JP2013025472A - Toilet use detection system, toilet use detection device and safety confirmation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toilet use detection system for acquiring information on the use of the toilet of people without giving any useless stress to the people.SOLUTION: A flowmeter 10 is installed in the predetermined place of a water supply pipe in a dwelling house, and configured to measure predetermined data on the flow rate of water running through the water supply pipe at predetermined time intervals. A flow rate calculation section 101 is configured to calculate the instantaneous flow rate of water running through the water supply pipe on the basis of the measurement result of the flowmeter 10, and to time-sequentially store the instantaneous flow rate as flow rate data in a data storage section 102. A featured value calculation section 103 is configured to derive the featured value (current featured value) of the flow rate pattern on the basis of the flow rate data for predetermined time. The featured value of the flow rate pattern in the case of using a flush toilet is registered in a flow rate pattern database 105. A toilet use determination section 104 is configured to determine whether or not the flush toilet has been used by comparing the current featured value with the registered featured value under predetermined conditions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for confirming the safety of a consumer.

  In recent years, with the progress of an aging society, the number of elderly living alone has been steadily increasing. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for “watching services” for monitoring the presence or absence of abnormalities in such elderly people living alone. In this type of monitoring service, a technology is employed that determines the safety of a target person (resident) based on the detection results of various sensors installed in the house.

  On the other hand, for example, in Patent Literature 1, a shock sensor is attached to a water pipe or the like disposed in a house, and the safety of the resident is determined by determining whether or not water has flowed based on detection data from the shock sensor. A technique for confirming the above is disclosed.

JP 2006-134155 A

  By the way, a consumer usually uses a toilet several times a day. Therefore, it can be said that the information about the use of the toilet of the consumer is useful information in the operation of the watching service.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses that a shock sensor is installed outside the water supply pipe of the flush toilet and it is determined whether or not water has flowed through the water supply pipe.

  However, it cannot be denied that installing such a sensor in a very private space such as a toilet in such a way that it can be seen by a consumer can cause mental distress to the consumer.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and is a toilet use detection capable of obtaining information on the use of the toilet of the consumer without causing unnecessary stress on the consumer. It aims at providing a system, a toilet use detection apparatus, and a safety confirmation system.

In order to achieve the above object, a toilet use detection system according to the present invention comprises:
A flow rate measuring means installed at a predetermined location of a water supply pipe for supplying water to a plurality of water use places in a residence, and measuring predetermined data relating to the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe at predetermined time intervals;
A flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe based on a measurement result of the flow rate measuring means, and storing the calculated instantaneous flow rate in a predetermined memory in a time series as flow rate data;
Based on the flow rate data for a predetermined time stored in the memory, the characteristic amount is derived by calculating the time fluctuation component having a different period from the transition of the time change in the instantaneous flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe. A feature amount calculating means for
A database in which feature values corresponding to changes in time change in the instantaneous flow rate of water corresponding to the use of flush toilets are registered;
Toilet use determination means for determining whether or not a flush toilet has been used by comparing the feature quantity derived by the feature quantity calculation means with the feature quantity registered in the database under a predetermined condition. And.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to acquire information about the use of the toilet of the consumer without giving unnecessary stress to the consumer and use it for confirming the safety of the consumer.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the toilet use detection system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the analyzer of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a general flush toilet. It is a graph which shows the example of a flow pattern at the time of use of a flush toilet. It is a graph which shows the example of a flow pattern at the time of dishwashing. It is a graph which shows the example of a flow pattern at the time of hot water filling. It is a graph which shows the time fluctuation component of the flow volume at the time of hot water filling. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a feature-value calculation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a toilet use determination process. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the safety confirmation system incorporating the toilet use detection system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the toilet use detection system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the analyzer of FIG. It is a graph which shows the example of the time transition of the electric usage-amount at the time of lighting operation of a toilet, and the time transition of the difference of an electric usage-amount. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an electric current change detection process. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the procedure of a toilet feature-value registration process. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the procedure of a toilet feature-value registration process. It is a figure for demonstrating cutting out area data from flow volume data.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a toilet use detection system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The toilet use detection system 1 is a system that is installed in a dwelling 2 of a general household and acquires information related to the use of a toilet of a person (resident) living in the dwelling 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet use detection system 1 includes a flow rate measuring device 10 and an analysis device 11. The flow rate measuring device 10 is installed at a predetermined location of the water supply pipe 3 that supplies water to a plurality of water use places (toilet, kitchen, washroom, bathroom, etc.) in the house 2 and measures the flow rate of water flowing in the pipe. Used for. The installation location of the flow rate measuring device 10 is arbitrary, but it is assumed to be installed upstream of any water use location. The flow rate measuring device 10 is configured by, for example, a shock sensor, and detects, for example, vibrations at the relevant portion of the water supply pipe 3 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 1 second), and a detection result (an electric signal such as voltage or charge). ) Including the measurement information is transmitted to the analyzer 11 connected via the communication line 12.

  Although none of the analysis device 11 (toilet use detection device) is shown in the figure, CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), external storage device (for example, flash memory, etc.) can be read and written. A non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, etc.) and a predetermined communication interface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the analysis device 11 functionally includes a communication interface unit 100, a flow rate calculation unit 101, a data storage unit 102, a feature amount calculation unit 103, a toilet use determination unit 104, and a flow rate. A pattern database 105.

  The communication interface unit 100 is connected to the flow rate measuring device 10 via the communication line 12 and receives the above-described measurement information from the flow rate measuring device 10. The communication interface unit 100 supplies the received measurement information to the flow rate calculation unit 101. The flow rate calculation unit 101 calculates the instantaneous flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 3 based on the electrical signal included in the measurement information supplied from the communication interface unit 100. For example, the flow rate calculation unit 101 calculates a flow rate with reference to a conversion table indicating a relationship between an electrical signal prepared in advance and the flow rate. The flow rate calculation unit 101 generates flow rate data including the calculated flow rate and the measurement date and time and stores the flow rate data in the data storage unit 102. The measurement date and time can be acquired from an internal clock (not shown) provided in the analysis apparatus 11.

  The feature amount calculation unit 103 calculates the feature amount of the flow rate pattern in this period (section) from the flow rate data in a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute).

  Hereinafter, the “features of the flow rate pattern” handled in the present invention will be conceptually described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a general flush toilet. In such a flush toilet, the flow rate supplied from the water supply pipe 3 to the water supply tank 40 is controlled by a ball tap 41 whose opening / closing degree varies depending on the water level in the water supply tank 40. For example, when the lever 43 is twisted, the float valve 44 operates and the water in the water supply tank 40 flows to the toilet through the water distribution pipe 45. At that time, since the water level in the water supply tank 40 is lowered, the floating ball 42 is also lowered, the valve of the ball tap 41 is opened, and water supply into the water supply tank 40 is started. Thereafter, when the water level drops to the float valve 44, the float valve 44 is closed and the drainage to the toilet is stopped. When the water level in the water supply tank 40 rises due to the water supply from the ball tap 41 and the floating ball 42 is fully raised, the valve of the ball tap 41 is closed and the water supply to the water supply tank 40 is stopped.

  Normally, the flow rate pattern of the flush toilet when using water (transition of the temporal change in the instantaneous flow rate of water) has a characteristic that, as shown in FIG. 4, it rises sharply at the start of use and gradually decreases. This is because the water supply into the water supply tank 40 depends on the water level in the water supply tank 40 as described above. Immediately after the start of use, the water in the water supply tank 40 is drained all at once, so the water level in the water supply tank 40 decreases and the amount of water supply increases rapidly. On the other hand, when the drainage stops, the water level in the water supply tank 40 gradually rises, and the water supply amount gradually decreases. Because of this mechanism, it can be said that the flow rate pattern when using water in a general flush toilet is almost the same every time.

  On the other hand, the flow rate pattern when using water in a place other than the toilet is usually different from the flow rate pattern of the flush toilet. For example, in general, a flow rate pattern in the case of washing dishes in a kitchen often shows a characteristic that changes sharply both at the start of use and at the end of use, as shown in FIG.

  In general, when hot water is accumulated in a bath in a bathroom (that is, when hot water is filled), the flow rate pattern at that time often shows a characteristic that changes stepwise as shown in FIG. Also, the height of the instantaneous flow rate is different from that used in the kitchen. These are due to the fact that the structure of the faucet handle and the amount of water used are usually different in both places.

  As described above, since the flow rate pattern varies depending on the place where the water is used, the flow rate pattern is useful judgment data for estimating the place where the water is used.

  For example, by calculating the fluctuation component of the flow rate pattern, it is possible to detect use in a flush toilet even when water is simultaneously used in different places. For example, a toilet may be used while bathing hot water. The flow rate pattern when a constant amount of water is used for a long time such as hot water in a bath is a pattern in which the baseline is raised. Here, by calculating the fluctuation component, the influence of a place where a constant amount of water is used for a long time can be ignored.

  Time fluctuation components with different periods included in the flow rate pattern can be decomposed into multi-resolution data of a time fluctuation component with a short period and a time fluctuation component with a long period. The time fluctuation component having a short cycle is a steep change in flow rate. Moreover, the time fluctuation component having a long cycle is a gradual change in flow rate.

  For example, when water is used in a flush toilet, drainage is performed from the water supply tank 40 immediately after the start, so that the amount of water supply increases rapidly and the fluctuation component increases in the positive direction. On the other hand, after a certain time has elapsed, the flow rate control valve (that is, the valve of the ball tap 41) is gradually closed to decrease the amount of water supply, so that the fluctuation component touches the minus side with time. At that time, focusing on the fluctuation component for each cycle, the short-cycle fluctuation component becomes larger in the steep increase in flow rate immediately after the start, and the long-cycle fluctuation component becomes larger in the gentle decrease in one flow rate. Become.

  FIG. 7 shows the fluctuation components when hot water is accumulated in the bath. When hot water is stored in a bath, generally, the faucet handle is twisted in several times, so that the fluctuation component 701 having a short cycle has an outer shape having a plurality of peaks. As the period of the fluctuation component becomes longer, the instantaneous change is ignored and the peaks are merged into one. A fluctuation component 702 having a long period indicates a state in the middle of one peak.

  Next, the procedure of the process (feature quantity calculation process) by the feature quantity calculation unit 103 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This feature amount calculation process is started when the operation of the toilet use detection system 1 is started. First, the feature amount calculation unit 103 acquires all flow rate data from a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) to the present time from the data storage unit 102 (step S101).

  The feature amount calculation unit 103 calculates a time fluctuation component of a flow rate having a different period in the period from the acquired flow rate data (time series data) (step S102). As a method for calculating the time variation component in this case, for example, there is a time-frequency conversion method using wavelet transform. By using the wavelet transform, the time-series data of the flow rate can be decomposed into fluctuation components having different periods and expressed as multi-resolution data.

  The feature quantity calculation unit 103 collects the time-variable components of the flow rates with different periods and derives a feature quantity (feature quantity vector) of the flow rate pattern during the period (step S103). For example, the time-variable components are grouped into a (resolution × time sample number) -dimensional vector, with each time value for each resolution as an independent dimension. For the calculation, an array having a length corresponding to the number of dimensions is prepared, and each value is stored in the array. The feature amount calculation unit 103 supplies the derived feature amount vector of the flow rate pattern to the toilet use determination unit 104.

  The feature amount calculation unit 103 waits for execution of a process for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) (step S104), and then returns to the process of step S101 and repeatedly executes each of the above processes.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the toilet use determination unit 104 calculates the feature vector of the flow pattern supplied from the feature calculator 103 and the feature vector of the flow pattern of the flush toilet registered in the flow pattern database 105. A comparison is made under predetermined conditions to determine whether the flush toilet has been used.

  In the flow rate pattern database 105, as described above, the feature vector of the flow rate pattern when the flush toilet is used is registered in advance. The feature vector of the registered flow pattern is, for example, the feature vector of the flow pattern of the same model (flush toilet) measured in advance in another location, or the feature of the generalized flow pattern of the flush toilet It may be a vector.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process (toilet use determination process) by the toilet use determination unit 104. This toilet use determination process is executed each time a feature amount vector of a flow rate pattern is supplied from the feature amount calculation unit 103.

  The toilet use determination unit 104 acquires the registered feature vector of the flow pattern of the flush toilet from the flow pattern database 105 (step S201). Hereinafter, the feature vector of the flow pattern acquired from the flow pattern database 105 is referred to as a registered feature vector, and the feature vector of the flow pattern supplied from the feature calculator 103 is referred to as a current feature vector.

  The toilet use determination unit 104 calculates the sum of each dimension of the current feature vector and obtains the absolute value thereof (step S202). Then, the toilet use determination unit 104 determines whether or not the obtained absolute value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 0.2) (step S203). When the absolute value is not less than or equal to the predetermined value (step S203; NO), the toilet use determination unit 104 ends this process. For example, when the absolute value of the sum of the feature vector in each dimension exceeds 0.2, it may be possible to exclude the use of flush toilets, such as when hot water is used in a bath. Because it is considered.

  On the other hand, when the absolute value is equal to or less than the predetermined value (step S203; YES), the toilet use determining unit 104 calculates the degree of coincidence between the current feature quantity vector and the registered feature quantity vector (step S204). For example, a value obtained by dividing the inner product of the current feature value vector and the registered feature value vector by each norm is employed as the degree of coincidence (0 to 1).

  As described above, the flow pattern of the flush toilet is characterized by a large positive fluctuation component immediately after the start of water use and a small negative fluctuation component at the end of the water use. In addition, the flow rate pattern at the end of use is gradually reduced, and thus increases with a fluctuation component having a long cycle. For this reason, the degree of coincidence between the feature vector of the flow pattern of the flush toilet and the feature vector of the flow pattern when water is used in another place of use is low.

  The usage determining unit 104 determines whether or not the calculated degree of coincidence is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 0.8) (step S205). When the degree of coincidence is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S205; NO), the toilet use determination unit 104 ends this processing, assuming that the flush toilet is not using water. On the other hand, when the degree of coincidence is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S205; YES), the toilet use determination unit 104 determines that water has been used in the flush toilet, that is, the consumer has used the toilet. In this case, the toilet use determination unit 104 generates data (toilet use data) including information indicating that the toilet has been used and the current date and time, and stores the data in the data storage unit 102 (step S206). This process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the toilet use detection system 1 of the present embodiment, the presence / absence of use of a flush toilet by a consumer is determined based on the measurement result of the flow rate of the water supply pipe 3 that supplies each water use place in the residence 2. presume. Therefore, there is no need to install a sensor or the like for measuring the flow rate in a manner that is in the eyes of the consumer in the toilet, and there is no worry of giving unnecessary stress to the consumer.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a safety confirmation system incorporating the toilet use detection system 1 of the present embodiment. This safety confirmation system includes a toilet use detection system 1 and a safety confirmation server 5. In this safety confirmation system, a data communication unit (not shown) for data communication with the safety confirmation server 5 is newly added to the analysis device 11 of the toilet use detection system 1 by a predetermined communication method. The safety confirmation server 5 issues to the toilet use detection system 1 a request for transmission of stored and stored toilet use data at a predetermined timing (every predetermined time).

  When the analyzer 11 of the toilet use detection system 1 receives such a request, it extracts all toilet use data stored in the data storage unit 102 from the previous request to the present time, and confirms the safety of the collected data. The data is transmitted to the safety confirmation server 5 as data. The safety confirmation server 5 analyzes the safety confirmation data sent from the toilet use detection system 1 and determines the safety of the consumer. For example, when a toilet is not used for a predetermined time, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the consumer. In this way, when an abnormality of a consumer is determined, a person in charge such as the operating company of the safety confirmation system or a company commissioned from the safety confirmation system visits the residence 2 of the consumer, Confirm safety.

  As modifications of the present embodiment, the following various configurations can be employed.

  For example, the flow rate measuring device 10 may be configured by an impeller provided in the water supply pipe 3 and a counter that measures the rotational speed of the impeller. In this case, the flow rate measuring device 10 transmits the measured counter value to the analysis device 11 at a predetermined time interval. For example, the flow rate calculation unit 101 of the analysis device 11 calculates a flow rate with reference to a conversion table indicating a relationship between a counter value prepared in advance and the flow rate.

  Alternatively, the flow rate measuring device 10 may send ultrasonic waves bidirectionally along the water supply pipe 3, detect the flow velocity from each propagation time, and transmit the result to the analysis device 11. In this case, the flow rate calculation unit 101 of the analysis device 11 may obtain the instantaneous flow rate from the relationship between the detected flow velocity and the cross-sectional area of the water supply pipe 3, for example.

  In addition, communication between the flow rate measuring device 10 and the analysis device 11 may be performed by a wireless method.

  Further, in the feature amount calculation process, the time variation component of the flow rate having a different period may be calculated using short-time Fourier transform. By using the short-time Fourier transform, it is possible to derive the feature quantity by dividing the flow rate pattern into short sections and collecting the time components for each section into values converted into frequency components.

  In addition, the flow rate pattern database 105 may also register a feature vector of a flow rate pattern at the time of water use at another water use location. In the toilet use determination process, it may be determined that the toilet is not used when the degree of coincidence between the feature vector at the other water use location and the current feature vector is high.

  Further, in the toilet use determination process, the degree of coincidence may be calculated by comparing the values of the respective dimensions of the current feature quantity vector and the registered feature quantity vector, and counting the dimensions whose values almost coincide. In this way, by comparing each dimension, it is possible to evaluate only the time fluctuation component localized in the flow rate pattern.

  Further, a current value on a power supply line (not shown) in the house 2 may be measured, and in the toilet use determination process, it may be determined whether or not the toilet has been used in consideration of the measured current value. That is, when the degree of coincidence between the current feature quantity vector and the registered feature quantity vector is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S205 in FIG. 9; YES), the toilet use determination unit 104 further determines the toilet from the measured current value. It may be determined whether or not the toilet is used by determining the presence or absence of the lighting operation. By doing so, the determination accuracy is further improved.

(Embodiment 2)
Subsequently, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the toilet use detection system 6 according to the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the toilet use detection system 6 is a system that is installed in a dwelling 2 of a general household and acquires information related to the use of a toilet of a person (resident) living in the dwelling 2.

  In the toilet use detection system 1 of the first embodiment, during the toilet use determination process, the feature vector (registration) of the flush toilet flow pattern previously registered in the flow pattern database 105 of the analyzer 11 before the operation of this system is performed. Feature vector). That is, in the first embodiment, the toilet use determination is performed using a preset registered feature amount vector. In addition to the function of the toilet use detection system 1 of the first embodiment, the toilet use detection system 6 of the present embodiment has a function of generating this registered feature vector. Hereinafter, this feature will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the toilet use detection system 6 includes a flow rate measuring device 10, a current measuring device 60, and an analysis device 61. As in the first embodiment, the flow rate measuring device 10 is composed of, for example, a shock sensor, detects vibrations at a predetermined location of the water supply pipe 3 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 1 second), and the detection result (voltage or charge). The measurement information including the electrical signal) is transmitted to the analyzer 11 connected via the communication line 12.

  The current measuring device 60 measures the value of the current flowing through the feeder line 7 for supplying power to a plurality of electrical devices in the residence 2 (for example, an illuminator, a television, a refrigerator, etc. installed in the toilet). The current measuring device 60 is configured by, for example, a clamp-type current sensor that measures an instantaneous current value using electromagnetic induction. The current measuring device 60 outputs the measured current value to the analysis device 61 via a connection line 62 such as a coaxial cable.

  The analysis device 61 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an external storage device (for example, a readable / writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive, etc.), a predetermined communication interface, etc., although not shown. As shown in FIG. 12, the analysis device 61 is functionally similar to the analysis device 61 of the first embodiment. The communication interface unit 100, the flow rate calculation unit 101, the data storage unit 102, and the feature amount calculation unit. 103, a toilet use determination unit 104, and a flow rate pattern database 105. Furthermore, the analysis device 61 includes a current value input unit 106, a current change detection unit 107, and a toilet feature amount registration unit 108.

  As described above, the analysis device 61 includes the same components as those of the analysis device 11 of the first embodiment, and has the same function as the analysis device 11. That is, the analysis device 61 performs the above-described feature amount calculation process and toilet use determination process. Therefore, in the following description, description of components common to the analysis apparatus 11 and description of the feature amount calculation process and the toilet use determination process are omitted.

  The current value input unit 106 is connected to the current measuring device 60 through the connection line 62, takes in the current value output from the current measuring device 60, and uses this as current data in the data storage unit 102 in time series. Accumulate and save.

  The current change detection unit 107 acquires stored current data from the data storage unit 102 and detects a current change time at which the current value changes to a predetermined threshold value or more. The current change detection unit 107 includes, for example, a differentiation circuit that outputs a time derivative of input.

  The toilet feature amount registration unit 108 acquires the stored flow rate data for a predetermined period (for example, one day) from the data storage unit 102, divides all the acquired flow rate data into sections of a predetermined time length, The flow rate pattern is narrowed down based on the amount of water used in the divided section and the time fluctuation component of the flow rate. Then, the toilet feature value registration unit 108 selects a flow rate pattern that appears multiple times by pattern matching between the narrowed flow rate patterns. This is usually due to the consumer using the toilet several times a day. The toilet feature registration unit 108 determines whether or not the flush toilet is used based on the selected flow rate pattern and the current change time detected by the current change detection unit 107.

  When it is determined that the flush toilet has been used, the toilet feature value registration unit 108 registers the feature value vector of the flow rate pattern in the flow rate pattern database 105.

  FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of the time transition of the amount of electricity used during the lighting operation of the toilet and the time transition of the difference in the amount of electricity used.

  When using a toilet, a consumer usually performs an operation of turning on an illuminator installed in the toilet before use and turning it off after use regardless of day or night. Therefore, the information on the lighting / extinguishing of the toilet illuminator is useful information for estimating the use of the flush toilet by consumers.

  When the toilet illuminator is turned on, the current flowing through the illuminator is superimposed on the feeder line 7. As shown in FIG. 13, the amount of electricity used during the period when the illuminator is lit increases by the amount of electricity used by the illuminator. Here, the difference in the amount of electricity used is equal to or greater than the increase determination threshold at the lighting operation time of the illuminator, that is, the current increase occurrence time. Then, the difference in the amount of electricity used is equal to or less than the decrease determination threshold at the turn-off operation time of the illuminator, that is, the current decrease occurrence time. The increase determination threshold and the decrease determination threshold are determined from the power consumption of the illuminator installed in the toilet.

  Next, the procedure of the process (current change detection process) performed by the current change detection unit 107 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is automatically started after a predetermined period (for example, one day) has elapsed since the present system was introduced into the residence 2 and started to operate (here, measurement of current value and flow rate). Alternatively, it may be executed by a predetermined operation performed by a user (a person in charge such as a consumer or a system management company) via a user interface (not shown) provided in the analysis device 61.

  The current change detection unit 107 acquires the stored current data for a predetermined period (for example, one day) from the data storage unit 102 (step S301).

  The current change detection unit 107 divides the acquired current data into a plurality of sections every predetermined time (step S302). For example, the current change detection unit 107 divides current data into 86400 sections every second.

  The current change detection unit 107 calculates the amount of electricity used for each section k (step S303). The amount of electricity used can be obtained, for example, by calculating an integrated value or an average value of current values in the section.

  Next, the current change detection unit 107 calculates a difference between the electricity usage amount of the section k and the section k + 1 by subtracting the electricity usage amount of the section k + 1 from the electricity usage amount of the section k (step S304).

  The current change detection unit 107 determines whether or not the calculated difference in the amount of electricity used is within a predetermined range on the plus side, for example, 20 to 100 W considered as power consumption of the bulb (step S305). If it is within the range (step S305; YES), the current change detection unit 107 stores the end time of the section k in the data storage unit 102 as the current increase occurrence time (step S306).

  On the other hand, when it does not fall (step S305; NO), the current change detection unit 107 determines whether or not the calculated difference in the electric usage is within a predetermined range, for example, −100 to −20 W on the minus side. Determination is made (step S307). If it is within the range (step S307; YES), the current change detection unit 107 stores the end time of the section k in the data storage unit 102 as the current decrease occurrence time (step S308).

  The current change detection unit 107 repeats the processes of steps S304 to S308 described above for the total number of sections—one time (for example, 86400-1) times, and then ends the current change detection process.

  Next, the procedure of the process (toilet feature amount registration process) by the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16. This process is automatically started after the current change detection process is completed. Alternatively, it may be executed by a user performing a predetermined operation after the current change detection process is completed.

  The toilet feature amount registration unit 108 acquires the stored flow rate data for the past predetermined period (for example, one day) from the data storage unit 102 (step S401). As shown in FIG. 17, the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 stores data (section) for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) from the starting point (for example, just one day before) to the present, as shown in FIG. (Data) is cut out (step S402).

  The toilet feature amount registration unit 108 calculates the sum total of the flow rates in the section from the cut out section data (step S403). The toilet feature amount registration unit 108 determines whether or not the sum of the flow rates in the section, that is, the water usage amount is a predetermined value, for example, 4 liters or more (step S404). In the case of 4 liters or more (step S404; YES), the toilet feature quantity registration unit 108 derives a feature quantity vector by calculating a time variation component of the flow rate in the section (step S405). Here, for example, the time variation component is calculated using a time-frequency conversion method using wavelet transform.

  On the other hand, when it is not 4 liters or more (step S404; NO), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 performs the process of step S409.

  After the process of step S405, the toilet feature value registration unit 108 sums up each dimension of the derived feature value vector and obtains an absolute value thereof (step S406). Then, the toilet feature value registration unit 108 determines whether or not the obtained absolute value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 0.2) (step S407). When the absolute value is not less than or equal to the predetermined value (step S407; NO), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 performs the process of step S409.

  On the other hand, when the absolute value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (step S407; YES), the toilet feature value registration unit 108 uses the derived feature value vector, that is, the feature value vector corresponding to the extracted section data, as the data storage unit. The data is stored in 102 (step S408).

  In step S409, the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 cuts out the next section data from the acquired flow rate data. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 cuts out the next section data from the position shifted by a predetermined shift width (for example, 5 seconds). When the next section data cannot be extracted (step S410; NO), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 performs the process of step S411 (see FIG. 16).

  On the other hand, when the next section data can be cut out (step S410; YES), the process of the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 returns to step S403.

  Moving to the flowchart of FIG. 16, in step S411, the toilet feature value registration unit 108 calculates the degree of coincidence with each of the other feature value vectors for each of all the feature value vectors stored in the data storage unit 102.

  Then, the toilet feature value registration unit 108 determines whether there is a feature value vector pair having a matching degree equal to or greater than a predetermined value (0.8) (step S412). As a result, when there is no feature vector pair whose matching degree is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S412; NO), the toilet feature registration unit 108 ends the toilet feature registration process.

  On the other hand, when there is a feature vector pair whose degree of coincidence is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S412; YES), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 selects a feature amount vector in which there is a partner whose degree of coincidence is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. All are extracted (step S413).

  The toilet feature quantity registration unit 108 selects one of the extracted feature quantity vectors (step S414). Then, the start time of the section data corresponding to the selected feature vector is acquired (step S415). The toilet feature registration unit 108 determines whether there is a current increase occurrence time stored in the data storage unit 102 within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) before the start time. (Step S416). When it does not exist (step S416; NO), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 performs the process of step S420.

  On the other hand, when there is a current increase occurrence time within 5 minutes before the start time (step S416; YES). The toilet feature value registration unit 108 acquires the end time of the section data corresponding to the selected feature value vector (step S417). Then, the toilet feature registration unit 108 determines whether there is a current decrease occurrence time stored in the data storage unit 102 within a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) after the end time. Determination is made (step S418). When it exists (step S418; YES), the toilet feature quantity registration unit 108 registers the feature quantity vector as a feature quantity vector of the flush toilet flow pattern in the flow pattern database 105 (step S419), and the toilet feature quantity. The registration process ends.

  If YES in step S418, the feature vector is immediately registered in the flow pattern database 105, and the toilet feature registration process is not terminated, but temporarily stored in the data storage unit 102 and the process is continued. May be. Then, after YES in step S420, if there are a plurality of corresponding feature vectors, an average of these may be registered in the flow rate pattern database 105.

  On the other hand, when there is no current decrease occurrence time within a predetermined time after the end time (step S418; NO), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 finishes the processing for all the feature amount vectors extracted in step S413. It is determined whether or not (step S420). As a result, when the processing for all the feature amount vectors is completed (step S420; YES), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 ends the toilet feature amount registration process. In this case, since the feature vector of the flow pattern of the flush toilet is not registered in the flow pattern database 105, the current change detection process and the toilet feature registration process are executed again at a later date.

  On the other hand, when the processing for all feature amount vectors has not been completed (step S420; NO), the toilet feature amount registration unit 108 performs the processing from step S414 again.

  As described above, the toilet use detection system 6 according to the present embodiment does not perform toilet use determination using a preset registered feature vector, but actually measures the flow rate and current value of water in the residence 2. Based on the above, a registered feature vector is generated, and a toilet use determination is performed using this. For this reason, it can respond to the flow pattern of flush toilets of various structures, such as a tankless flush toilet, and can determine whether or not the toilet is used more accurately.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, a modification similar to that of the first embodiment can be adopted.

  Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 6 Toilet use detection system 2 Dwelling 3 Water supply pipe 5 Safety confirmation server 7 Feed line 10 Flow rate measuring device 11, 61 Analysis apparatus 100 Communication interface part 101 Flow rate calculation part 102 Data storage part 103 Feature quantity calculation part 104 Toilet use determination part 105 Flow Pattern Database 106 Current Value Input Unit 107 Current Change Detection Unit 108 Toilet Characteristic Registration Unit 12 Communication Line 40 Water Supply Tank 41 Ball Tap 42 Floating Ball 43 Lever 44 Float Valve 45 Drain Pipe 60 Current Measuring Device 62 Connection Line

Claims (8)

A flow rate measuring means installed at a predetermined location of a water supply pipe for supplying water to a plurality of water use places in a residence, and measuring predetermined data relating to the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe at predetermined time intervals;
A flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe based on a measurement result of the flow rate measuring means, and storing the calculated instantaneous flow rate in a predetermined memory in a time series as flow rate data;
Based on the flow rate data for a predetermined time stored in the memory, the characteristic amount is derived by calculating the time fluctuation component having a different period from the transition of the time change in the instantaneous flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe. A feature amount calculating means for
A database in which feature values corresponding to changes in time change in the instantaneous flow rate of water corresponding to the use of flush toilets are registered;
Toilet use determination means for determining whether or not a flush toilet has been used by comparing the feature quantity derived by the feature quantity calculation means with the feature quantity registered in the database under a predetermined condition. And comprising
Toilet use detection system characterized by that. Current measuring means for measuring a current value flowing through a feeder line wired to the residence; and
Current data storage means for storing the measurement results of the current measurement means in the memory in time series as current data;
A current change detector that detects a current change time at which the current value changes to a predetermined threshold value or more based on the current data stored in the memory;
The flow rate data for a predetermined period stored in the memory is acquired, the acquired flow rate data for the period is divided into a plurality of section data having a predetermined time length, and each section data is divided under a predetermined condition. Deriving the corresponding feature amount, and extracting from the all the derived feature amounts all the feature amounts that satisfy a predetermined condition regarding the water usage time and whose degree of coincidence with other feature amounts is a predetermined threshold value or more, Based on each extracted feature amount and the current change time, it is determined whether or not the feature amount is a feature amount corresponding to a flush toilet. Toilet feature amount registration means for registering in the database,
The toilet use detection system according to claim 1. The feature amount calculating means calculates a time variation component having a different period using a wavelet transform.
The toilet use detection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The feature amount calculating means calculates a time variation component having a different period using a short-time Fourier transform.
The toilet use detection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The toilet use determining means calculates the degree of coincidence between the features based on the vector product of the feature quantity derived by the feature quantity calculation means and the feature quantity registered in the database. To determine whether or not
The toilet use detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The data from a flow meter that is installed at a predetermined location of a water supply pipe that supplies water to a plurality of water use places in a residence and measures predetermined data related to the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply tube at predetermined time intervals. A flow meter interface means for obtaining
Based on the measurement result of the flow meter, a flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe, and storing the calculated instantaneous flow rate in a predetermined memory in time series as flow rate data;
Based on the flow rate data for a predetermined time stored in the memory, the characteristic amount is derived by calculating the time fluctuation component having a different period from the transition of the time change in the instantaneous flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe. A feature amount calculating means for
A database in which feature values corresponding to changes in time change in the instantaneous flow rate of water corresponding to the use of flush toilets are registered;
Toilet use determination means for determining whether or not a flush toilet has been used by comparing the feature quantity derived by the feature quantity calculation means with the feature quantity registered in the database under a predetermined condition. And comprising
Toilet use detection device characterized by that. Current measuring instrument interface means for acquiring the current value from a current measuring instrument that measures a current value flowing in a feeder line wired to the residence; and
Current data storage means for storing the measurement results of the current measuring instrument in the memory in time series as current data;
A current change detector that detects a current change time at which the current value changes to a predetermined threshold value or more based on the current data stored in the memory;
The flow rate data for a predetermined period stored in the memory is acquired, the acquired flow rate data for the period is divided into a plurality of section data having a predetermined time length, and each section data is divided under a predetermined condition. Deriving the corresponding feature amount, and extracting from the all the derived feature amounts all the feature amounts that satisfy a predetermined condition regarding the water usage time and whose degree of coincidence with other feature amounts is a predetermined threshold value or more, Based on each extracted feature amount and the current change time, it is determined whether or not the feature amount is a feature amount corresponding to a flush toilet. Toilet feature amount registration means for registering in the database,
The toilet use detection device according to claim 6. A safety confirmation system comprising a toilet detection system and a safety confirmation server,
The toilet detection system includes:
Data communication means for performing data communication with the safety confirmation server;
A flow rate measuring means installed at a predetermined location of a water supply pipe for supplying water to a plurality of water use places in a residence, and measuring predetermined data relating to the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe at predetermined time intervals;
A flow rate calculating means for calculating an instantaneous flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe based on a measurement result of the flow rate measuring means, and storing the calculated instantaneous flow rate in a predetermined memory in a time series as flow rate data;
Based on the flow rate data for a predetermined time stored in the memory, the characteristic amount is derived by calculating the time fluctuation component having a different period from the transition of the time change in the instantaneous flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe. A feature amount calculating means for
A database in which feature values corresponding to changes in time change in the instantaneous flow rate of water corresponding to the use of flush toilets are registered;
By comparing the feature quantity derived by the feature quantity calculation means and the feature quantity registered in the database under a predetermined condition, it is determined whether or not the flush toilet has been used. If it is determined that it has been used, toilet use determination means for generating toilet use data consisting of information indicating that and the current date and time and storing it in the memory,
The data communication means transmits the toilet use data stored in the memory to the safety confirmation server at a predetermined timing,
The safety confirmation server
Based on the toilet usage data sent from the toilet detection system, a safety determination is made for a person living in the residence.
A safety confirmation system characterized by that.