JP4385402B2 - Intestinal state notification device and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for notifying a user's intestinal state.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique for detecting excretion gas present in a toilet bowl of a toilet bowl and determining a human health condition based on the detection result. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a gas sensor is used to detect odorous gas contained in excretion gas, and a signal value from the gas sensor is displayed directly or by performing appropriate processing such as odor analysis. ing. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that the concentration of an odor component is measured with a test paper soaked with a reagent, and the intestinal state of the user is notified by a change in the color of the test paper.

JP-A-9-43182. JP-A-8-211048.

  In the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, the detection result based on the detected odorous gas is notified to the user, but the information to be notified is the signal value itself or the result of appropriately processing it. In addition, it is a change in the color of the test paper, and the intestinal state estimated from the detection result is not transmitted in a manner that is easy for the user to understand.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to inform the user of the intestinal state in an easy-to-understand manner.

  Another object of the present invention is to accurately determine the intestinal state of a user.

  Further objects of the present invention will become clear from the following description.

  The intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an intestinal state related to a signal value output from a gas sensor that detects a predetermined gas component in excretion gas present in a toilet bowl of a toilet and a user's intestinal state. A storage unit that stores correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship with the information; and a processing unit that extracts intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value output from the gas sensor from the correspondence data and notifies the user.

  Here, “exhaust gas” refers to at least one of various gases related to those that have gone out of the user's body, for example, a gas (typically sputum) discharged directly from the user's body, and the user And at least one of the gas discharged from the excreted material excreted from the gas. This “excrement” is typically feces.

  In addition, “excretion gas present in the toilet bowl of the toilet bowl” means, for example, excretion gas present in the toilet bowl and / or excretion present in the vicinity of the opening of the toilet bowl even outside the toilet bowl. It is a gas.

  This intestinal state notification device can be provided in various forms. Specifically, for example, the intestinal state notification device may be a toilet seat device, a toilet bowl, or a unit attached to the toilet seat device or the toilet bowl.

  Further, the processing unit may notify the user of the extracted intestinal state information by voice or display it on a display screen, for example.

  Further, as the intestinal state information, for example, it is possible to adopt information in which the intestinal state or the related health state is easily expressed. Specifically, for example, as the intestinal state information, the health level of the intestinal state (for example, information represented by high, medium, or low) can be adopted. Such intestinal state information can be, for example, information determined based on the value of an intestinal parameter described later corresponding to the signal value of the gas sensor. Further, for example, there are a plurality of types of intestinal state information, and each of the plurality of types of intestinal state information is a numerical value range (or intestinal value) selected from a plurality of numerical value ranges of gas sensor signal values on the corresponding data. May be associated with a numerical value range selected from a plurality of numerical value ranges of the internal parameter value.

  In the first embodiment of the intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage unit represents a correspondence relationship between an intestinal parameter for estimating the intestinal state of the user and the signal value. Another correspondence data is stored. The processing unit extracts an intestinal parameter corresponding to a signal value from the gas sensor from the other corresponding data, and writes the extracted intestinal parameter in the storage unit (for example, stores it as a history in the storage unit) ). Examples of intestinal parameters include, for example, the total number (or total amount) of various bacteria (hereinafter collectively referred to as “intestinal bacteria”), the number (or amount) of bifidobacteria, and bad bacteria (for example, Clostridium perfringens). ) Number (or amount), the ratio of the number of bifidobacteria (or the amount of bacteria) in the total number (or total amount) of enteric bacteria, or the number of bad bacteria (or the total number of intestinal bacteria (or total amount)) The ratio of the amount of bacteria) can be employed.

  As another embodiment, for example, the correspondence data includes first sub-correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship between an intestinal parameter for estimating a user's intestinal condition and the signal value; Second sub-correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship between the parameter and the intestinal state information may be included. In this case, the processing unit extracts the intestinal parameter corresponding to the signal value from the gas sensor from the first sub-corresponding data, and the intestinal state information corresponding to the extracted intestinal parameter. The sub-corresponding data may be extracted.

  In the second embodiment of the intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of correspondence data respectively corresponding to a plurality of user attributes relating to user attributes. The toilet seat device further includes a user attribute input unit that receives an input of a user attribute from the user. In this case, when a user attribute is input to the user attribute input unit, the processing unit acquires corresponding data corresponding to the input user attribute from the plurality of corresponding data, and from the gas sensor Intestinal state information corresponding to the output signal value may be extracted from the acquired correspondence data.

  In a third embodiment of the intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the gas sensor is a plurality of gas sensors that respectively detect a plurality of types of gas components in the excretion gas. The storage unit stores a plurality of correspondence data respectively corresponding to the plurality of gas sensors. The processing unit acquires a plurality of intestinal state information corresponding to the plurality of signal values respectively output from the plurality of gas sensors from the plurality of corresponding data, and based on the acquired plurality of intestinal state information The intestinal state of the user is determined and notified to the user.

  In the fourth embodiment of the intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the third embodiment, the plurality of gas sensors include a hydrogen gas sensor for detecting hydrogen gas. The processing unit determines the intestinal state by weighting the intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor among the plurality of acquired intestinal state information. Here, “weight the intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor” means, for example, that the result of the determination is a result of the intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor. That is. Specifically, for example, the intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor represents “1” as the health level, while the intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value from another gas sensor is the health level. When “5” is represented as the level, the health level is “3” if an intermediate value is taken. However, since the intestinal state information corresponding to the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor is used, the result of the determination is as follows. The health level becomes “2”.

  In the fifth embodiment of the intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores signal values from the gas sensor in time series. The processing unit extracts intestinal state information corresponding to a signal value selected from the time-series signal values from the correspondence data.

  In a sixth embodiment of the intestinal state notification device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the correspondence data includes intestinal state information corresponding to a result of comparison between the signal value and a threshold value thereof. Yes. The processing unit extracts intestinal state information corresponding to the comparison result between the signal value output from the gas sensor and the threshold value from the correspondence data.

  The intestinal state notification method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a step of acquiring a signal value output from a gas sensor that detects a predetermined gas component in excretion gas present in a toilet bowl of a toilet bowl, and the output signal Extracting the intestinal state information corresponding to the acquired signal value from the correspondence data from correspondence data representing the correspondence between the value and the intestinal state information regarding the intestinal state of the user, and the extracted Outputting intestinal state information.

The intestinal state notification device according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a correspondence between a signal value output from a gas sensor for detecting a predetermined gas component in excretion gas present in a toilet bowl of a toilet bowl and a user's intestinal age. A storage unit that stores corresponding data to be expressed; and a processing unit that extracts the intestinal age corresponding to the signal value output from the gas sensor from the corresponding data and notifies the user as intestinal state information .

  Here, “intestinal age” is the age (or age) determined based on the state in the intestine, for example, the age (or age) determined based on the intestinal parameters. Examples of intestinal parameters include, for example, the total number (or total amount) of various bacteria (hereinafter collectively referred to as “intestinal bacteria”), the number (or amount) of bifidobacteria, and bad bacteria (for example, Clostridium perfringens). ) Number (or amount), the ratio of the number of bifidobacteria (or the amount of bacteria) in the total number (or total amount) of enteric bacteria, or the number of bad bacteria (or the total number of intestinal bacteria (or total amount)) The ratio of the amount of bacteria) can be employed.

  The intestinal state notification method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention detects a predetermined gas component in excretion gas present in a toilet bowl of a toilet and outputs a signal having a value corresponding to the detection result. Obtaining a signal value, and extracting from the corresponding data the intestinal age corresponding to the acquired signal value from correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship between the output signal value and the intestinal age of the user. And informing the user of the extracted intestine age.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to inform the user of the intestinal state in an easily understandable manner.

  Hereinafter, a toilet seat device to which a device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat device according to the present embodiment.

  The toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a toilet 5 having a toilet bowl 3 and a toilet seat 7 on which a user is seated. A deodorizing device 9, a hydrogen gas sensor 13, and a control device 11 are provided at the rear part of the toilet bowl 3.

  The deodorizing device 9 has a deodorizing duct 10 and inhales the gas present in the toilet bowl from the gas inlet 10A of the deodorizing duct 10, and removes odorous components contained in the inhaled gas. For example, the gas suction port 10A is located above a place where excrement is normally excreted in the toilet bowl 3 (in other words, a place where the excretion of excreted excrement is highly likely to fall). For example, the gas inlet 10A is located near the upper edge opening of the toilet bowl (in other words, near the opening edge of the toilet bowl).

  The hydrogen gas sensor 13 is a sensor that detects hydrogen gas present in the toilet bowl and outputs a signal having a value corresponding to the detected amount of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas sensor 13 is located above the place where excrement is normally excreted in the toilet bowl 3 (for example, near the upper edge opening of the toilet bowl). Specifically, for example, the hydrogen gas sensor 13 is disposed at or near the gas inlet 10A. The hydrogen gas sensor 13 may be any type of sensor.

  The control device 11 controls the operation of each part of the toilet seat device 1 (for example, the ejection of water from the nozzle 15 and the deodorizing operation of the deodorizing device 9) or the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor 13 (in other words, hydrogen gas). Based on (concentration), the user's intestinal state is determined and notified to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control device 11. FIG. 2 particularly shows parts related to the main part of the present embodiment.

  The control device 11 includes a storage unit 23 such as a memory or a hard disk, and a processing unit (for example, a CPU) 21 that executes various processes based on information stored in the storage unit 23.

  The storage unit 23 stores control information necessary for processing performed by the processing unit 21 in advance. Further, the storage unit 23 stores the signal values output from the hydrogen gas sensor 13 at each time point in time series, and stores the determination result of the processing unit 21 that determines the intestinal state of the user based on the signal values. To do.

  The processing unit 21 controls each unit of the toilet seat device 1 based on the control information stored in the storage unit 23, or based on the time-series signal values stored in the storage unit 23. The state is determined, the determination result is stored in the storage unit 23, and the determination result is displayed on the display screen 29 of the operation unit 27 of the control device 11. The processing unit 21 may be configured to be able to switch on / off the power of each unit such as the hydrogen gas sensor 13. In addition, the processing unit 21 receives a signal indicating the seating from the seating sensor 17 that detects that the user has been seated on or separated from the toilet seat 7, or the measurement start button 31C provided on the operation unit 27 is pressed. When it is detected that the hydrogen gas is detected, the hydrogen gas sensor 13 may start detecting hydrogen gas. Further, when the processing unit 21 receives a signal indicating separation from the seating sensor 17, or when it is detected that the measurement end button 31 </ b> B provided on the operation unit 27 is pressed, the processing unit 21 sends a signal to the hydrogen gas sensor 13. The detection of hydrogen gas may be terminated. In addition, when the processing unit 21 detects that the inspection button 31A provided on the operation unit 27 is pressed, or when the cleaning button 31D provided on the operation unit 27 is pressed and starts cleaning. In addition, intestinal state determination based on time-series signal values stored in the storage unit 23 may be executed. The operation unit 27 may be attached to the toilet seat device 1 or a remote controller of the control device 11.

  The above is the outline of the toilet seat device 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in more detail. In addition, the term “concentration” used in the following description means the concentration in the volume of the toilet bowl 3.

  FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of the first measurement experiment of the hydrogen gas concentration.

  In this first measurement experiment, the hydrogen gas concentration in the toilet bowl 3 was measured from when the subject sat on the toilet seat device 1 until she excreted and left. In the first experiment, in order to make it easy to understand that the excreted gas contains a large amount of hydrogen gas, an ammonia gas sensor is provided in the vicinity of the hydrogen gas sensor 13 of the toilet seat device 1 so that the subject sits on the toilet seat device 1. After that, the ammonia gas concentration from excretion until leaving was also measured.

  The number of subjects in this first experiment is 18 people. The vertical axis of the graph represents the gas concentration, and its unit is ppm (parts per million).

  The bar on the right side of the graph of FIG. 3 shows the average value of the 18 subjects of the peak value of the measured hydrogen gas concentration. On the other hand, the bar on the left shows the average value of the 18 subjects of the peak value of the measured ammonia gas concentration.

  According to the first measurement experiment, the ammonia gas concentration contained in the excretion gas is about 10 ppm, while the hydrogen gas concentration is about 1500 to 1800 ppm. Therefore, it has been found that the concentration of hydrogen gas is significantly higher than that of ammonia gas, in other words, the concentration of ammonia gas is significantly lower than that of hydrogen gas. In addition, although not shown in figure, the odorous gas utilized with the prior art has a density | concentration lower than ammonia gas.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing the second measurement experiment result of the hydrogen gas concentration. Hereinafter, the difference from the first measurement experiment will be mainly described.

  In this second measurement experiment, the number of subjects was 18, but 6 of them were constipation (hereinafter referred to as “constipation”), and the other 12 were non-constipation (hereinafter referred to as “constipation”). Say “non-constipated”).

  The bar (a) on the right side in the graph of FIG. 4 shows the average value of 12 non-constipated persons of the peak value of the measured hydrogen gas concentration. And the bar of (b) next to it shows the average value of the six constipation persons.

  On the other hand, the bar (a) on the left side of the graph of FIG. 4 shows the average value of 12 non-constipated persons of the peak value of the measured ammonia gas concentration. And the bar of (b) next to it shows the average value of the six constipation persons.

  According to this second measurement experiment, the hydrogen gas concentration of the constipated person's excreted gas is about 200 ppm, while that of the non-constipated person is significantly different from about 1500 to 1800 ppm.

  Further, according to the second measurement experiment, the ammonia gas concentration of the excretion gas of the non-constipated person is about 9 ppm, whereas that of the constipated person is different from about 20 ppm. However, the difference is about twice that of the hydrogen gas concentration. Therefore, it can be said that it is effective to measure the hydrogen gas concentration in order to accurately determine the state of health in the intestines.

  Although not specifically illustrated, the hydrogen gas concentration and the ammonia gas concentration of excretion gas were measured for the same subject when no yogurt was eaten for two weeks and when yogurt was eaten every day for two weeks. As a result of the measurement, it was found that the hydrogen gas concentration was higher and the ammonia gas concentration was lower when eating yogurt every day. According to this result, as one of the parameters of the state of health in the intestine, it can be adopted whether there are many or few bifidobacteria or whether or not the bifidobacteria are active. That is, based on the measurement result of the hydrogen gas concentration, it is possible to determine the health state focusing on the intestinal bifidobacteria.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the level change of the hydrogen gas concentration from when the user is seated on the toilet seat 7 of the toilet seat device 1 until the user is excreted in the toilet bowl 3 and left.

  The horizontal axis of the orthogonal coordinate system shown in this figure represents time. On the other hand, the vertical axis represents the voltage level of the signal output from the hydrogen gas sensor 13 and corresponds to the hydrogen gas concentration. The vertical axis may be another variable, for example, a resistance value or a current value, depending on the type of the hydrogen gas sensor 13.

  According to the graph shown in this figure, it can be seen that at least one peak comes at the voltage level continuously measured from the time (t1) when the user is seated to the time (t2) when the user is seated. This is considered to be caused by excretion of excrement in the toilet bowl 3 for the first time.

  In this figure, the baseline of the voltage level is shown. However, the baseline may be registered in advance in the storage unit 23 in the control device 11 or detected for the first time. It may also be a voltage level (detected at time t1).

  FIG. 6 shows a variation example of the level change of the hydrogen gas concentration.

  A graph of basic hydrogen gas concentration change is shown by a solid line. With this concentration change, the voltage level peaks once. Also, the peak voltage level is significantly higher than its baseline.

  On the other hand, as a variation of the hydrogen gas concentration change, for example, the voltage level peak is twice as shown in the graph shown by a one-dot chain line, or the peak voltage level is changed like the graph shown by a two-dot chain line. Some are not as tall as their baseline.

  In any case, the peak voltage level detected first is often the highest voltage level. For this reason, it is considered appropriate to use the peak voltage level detected first.

  Hereinafter, the processing flow performed in the toilet seat apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Before that, first, the relationship between the number of bifidobacteria in the intestine and the hydrogen gas concentration will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the number of bifidobacteria in the intestine and the hydrogen gas concentration.

  The horizontal axis of the Cartesian coordinate system shown in this figure represents the maximum value of the voltage level (in other words, the maximum value of the hydrogen gas concentration), and the vertical axis represents the parameters for estimating the intestinal state (hereinafter referred to as “intestinal It represents the number of bifidobacteria used as one of the "inner parameters".

  As can be seen from this conceptual diagram, the value of the bifidobacteria count Y has some relationship with the peak voltage level X. The relationship can be expressed by a formula. Specifically, for example, the value of the bifidobacteria count Y can be expressed by the primary expression Y = aX + B of the peak voltage level X (the values of a and B are constants). The primary expression is stored in the storage unit 23 as the intestinal health level determination table 71.

  The range of the maximum voltage level on the horizontal axis is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges according to the value of the number of bifidobacteria on the vertical axis. A suitable intestinal health level is associated with each of the plurality of sub-ranges. For example, a range in which X is equal to or greater than the first sensor signal threshold value Va (in other words, the bifidobacteria count Y is equal to or greater than the first bifidobacteria threshold value Ba) is defined as the first subrange, and X is the first sensor signal threshold value. A range of less than Va and a second sensor signal threshold value Vb or more (in other words, bifidobacteria count Y is less than the first bifidobacteria threshold value Ba and a second bifidobacteria threshold value Bb or more) is defined as the second sub-range, A range in which X is less than the second sensor signal threshold value Vb (in other words, the bifidobacteria count Y is less than the second bifidobacteria threshold value Bb) is defined as a third sub-range. The first sub-range is associated with high intestinal health, the second sub-range is associated with medium intestinal health, and the third sub-range is associated with Low intestinal health is associated with this. Information regarding the intestinal health corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-ranges and the plurality of sub-ranges is stored in the storage unit 23 as the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information 73.

  In the figure, the signal value range including the alphabet “P” is the first sub-range, in other words, the range where the intestinal health level is determined to be high, and the signal value including the alphabet “Q”. The range is the second sub-range, in other words, the range where the intestinal health is determined to be medium, and the signal value range including the alphabet “R” is the third sub-range, in other words, It is a range in which the intestinal health level is determined to be low. The same applies to other drawings.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the number of bifidobacteria is adopted as one of the intestinal parameters, but instead, other parameters, for example, various bacteria existing in the intestine (hereinafter, “ The total number (or total amount)), the number (or amount) of bad bacteria (eg, Clostridium perfringens), and the number (or amount) of bifidobacteria among the total number (or total amount) of enteric bacteria. A ratio or a ratio of the number of bad bacteria (or the amount of bacteria) out of the total number (or total quantity) of enteric bacteria can be employed. Further, when such other types of parameters are employed, the correspondence relationship with the hydrogen gas sensor signal value is not necessarily the linear expression as described above.

  FIG. 8 shows a user's operation and a processing flow of the toilet seat apparatus 1 performed in accordance with the operation.

  When the user is seated on the toilet seat 7 (step S1), a signal indicating that the user is seated is input from the seating sensor 17 to the processing unit 21 of the control device 11 (S2).

  When the processing unit 21 detects from the signal value from the seating sensor 17 that the user is seated, the processing unit 21 activates the hydrogen gas sensor 13 (for example, turns on the power source of the hydrogen gas sensor 13), and measures the hydrogen gas concentration. Specifically, the signal value (hereinafter referred to as “hydrogen gas sensor signal value”) V input from the hydrogen gas sensor 13 and the detection time T thereof are started to be written in the storage unit 23 (hereinafter referred to as measurement start time). T1 and the hydrogen gas sensor signal value detected at time t1 as V1) (S3). When the output of the hydrogen gas sensor 13 is not stable immediately after the power is turned on (for example, when it takes several minutes after the power is turned on to stabilize), the activation of the gas sensor is performed simultaneously with the detection of the seating. It is not necessary. For example, when the hydrogen gas sensor 13 is continuously operated and the user's seating is detected, the measurement and the storage unit for the hydrogen gas sensor signal value may be started.

  The processing unit 21 performs hydrogenation at regular intervals (for example, every second) during a period from the start to the end of measurement (in other words, until the user is seated and defecates and leaves (S5 and S6)). The gas sensor signal value V and its detection time T are recorded in the storage unit 23 (S4). Thereby, the change of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value with the passage of time is recorded in the storage unit 23. If the respective detection times and hydrogen gas sensor signal values stored in the storage unit 23 are plotted on the plane of the orthogonal coordinate system illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, a graph illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. The detection time may be expressed as year / month / day / hour / minute / second, or relative time when the measurement start time is 0 second.

  When the user leaves the toilet seat 7 (S6), a signal indicating that the user has left the seat is input from the seating sensor 17 to the processing unit 21 of the control device 11 (S7).

  If the processing unit 21 detects from the signal value from the seating sensor 17 that the user has been seated by the user, the processing unit 21 ends the measurement of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value (hereinafter, the measurement end time is t2, and at that time t2). The detected hydrogen gas sensor signal value is set to V2) (S8). At that time, the processing unit 21 may turn off the power source of the hydrogen gas sensor 13.

  The processing unit 21 accesses the storage unit 23 and searches for the maximum value Vmax of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value from a plurality of hydrogen gas sensor signal values in the range of detection times T = t1 to t2 (S9). And the process part 21 makes the value which deducted the base line from the searched Vmax or Vmax the measurement value Vr, and records the measurement value Vr in the memory | storage part 23 (S10).

  Next, the processing unit 21 refers to the intestinal health level determination table 71 (see FIG. 7) and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information 73 stored in the storage unit 23, and records them in the storage unit 23. It is determined which first to third sub-range the measurement value Vr belongs to. In other words, the processing unit 21 determines the intestinal state (S11). And the process part 21 writes the determination result in the memory | storage part 23 (S12), and alert | reports the written determination result to a user (S13). Specifically, for example, when it is determined that the measurement value Vr belongs to the second sub-range, the processing unit 21 outputs a voice indicating that the intestinal state is intermediate, or operates This is displayed on the display screen 29 of the unit 27. In addition, when displaying on the display screen (for example, liquid crystal screen) 29, the processing unit 21 may change the color of the background screen of the display screen 29 according to the content of the determination result, for example.

  The above is the flow of processing performed by the toilet seat device 1.

  Note that the processing unit 21 may perform the measurement start process of S3 when, for example, it is detected that the measurement start button 31C of the operation unit 27 is pressed instead of detecting the seating. In addition, the processing unit 21 performs the measurement end process of S8, for example, when it is detected that the measurement end button 31B provided on the operation unit 27 is pressed instead of detecting that the sitting is performed, or The cleaning may be performed when the cleaning button 31D is pressed to start cleaning. Further, the processing unit 21 may perform the processes of S9 to S13 when it is detected that the inspection button 31A is pressed, instead of automatically performing the process of S8 after the measurement process is completed. Further, the processing unit 21 may perform the processes of S8 to S13 while the user is seated, for example, when the cleaning button 31D is pressed to start cleaning.

  Further, in the process of S11, the processing unit 21 substitutes the measurement value Vr for X in the relational expression Y = aX + B of the intestinal health measurement table 71, so that the Bifidobacterium count Y corresponding to the measurement value Vr is obtained. = Br may be calculated, and the intestinal state corresponding to the sub-range to which the calculated Br belongs among the first to third sub-ranges may be determined as the intestinal state of the user. Further, each time the above-described measurement is performed, the processing unit 21 calculates the bifidobacteria count Br, and stores the calculated Br together with the date and time when the calculation was performed in the storage unit 23 as a history. Anyway. Further, the processing unit 21 may output the bifidobacteria count Br accumulated as a history to a predetermined terminal in response to the request (for example, transfer to a printer for printing, or a predetermined number). It may be transmitted to an information processing terminal (for example, a personal computer installed in a medical institution).

  In order to determine the intestinal state by accurately measuring the excretion gas reflecting the state in the intestine, a difference is easily generated depending on the state in the intestine, and even if it is diffused in the toilet bowl, the measurement accuracy is hardly affected. It is desirable to measure gas components detected in the concentration range. In the intestines, in addition to odorous gas components that induce liver failure and carcinogenesis, etc., intestinal bacteria use undigested carbohydrates such as dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids, carbon dioxide, hydrogen gas, and methane gas. Is generated. According to the result of the first measurement experiment described above, when the hydrogen gas in the excretion gas is measured in the toilet bowl, the hydrogen gas in the excretion gas is measured in the toilet bowl. Hydrogen gas was detected, and as shown in FIG. 3, an average of about 1500 to 1800 ppm of hydrogen gas was detected. This means that it can be detected with higher accuracy than odorous gas components that have a low concentration of 0 to several ppm and can be measured only in a narrow concentration range. Furthermore, according to the results of the second measurement experiment described above, due to the intestinal state such as the presence or absence of constipation, there is a significant difference (for example, a difference of about 10 times) between hydrogen gas and odorous gas, It was found that measuring the hydrogen gas makes it easier to determine the intestinal state. That is, according to the above-described embodiment, since the measurement target is hydrogen gas, the measurement can be stably performed, and the intestinal state can be determined with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the intestinal state is determined based on the intestinal health degree determination table 71 that represents the correspondence between the hydrogen gas sensor signal value and the intestinal parameter (the number of bifidobacteria in the above example). Is done. Thereby, the user can have the intestinal state determined without taking the trouble of collecting the excreted stool and sending it to a specialized institution.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, while the user is near the toilet seat device 1 (for example, immediately after the user has left the seat), the sensor signal value of hydrogen gas contained in the excretion gas present in the toilet bowl 3 is set. Based on this, the intestinal state is determined and notified to the user. Thereby, the user can know the determination result of his / her intestinal state while defecation and being near the toilet seat apparatus 1.

  By the way, several modifications can be considered in the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, some of these modified examples will be described. Hereinafter, in order to avoid redundant description, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and description of points that overlap with the above-described embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

  (1) First modification.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the intestinal health level determination table stored in the storage unit 23 in the first modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in this figure, the storage unit 23 stores an intestinal health level determination table for each user attribute. Here, the user attribute is, for example, an age range, sex, or an individual.

  For example, when paying attention to the age range, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the age range is in the 60s to 70s, the number of bifidobacteria and the maximum voltage level (in other words, the maximum value of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value) The slope of the primary expression 71A representing the correspondence relationship between Further, the difference between the first bifidobacteria threshold Bc and the second bifidobacteria threshold Bd is narrow (where Vc is the first sensor signal threshold and Vd is the second sensor signal). Threshold).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), when the age range is 20-30s, the slope of the primary expression 71B is steeper than that when the age range is 60-70s. For this reason, even if the interval between the first sensor signal threshold value Ve and the second sensor signal threshold value Vf is not much different from that in the age range of 60-70, the first bifidobacteria threshold value Be And the second bifidobacteria threshold Bf are wider than those in the age range of 60-70. In other words, each of the first to third sub-ranges when the age range is 20-30s is different from that when the age range is 60-70s.

  Thus, the contents of the intestinal health degree determination table and the contents of the intestinal health degree determination auxiliary information (first to third sub-ranges, etc.) vary depending on the age range. This applies not only to the age range but also to other user attributes such as sex.

  In view of this point, in the first modification, an intestinal health level determination table is prepared for each user attribute in the storage unit 23. Note that, for example, an intestinal health level determination table dedicated to each user may be prepared in the storage unit 23 based on a diagnosis result in a medical institution or the like.

  FIG. 10 shows an operation of the user of the toilet seat device 1 in the first modification and a processing flow of the toilet seat device 1 performed in accordance with the operation.

  For example, the operation unit 27 includes a user attribute input unit 31E for inputting user attributes. The user attribute input unit 31E may have any configuration as long as it can input predetermined user attributes (for example, age range, sex, relationship, etc.). The user attribute input unit 31E includes, for example, a plurality of age range input buttons respectively corresponding to a plurality of age ranges.

  The user inputs user attributes (for example, presses an age range button corresponding to his / her age) and sits on the toilet seat 7 (S51).

  The processing unit 21 writes the input user attribute in the storage unit 23 (S52). Moreover, if the process part 21 detects having seated on the toilet seat (S53), it will perform the measurement start process similar to S3 mentioned above (S54). Thereafter, the same processing as S4 to S10 described above is performed (S55 to S61).

  After S61, the processing unit 21 sets the user attributes recorded in the storage unit 23 in S52 from among the plurality of intestinal health level determination tables and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information stored in the storage unit 23. The corresponding intestinal health level determination table and intestinal health level determination accessory information are searched (S62). Then, the processing unit 21 refers to the retrieved intestinal health level determination table (the table shown in FIG. 9A or 9B) and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information, and performs S11 described above. To S13 (S63 to S65).

  As described above, according to the first modification, the intestinal health level determination table and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information are prepared for each user attribute, and the intestinal region corresponding to the user attribute input to the user is prepared. Based on the health level determination table and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information, the user's intestinal health level is determined. As described above, the contents of the intestinal health level determination table and the intestinal health level determination accessory information differ depending on the user attribute. For this reason, according to the 1st modification, it can be expected that the intestinal health level determination can be performed with higher accuracy in which the difference in the user attribute is corrected.

  (2) Second modification.

  In the second modification of the present embodiment, one or more other types of gas in the toilet bowl 3 are detected in addition to hydrogen gas. In that case, one or more gas sensors for detecting each of the one or more types of gases are arranged in the vicinity of the gas inlet 10 </ b> A of the deodorizing duct 10, for example, along with the hydrogen gas sensor 13. In addition to the measurement result of the hydrogen gas concentration, the processing unit 23 uses the measurement results of other types of gas concentrations together to determine the intestinal health level.

  FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the intestinal health level determination table stored in the storage unit 23 in the second modification of the present embodiment.

  In the second modification, the storage unit 23 stores a plurality of types of intestinal health level determination tables and intestinal health level determination auxiliary information respectively corresponding to a plurality of detected gas types. For example, in the second modification, when the plurality of detected gas types are hydrogen gas and ammonia gas, the correspondence between the maximum value of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value and the number of bifidobacteria as shown in FIG. In addition to the intestinal health determination table 71C and the intestinal health determination auxiliary information (not shown) representing the relationship, the maximum ammonia gas sensor signal value and bifidobacteria as shown in FIG. The intestinal health level determination table 71D and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information (not shown) representing the correspondence with the numbers are stored in the storage unit 23.

  In the second modification, the toilet seat device 1 measures the ammonia gas concentration by the same method as the method for measuring the hydrogen gas concentration. That is, the processing unit 21 writes the ammonia gas sensor signal value from the ammonia gas sensor into the storage unit 23 in time series. Then, the processing unit 21 uses the maximum value (first detected peak value) of the ammonia gas sensor signal value itself or a value obtained by subtracting the baseline of the ammonia gas sensor signal value as the measurement value K, and the measurement value K ( Alternatively, it is determined which of the first to third sub-ranges regarding the ammonia gas concentration the bifidobacteria count Y) calculated from the measured value K belongs. The processing unit 21 calculates a final determination result based on the determination result based on the hydrogen gas measurement value Vr and the determination result based on the ammonia gas measurement value K. At this time, as described above, since the measurement of the hydrogen gas concentration can be performed more accurately than the measurement of the ammonia gas concentration, for example, the processing unit 21 gives priority to the determination result based on the hydrogen gas measurement value Vr. A final determination result may be calculated. Specifically, for example, the determination result based on the hydrogen gas measurement value Vr has a high intestinal health level, whereas the determination result based on the ammonia gas measurement value K has a medium intestinal health level. In this case, a final determination result that the intestinal health level is higher than the middle level may be calculated and notified to the user. In contrast, for example, the determination result based on the hydrogen gas measurement value Vr has a medium intestinal health level, whereas the determination result based on the ammonia gas measurement value K has a high intestinal health level. In such a case, a final determination result that the intestinal health level is closer to a medium level than a high level may be calculated and notified to the user.

  According to the second modification, not only hydrogen gas but also one or more other types of gas are detected, and the user's intestinal health level is determined based on a plurality of types of gas concentration measurement results. Thereby, it can be expected that the intestinal health level can be determined with higher accuracy. In the second modified example, various intestinal health level determination tables and intestinal health level determination auxiliary information may be prepared for each user attribute as in the first modified example.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, differences from the already described description will be mainly described, and description of common points with the already described description will be omitted or simplified.

  In this other embodiment, the intestinal age of the user is determined based on the hydrogen gas sensor signal value (which may be a sensor signal value of another type of gas such as ammonia gas instead of hydrogen gas).

  Here, the intestine age is an age (or age) determined based on the state in the intestine, for example, an age (or age) determined based on the intestinal parameters. In other words, for example, an intestinal state corresponding to a certain intestine age (eg, intestinal parameters) is an average of a plurality of users whose intestinal age and actual age (or age) are the same. Intestinal condition (for example, average value or average range of intestinal parameters). In this alternative embodiment, the intestinal parameter is, for example, Bifidobacterium count.

  In this other embodiment, the age of the intestine of the user is determined by using the first determination table, the second determination table, and the intestinal health level determination auxiliary information described in detail below.

  Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 12A shows a configuration example of the first determination table. FIG. 12B shows a configuration example of the second determination table. FIG. 12C shows a configuration example of the intestinal health degree determination auxiliary information in another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the first determination table 171P represents the correspondence between the maximum value (not limited to the maximum value, for example, an average value) of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value and the Bifidobacterium value. The first determination table 171P can be expressed in various methods, for example, in a table format, or can be expressed by a linear function expression “Br = S · Vr + T” as shown in FIG. 12A. Br is the number of bifidobacteria, S is the slope (constant), Vr is the maximum value of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value, and T is the intercept (constant). The first determination table 171P may be prepared for each user age (or age). The first determination table 171P is stored in the storage unit 23.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the second determination table 171Q represents the correspondence between the intestinal age and the number of bifidobacteria. The second determination table 171Q can also be expressed in various methods, for example, in a table format, or can be expressed by a linear function expression “Yr = U · Br + W” as shown in FIG. 12B. Yr is the age of the intestine, U is the slope (constant), Br is the number of bifidobacteria, and W is the intercept (constant). The second determination table 171Q is stored in the storage unit 23.

  The second determination table 171Q is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges. In this alternative embodiment, for example, five sub-ranges are provided. The five sub-ranges will be described by taking the first sub-range as an example. In the first sub-range, the intestine age Yrr is equal to or less than the first intestine age threshold Yk (in other words, the bifidobacteria count Brr is the first Of Bifidobacteria threshold Bk or more). Here, the bifidobacteria count Brr is a value obtained from the actual measurement value Vrr of the maximum value of the hydrogen sensor gas signal value and the first determination table 171P. The intestine age Yrr is a value obtained using the bifidobacteria count Brr and the second determination table 171Q.

  As shown in FIG. 12C, the intestinal health degree determination auxiliary information 173 represents the user-reported intestinal age associated with each of the plurality of sub-ranges. The user-reported bowel age is the bowel age that is actually reported to the user. According to the example of FIG. 12C, when it is determined that the obtained Yrr belongs to the first sub-range, the intestine age notified to the user is “20 years or younger”.

  FIG. 13 shows the flow of intestine age determination processing performed in another embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, after the processing from S1 to S10 in FIG. 8 is performed (S101 to S110 in FIG. 13), the following processing is performed.

  The processing unit 21 extracts the bifidobacteria count Brr corresponding to the measurement value Vrr recorded in the storage unit 23 from the first determination table 171P (see FIG. 12A) stored in the storage unit 23 (S111). The processing unit 21 can record the extracted bifidobacteria count Brr in the storage unit 23.

  Next, the processing unit 21 extracts the intestine age Yrr corresponding to the extracted bifidobacteria count Brr from the second determination table 171Q (see FIG. 12B) stored in the storage unit 23 (S112). The processing unit 21 can record the extracted intestine age Yrr in the storage unit 23.

  The processing unit 21 extracts the user-reported bowel age corresponding to the extracted bowel age Yrr from the intestinal health degree determination auxiliary information 173 (S113), and writes the extracted user-reported bowel age in the storage unit 23 (S114). ).

  The processing unit 21 notifies the user of the user notification bowel age written in the storage unit 23 (S115).

  As described above, according to this another embodiment, the user can have the intestine age determined without taking the trouble of collecting excreted stool and sending it to a specialized institution.

  In this alternative embodiment, three or more types or one type of determination table may be prepared instead of the two types of determination tables 171P and 171Q. When one type of determination table is prepared, the determination table can be expressed by, for example, a linear expression “Yr = U · S · Vr + U · T + W”.

  In this other embodiment, instead of preparing the second determination table 171Q illustrated in FIG. 12B, in the intestinal health determination auxiliary information 173, each intestine age is the maximum of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value. It may be determined based on the value. Specifically, for example, what age of the intestine may be determined when the actual measurement value Yrr of the maximum value of the hydrogen gas sensor signal value belongs.

  In this other embodiment, the user may be notified of the intestine age Yrr obtained from the second determination table 171Q. In that case, the intestinal health degree determination additional information 173 may not be prepared. Intestinal age thresholds Yk, Ym, Yn and Yo and bifidobacteria thresholds Bk, Bm, Bn and Bo may not be defined.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment and modification of this invention were demonstrated, these are the illustrations for description of this invention, Comprising: In the meaning which limits the scope of the present invention only to these embodiment and modification Absent. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. For example, it is easy to detect methane gas and carbon dioxide from the excreted gas that has entered the toilet bowl 3. Therefore, for example, instead of or in addition to the hydrogen gas sensor, a methane gas sensor and / or a carbon dioxide sensor may be provided, and the intestinal state may be determined based on a signal value from the methane gas sensor and / or the carbon dioxide sensor. . In this case, it can be expected that the intestinal state can be determined with higher accuracy.

It is a perspective view of a toilet seat device to which a device concerning one embodiment of the present invention was applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control apparatus 11 with which the toilet seat apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is a graph which shows the 1st measurement experiment result of hydrogen gas concentration. It is a graph which shows the 2nd measurement experiment result of hydrogen gas concentration. An example of the level change of the hydrogen gas concentration from when the user is seated on the toilet seat 7 of the toilet seat device 1 until it is excreted and separated from the toilet bowl 3 is shown. An example of variation in the level change of the hydrogen gas concentration is shown. The conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the number of bifidobacteria in intestines and hydrogen gas concentration is shown. The operation | movement of the user in one Embodiment of this invention and the processing flow of the toilet seat apparatus 1 performed with the operation | movement are shown. In the 1st modification of this embodiment, the structural example of the intestinal health degree determination table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 23 is shown. The operation | movement of the user in the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention and the processing flow of the toilet seat apparatus 1 performed with the operation | movement are shown. In the 2nd modification of this embodiment, the structural example of the intestinal health level determination table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 23 is shown. FIG. 12A shows a configuration example of the first determination table. FIG. 12B shows a configuration example of the second determination table. FIG. 12C shows a configuration example of the intestinal health degree determination auxiliary information in another embodiment of the present invention. The flow of the intestine age determination process performed in another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toilet seat apparatus 3 ... Toilet bowl 5 ... Toilet bowl 7 ... Toilet seat 9 ... Deodorizing apparatus 10 ... Deodorizing duct 10A ... Gas inlet 11 ... Control apparatus 13 ... Hydrogen gas sensor

Claims (8)

Correspondence representing the correspondence between the signal value corresponding to the hydrogen gas concentration output from the hydrogen gas sensor that detects the hydrogen gas component in the excretion gas present in the toilet bowl of the toilet bowl and the intestinal state information regarding the intestinal state of the user A storage unit for storing data;
An intestinal state notification device comprising: a processing unit that extracts intestinal state information corresponding to a signal value output from the hydrogen gas sensor from the corresponding data and notifies a user. The storage unit includes first sub-correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship between an intestinal parameter for estimating a user's intestinal state and a signal value output from the hydrogen gas sensor , an intestinal parameter, and an intestinal state. Second sub-correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship with the information is stored as the correspondence data ,
The processing unit extracts an intestinal parameter corresponding to a signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor from the first sub-correspondence data , and further outputs intestinal state information corresponding to the extracted intestinal parameter to the second Extract from sub-corresponding data of
The intestinal state notification device according to claim 1. A user attribute input unit that accepts input of user attributes related to user attributes;
The storage unit stores a plurality of correspondence data corresponding to a plurality of user attributes related to attributes of a user,
The processing unit selects correspondence data corresponding to the input user attribute from the plurality of correspondence data, and extracts intestinal state information corresponding to a signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor from the selected correspondence data. The intestinal state notification device according to claim 1. Detecting a hydrogen gas component in the excretion gas present in the toilet bowl of the toilet bowl, obtaining a signal value output from a hydrogen gas sensor that outputs a signal of a value corresponding to the hydrogen gas concentration; and
Extracting intestinal state information corresponding to the acquired signal value from the correspondence data from correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship between the output signal value and intestinal state information regarding the intestinal state of the user; ,
Informing the user of the extracted intestinal state information;
An intestinal state notification method. In the extracting step, the first sub-correspondence data representing the correspondence relationship between the intestinal parameter for estimating the intestinal state of the user and the output signal value corresponds to the signal value from the hydrogen gas sensor. Intestinal parameters are extracted, and further, intestinal state information corresponding to the extracted intestinal parameters is extracted from the second sub-correspondence data representing the correspondence between the intestinal parameters and the intestinal state information.
The intestinal state notification method according to claim 4. Receiving from the user input of user attributes relating to the user attributes;
The intestinal state notification method according to claim 4, further comprising: selecting, as the correspondence data, correspondence data corresponding to the input user attribute from a plurality of correspondence data corresponding to each of the plurality of user attributes. A storage unit for storing correspondence data representing a correspondence relationship between a signal value corresponding to a hydrogen gas concentration output from a hydrogen gas sensor that detects a hydrogen gas component in excretion gas present in a toilet bowl of a toilet and a user's intestine age; ,
A processing unit that extracts the intestinal age corresponding to the signal value output from the gas sensor from the corresponding data and notifies the user as intestinal state information;
An intestinal state notification device. Detecting the hydrogen gas component in the excretion gas present in the toilet bowl of the toilet and obtaining a signal value output from a hydrogen gas sensor that outputs a signal of a value corresponding to the hydrogen gas concentration;
Extracting the intestinal age corresponding to the acquired signal value from the correspondence data from the correspondence data representing the correspondence between the output signal value and the intestinal age;
Informing the user of the extracted intestinal age as intestinal state information;
An intestinal state notification method.

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