KR102434133B1 - Smart toilet with health check function - Google Patents

Abstract

A smart toilet is provided. This includes a toilet body that provides a toilet container, a lid installed to open and close the toilet container of the toilet body, a photographing part disposed on the lid to photograph the inside of the toilet container, a user recognition part, and a driving program and data. and a storage unit, a power supply unit installed to supply power to the electrical and electronic elements, and a control unit. The control unit controls the photographing unit to acquire an image of the user's toilet recognized by the user recognition unit when the lid part is in the closed position to close the toilet container after the user's toilet.

Description

Smart toilet with health check function {SMART TOILET WITH HEALTH CHECK FUNCTION}

The present invention relates to the field of smart toilets, and more particularly, to a smart toilet in which user's stool image information can be obtained and health check is possible at any time, while privacy protection can be strengthened including a user authentication process.

A person's defecation is an important health indicator for that person. For example, a person's current health status can be checked by the color and texture of the stool. Furthermore, since the stool contains a large amount of pathogens, it is used as a representative specimen for diagnosis.

Recently, health check toilets that can check the user's health at any time by acquiring an image of the user's toilet have been proposed.

For example, Korean Patent No. 10-2007945 proposes a smart toilet having an image capturing unit capable of photographing the toilet unit. This smart toilet automatically acquires a user's toilet image by installing a pressure sensor on the seat and taking a picture of the toilet part when the reference pressure value or more continues for a certain period of time.

In addition, Korean Patent No. 10-1105390 proposes a toilet for health check including a photographing unit that captures a user's stool inside the toilet, and a control unit that compares the photographed stool image with a pre-stored image of the stool to determine a health condition.

These toilets for health check provide an advantage of being provided with an image capturing unit to obtain an image of the user's toilet so that the user can check his/her health from time to time. If you regularly check the toilet status, you can take appropriate action without missing the treatment time when health problems occur.

However, conventional smart toilets have a problem in that they do not include a configuration for identifying or authenticating a user. Since the image capturing element is installed in the toilet and can be abused, it can be said that the identification and authentication of the current user is absolutely necessary.

The present invention provides a smart toilet with improved security by performing health management by constantly checking the user's toilet and also by performing user authentication.

The present invention provides a smart toilet, comprising: a toilet body portion providing a toilet receiving portion; a lid part installed so as to be able to open and close the toilet receiving part of the toilet body part; a photographing unit disposed on the lid portion to photograph the inside of the toilet receiving portion; user recognition unit; a storage unit for storing driving programs and data; a power supply unit installed to supply power to electrical and electronic components; and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes the photographing unit to obtain an image for the user's toilet recognized and authenticated by the user recognition unit when the lid part is in a closed position to close the toilet receiving unit after the user's defecation control

The smart toilet may further include an odor sensor unit capable of detecting the odor of the toilet in the toilet receiving unit.

The program includes an analysis algorithm for defecation, and the control unit analyzes the data on the stool including the acquired image and smell of the stool.

The smart toilet may further include a display unit, and the control unit may display information including a result of the toilet analysis on the display unit.

The smart toilet may further include a communication unit capable of communication connection with an external device, and the control unit may exchange data on the obtained toilet and analysis result data of the external device with the external device through the communication unit.

The smart toilet may further include an air suction unit installed to suck air around the toilet accommodating part, and the controller may control to suck air around the toilet accommodating part at least during or after the user's toilet.

The smart toilet further includes a sterilizing unit for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the toilet receiving unit when the lid is in the closed position.

The smart toilet may further include a fragrance spraying unit installed to spray a fragrance after the operation of sucking air.

The user recognition unit may be a fingerprint reader, or an NFC reader for recognizing a near field communication (NFC) tag provided in the user's mobile phone.

According to the present invention, there is provided a smart toilet that automatically checks the user's toilet so that he/she can continuously manage his/her health. Such a smart toilet automatically acquires an image of the user's toilet and provides the analysis result. In addition, the smart toilet provides a configuration that detects and analyzes the smell of feces. In addition, by forcibly inhaling air, floating droplets are suppressed. The smart toilet of the present invention not only suppresses unnecessary image shooting, but also can fundamentally prevent abuse of the shooting function by performing user authentication in image shooting or smell detection for the toilet.

1A and 1B are views showing a smart toilet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the smart toilet of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a diagram including a schematic block diagram of the smart toilet of FIG. 1 .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, briefly described, the present invention provides a smart toilet that enables active health management at home by capturing an image of a user's feces and sensing and analyzing the smell. In particular, the smart toilet of the present invention can be used without fear of robbery by performing a photographing operation when the user is authenticated. Through this authentication configuration, the user can perform shooting, sensing, and analysis of the toilet only when he or she wants it. In addition, the smart toilet of the present invention has high hygiene, including air suction, sterilization, and aroma configuration.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the smart toilet of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1A and 1B are views showing a smart toilet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the smart toilet of FIG. 1 . 3 is a diagram including a schematic block diagram of the smart toilet of FIG. 1 .

In the smart toilet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toilet body 11 providing the toilet accommodating part 110 and the lid part 13 installed to open and close the toilet accommodating part 110 of the toilet body 11 are possible. includes Like a general toilet, in the smart toilet of the present invention, the lid part 13 is rotatably connected to the toilet body part 11 . Also, a seat plate 15 rotatably installed between the body part 11 and the lid part 13 of the toilet is disposed similarly to a general toilet. As described above, the toilet body 11 , the lid part 13 , and the seat plate 15 may be similar to those of a general toilet.

The smart toilet includes a photographing unit 17 that is installed on the lid unit 13 to photograph the inside of the toilet receiving unit 110 of the toilet body 11 . The meaning of being able to photograph the inside of the toilet accommodating unit 110 means that the user's toilet can be photographed. Preferably, the photographing unit 17 is disposed on the lower surface side of the lid unit 13 so that the toilet receiving unit 110 can be photographed when the lid unit 13 is in the closed position covered on the toilet body unit 11 . It is preferable to be For reference, the closed position of the lid part 13 means that it is in a position to cover the toilet receiving part 110 of the toilet body 11 as shown in FIG. 1B, and the open position is the toilet receiving part 110 as shown in FIG. 1A. It means being in an open position.

The smart toilet may also include an odor sensor unit 19 as shown in FIG. 2 . The smell sensor unit 19 may include one or more sensors for sensing a detection target volatile compound component generated in the feces. Preferably, the odor sensor unit 19 may operate in conjunction with the operation of the air suction unit installed to suck the air near the toilet receiving unit 110 as described below.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the smart toilet is an air suction unit installed to suck air around the toilet receiving unit 110 as described above, a sterilizing unit 35 installed to irradiate ultraviolet rays into the toilet receiving unit, and fragrance It may include a spraying unit 37 .

In a preferred embodiment, the smart toilet of the present invention may include an operation panel P that is provided integrally or separately. As in the illustrated example, the operation panel P may be separately installed on a wall near the toilet body 11, preferably. Elements such as the control unit 23 , the user recognition unit 25 , the power supply unit 27 , the storage unit 29 , and the fragrance injection unit 37 may be installed in the operation panel P .

In addition, the smart toilet may include the display unit 33 to display the acquired image data or analysis result data. As shown in FIG. 1B , the display unit 33 may be disposed on the upper surface side of the lid unit 13 or on the operation panel P, and may preferably be a touch screen type capable of input.

The storage unit 29 may be a memory device for storing programs and data for driving the smart toilet of the present invention.

The user recognition unit 25 is preferably a recognition using wireless communication (RFID), in particular, non-contact near field communication (Near Field Communication) may be suitable. In particular, the use of near field communication (NFC) for user authentication is performed only when the user's mobile phone is close to the recognition device by about 10 cm, and unnecessary authentication can be prevented.

Preferably, the user recognition unit 25 may be installed in a configuration that can mount the mobile phone on the operation panel (P). For example, as in the illustrated example, if the user's mobile phone is placed on the pedestal 251 configuration that can be accommodated, short-range wireless recognition is performed so that authentication can be performed. The pedestal 251 may protrude from the inside of the operation panel P to place the user's mobile phone, and may be configured to be drawn into the operation panel P when not in use.

Also, as will be described later, the user's mobile phone may be used as the first external device S1 as a tool for analyzing user's feces as well as for authentication. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the user's mobile phone, which is the first external device (S1), can also be used as an Internet connection tool for connecting the smart toilet of the present invention with the second external device (S2), which is another large device such as an analysis server. can

For this, the smart toilet according to the preferred embodiment may include a communication unit 31 for communication connection with an external device as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3 . Preferably, the smart toilet of the present invention may perform a communication connection using the first external device (S1), which is a user's mobile phone, using Bluetooth.

The user's mobile phone, which is the first external device (S1), for example, has a toilet program to receive image data and odor detection data acquired by the smart toilet to analyze the toilet. In addition, the user's mobile phone as the first external device (S) may store the result of the user's toilet analysis.

In addition, the user's mobile phone, which is the first external device (S1), may be used as a relay device between the smart toilet and the second external device (S2), which is another external device such as a large server. For example, the first external device ( S1 ) may mutually transmit and relay information and analysis data regarding toileting between the smart toilet and the second external device ( S2 ). The first external device ( S1 ) may display the analysis data for the toilet received from the second external device ( S2 ) on its own display.

When the analysis result of user's toilet is stored in the storage unit 29, the first external device (S1), and the second external device (S2) of the smart toilet, the average range and trend of the color and shape of the user's toilet is stored in a database. It will be possible to derive a positive change, thereby presenting a more accurate analysis result.

The smart toilet of the present invention includes a power supply unit 27 for supplying power to electronic components. Preferably, the control unit 23 may control so that power is supplied to the photographing unit 17 and the smell sensor unit 19 after user authentication is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the photographing unit 17 and the smell sensor unit 19 from being unnecessarily operated.

Furthermore, a rotary switch (not shown) is disposed on the hinge element for rotational operation of the lid part 13 so that the power of the power supply unit 27 is supplied to the photographing unit 17 only when the lid part 13 is in the closed position. supply can be controlled.

The control unit 23 of the smart toilet according to the preferred embodiment controls the overall operation of the smart toilet according to the driving program installed in the storage unit 29 .

For example, the control unit 23 is the photographing unit 17 to obtain an image of the user's toilet when the lid 13 is in the closed position to close the toilet accommodating unit 110 after the authenticated user's toilet. make it work That is, when the user approaches the user's mobile phone to the user recognition unit 25 to perform user authentication, the control unit 23 causes the power of the power supply unit 27 to be supplied to the photographing unit 17 and the smell sensor unit 19 and , when the lid part 13 is in the closed position, the photographing unit 17 and the smell sensor unit 19 are operated to detect the image and smell of the toilet.

Then, the control unit 23 may analyze the image data and smell data for the obtained toilet according to the settings stored in the driving program or the user's input by itself, and display the results on the display unit 33 . Also, the control unit 23 may transmit the analysis result to the first external device S1 which is the user's mobile phone, and the received first external device S1 may display the analysis result.

In addition, as described above, the analysis of the toilet may be performed in the first external device (S1) and the second external device (S2). Accordingly, the smart toilet may transmit the image and smell data for the toilet obtained for analysis to the first external device S1 according to a setting stored in the driving program or a user input. The first external device ( S1 ) receiving the data on the toilet may analyze the toilet in the provided program. The first external device S1 may display the analysis result on its own display or transmit it to the smart toilet and display it through the display unit 33 of the smart toilet.

The first external device (S1) may also serve as a repeater for transmitting the received toilet data to another second external device (S2), such as a large server, and receiving the analysis result. Another second external device (S2) may perform a more precise analysis of the toilet and store related data to provide better quality medical services.

The air suction unit is installed to suck the air around the toilet receiving unit (110). For example, as shown in the illustrated example, the air suction unit may include a plurality of suction paths 211 and a pump 212 connected to the suction path 211 . The suction paths 211 may be disposed in the vicinity of the lower surface of the lid part 13 and the toilet receiving part 110 of the toilet body part 11 . The air suction unit under the control of the control unit 23 suppresses the spread of the smell of the stool by sucking / collecting the air near the toilet receiving unit 110 during or after defecation, and at the same time to prevent the spread of various bacteria from the toilet. can Unexplained reference numeral 24 denotes a water outlet.

Preferably, sensors of the odor sensor unit 19 are disposed in one or more suction paths 211 to detect volatile substances generated from the toilet.

Preferably, the smart toilet of the present invention may further include a sterilization unit 35 for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the toilet receiving unit 110 . The sterilization unit 35 may be a plurality of UV LEDs, which may be disposed on the lower surface of the lid unit 13 . Therefore, the sterilization unit 35 may perform a sterilization operation by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the toilet receiving unit 110 when the lid unit 13 is in the closed position. In particular, it is possible to suppress the floating of droplets containing bacteria from the toilet when the water goes down for washing after the toilet.

Furthermore, the smart toilet of the present invention may further include a fragrance spraying unit 37 that is installed to spray the fragrance after the operation of sucking air.

Hereinafter, the operation of the smart toilet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the user performs user recognition in the user recognition unit 25 before, during, or after using the toilet. The user recognition operation is preferably an act of placing the user's mobile phone on the pedestal 251 protruding from the operation panel P, and may be performed by NFC authentication.

When the user authentication is completed, the control unit 23 controls the power of the power supply unit 27 to be supplied primarily to the photographing unit 17 and the smell sensor unit 19 .

When it is detected that the lid part 13 is in the closed position by the rotary switch disposed on the hinge element, the control unit 23 determines that the toilet is complete and performs a photographing operation, a smell detection operation, and an air suction operation for each element control them

That is, under the control of the control unit 23, the photographing unit 17 performs at least one photographing operation with respect to the toilet in the toilet receiving unit (110). In addition, under the control of the controller 23 , the air suction unit operates to suck the air around the toilet receiving unit 110 , while the sensors of the odor sensor unit 19 detect target volatile compounds from the collected air. Furthermore, it is also possible to detect a target virus or bacteria from the collected air.

After securing the image data and the odor detection data, the control unit 23 controls the sterilization unit 35 and the fragrance injection unit 37 to perform a sterilization operation and a fragrance injection operation.

On the other hand, according to a preset setting value or user input, the control unit 23 performs an analysis operation using the obtained toilet data. For the analysis of the feces, the acquired image data and the detection data detected by the odor sensor unit 19 are analyzed using its own analysis algorithm, or transmitted to the first external device S1 or the second external device S2. Devices can also be analyzed.

When the analysis is completed and the analysis result data is secured, the control unit 23 displays the analysis result through the display unit 33 or transmits it to the user's mobile phone. When the first external device ( S1 ) or the second external device ( S2 ) analyzes the toilet, it receives the analysis result data and displays it on the display unit 33 .

In addition, the control unit 23 may receive a better quality health care service by transmitting the analysis data of the feces to the second external device (S2) or another device accessible to the attending physician.

An example of the analysis of defecation may be as follows, but is not limited thereto.

There is a health check method according to the color and shape of the stool for analysis through the image data of the stool.

For example, if the color of the stool is dark red, bleeding has occurred in the digestive tract and may be gastroenteritis, gastric ulcer, colitis, colorectal cancer, or hemorrhoids. Also, if you drink too much alcohol with a high alcohol content, your stool may be dark red. Therefore, it can be suggested that the color analysis result of the stool is 'dark red color - there may be bleeding in the digestive system, and inflammation or excessive drinking in the digestive system may be the cause'.

In addition, if the color of the feces is white, the pancreas may be inflamed and the lipolytic ability may be reduced. In this case, it is possible to present the analysis result as 'Hing color system-inflammation may have occurred in the pancreas'.

If the color of the stool is gray, the analysis result can be presented as 'there may be gray system - biliary obstruction or cholecystitis'.

In addition, if the shape of the stool is scattered, the analysis result can be presented as 'a lack of dietary fiber'. In addition, if the shape of the stool is in the shape of small beads like rabbit dung or the shape of a lumpy sausage, it is one of the symptoms of constipation, and the analysis result can be presented as 'lack of water'. If the shape of the stool is thin, there may be a problem in the large intestine, and the analysis result can be presented as 'there may be symptoms of faeces and an abnormality in the large intestine'.

The above-mentioned health check according to the color and shape of the stool derives the average range of the user's accumulated analysis results and compares the average range with the standard range according to gender and age to derive the normal range for each user and perform the analysis. can do.

In addition, if the odor sensor detects acetone above the allowable level, the analysis result may be presented as 'Acetone is detected above the allowable level: Diabetes invention is suspected'. In addition, when the odor sensor detects toluene above the permissible level, the analysis result may be presented as 'toluene is detected above the permissible level: cancer is suspected'. If the odor sensor detects ammonia above the permissible level, the analysis result may be presented as 'Ammonia is detected above the permissible level: the invention of kidney disease is suspected'.

As mentioned above, although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

11: toilet body unit, 13: lid unit, 15: seat plate, 17: photographing unit, 19: odor sensor unit, 23: control unit, 24: water outlet, 25: user recognition unit, 27: power supply unit, 29: power supply unit, 31 : communication unit, 33: display unit, 35: sterilization unit, 37: fragrance spraying unit, 110: toilet receiving unit, 211: suction path, 212: pump, 251: pedestal, P: operation panel, S1: first external device, S2: second external device

Claims (10)

As a smart toilet:
a toilet body portion providing a toilet receiving portion;
a lid part installed so as to be able to open and close the toilet receiving part of the toilet body part;
a photographing unit disposed on the lid portion to photograph the inside of the toilet receiving portion;
user recognition unit;
a storage unit for storing driving programs and data;
a power supply unit installed to supply power to electrical and electronic components;
a display unit disposed on the upper surface side of the lid unit;
an odor sensor unit capable of detecting the odor of the feces in the toilet accommodating unit; and
control unit; including;
The program includes an analysis algorithm for defecation,
The control unit includes the photographing unit and the smell sensor unit to obtain an image and smell of the user's toilet recognized by the user recognition unit when the lid part is in the closed position to close the toilet receiving part after the user's toilet. control,
The control unit analyzes the data on the stool including the image and smell of the obtained stool, derives the average range of the user's accumulated analysis results with respect to the color and shape of the stool, and sets the average range by gender and comparing with the standard range according to age, deriving a normal range of the user, performing a toilet analysis of the user, and displaying information including the result of the toilet analysis on the display unit.
delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a communication unit capable of communication connection with an external device,
The control unit is a smart toilet for exchanging data on the obtained toilet and analysis result data of the external device with the external device through the communication unit.
The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising an air suction unit installed to suck the air around the toilet receiving unit,
The controller is a smart toilet that controls at least to suck the air around the toilet accommodating part during or after the user's toilet.
The method according to claim 1,
Smart toilet further comprising a sterilizing unit for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the toilet receiving portion when the lid portion is in the closed position.
7. The method of claim 6,
The smart toilet further comprises a fragrance spraying unit installed to spray the fragrance after the operation of sucking air.
The method according to claim 1,
The user recognition unit is a smart toilet that is a fingerprint reader.
The method according to claim 1,
The user recognition unit is a smart toilet that is an NFC recognizer for recognizing an NFC (near field communication) tag provided in the user's mobile phone.

Images