of the stool, which is generally the fastest of the stool (hard stool, normal stool, soft stool) and the urine vertical temperature difference (“very small”). Thus, feces and urine can be reliably identified. From this point, the “upper and lower temperature difference” is an important determination factor when the stool identification unit identifies the type of stool (stool, urine) excreted in the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measurement unit 60. I can say that.

  The property determination table is defined based on the characteristics of each object described above.

  Then, the property determination table as the property determination reference is applied (contrast-matched) to the quantized distribution data group accumulated for a predetermined number of times by the stool property determination means, so that it is within the measurement region 64. The nature of the excreted stool is determined.

  That is, according to the property determination table, when the object passing through the measurement region 64 is a stool, the property of the stool is determined, in other words, whether the stool is a hard stool, a normal stool, or a soft stool. Can be determined.

  In the property determination table as the property determination criteria in the present embodiment, the determination elements are five of “linearity”, “area etc.”, “detection time”, “continuity”, “upper and lower temperature difference”, respectively. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and other determination elements are added, and conversely, the determination elements are reduced. You may make it determine by the reference | standard different from a form.

  In addition, by applying the property determination table to the temperature distribution when the stool identification unit identifies stool, the stool property determination unit analyzes each temperature distribution when determining the property of the stool. The specific algorithm for comparing the elements is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the excrement property measuring apparatus 1.

  Next, the procedure of excrement property measurement in this embodiment of the excrement property measurement apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described below with reference to operation flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 to 13.

  First, while the subject P is seated on the toilet seat 15, the individual measurement switch 55 in the function operation unit 42 of the remote control device 11 is pressed (step S10).

  Based on this pressing operation, the control unit 54 of the remote control device 11 sends an instruction signal for starting the measurement operation by the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60, that is, a measurement operation start instruction signal via the communication unit 46 to the apparatus main body unit. 10 to the CPU 36 of the apparatus main body control unit 21.

  When the CPU 36 receives the measurement operation start instruction signal via the communication unit 32, the CPU 36 operates the excretion property measurement control circuit 27.

  And the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 starts control of the radiation temperature distribution measurement means 60, and performs excretion property measurement processing (step S11). This excrement property measurement process is a process from step S20 to step S28 in FIG. 10 and will be described in detail later.

  Next, the apparatus main body control unit 21 collects information on urine temperature measurement values from the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 stored in the RAM 34 and information on stool property measurement results (hereinafter, these information are collectively referred to as “excretion”). The physical property measurement result information ”is transmitted to the control unit 54 of the remote control device 11 via the communication unit 32.

  When the information on the stool property measurement result and the urine temperature measurement value of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 are received via the communication unit 46, the control unit 54 of the remote control device 11 displays the stool property measurement result and the urine temperature measurement value. It displays on the display part 44 (step S12). At this time, when a value indicating that the urine temperature measurement has not been performed is received, the display unit 44 displays, for example, “No urine temperature measurement was performed” to the subject. Notify that temperature measurement was not performed.

  Thereafter, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 of the excrement property measurement unit 20, the device main body control unit 21 of the device main body unit 10, and the control unit 54 of the remote control device 11 perform predetermined measurements necessary for the next excrement property measurement. A preparatory operation is performed, and a series of excretion property measurement is completed (step S13).

  Next, the excrement property measurement process in step S11 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, in the excretion property measurement process, when a certain object passes through the measurement region 64 of the temperature detection element 62 in the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 in a state where the subject P is seated on the toilet seat 15, excretion occurs. The excrement property measurement control circuit 27 in the physical property measuring unit 20 receives each light receiving element from a temperature detection signal obtained by sequentially scanning each light receiving element 62 a in the temperature detecting element 62 and a temperature detection signal from the reference temperature element 68. 64 measured temperatures for each 62a are calculated, and temperature data for one scan (one frame) is calculated, that is, temperature distribution data formed with the measured temperatures for all 64 (step S20). ).

  At this time, the CPU 36 calculates the temperature for all the light receiving elements 62a in the temperature detecting element 62, for example, for all 64 light receiving elements 62a of 8 rows × 8 columns in the temperature detecting element 62 shown in FIG.

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 refers to the obtained temperature distribution data and converts it into quantized distribution data (step S21).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 stores the obtained temperature distribution data and quantized distribution data in the temporary storage area of the excretion property measurement control circuit 27 as a pair of corresponding data (step S22). .

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 determines whether or not the temperature distribution data and the quantization distribution data have reached a preset number, that is, a preset number of frames (step S23). If it is determined that the number of distribution data has not reached the preset number of frames (step S23: No), the process returns to step S20.

  For example, if both distribution data of 10 frames each is obtained per second and the preset number of frames is 50 frames, both seats for 50 frames each in 5 seconds are in the sitting state. Distribution data is stored in 27 temporary storage areas.

  On the other hand, if the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 determines that the number of frames has reached the preset number of times (step S23: Yes), it performs a fecal identification process (step S24). In other words, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 determines that the temperature distribution data and the quantization distribution data of the preset number of frames are accumulated, and the temperature distribution data group and the quantization distribution data group are formed, respectively. In this case, the flight identification process is performed.

  The stool identification process in step S24 functions as a stool identification means by being executed in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27, and is also one of the main parts of the present invention. Will be described in more detail.

  In the stool identification process, a process for setting a stool identification flag indicating what the object that has entered the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is performed on the obtained quantized distribution data group.

  Further, as will be described later, when an object entering the measurement region 64 is identified as stool, that is, when it is determined that the obtained quantized distribution data group is a quantized distribution data group obtained by stool. In this case, a property determination table as a property determination reference is applied to the quantized distribution data group, a stool property at that time is determined, and a property determination flag indicating the stool property is set.

  Further, as will be described later, when the object entering the measurement region 64 is identified as urine, that is, the obtained quantization distribution data group is determined to be the quantization distribution data group obtained by urine. In this case, the urine temperature measurement value at that time is determined from the temperature distribution data group corresponding to the quantized distribution data group.

  When the stool identification process is completed, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 then attaches the value of the stool identification flag, the value of the property determination flag, and the urine temperature measurement value to the temperature distribution data group, and the apparatus main body. The data is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 34 of the control unit 21 (step S25).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 determines whether or not the measurement end switch 56 in the function operation unit 42 of the remote control device 11 has been pressed (step S26).

  That is, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 determines whether or not an end signal for ending the measurement by the radiation temperature distribution measuring unit 60 has been received from the measurement end switch 56 of the remote control device 11 via the communication unit 46. Thus, it is determined whether or not the excrement property measurement should be terminated.

  Note that the remote control device 11 is not provided with the measurement end switch 56, and the value of the flight identification flag stored in the RAM 34 in step S25 continues for a predetermined time to indicate a value indicating non-detection of an object (specifically, , “0”), an end signal may be transmitted.

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the measurement end switch 56 is not pressed (step S26: No), the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 returns the process to step S20.

  The operation in step S25 described above is repeated until an end signal is received, but the temperature distribution data group with the value of the flight identification flag stored in the RAM 34 of the apparatus main body control unit 21 is overwritten and erased. Instead, they are accumulated sequentially.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the measurement end switch has been pressed (step S26: Yes), the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 performs stool property determination processing (step S27).

  The stool property determination process of step S27 functions as a stool property determination means by being executed in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27, and is also one of the main parts of the present invention. Further detailed description will be made using.

  In the stool property determination process, a temperature distribution data group to which a stool identification flag value indicating stool identification to be described later is added is extracted from the temperature distribution data group stored in the RAM 34, and the extracted temperature distribution data is further extracted. From the property determination flag value assigned to the group, processing for determining the property of the stool (determining the stool property measurement result) is executed.

  When this stool property determination process ends, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 then performs a urine temperature calculation process (step S28).

  The urine temperature calculation process in step S28 functions as urine temperature calculation means by being executed in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27, and is also one of the main parts of the present invention. Further detailed description will be made using.

  In the urine temperature calculation process, a temperature distribution data group to which a stool identification flag value indicating urine identification, which will be described later, is extracted from the temperature distribution data accumulated in the RAM 34, and the temperature of the urine excreted by the subject P is extracted. Is executed (calculation of urine temperature measurement value).

  When this urine temperature calculation process ends, the process returns to the original address before branching and continues.

  Next, the flight identification process in step S24 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, this stool identification process functions as a stool identification means by being executed in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 as one of the essential parts of the present invention, and has the following characteristics. .

  That is, as a process, first, a predetermined algorithm is used to compare and compare the above-described determination element “upper and lower temperature difference” between predetermined quantized distribution data groups, whereby feces excreted in the measurement region 64 are compared. Identify type (stool and urine).

  As a result of the comparison, if the “top and bottom temperature difference” is “small” or more, that is, “large”, “medium”, or “small”, the object that has entered the measurement region 64 is stool. Is identified.

  Then, the property determination table is applied to the quantized distribution data group identified as the stool, and comparison is performed for each determination element using a predetermined algorithm, so that the current stool property (hard stool, normal (Stool, soft stool)) is determined (determined).

  On the other hand, when the “upper and lower temperature difference” is “very small” or “undecidable”, the object entering the measurement area 64 is identified as an object other than stool, and is identified as an object other than the stool. Further, a urine identification table is applied to the quantized distribution data group, and urine is identified by performing a comparison check for each determination element using a predetermined algorithm. In the following description, “a predetermined quantized distribution data group satisfies each determination element of the urine identification table” is referred to as “matches urine identification criteria”.

  Then, the urine temperature measurement value at that time is determined from the temperature distribution data group corresponding to the quantized distribution data group identified as the urine.

  Hereinafter, the flight identification process will be specifically described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

  First, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 outputs “level 2” or “level 3” quantization data in the quantized distribution data group stored in the temporary storage area of the excretion property measurement control circuit 27. It is determined whether there is quantized distribution data including at least one (step S31).

  As a result of this determination, the quantized distribution data group stored in the temporary storage area of the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 includes at least one “level 2” or “level 3” quantized data. If it is determined that there is no distribution data (step S31: No), that is, if it is determined that all the quantized data constituting each quantized distribution data in the quantized distribution data group is “level 1” quantized data. The excrement property measurement control circuit 27 sets the value of the stool identification flag to “0” indicating non-detection of the object (step S32), returns to the original address before branching, and continues the process.

  On the other hand, in the quantized distribution data group stored in the temporary storage area of the excrement property measurement control circuit 27, quantized distribution data including at least one “level 2” or “level 3” quantized data is included. If it is determined that there is (step S31: Yes), the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 performs a comparison check on the determination element “upper and lower temperature difference” between the quantized distribution data groups using a predetermined algorithm, It is determined whether or not the “top and bottom temperature difference” is “small” or more, that is, “large”, “medium”, or “small” (step S33).

  That is, in the process of step S33, the quantized distribution data group having the determination element “upper and lower temperature difference” of “small” or more is identified as obtained from stool (hard stool, normal stool, soft stool), A quantized distribution data group whose determination element “upper and lower temperature difference” is not “small” or more is identified as an object other than stool.

  In the present embodiment, the determination element “vertical temperature difference” is used to identify whether or not the object in the measurement region 64 is stool. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other determination elements (for example, , “Linearity”, “area etc.”, “detection time”, “continuity”, etc.) or an arbitrary combination of a plurality of determination elements.

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the “upper and lower temperature difference” is equal to or greater than “small” (step S33: Yes), that is, if it is determined that the object entering the measurement region 64 is stool, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 reads out a property determination table as a property determination reference prepared in advance in the ROM 38 of the apparatus main body control unit 21 in the temporary storage area of the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 (step S34).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 applies a property determination table to a predetermined quantization distribution data group stored in the temporary storage area by using a predetermined algorithm, performs a comparison check, and performs a property check. Among the stool classifications (hard stool, normal stool, soft stool) included in the determination table, a classification in which the quantized distribution data group satisfies each determination element is specified (step S35).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 determines the classification specified in step S35 as the stool property in the quantized distribution data group (step S36).

  Then, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 sets a value corresponding to the determined stool property in the property determination flag (step S37). For example, the value of the property determination flag is “1” when the stool is “hard stool”, “2” when the stool is “normal stool”, and “3” when the stool is “soft stool”. "Can be set respectively.

  In addition, the process of above-mentioned step S34-step S37 functions as a part of fecal property determination means mentioned later.

  Then, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 sets the value of the stool identification flag to “1” indicating stool identification (step S38), returns to the original address before branching, and continues the process.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S33, when it is determined that the “upper and lower temperature difference” is not “small” or more (“very small” or “not measurable”) (step S33: No), that is, in the measurement region 64 If it is determined that the entered object is an object other than stool, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 urine prepared in advance in the ROM 38 of the apparatus main body control unit 21 on the temporary storage area of the excrement property measurement control circuit 27. The identification table is read (step S39).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 applies a urine identification table to a predetermined quantization distribution data group stored in the temporary storage area by using a predetermined algorithm, performs a comparison check, and It is determined whether or not the urine identification standard is met (step S40).

  As a result, if it is determined that the urine identification standard is met (step S40: Yes), that is, if it is determined that the object that has entered the measurement region 64 is urine, the excretion property measurement control circuit 27 is used for this determination. For the temperature distribution data group corresponding to the quantized distribution data group, the temperature data for each light receiving element 62a in the temperature detecting element 62 is averaged, and the average measured temperature of each light receiving element 62a in a preset number of frames. Is calculated (step S41).

  For example, the average measured temperature for 50 frames is calculated for all the light receiving elements 62a in the temperature detecting element 62. In this way, by calculating the average measured temperature of each light receiving element 62a in a preset number of frames, it is possible to reduce the amount of influence on the measurement value due to noise of the detection signal generally generated for each light receiving element 62a. .

  Then, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 extracts the maximum value from the average measured temperatures of the respective light receiving elements 62a in the preset number of frames, and determines this as the current urine temperature measured value (step S42). ).

  That is, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 calculates each measured temperature from the output signals of the plurality of light receiving elements 62a that receive infrared rays, and the highest temperature among these temperatures is calculated as the urine temperature of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60. Processing to measure. Thereby, since the temperature of urine is generally higher than the skin temperature of the subject P, the excrement property measuring apparatus 1 has a part of the body of the subject P in the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60. Even urine temperature can be measured reliably.

  In addition, the above-mentioned step S41 and step S42 function also as a part of urine temperature calculation means mentioned later.

  Then, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 sets the value of the stool identification flag to “2” indicating urine identification (step S43), returns to the original address before branching, and continues the process.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S40, if it is determined that the urine identification standard is not met (step S40: No), the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 executes an abnormality notification process (step S44).

  The abnormality notifying process in step S44 is a process for notifying the subject P of the measurement abnormality when the object entering the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 is neither stool nor urine.

  Specifically, in this process, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 transmits to the CPU 36 an instruction command for displaying a message indicating a measurement abnormality on the display unit 44. This instruction command is transmitted from the CPU 36 to the CPU 50 of the remote controller 11, and a message indicating a measurement abnormality is displayed on the display unit 44 under the control of the CPU 50.

  In addition, as a message indicating measurement abnormality, separate messages may be created and notified when the object entering the measurement region 64 is a hand and when it is a foreign object other than the hand. As this type of message, for example, a message such as “Please withdraw your hand” or “A foreign object is detected and measurement is impossible” may be used.

  Even if a measurement obstacle such as a hand performing a local wiping operation intrudes into the measurement region 64 of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60 by the abnormality notification process, the subject P Therefore, it is possible to call attention to remove the measurement obstacle, and to perform more accurate excretion property measurement.

  Then, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 sets the value of the stool identification flag to “3” indicating measurement abnormality (step S45), returns to the original address before branching, and continues the process.

  Next, the fecal property determination process in step S27 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, this stool property determination process functions as part of the stool property determination means by being executed in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 as one of the main parts of the present invention. It has the following characteristics.

  That is, first, a temperature distribution data group in which the value of the stool identification flag is “1” indicating stool identification is extracted from the plurality of temperature distribution data groups accumulated in the RAM 34 in step S25 described above, and then extracted. The final stool property measurement result is determined from the property determination flag values (“1” to “3”) attached to the temperature distribution data group.

  Hereinafter, the stool property determination process will be described in detail with reference to the flow shown in FIG. 12. First, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 has a temporary storage area in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27. Of the plurality of temperature distribution data groups stored in the RAM 34, the temperature distribution data group whose value of the flight identification flag is “1” indicating the identification of the stool is read (step S50).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 counts the value of the property determination flag attached to the read temperature distribution data group and extracts the property determination flag having the largest value, and the stool corresponding to the property determination flag is extracted. The property (hard stool, normal stool, soft stool) is confirmed as the stool property measurement result of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60, and this is stored in the RAM 34 (step S51), and the processing is returned to the original address before branching. continue.

  Next, the urine temperature calculation process in step S28 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, this urine temperature calculation process functions as part of the urine temperature calculation means by being executed in the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 as one of the main parts of the present invention. It has the following characteristics.

  That is, a temperature distribution data group in which the value of the stool identification flag is “2” indicating urine identification is extracted from the plurality of temperature distribution data groups accumulated in the RAM 34 in step S25 described above, and the extracted temperature distribution data group The final urine temperature measurement value is determined based on the urine temperature measurement value.

  Hereinafter, the urine temperature calculation process will be described in detail with reference to the flow shown in FIG. 13. First, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 stores the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 in the temporary storage area. A temperature distribution data group having a flight identification flag value “2” is read from the plurality of temperature distribution data groups stored in the RAM 34 (step S60).

  Next, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 refers to the read temperature distribution data group, and urine at each time point from when the individual measurement switch 55 is pressed until the measurement end switch 56 is pressed. The maximum value is extracted from the temperature measurement values, determined as the urine temperature measurement value of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means 60, stored in the RAM 34 (step S41), and returned to the original address before branching to continue the processing. To do.

  As described so far, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 of the excrement property measurement apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment executes the stool identification process, thereby measuring the temperature distribution measured by the radiation temperature distribution measuring unit 60. Functions as a stool identification means for identifying the type of stool excreted in the measurement region 64, and the stool identification means is executed by executing the processes of the above-described steps S34 to S37 and the stool property measurement process. By applying a property determination criterion (property determination table) prepared in advance to the temperature distribution when identified as stool, it functions as a stool property determination means for determining the property of the stool, and the stool identification means It functions as a urine temperature calculation means for calculating the urine temperature, which is the temperature of urine excreted by the subject based on the temperature distribution when identified as urine.

  Finally, the description of each embodiment described above is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For this reason, it is a matter of course that various modifications other than the above-described embodiments can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea according to the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the excrement property measurement control circuit 27 is caused to function as stool identification means, stool property determination means, and urine temperature calculation means by executing predetermined processing. Of course, the apparatus main body control unit 21 may function as the above-described units by executing predetermined processing.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 44, the function operation unit 42, and the like are installed in the remote control device 11 provided separately from the excrement property measurement unit 20 to perform operations and display related to urine temperature measurement, and excrement property measurement is performed. Although it is set as the structure which communicates with the part 20 and functions as a whole, the structure in which the function of the remote control apparatus 11 is contained in the excretion property measurement part 20 may be sufficient. In that case, an operation part and a display part are realizable by providing in the sleeve operation part (not shown) extended from the casing 14 ahead.

It is side part sectional explanatory drawing which showed the use condition of the excrement property measuring apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing of the remote control device with which the excretion property measuring apparatus which concerns on this embodiment was equipped. It is a block diagram of the excrement property measuring device concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the radiation temperature distribution measuring means of the excrement property measuring device concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the urine temperature measurement module in a radiation temperature distribution measurement means. It is explanatory drawing which showed the concept of the quantization in the excrement property measuring apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the quantization distribution data group obtained when an object enters in a measurement area | region. It is explanatory drawing which showed the property determination table and the urine identification table. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the excrement property measurement of the excrement property measurement apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the excrement property measurement of the excrement property measurement apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the excrement property measurement of the excrement property measurement apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the excrement property measurement of the excrement property measurement apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the excrement property measurement of the excrement property measurement apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Excrement property measuring apparatus 10 Apparatus main body part 11 Remote control apparatus 12 Toilet part 12a Rim part 13 Drain outlet 14 Casing 15 Toilet seat 15a Toilet seat opening part 16 Toilet lid 17 Bowl part 17a Toilet bowl surface 18 Trap line 19 Sanitary washing apparatus part 20 Excrement property measurement unit 21 Device main body control unit 22 Sanitary washing water injector 24 Hot air generator 27 Excretion property measurement control circuit 32 Communication unit 34 RAM
36 CPU
38 ROM
42 Function Operation Unit 44 Display Unit 46 Communication Unit 48 RAM
50 CPU
52 ROM
54 control unit 55 individual measurement switch 56 measurement end switch 57 toilet cleaning switch 58 sanitary cleaning switch 59 local drying switch 60 radiation temperature distribution measuring means 61 operation end switch 62 temperature detection element 62a light receiving element 63 setting switch 64 measurement area 65 central axis 66 Condensing optical system 68 Reference temperature element 70 Address signal output means 72 Scan means 74 Amplifying means 76 A / D conversion means 77 Toilet device section 78 Toilet washing means 80 Urine temperature measurement module 90 Toilet space G Floor surface P Subject P-1 Buttocks P-2 Urethral mouth

Claims (2)

A radiation temperature distribution measuring means for receiving infrared rays emitted from an object in a predetermined measurement region set in the vicinity of the local area at the time of excretion of the subject and measuring a temperature distribution in the measurement region;
Stool identification means for identifying the type of stool excreted in the measurement region based on the temperature distribution measured by the radiation temperature distribution measurement means;
Stool property determination means for determining the property of the stool by applying a property determination criterion prepared in advance to the temperature distribution when the stool identification unit identifies it as stool. Excrement property measuring device.   2. The excrement according to claim 1, further comprising a urine temperature calculating means for calculating a urine temperature, which is a temperature of urine excreted by the subject, based on the temperature distribution when the stool identifying means identifies the urine. Property measuring device.