JP7679659B2 - Excretion information management system - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed embodiment relates to an excretion information management system.

Conventionally, toilet devices are known that automatically measure the shape (properties) and volume of feces (hereinafter also referred to as "stool") in the toilet in order to manage the health condition of the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since the presence or absence of excretion and the properties of the stool (color, shape, amount) indicate the state of health, excrement is said to be a barometer of health. Note that the state of health is not only represented by the state of excretion once, but also the stability of the properties of the stool over multiple excretion acts, such as excretion over multiple days (e.g., one month), and the stability of the time of excretion, are related to the state of health.

JP 2018-146244 A

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology does not take into consideration the case where a user uses multiple different toilets to defecate, and it is not necessarily possible to properly record and display information regarding defecation that occurs in multiple toilets.

The disclosed embodiment aims to provide an excretion information management system that appropriately records and displays information related to excretion that occurs in multiple toilets.

The excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment is an excretion information management system that includes a detection unit that is installed above the toilet and detects at least one of the excretion information, such as the presence or absence of feces, the color, shape, and amount of feces, a display unit that displays the user's excretion record, an input means, a clock unit that acquires date and time information of excretion, and a memory unit that automatically records an excretion record including the excretion information detected by the detection unit and the date and time information of excretion acquired by the clock unit, and is characterized in that the input means is capable of additionally inputting excretion records of excretion in toilets other than the toilet into the memory unit, and the display unit displays the excretion record recorded in the memory unit.

According to the excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, information on excretion in a toilet bowl in which a toilet seat device capable of detecting the user's defecation information is placed is automatically recorded in a memory unit, and excretion records of excretion in toilet bowls other than the toilet bowl are also added and can be input into the memory unit, and the excretion records recorded in the memory unit are displayed. As a result, the excretion information management system can appropriately record and display information on excretion in multiple toilet bowls. Here, in daily life, there is not just one toilet to use. For example, even if there is a toilet in the house, if you go out for a long time for school or work, you will excrete in the toilet at the outside. In other words, even if the toilet you use daily (for example, the toilet in your home) has a function to automatically obtain excretion records, if you excrete in another toilet, the data will be lost. The health condition cannot be inferred from only one excretion record, but is inferred based on the excretion history for multiple days (for example, one month). If there is a gap in the excretion history, the health condition cannot be correctly interpreted from the history data. For example, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is diagnosed based on the frequency of constipation and diarrhea in a month (e.g. Rome III). Therefore, if there are many gaps in the excretion history, it will be insufficient as a health management record. On the other hand, the excretion information management system automatically obtains bowel and urination information as daily excretion record data to be used for health management, etc., records (accumulates) that data, and allows the user to view the recorded data on a display device. Furthermore, the excretion information management system can add data obtained from other toilets and eliminate data gaps, so more sufficient history data can be obtained and is useful for health management.

In one embodiment of the excretion information management system, the display unit displays the excretion records recorded in the memory unit in chronological order.

According to an embodiment of the excretion information management system, the excretion record is displayed in chronological order. This allows the excretion information management system to make the excretion record recognizable in chronological order. For example, the excretion information management system displays time-series data without any missing data, allowing the user to confirm and interpret the daily progress and stability of excretion.

In one embodiment of the excretion information management system, the input means accepts manual input of an excretion record of excretion in a toilet bowl other than the toilet bowl.

According to an excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, by accepting manual input of excretion records of excretion in a toilet other than a toilet, excretion that occurs in a toilet that does not have an automatic recording function can also be registered as an excretion record. This allows the excretion information management system to properly record and display information about excretion that occurs in multiple toilets. In this way, in the excretion information management system, by manually recording the results of visual confirmation of stool, it is possible to register the excretion information regardless of where the excretion occurs. Since it is possible to prevent loss of excretion records, the information becomes useful for health management.

In one embodiment of the excretion information management system, the storage unit assigns a first label to an excretion record that is automatically recorded, and assigns a second label to an excretion record that is input by the input means and stores the excretion record.

According to an excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, by managing automatically recorded excretion records and manually entered excretion records in a distinguishable manner, it is possible to differentiate between automatically recorded excretion records and manually entered excretion records. In this way, in the excretion information management system, visual data entry (manual input) is more likely to result in variability in the recording of excretion time and characteristics compared to information obtained in the toilet (automatic recording), so if it is possible to know whether the data was entered manually or automatically, it becomes easier to analyze past information.

In one embodiment of the excretion information management system, if there is no record in the memory unit for a predetermined period of time, a notification is issued to prompt input to the memory unit.

According to an excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, if there is no record in the memory unit for a predetermined period of time, a notification is issued to prompt the user to input information into the memory unit, thereby preventing missed entries of excretion records. For example, the excretion information management system can prevent users from forgetting to input information when they are likely to have forgotten to input information even though they are using another toilet.

In one embodiment of the excretion information management system, the predetermined period is calculated based on the date and time information of the excretion recorded in the memory unit.

According to an excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, a predetermined period for determining the notification timing for prompting input to the memory unit is calculated from the date and time information of excretion, and a notification can be issued to prompt manual input at an appropriate timing. For example, some people defecate more than twice a day, while others defecate once every three days. Therefore, the excretion information management system prompts the user to input at an appropriate timing that suits the user. In the excretion information management system, the user is prompted to input information, but because the prompting is made at an appropriate timing, the user can be prevented from forgetting to input information without feeling bothered.

In one aspect of the embodiment, in the excretion information management system, an excretion record is estimated from the excretion record recorded in the storage unit, and the estimated excretion record is input to the input means before the manual input of an excretion record of excretion in a toilet other than the toilet is accepted.

According to the excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, by inputting (displaying) the estimated information in advance to the input means, the user only needs to confirm the estimated information and correct any information that differs, which reduces the complexity of manual input and promotes manual input by the user. In this way, by inputting (displaying) the estimated information in advance to the input means before the user manually inputs the information, the user can easily register the excretion record without the hassle of manual input.

In one embodiment of the excretion information management system, the storage unit stores information on the position of the toilet along with the excretion record, and the display unit displays information on the position of the toilet where the excretion occurred along with the excretion record.

According to an excretion information management system according to one aspect of the embodiment, by displaying the location information of the toilet bowl where urination took place along with the excretion record, it is possible to allow the user to check the excretion history taking into account the location where urination took place. For example, when leading a different lifestyle from everyday life, such as traveling, excretion habits can become disrupted. In other words, the location of the toilet bowl where urination took place is an important parameter for managing excretion habits. Therefore, by displaying the location information as well, the excretion information management system is useful for analyzing excretion habits, and ultimately for health management.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, information regarding excretion occurring in multiple toilets can be appropriately recorded and displayed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration inside a toilet room. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an arrangement of sensors according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the excretion information management system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a defecation information database according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of manual input of defecation information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of manual input of defecation information. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information display. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of information display. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an excretion information management system according to a modified example. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of the excretion information management system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an excretion record. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an excretion record. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an excretion record. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a mapped display. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a notification that prompts the user to make an input. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display of estimated information.

Below, an embodiment of the excretion information management system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

1. Embodiment
The excretion information management system according to each embodiment described below manages excretion information (hereinafter also referred to as "excretion record") related to the user's excretion based on information detected by a sensor. In the following example, a camera (two-dimensional image sensor) is used as an example of the stool property sensor 302, which is the detection unit (sensor). Note that any sensor can be used as the stool property sensor 302 as long as it can detect at least one of the presence or absence of stool excretion, the color, shape, and amount of stool, which will be described later.

<1-1. Configuration of the Excretion Information Management System>
The configuration of the excretion information management system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration inside a toilet room. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of sensors according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the excretion information management system according to the embodiment.

First, an example of the configuration inside the toilet room R common to each embodiment of the excretion information management system 1 will be described using FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the configuration inside the toilet room R shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 may be collectively referred to as the toilet system TS. As shown in FIG. 1, in the toilet room R, a Western-style toilet bowl (hereinafter referred to as "toilet bowl") 7 is installed on a floor surface F. In the following, the direction facing the space of the toilet room R from the floor surface F is described as "up." The toilet seat device 2 is provided above the toilet bowl 7.

The toilet bowl 7 is made of, for example, ceramic. The toilet bowl 7 is formed with a bowl portion 8. The bowl portion 8 is concave downwards and is the portion that receives the user's waste. The toilet bowl 7 is not limited to a floor-standing type as shown in the figure, and may be of any type, such as a wall-mounted type, as long as the toilet system TS can be applied to it. The toilet bowl 7 is provided with a rim portion 9 around the entire edge of the opening that faces the bowl portion 8. In the toilet room R, for example, a flush water tank that stores flush water may be installed near the toilet bowl 7, or a so-called tankless type in which no flush water tank is installed may be used.

For example, when a user operates a flushing operation unit (not shown) provided in the toilet room R, a toilet flush is performed by supplying flush water to the bowl portion 8 of the toilet 7. The flushing operation unit may be an operation lever or a touch operation on a toilet flushing object displayed on the operation device 10. Note that the flushing operation unit is not limited to an operation lever or the like that allows the toilet to be flushed manually by the user, but may also be one that allows the toilet to be flushed by a sensor that detects the user, such as the seating sensor 301.

The toilet seat device 2 is attached to the top of the toilet bowl 7 and comprises a main body 3, a toilet lid 4, a toilet seat 5, and a cleaning nozzle 6. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7, which is formed with a bowl portion 8 that receives excrement. The toilet seat device 2 is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7 so that the cleaning nozzle 6 advances into the bowl portion 8 before spraying cleaning water. The toilet seat device 2 may be attached removably to the toilet bowl 7, or may be attached so as to be integrated with the toilet bowl 7.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet seat 5 is formed in a ring shape with an opening 50 in the center, and is positioned along the rim portion 9 so that it overlaps with the opening of the toilet bowl 7. A user sits on the toilet seat 5. The toilet seat 5 functions as a seating portion that supports the buttocks of a seated user. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 are each pivotally supported at one end by the main body portion 3, and are attached so that they can rotate (be opened and closed) around the pivot portion of the main body portion 3. The toilet lid 4 is attached to the toilet seat device 2 as necessary, and the toilet seat device 2 does not have to have a toilet lid 4.

The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for discharging water for cleaning. The cleaning nozzle 6 is capable of spraying cleaning water. The cleaning nozzle 6 is capable of spraying cleaning water toward the user. The cleaning nozzle 6 is a nozzle for cleaning the private parts. The cleaning nozzle 6 is configured to be movable forward and backward relative to the main body cover 30, which is the housing of the main body 3, by driving a driving source such as an electric motor (such as the nozzle motor 61 in FIG. 4). The cleaning nozzle 6 is also connected to a water source such as a water pipe (not shown). Then, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in a position advanced relative to the main body cover 30, which is the housing of the main body 3, as shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "advanced position"), it sprays water from the water source onto the user's body to clean the private parts.

In FIG. 1, the cleaning nozzle 6 is shown in the advanced position. The cleaning nozzle 6 may also be used to clean the inside of the toilet bowl 7 (bowl portion 8, etc.). The cleaning nozzle 6 may be used to switch between a private parts cleaning mode for cleaning the private parts of the user and a toilet bowl cleaning mode for spraying water inside the toilet bowl 7. For example, the cleaning nozzle 6 may be used to switch between the private parts cleaning mode and the toilet bowl cleaning mode according to the control by the control unit 23 (see FIG. 4) of the toilet seat device 2.

The operating device 10 is provided in the toilet room R. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated by a user. The operating device 10 is provided in a position where it can be operated when the user is seated on the toilet seat 5. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 10 is provided on a wall surface W on the right side as seen from a user seated on the toilet seat 5. Note that the operating device 10 may be provided in various ways, not limited to on a wall surface, as long as it is usable by a user seated on the toilet seat 5. For example, the operating device 10 may be provided integrally with the toilet seat device 2.

Now, an example of the placement of the sensors will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the toilet seat 5 in a raised state in order to show the placement of the sensors, with the toilet lid 4 removed, and to illustrate the underside 51 of the toilet seat 5, which is the surface opposite the surface on which the user sits (seating surface).

Figure 2 shows the cleaning nozzle 6 (see Figure 1) in a position where it is stored inside the main body cover 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the "storage position"). As shown in Figure 2, when the cleaning nozzle 6 is in the storage position, the nozzle lid 60 is closed and the cleaning nozzle 6 is hidden behind the nozzle lid 60. When cleaning is performed using the cleaning nozzle 6, the nozzle lid 60 opens and the cleaning nozzle 6 protrudes from the opening in the main body cover 30 (the opening covered by the nozzle lid 60 in the closed state in Figure 2), and the cleaning nozzle 6 transitions to an advanced state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seating sensor 301 and the stool property sensor 302, which are sensors used in the excretion information management system 1, are arranged on the back surface 51 side of the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 may be detachable from the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5, or may be fixed to the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 may be included in the configuration of the toilet seat device 2. In addition, the stool property sensor 302 may be detachable from the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5, or may be fixed to the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5. The stool property sensor 302 may be included in the configuration of the toilet seat device 2.

In addition, the seat sensor 301 may be of any detection type and may be placed in any location as long as it can detect a user sitting on the toilet seat 5. For example, if the seat sensor 301 is an infrared or μ (microwave) wave distance sensor that detects sitting by distance, the seat sensor 301 may be placed in a position that detects a person's feet from the side of the toilet bowl 7 or a position that detects a person's back from a tank attached to the toilet bowl 7. For example, if the seat sensor 301 detects a person's feet from the side of the toilet bowl 7, the seat sensor 301 may be placed near the outer periphery of the toilet bowl 7 shown in FIG. 2. For example, if the seat sensor 301 detects a person's back from a tank attached to the toilet bowl 7, the seat sensor 301 may be placed on the outer periphery of the tank provided at the rear of the toilet bowl 7 shown in FIG. 2. For example, if the seat sensor 301 is a distance sensor that detects sitting by distance, the seat sensor 301 may be placed around the toilet bowl 7. For example, if the seating sensor 301 detects sitting by distance, it may be placed on the ceiling of the toilet room R. Or, for example, if the seating sensor 301 is a contact switch and detects the sinking of the toilet seat due to sitting, the seating sensor 301 may be placed on the pivot support part of the toilet seat 5. Or, for example, if the seating sensor 301 is a load sensor and detects sitting by the weight on the toilet seat, the seating sensor 301 may be placed on the underside of the toilet seat 5, on the surface that comes into contact with the toilet bowl 7. Also, the stool condition sensor 302 may be placed anywhere as long as it is possible to detect stool excreted in the toilet bowl 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the excretion information management system 1 includes a toilet system TS including a toilet seat device 2, an operating device 10, a seating sensor 301, and a stool condition sensor 302, a user terminal 200, and a server device 400. The excretion information management system 1 may include multiple toilet systems TS, multiple user terminals 200, and server devices 400. The case where multiple toilet systems TS are included will be described later.

The toilet seat device 2 is a device that is placed in the toilet room R. The toilet seat device 2 communicates with each device of the toilet system TS (the operating device 10, the seating sensor 301, and the stool condition sensor 302), the user terminal 200, and the server device 400.

The toilet seat device 2 performs a process (personal identification) of acquiring information for identifying a user who uses the toilet bowl 7 in the toilet room R to perform excretion. For example, the toilet seat device 2 acquires information for identifying a user who uses the toilet bowl 7 to perform excretion by communicating with a user terminal 200 owned by the user or by the user operating the operation device 10, and performs personal identification of the user. For example, the toilet seat device 2 communicates with a user terminal 200 owned by the user and receives user identification information (user ID, etc.) for identifying the user from the user terminal 200. Note that the toilet seat device 2 may identify a user by any method as long as it is possible to identify a user who uses the toilet bowl 7 in the toilet room R to perform excretion.

In addition, the toilet seat device 2 manages the acquired user identification information in association with excretion information (defecation information) related to the detected excretion (defecation). For example, the toilet seat device 2 associates the acquired user identification information with the excretion information (defecation information) and transmits them to the server device 400. The server device 400 associates the received excretion information with the received user identification information and registers them in the memory unit 420. In addition, the toilet seat device 2 may associate the user identification information and the excretion information (defecation information) with toilet seat identification information (toilet seat identification information) for identifying the toilet seat device 2 and transmit them to the server device 400. In this case, the server device 400 associates the received excretion information with information indicating a location (e.g. home, school, etc.) corresponding to the toilet seat identification information with the received user identification information and registers them in the memory unit 420. The toilet seat device 2 may also transmit information (position information) indicating the placement position of the toilet seat device 2 in association with the user identification information and excretion information (defecation information) to the server device 400. In this case, the server device 400 associates the received excretion information and position information with the received user identification information and registers them in the storage unit 420. Details of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described later.

The operating device 10 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the operating device 10 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it by a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat device 2 and the operating device 10 may be connected in any manner as long as it is possible to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with them wired or wirelessly. For example, the operating device 10 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with them wired or wirelessly.

The operation device 10 accepts various operations from the user via a display surface (e.g., display screen 11) using, for example, a touch panel function. The operation device 10 may also be equipped with switches and buttons, and accept various operations via the switches and buttons. The display screen 11 is, for example, a display screen of a tablet terminal or the like realized by a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, the operation device 10 accepts input from the user via the display screen 11, and also outputs to the user. The display screen 11 is a display device that displays various information.

The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to stop control being performed by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to start the execution of local washing by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts an instruction from the user to the washing nozzle 6. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to cause the toilet seat device 2 to output a predetermined sound. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to perform a sterilization process to sterilize the washing nozzle 6 (see FIG. 1) of the toilet seat device 2 with disinfectant water. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to adjust the force of the water discharged during local washing by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to adjust the volume of the sound output by the toilet seat device 2. The operation device 10 accepts a user's operation to select a language when information regarding toilet use is displayed on the operation device 10 or output as audio.

For example, the operation device 10 may display an object that accepts the above-mentioned user's operation on the display screen 11, and execute various processes in response to the user's touch on the displayed object. For example, the operation device 10 may have a switch, button, etc. that accepts the above-mentioned user's operation, and execute various processes in response to the user's touch on the switch, button, etc. Note that the above is an example, and the operation device 10 may accept an operation by a user that executes various processes.

The seating sensor 301 has the function of detecting a person sitting on the toilet seat device 2. The seating sensor 301 detects when a user sits (takes a seat) on the toilet bowl 7. The seating sensor 301 can detect when the user sits on the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 also functions as a seating detection sensor that detects when the user leaves the toilet seat 5. The seating sensor 301 detects when the user is seated on the toilet seat 5.

The seating sensor 301 is a switch that switches ON/OFF depending on, for example, the weight of a user sitting on the toilet seat 5. When the user sits down and the toilet seat 5 sinks, the seating sensor 301 turns on, thereby detecting that the user has sat on the toilet bowl 7.

Note that the above is just one example, and the seating sensor 301 may detect a person sitting on the toilet seat device 2 by various means other than the above. The seating sensor 301 transmits a seating detection signal to the toilet seat device 2.

The seating sensor 301 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a predetermined network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the seating sensor 301 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it by a predetermined wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat device 2 and the seating sensor 301 may be connected in any manner as long as it is possible to send and receive information, and may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with them wired or wirelessly. For example, the seating sensor 301 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with them wired or wirelessly.

The stool condition sensor 302 functions as a detector that detects defecation by capturing an image of the inside of the toilet bowl 7. The stool condition sensor 302 is a camera that captures images and generates a two-dimensional image. For example, the stool condition sensor 302 has an area sensor (two-dimensional image sensor) in which a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor is arranged in a planar (two-dimensional) pattern.

The stool property sensor 302 photographs the water seal part of the toilet bowl 7 (for example, the part where the water seal part of the bowl part 8 accumulates). The stool property sensor 302 is arranged on the back surface 51 of the toilet seat 5 in a position and orientation that allows it to detect (image) the water seal part of the toilet bowl 7. For example, the stool property sensor 302 is provided on the toilet seat 5 with its directionality directed toward the water seal part of the toilet bowl 7 when the toilet seat 5 is lowered (when the user is seated on the toilet seat 5 and can defecate). The stool property sensor 302 may be arranged in any manner as long as it can detect (image) the water seal part of the toilet bowl 7. The stool property sensor 302 may be arranged in any manner as long as it can image the water seal part of the toilet bowl 7. The stool property sensor 302 may also take still images or may also take moving images. The stool property sensor 302 may also be arranged to image (detect) stool as it falls. Also, if the inside of the toilet becomes dark when the user sits on the toilet seat and it is not possible to take a picture with sufficient brightness, a light source (light-emitting unit) may be provided.

The stool property sensor 302 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a specified network so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the stool property sensor 302 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with it by a specified wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Note that the toilet seat device 2 and the stool property sensor 302 may be connected in any manner as long as information can be sent and received, and may be connected to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly. For example, the stool property sensor 302 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with it wired or wirelessly.

The stool property sensor 302 is not limited to an area sensor (two-dimensional image sensor) that captures two-dimensional images, and may be any of a variety of sensors, so long as it can detect at least one of the presence or absence of stool excretion, and the color, shape, and amount of stool. For example, the stool property sensor 302 may be a water level sensor. In this case, the stool property sensor 302 detects defecation by detecting a change in the water level in the water seal part of the toilet bowl 7. The stool property sensor 302 may also be a radiation thermometer. In this case, the stool property sensor 302 detects defecation by receiving infrared rays emitted from the defecation and detecting the radiation temperature.

For example, the stool property sensor 302 may be a line sensor that captures one-dimensional images. In this case, the toilet seat device 2 may capture images of the falling stool over time using the stool property sensor 302, generate two-dimensional images from the one-dimensional images captured by the stool property sensor 302, and perform image processing based on the generated two-dimensional images. For example, the stool property sensor 302 may be an ultrasonic sensor. In this case, the stool property sensor 302 detects defecation by emitting ultrasonic waves to the defecation and receiving waves (ultrasound) reflected from the defecation. The stool property sensor 302 may include multiple sensors described above. For example, the stool property sensor 302 may include a camera and a radiation thermometer, and when defecation is detected by the radiation thermometer, the camera may capture a two-dimensional image. Note that the above is merely one example, and the stool property sensor 302 may have any configuration as long as it can detect at least one of the presence or absence of defecation, the color, shape, and amount of the stool.

The user terminal 200 functions as a display unit (display device) that displays various information (excretion information) related to the user's excretion, such as excretion records. The user terminal 200 receives information indicating the excretion record from the toilet seat device 2, and displays the received information indicating the excretion record. For example, the user terminal 200 displays the excretion record in chronological order by the date and time of excretion.

For example, the user terminal 200 is a user terminal (computer) used by a user. The user terminal 200 is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), etc. For example, the user terminal 200 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the user terminal 200 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 so as to be able to communicate with each other via a specified wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The user terminal 200 transmits and receives information between the toilet seat device 2 and the server device 400. For example, the user terminal 200 receives information related to the user's excretion from the server device 400 and displays the received information. For example, the user terminal 200 receives content indicating the user's excretion record from the server device 400 and displays the received content.

The user terminal 200 may also have a sensor (position sensor) that detects the position of the user terminal 200. For example, the user terminal 200 may have a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and detect the position of the user terminal 200 (user). For example, the user terminal 200 may acquire information on the excretion location using the GPS function. The user terminal 200 may also acquire position information of the base station with which it is communicating, or position information of the user terminal 200 (user) estimated using WiFi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity) radio waves.

The user terminal 200 accepts input of excretion records of excretion in toilets other than the toilet 7 of the toilet system TS. The user terminal 200 accepts manual input of excretion records of excretion in toilets other than the toilet. The user terminal 200 displays the excretion records recorded in the defecation information database 421 of the server device 400. The user terminal 200 displays the excretion records in chronological order. The user terminal 200 displays information indicating the position of the toilet where the excretion occurred along with the excretion records.

The server device 400 associates the received excretion information with the received user identification information and registers it in the storage unit 420. Furthermore, if the received excretion information is automatic storage detected by the toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS, the server device 400 associates the received excretion information with information (first label) indicating that it is automatically recorded and registers it in the storage unit 420. Furthermore, if the received excretion information is manually input by the user, the server device 400 associates the received excretion information with information (second label) indicating that it is manually input and registers it in the storage unit 420.

The server device 400 is connected to the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 via a predetermined network (network N) such as the Internet, so as to be able to communicate with them in a wired or wireless manner. Note that the server device 400 may be connected to the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 in any manner as long as it is possible to send and receive information, and may be connected to them in a wired or wireless manner so as to be able to communicate with them.

The device configuration and arrangement of the server device 400 may be of any form as long as it is capable of communicating with the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200 and performing processing. For example, the server device 400 may be a portable terminal (device) such as a laptop computer that can be carried by an administrator of the excretion information management system 1. The server device 400 may also be placed in the toilet room R.

Note that the above is merely an example, and the excretion information management system 1 can adopt any device configuration as long as it can realize the desired processing. For example, if the user terminal 200 has the functions of the server device 400, the excretion information management system 1 does not need to have the server device 400. In this case, the user terminal 200 also functions as a recording unit (storage device) that manages defecation records and generates information to be displayed. In this case, the user terminal 200 communicates with the toilet seat device 2 and acquires the user's excretion information from the toilet seat device 2. For example, the user terminal 200 stores the user's excretion information acquired from the toilet seat device 2 in a memory unit of the user terminal 200 (corresponding to the memory unit 420 of the server device 400) and manages it as the user's excretion record.

For example, the operating device 10 may function as a display unit that displays the excretion record. Both the operating device 10 and the user terminal 200 may be included in the excretion information management system 1 as devices that function as display units. Sensors (detection units) such as the stool property sensor 302 included in the excretion information management system 1 may be included in the toilet seat device 2. Note that the above system configuration is merely an example, and the excretion information management system 1 may have any system configuration as long as the desired processing is possible.

The excretion information management system 1 may also include sensors other than the seating sensor 301 and the stool property sensor 302. For example, the excretion information management system 1 may also include a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor has a function of detecting a human body. For example, the human body detection sensor is realized by a pyroelectric sensor using an infrared signal. For example, the human body detection sensor may be realized by a μ (micro) wave sensor. Note that the above is only an example, and the human body detection sensor is not limited to the above and may detect a human body by various means. For example, the human body detection sensor detects a person (such as a user) who has entered the toilet room R (see FIG. 1). The human body detection sensor transmits a detection signal to the toilet seat device 2.

<1-2. Functional configuration of the toilet seat device>
Next, the functional configuration of the toilet seat device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the toilet seat device according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the toilet seat device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a control unit 23, a solenoid valve 71, a nozzle motor 61, and a cleaning nozzle 6. For example, the communication unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the control unit 23 are provided in the main body unit 3 of the toilet seat device 2. Note that Fig. 4 omits illustration of some of the configuration of the toilet seat device 2 described in Fig. 1 (such as the main body unit 3, the toilet seat 5, and the toilet bowl 7).

The communication unit 21 is realized, for example, by a communication device, a communication circuit, etc. The communication unit 21 is connected to the network N (see FIG. 3) by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information with an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 21 transmits and receives information with the operation device 10, the seating sensor 301, the stool condition sensor 302, the user terminal 200, the server device 400, etc.

The communication unit 21 communicates with the server device 400 in response to the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 21 transmits excretion information acquired by detection using the stool condition sensor 302 to the server device 400. The communication unit 21 also receives operation information indicating the user's operation from the operation device 10.

The storage unit 22 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 22 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data used by a program for determining stool characteristics, etc. The storage unit 22 stores various information such as information detected by the detection unit, and stores various information used in the determination process.

The memory unit 420 stores various information used in the judgment process related to stool, such as the characteristics of the stool. For example, the memory unit 420 stores a threshold value used in the judgment process related to stool. For example, it stores various models (judgment models) used in judgment related to stool. For example, it stores various judgment models used to judge the shape, color, amount, etc. of stool. The memory unit 22 stores information related to the measured time. The memory unit 22 stores information indicating the time required for defecation. Note that the above is merely an example, and the memory unit 22 stores various information related to stool.

The control unit 23 may be, for example, a control device that controls various configurations and processes. The control unit 23 is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) executing a program stored inside the toilet seat device 2 (for example, a program for determining stool characteristics, etc., as disclosed herein) using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 23 is also realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 23 has an acquisition unit 231, a clock unit 232, and a request unit 233, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 23 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below.

The acquisition unit 231 acquires information. The acquisition unit 231 acquires various information from the memory unit 22. The acquisition unit 231 acquires detection information from the detection unit (sensor). The acquisition unit 231 receives information indicating detection by the seating sensor 301 from the seating sensor 301. The acquisition unit 231 receives information indicating detection by the stool property sensor 302 from the stool property sensor 302. The acquisition unit 231 receives various information indicating user operations, etc. from the operating device 10. The acquisition unit 231 stores the received various information in the memory unit 22.

The clock unit 232 acquires the time related to defecation. The clock unit 232 acquires the date and time when the excretion act was performed. The clock unit 232 acquires information indicating the date and time of excretion (date and time information). The clock unit 232 generates excretion information based on information detected by the sensor. The clock unit 232 transmits information to the server device 400 via the communication unit 21. For example, the clock unit 232 transmits excretion information of a user using the toilet seat device 2 to the server device 400. The clock unit 232 measures the time required for the user to defecate based on the information detected by the sensor. The clock unit 232 measures the time required for defecation.

The clock unit 232 detects the time. The clock unit 232 measures the time when the seating sensor 301 detects that the user has sat down. The clock unit 232 measures the time when the stool property sensor 302 first detects stool. The clock unit 232 acquires an excretion record consisting of the difference between the time when the seating sensor 301 detects that the user has sat down and the time when the stool property sensor 302 first detects stool. The clock unit 232 measures the time required for excretion in chronological order for each date and time of excretion. The clock unit 232 measures defecation over time based on detection by the stool property sensor 302.

The clock unit 232 functions as a determination unit that performs various determination processes. The clock unit 232 performs the determination process using information detected by the stool property sensor 302. The clock unit 232 performs the determination process using information stored in the memory unit 22. The clock unit 232 determines whether or not stool is included in the image captured by the stool property sensor 302. The clock unit 232 uses image recognition technology to determine whether or not stool is included in the image.

For example, the clock unit 232 uses an image as input to determine whether or not feces is included in the image using a model (feces determination model) that outputs information (score) indicating whether or not feces is included in the input image. In this case, the clock unit 232 compares the score output by the feces determination model to which the image is input with a threshold value (first threshold value), and determines that the image contains feces if the score is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. The clock unit 232 also compares the score output by the feces determination model to which the image is input with the first threshold value, and determines that the image does not contain feces if the score is less than the first threshold value. Note that the above is merely one example, and the clock unit 232 may determine whether or not feces is included in the image using various information as appropriate.

The clock unit 232 also determines the amount of stool based on the image captured by the stool property sensor 302. For example, the clock unit 232 determines the amount of stool based on the proportion of stool in the image. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool using a score output by a stool determination model. If the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "very small." The second threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the first threshold. The clock unit 232 also may determine the amount of stool to be "small" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than a second threshold and less than a third threshold. The third threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the second threshold.

The clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "medium" or "standard" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than the third threshold and less than the fourth threshold. The fourth threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the third threshold. The clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "large" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold and less than the fifth threshold. The fifth threshold is assumed to be a value greater than the fourth threshold. The clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool to be "very large" if the score output by the stool determination model to which an image is input is equal to or greater than the fifth threshold. Note that the above five-level determination is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine the amount of stool using various information as appropriate.

The clock unit 232 determines the properties of the stool from the detection results by the sensor. The clock unit 232 determines the properties of the user's stool by appropriately using various technologies that detect stool properties using optical methods. The clock unit 232 determines the properties of the stool corresponding to the stool image based on the stool image. For example, the clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine the shape (also simply called "shape") of the stool corresponding to the stool image. The clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the shape of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of multiple levels based on shape. For example, the clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the shape of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of the following: hard, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, or watery.

The clock unit 232 determines the shape of the stool from the detection results of the stool property sensor 302. The clock unit 232 determines the shape of the user's stool by appropriately using various techniques for detecting the shape of the stool using optical methods. The clock unit 232 determines whether the shape of the stool is round, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, or watery by appropriately using various techniques for classifying the shape of the stool. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine (judge) the shape of the stool based on various information (feature quantities) such as the length of the stool image in the falling direction and the number of stool pieces (lumps).

The clock unit 232 may determine the shape of the stool using AI (artificial intelligence) technology. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the shape of the stool using a learning model (shape determination model) generated by machine learning. In this case, the shape determination model is trained in advance using teacher data indicating a classification judgment. This teacher data includes multiple combinations of a stool image and a label (correct answer information) indicating the shape of the lump (stool) contained in the stool image (either rolling, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, or watery). For example, the shape determination model is a model that inputs a stool image and outputs information indicating the shape of the lump (stool) contained in the input stool image. For example, the shape determination model is trained to output information of the label (shape of the stool) corresponding to the input stool image when a stool image is input. The shape determination model is trained appropriately using various methods related to so-called supervised learning. In this case, the shape determination model is stored in the memory unit 22, and the clock unit 232 may determine the shape of the stool using the shape determination model stored in the memory unit 22. For example, the toilet seat device 2 may perform a learning process and generate a shape determination model. Note that the above is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may determine the shape of the stool using various information as appropriate. Also, the seven levels of rolling, ticking, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, and watery are merely examples of shapes, and the clock unit 232 may determine other shapes, or may determine the shape to six levels or less. Also, while an example of determining whether the shape of the stool is one of multiple levels has been shown here, this is not limited to this, and if multiple stool shapes are included in one excretion act, multiple stool shapes may be determined.

For example, the clock unit 232 uses a stool image to determine the color of the stool corresponding to the stool image. The clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the color of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of multiple color-based levels. For example, the clock unit 232 uses the stool image to determine whether the color of the stool corresponding to the stool image is one of yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, and dark dark brown.

The clock unit 232 determines the color of the stool from the detection results of the stool property sensor 302. The clock unit 232 determines the color of the user's stool by appropriately using various technologies that detect stool color using optical methods. The clock unit 232 determines whether the color of the stool is yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, or dark brown by appropriately using various technologies related to classifying stool color. For example, the clock unit 232 determines (judges) the color of the stool based on various information (feature values) such as the brightness and lightness of the color image (RGB).

The clock unit 232 may determine the color of the stool using AI (artificial intelligence) technology. For example, the clock unit 232 may determine the color of the stool using a learning model (color judgment model) generated by machine learning. In this case, the color judgment model is trained in advance using teacher data indicating a classification judgment. This teacher data includes multiple combinations of a stool image and a label (correct answer information) indicating the color of the lump (stool) contained in the stool image (any of yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, and dark dark brown). For example, the color judgment model is a model that inputs a stool image and outputs information indicating the color of the lump (stool) contained in the input stool image. For example, the color judgment model is trained to output information of the label (stool color) corresponding to the input stool image when a stool image is input. The learning of the color judgment model is performed by appropriately using various methods related to so-called supervised learning. In this case, the color judgment model is stored in the memory unit 22, and the clock unit 232 may determine the color of the stool using the color judgment model stored in the memory unit 22. For example, the toilet seat device 2 may perform a learning process and generate a color determination model. The above is merely an example, and the clock unit 232 may appropriately use various information to determine the color of the stool. The above six stages of yellow, light ochre, ochre, brown, dark brown, and dark dark brown are merely examples of colors, and the clock unit 232 may determine other shapes or may determine five stages or less. In addition, an example of determining whether the color of the stool is one of multiple stages is shown here, but this is not limited to this, and if multiple colors of stool are included in one excretion act, the multiple colors of stool may be determined. The various determination processes described above may be performed by the server device 400. For example, the determination of the stool properties, such as the color of the stool, may be performed by the server device 400, not by the toilet seat device 2. In this case, the server device 400 has the information used in the above-mentioned determination process and the function of the determination process, and the toilet seat device 2 transmits the information detected by the stool property sensor 302 to the server device 400. In this way, the server device 400 may have a function for performing the determination process of the clock unit 232. For example, the server device 400 may have the clock unit 232. In this case, the toilet seat device 2 does not need to include the clock unit 232.

The request unit 233 requests the server device 400 to register the excretion information of the detected user. The request unit 233 requests the server device 400 to register the excretion information by transmitting the excretion information to the server device 400 via the communication unit 21. The request unit 233 requests the server device 400 to register the excretion information as information of the user identified by the user identification information by transmitting the excretion information to the server device 400 together with the user identification information.

The control unit 23 also controls the nozzle motor 61 and the solenoid valve 71. The control unit 23 controls the nozzle motor 61 and the solenoid valve 71 based on a signal transmitted from the operating device 10. The control unit 23 controls the nozzle motor 61 based on a control instruction signal related to local washing transmitted from the operating device 10. The control unit 23 controls the nozzle motor 61 to advance and retract the cleaning nozzle 6. The control unit 23 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 71. The control unit 23 transmits control information for controlling the stool property sensor 302 to the stool property sensor 302.

The control unit 23 also controls the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 23 controls the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 based on a signal transmitted from the operation device 10. The control unit 23 controls the toilet lid 4 based on a control instruction signal transmitted from the operation device 10 regarding opening and closing of the toilet lid. The control unit 23 controls the toilet seat 5 based on a control instruction signal transmitted from the operation device 10 regarding opening and closing of the seat. The control unit 23 transmits control information to the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 via a wired connection. The control unit 23 may also transmit control information to the toilet lid 4 and toilet seat 5 wirelessly.

The control unit 23 determines whether or not the seating sensor 301 detects that a user is seated on the toilet seat 5. The control unit 23 determines whether or not the seating sensor 301 detects that a user is seated on the toilet seat 5. The control unit 23 has various components such as a calculation unit that executes calculations related to the above-mentioned control and a memory unit.

The solenoid valve 71 functions as a valve that controls the flow of a fluid by electromagnetic means. The solenoid valve 71 switches between supplying and stopping tap water from a water supply pipe, for example. The solenoid valve 71 controls opening and closing in response to instructions from the control unit 23.

The nozzle motor 61 is a drive source (motor) that drives the cleaning nozzle 6 to advance and retreat. The nozzle motor 61 controls the cleaning nozzle 6 to advance and retreat relative to the body cover 30 of the main body 3. The nozzle motor 61 controls the cleaning nozzle 6 to advance and retreat in response to instructions from the control unit 23.

<1-3. Functional configuration of server device>
Next, the functional configuration of the server device will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device according to the embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device 400, which is an example of a server device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the server device 400 has a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, and a control unit 430. The server device 400 may also have an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts various operations from an administrator of the server device 400, and a display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display, etc.) that displays various information.

The communication unit 410 is realized, for example, by a communication circuit or the like. The communication unit 410 is connected to the network N (see FIG. 3) by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information with an external information processing device. For example, the communication unit 410 transmits and receives information with the toilet seat device 2, the user terminal 200, etc. For example, the communication unit 410 transmits information (content) indicating the excretion record to the user terminal 200.

The storage unit 420 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. For example, the storage unit 420 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records data and the like used by a management program that manages excretion information and a generation program that generates information such as content to be provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 420 according to the embodiment has a defecation information database 421. Note that the storage unit 420 stores various information, not limited to the defecation information database 421.

The defecation information database according to the embodiment stores various information related to the defecation of the user. For example, the defecation information database stores the defecation history of the user. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the defecation information database according to the embodiment. The defecation information database shown in FIG. 6 includes items such as "date," "time," "label," "location," "shape," "color," and "amount."

"Date" indicates the date (day) on which the excretory act took place. "Time" indicates the time (hour) on which the excretory act took place.

"Label" indicates the type of acquisition mode of the excretion information. For example, "automatic" is a first label indicating that the excretion information was automatically detected, and indicates that the excretion information was automatically detected by the toilet seat device 2. Also, "manual" is a second label indicating that the excretion information was manually input by the user, and indicates that the user who performed the excretion act input the excretion information. In this way, data detected by the detection unit (sensor) is recorded with the label of automatically recorded data (first label). On the other hand, manually input data is recorded with the label of manually recorded data (second label).

"Location" indicates the location where the excretion behavior corresponding to the excretion information occurred. Note that in the example of FIG. 6, information indicating the relationship between the user and the location, such as home or school, is registered as "location," but "location" may be various types of information related to the location (position), such as specific latitude and longitude (latitude and longitude information), information indicating the area, or the name of the building where the excretion behavior occurred.

"Shape" indicates the shape of the obtained stool. For "shape", classification results into multiple shapes such as "hard", "hard", "cracked", "banana-shaped", "soft", "mudgy", and "watery" are registered. Note that the above is merely an example, and "shape" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various shapes may be registered.

"Color" indicates the color of the obtained stool. For example, "color" is registered as a classification into multiple colors such as "yellow," "light ocher," "ocher," "brown," "dark brown," and "dark brown." For example, the colors are darker in the order of "yellow," "light ocher," "ocher," "brown," "dark brown," and "dark brown," with "dark brown" being the darkest color. Note that the above is merely an example, and "color" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various colors may be registered.

"Amount" indicates the amount of stool obtained. For example, the "amount" is registered as a classification into multiple colors such as "very large," "large," "medium," "small," and "very small." For example, the amount decreases in order from "very large," "large," "medium," "small," and "very small," with "very small" being the smallest amount of stool. Note that the above is merely an example, and "amount" is not limited to the above, and information indicating various amounts may be registered.

The example in FIG. 6 shows a state in which excretion information for an excretion act performed at 7:15 on January 5th and excretion information for an excretion act performed at 7:30 on January 7th are registered. Note that for the sake of explanation, FIG. 6 shows a state in which excretion information for one user (hereinafter referred to as "user U") is registered, but when managing excretion information for multiple users, identification information for identifying the user (user identification information) is registered in association with each piece of excretion information.

For example, the excretion information of the excretion act performed at 7:30 on January 7th indicates that it was automatically registered. In other words, the excretion information of the excretion act performed at 7:30 on January 7th indicates that it was excretion information detected by the toilet seat device 2. In addition, it indicates that the location of the excretion act performed at 7:30 on January 7th was at home. In addition, it indicates that the characteristics of the stool of the excretion act performed at 7:30 on January 7th were banana-shaped, dark brown in color, and a small amount.

For example, the excretion information of the excretion act performed at 7:15 on January 5th indicates that it was manually registered. In other words, the excretion information of the excretion act performed at 7:15 on January 5th indicates that it was excretion information entered by user U. In addition, it indicates that the location of the excretion act performed at 7:15 on January 5th was school. In addition, it indicates that the characteristics of the stool of the excretion act performed at 7:15 on January 5th were banana-shaped, yellow-brown in color, and a large amount.

The defecation information database 121 is not limited to the above, and may store various information according to the purpose. As described above, the defecation information database 121 in FIG. 6 stores the defecation information of multiple users. For example, the defecation information database 421 may store a stool image as the defecation information. The defecation information database 421 stores information about the stool corresponding to the stool image in association with the stool image. The defecation information database 421 stores the judgment result (shape, color, amount, etc.) of the stool corresponding to the stool image in association with the stool image. The defecation information database 421 stores information such as the properties of the stool corresponding to the stool image and the amount of the stool corresponding to the stool image. The defecation information database 421 may also store the date and time when the stool image was acquired, information identifying the user who excreted the stool corresponding to the stool image, etc. in association with the stool image.

The control unit 430 is realized, for example, by a CPU, a GPU, or the like executing a program stored inside the server device 400 (for example, a management program or a generation program related to the present disclosure) using a RAM or the like as a working area. The control unit 430 is also realized, for example, by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 430 has a reception unit 431, a registration unit 432, and a provision unit 433, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 430 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, and may be other configurations as long as they perform the information processing described below.

The reception unit 431 receives information. The reception unit 431 receives information to be stored in the memory unit 420. The reception unit 431 receives information manually input by the user. The reception unit 431 receives information input by the user operating the user terminal 200. The reception unit 431 receives input of excretion records to be added and registered in the defecation information database 421. The reception unit 431 receives input of excretion records of excretion in toilets other than the toilet bowl 7 of the toilet system TS. The reception unit 431 receives input of defecation records manually input by the user to the user terminal 200 from the user terminal 200. The reception unit 431 receives manual input of excretion records of the user's excretion in toilets other than the toilet bowl 7 of the toilet system TS.

The reception unit 431 also functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information. The reception unit 431 acquires various information from the storage unit 420. The reception unit 431 receives various information from the toilet seat device 2 and the user terminal 200. The reception unit 431 receives information related to stool from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 receives an excretion record from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 receives stool images (data) from the toilet seat device 2. The reception unit 431 is provided in the toilet seat device 2 that is placed on top of the toilet bowl 7 in which the bowl portion 8 that receives excrement is formed, and acquires stool images based on information from the stool property sensor 302 to detect stool. The reception unit 431 stores the acquired stool images in the defecation information database 421.

The registration unit 432 performs a process of registering various types of information. The registration unit 432 registers excretion information (excretion record) acquired from the toilet seat device 2. The registration unit 432 stores the excretion information in the storage unit 420. For example, the registration unit 432 registers the excretion information in the defecation information database 421 in association with the user identification information.

The registration unit 432 registers the information received by the reception unit 431 in the storage unit 420. The registration unit 432 stores the excretion records of manual excretion on a toilet other than the toilet 7 received by the reception unit 431 in the defecation information database 421. The registration unit 432 automatically records the excretion records including the excretion information detected by various sensors (detection units) and the date and time information of the excretion acquired by the clock unit 232 in the defecation information database 421. For example, the registration unit 432 assigns a first label to the excretion record acquired by detection of the toilet seat device 2 and stores it in the defecation information database 421. For example, the registration unit 432 assigns a second label to the excretion record manually input by the user using the user terminal 200 and stores it in the defecation information database 421. For example, the registration unit 432 assigns a first label to the excretion record received from the toilet seat device 2 and stores it in the defecation information database 421, and assigns a second label to the excretion record received from the user terminal 200 and stores it in the defecation information database 421. The registration unit 432 stores information on the position of the toilet together with the excretion record in the defecation information database 421.

The providing unit 433 provides information. The providing unit 433 transmits information to an external information processing device via the communication unit 410. For example, the providing unit 433 transmits various information to the user terminal 200 and the toilet seat device 2. The providing unit 433 transmits the excretion record stored in the memory unit 420 to the user terminal 200, etc.

The providing unit 433 functions as a generating unit that performs a generating process of various information. The providing unit 433 generates content showing the excretion record to be displayed on the user terminal 200. The providing unit 433 generates a screen (content) showing the excretion record. For example, the providing unit 433 generates content (image information) to be provided to the user terminal 200 by appropriately using various technologies related to image generation, image processing, etc. For example, the providing unit 433 generates a screen (image information) to be provided to the user terminal 200 by appropriately using various technologies such as Java (registered trademark). In addition, the providing unit 433 may generate content (image information) to be provided to the user terminal 200 based on the format of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript (registered trademark), or HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Furthermore, for example, the providing unit 433 may generate content in various formats, such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), and PNG (Portable Network Graphics). The providing unit 433 transmits the generated content to the user terminal 200, etc. For example, the providing unit 433 generates a manual input screen and transmits the generated manual input screen to the user terminal 200.

The providing unit 433 functions as a notification unit (alert unit) that performs notification processing of various information. If there is no record in the defecation information database 421 for a predetermined period of time, the providing unit 433 issues an alert to encourage input to the defecation information database 421. If there is no registration of the user's excretion record for a period of time that exceeds the user's excretion interval, the providing unit 433 transmits notification content (for example, the display screen of the user terminal 200 in FIG. 17) to the user terminal 200 that encourages the user to input excretion information, and causes the user terminal 200 to display the notification content.

The providing unit 433 functions as an estimation unit that performs estimation processing of various information. The providing unit 433 calculates a predetermined period based on an estimated date and time of excretion estimated from the date and time information of excretion recorded in the defecation information database 421. For example, the providing unit 433 calculates a predetermined period based on the date and time information of excretion recorded in the defecation information database 421. The providing unit 433 calculates the user's excretion interval from the date and time information of excretion recorded in the defecation information database 421. The providing unit 433 calculates the average interval between excretions recorded in the defecation information database 421 as the user's excretion interval.

For example, the providing unit 433 estimates the next excretion date and time (estimated date and time) from the user's most recent (last) excretion date and time and the user's excretion interval. For example, if the last excretion date and time is January 5th at 8:00 and the user's excretion interval is 24 hours, the providing unit 433 estimates that the expected next excretion date and time (estimated date and time) is January 6th at 8:00. In this case, the providing unit 433 calculates the difference (24 hours) between the last excretion date and time "January 5th at 8:00" and the estimated date and time "January 6th at 8:00" as the predetermined period. For example, if an excretion record has not been registered 24 hours after January 5th at 8:00, the providing unit 433 issues a notification to the user urging them to input an excretion record.

The providing unit 433 estimates an excretion record from the excretion record recorded in the defecation information database 421, and inputs the estimated excretion record to the input means. The providing unit 433 provides content including the estimated information. The providing unit 433 generates a manual input screen (content) in which estimated information corresponding to the user is preset, and provides it to the user terminal 200. The estimation of information will be described later.

<1-4. Manual input example>
Here, acquisition of excretion information regarding excretion performed by a user in a toilet (toilet bowl) that does not have an automatic recording function, such as a toilet other than the toilet system TS (also called a "healthy toilet"), will be described. For example, when a user performs an excretion act in a normal toilet (toilet bowl) in which a toilet seat device 2 is not provided, the excretion information management system 1 accepts manual input of excretion information by the user. This point will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are diagrams showing an example of manual input of defecation information. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a transition of display in manual input of defecation information. Also, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting manual input. Note that in FIG. 7, the user terminal 200 is shown as a user terminal 200-1 and a user terminal 200-2 according to the transition of display, but when the same user terminal 200 is described without distinction, it may be described as "user terminal 200".

In the example of FIG. 7, the user U excretes in a normal toilet (toilet bowl TL) that does not have an automatic recording function. In this case, the excretion information management system 1 accepts manual input of excretion information by the user, as shown in the user terminal 200-1. For example, as shown in the user terminal 200-1, the excretion information management system 1 causes the user terminal 200 to display a button BT1 indicating "Enter excretion in another toilet" along with information INF1 indicating the previous excretion record. Note that the server device 400 may generate content including the information shown in the user terminal 200-1 and transmit it to the user terminal 200. The received information may then be displayed on the user terminal 200.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 200-1 displays information INF1 indicating the excretion record at 7:30 on January 7 as the latest excretion record of the user U. The user terminal 200-1 also displays a button BT1 for the user to perform manual input. When the button BT1 is selected by the user U, the user terminal 200 transitions the display to a screen that accepts the input of excretion information (also called a "manual input screen"), as shown in the user terminal 200-2. For example, the user U transitions the display of the user terminal 200 to the manual input screen by touching the area of the user terminal 200 where the button BT1 is displayed with the hand UA. For example, when the button BT1 is selected, the user terminal 200 requests the manual input screen from the server device 400 and displays the manual input screen received from the server device 400.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 200-2 displays a manual input screen for accepting manual input of each item such as excretion time, stool shape, stool amount, stool color, and excretion location. The user U manually inputs each item such as excretion time, stool shape, stool amount, stool color, and excretion location displayed on the user terminal 200-2. Then, after completing the manual input, the user U registers the manually input information in the user terminal 200. For example, the user U registers the manually input information in the user terminal 200 by selecting a button (such as button BT31 in FIG. 18) for registering the manually input information. For example, the user terminal 200 transmits the excretion information manually input by the user U to the server device 400, thereby requesting the server device 400 to register the excretion information manually input by the user U. The server device 400 receives the excretion information manually input by the user U from the user terminal 200, and registers the excretion information manually input by the user U in the defecation information database 421 by associating the excretion information manually input by the user U with information indicating manual input (second label) and the user identification information of the user U.

For example, if the toilet where a person regularly uses the toilet, such as at home, has a function for acquiring (automatic recording) excretion information, a lot of data can be acquired automatically, and there is no need to go through the trouble of keeping an excretion record. However, if the person excretes in another toilet, such as at work or school, data will be lost and the excretion record cannot be interpreted correctly. Therefore, the excretion information management system 1 allows the user to manually input data from other toilets, eliminating data loss and making it possible to acquire more sufficient historical data.

The excretion information management system 1 may collect excretion information by various means. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 8. The user terminal 200 in FIG. 8 displays a first button BT2 for allowing the user to perform manual input, and a second button BT3 for communicating with other toilets. For example, when the first button BT2 is selected by the user U, the user terminal 200 transitions the display to a manual input screen that accepts input of excretion information, as shown in the user terminal 200-2 in FIG. 7.

Also, for example, when the second button BT3 is selected by the user U, the user terminal 200 executes a process of searching for whether there is a toilet with an automatic recording function that can communicate. For example, the user terminal 200 determines whether there is a toilet nearby that can communicate by short-range communication or the like. For example, the user U holds the user terminal 200 such as his/her smartphone over the toilet bowl, temporarily registers an ID (user identification information, etc.) on the toilet bowl, collates the ID, and associates the detection result (excretion information) with information (first label) indicating automatic recording and stores it in the server device 400. Also, when there is a toilet with an automatic recording function that can communicate, the user terminal 200 may register the toilet in advance, and by selecting the registered toilet when using the toilet, the excretion information detected by the toilet may be registered in the server device 400 as information on excretion by the user U. By registering the toilet in advance, the effort of temporary registration and collation of IDs can be eliminated. As a result, the excretion information management system 1 may increase the number of toilets that can be automatically recorded to multiple toilets like the excretion information management system 1A. For example, if there is a toilet with an automatic recording function that is communicable with the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 may communicate with the toilet to receive excretion information detected by the toilet from the toilet and transmit the received excretion information to the server device 400. Note that the above is merely an example, and the excretion information management system 1 may acquire and manage excretion information of users in toilets other than the toilet system TS by various processes as long as it is possible to acquire excretion information of users.

<1-5. Information display example＞
Here, examples of information display will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information display. Specifically, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information display on the user terminal 200 of a user who is using a toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is arranged. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing another example of information display. Specifically, Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information display on the user terminal 200 of a user who is not using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is arranged, for example, who is using a normal toilet (toilet bowl) in which the toilet seat device 2 is not arranged.

9 and 10 may be generated by the server device 400 and provided to the user terminal 200. For example, the server device 400 may determine whether or not the user is using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is arranged based on the location information of the user terminal 200 acquired from the user terminal 200, and provide the information to the user terminal 200 based on the determination result. In this case, when the server device 400 determines that the user is using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is arranged, it provides the information as shown in FIG. 9 to the user terminal 200. Also, when the server device 400 determines that the user is not using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is arranged, it provides the information as shown in FIG. 10 to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 displays the information received from the server device 400. In addition, the user terminal 200 may determine whether or not the user is using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is installed, without going through the server device 400, and display either FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 based on the determination result.

First, FIG. 9 will be described. The user terminal 200 in FIG. 9 shows an example of a display when a user is using a toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is installed. Button BT11 labeled "View results now" is used when viewing data in the toilet. For example, when button BT11 is selected, the user terminal 200 displays the latest detection results (excretion information).

The button BT12 labeled "Download Results" is used to view data that has been automatically acquired and stored in the memory unit (e.g., the defecation information database 421). For example, when the button BT12 is selected, the user terminal 200 requests the user's latest unconfirmed excretion information from the server device 400, and displays the latest excretion information acquired from the server device 400.

The button BT13 labeled "View past results" is used to view data that has been automatically and manually acquired and stored in the memory unit (e.g., defecation information database 421). For example, when button BT13 is selected, the user terminal 200 requests the user's past excretion information from the server device 400, and displays the past excretion information acquired from the server device 400.

The button BT14, which is labeled "Manually register results," is used when the user manually inputs results. When the user is using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet) in which the toilet seat device 2 is installed, the button BT14 is displayed in an unselectable state. In FIG. 9, the user terminal 200 displays the button BT14 in an unselectable state. In this way, when the user is using the toilet system TS (healthy toilet), the user terminal 200 displays the buttons BT11, BT12, and BT13 other than button BT14 in a selectable state.

Next, we will explain Figure 10. The user terminal 200 in Figure 10 shows an example of a display when a user is using a normal toilet (a toilet other than a health toilet) that does not have a toilet seat device 2. Note that explanations of points similar to those in Figure 9 will be omitted as appropriate.

When the user is using a normal toilet (a toilet other than a health toilet) that does not have a toilet seat device 2, button BT11 is displayed in an unselectable state. In FIG. 10, the user is using a normal toilet (a toilet other than a health toilet) that does not have a toilet seat device 2, so the user terminal 200 displays button BT11 in an unselectable state.

When the user is using a normal toilet (a toilet other than a health toilet) that does not have a toilet seat device 2, the user terminal 200 displays buttons BT12, BT13, and BT14 other than button BT11 in a selectable state. For example, when button BT12 is selected, the user terminal 200 requests the server device 400 for the user's latest unconfirmed excretion information, and displays the latest excretion information acquired from the server device 400. For example, when button BT13 is selected, the user terminal 200 requests the server device 400 for the user's past excretion information, and displays the past excretion information acquired from the server device 400. For example, when button BT14 is selected, the user terminal 200 displays a screen for accepting input of excretion information (for example, the manual input screen of the user terminal 200-2 in FIG. 7).

2. Modifications
As described above, there may be a plurality of toilet systems TS that automatically record excretion records. This point will be described below. In the excretion information management system 1A according to the modified example, the description of the same points as those in the excretion information management system 1 according to the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

<2-1. Configuration of the excretion information management system>
The configuration of the excretion information management system according to the modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the excretion information management system according to the modified example.

As shown in FIG. 11, the excretion information management system 1A includes a toilet system TS1, a toilet system TS2, a user terminal 200, and a server device 400. Like the toilet system TS described in the embodiment, the toilet system TS1 and the toilet system TS2 include a toilet seat device 2, an operating device 10, a seating sensor 301, and a stool property sensor 302. When describing the toilet system TS1 and the toilet system TS2 without making a distinction between them, they may be referred to as the toilet system TS.

In this way, the excretion information management system 1A includes multiple toilet systems TS with an automatic recording function, such as the toilet system TS1 and the toilet system TS2. That is, the excretion information management system 1A shows an example of a system in which there are multiple toilet systems TS (healthy toilets) in which toilet seat devices 2 are arranged. Note that the toilet system TS of the excretion information management system 1A may be registered as a toilet system TS (healthy toilet) that automatically records the excretion information of the user U, for example, by the user U holding the user terminal 200 such as his/her smartphone over the toilet seat device 2 or the like to register the toilet system TS2. For example, the toilet system TS2 may be registered as a toilet system TS (healthy toilet) that automatically records the excretion information of the user U, for example, by the user U holding the user terminal 200 over the toilet seat device 2 or the like during use to register the toilet system TS2.

<2-1. Example of processing by excretion information management system>
An example of processing in the excretion information management system will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of processing in the excretion information management system.

In the example of FIG. 12, a user U performs an excretory act on a toilet bowl 7 on which a toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS1 is placed. The toilet seat device 2 then transmits the detected excretion information of the user U to the server device 400 (step S1). The toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS1 associates the excretion information, including the detected date and time, with user identification information that identifies the user U and transmits the information to the server device 400. The toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS1 may also transmit information indicating the location of the toilet system TS1 (location information) to the server device 400.

Then, the server device 400 associates the received user identification information of the user U with the received excretion information and information indicating automatic recording (first label) and registers them in the defecation information database 421 (step S2).

The user U then performs an excretory act on the toilet bowl 7 on which the toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS2 is placed. The toilet seat device 2 then transmits the detected excretion information of the user U to the server device 400 (step S3). The toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS2 associates the excretion information, including the detected date and time, with user identification information that identifies the user U and transmits them to the server device 400. The toilet seat device 2 of the toilet system TS2 may also transmit information indicating the location of the toilet system TS2 (location information) to the server device 400.

Then, the server device 400 associates the received user identification information of the user U with the received excretion information and information indicating automatic recording (first label) and registers them in the defecation information database 421 (step S4). This allows the server device 400 to register the excretion information of the user U detected in different toilet systems TS, such as the toilet system TS1 and the toilet system TS2, as the excretion history of the same person, user U.

The server device 400 provides information indicating the user U's excretion history to the user terminal 200 used by the user U (step S5). For example, in response to a request from the user terminal 200 used by the user U, the server device 400 transmits information indicating the user U's excretion history to the user terminal 200 used by the user U. The user terminal 200 then displays the information received from the server device 400 (step S6). This allows the user U to check the excretion records of excretion performed in multiple different toilet systems TS (toilets), such as toilet system TS1 and toilet system TS2, all at once.

＜3. Display examples＞
Next, an example of display of the excretion record by the user terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, Figs. 13 to 15 show examples of displaying excretion records by type, such as shape, color, and amount of stool. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying excretion records. Specifically, Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying excretion records related to stool shape. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of displaying excretion records. Specifically, Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of displaying excretion records related to stool color. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of displaying excretion records related to stool amount. Figs. 13 to 15 show line graphs as an example of the display form of excretion records. Note that the display form of excretion records is not limited to line graphs, and may be other types of graphs such as bar graphs, pie charts, radar charts, and bubble charts showing the counts of each shape by the size of the circle, calendar format, or text information, or a display form that displays a plurality of these may be used.

<3-1. Examples of stool shape>
First, Fig. 13 will be described. For example, the server device 400 generates a graph GR1 in which shape information from the excretion information (excretion record) stored for each date and time is arranged in chronological order. The server device 400 generates the graph GR1, which is a line graph whose vertical axis indicates whether the excretion is rolled, hard, cracked, banana-shaped, soft, muddy, or watery, and whose horizontal axis indicates the date.

In the example of FIG. 13, the server device 400 uses the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th to generate a graph GR1 that chronologically arranges the shapes of the user U's stool over those approximately 10 days. The server device 400 generates a graph GR1 to which information manually input by the user U from the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th has been added, indicating that the information was manually input. The server device 400 refers to the defecation information database 421, and generates a graph GR1 to which information indicating that the information was manually input for December 28th and January 5th, which are associated with the second label (manual), has been added, from the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th.

Then, the server device 400 transmits information (contents) including the graph GR1 shown in FIG. 13 to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives information (contents) including the graph GR1 shown in FIG. 13 from the server device 400. The user terminal 200 then displays the information (contents) including the graph GR1 shown in FIG. 13. Note that the user terminal 200 may accept re-input by the user for December 28th and January 5th, which are associated with the second label (manual).

For example, if the user selects December 28th or January 5th in the displayed graph GR1, the user terminal 200 may display a screen for accepting input of stool shape (e.g., the manual input screen of the user terminal 200-2 in FIG. 7) and accept re-input of stool shape by the user. When the user re-inputs stool shape, the user terminal 200 transmits the stool shape information re-input by the user from the server device 400 together with the corresponding date and time information. The server device 400 updates the stool shape information for the received date and time to the stool shape information re-input by the user.

<3-2. Example of stool color display>
Next, Fig. 14 will be described. For example, the server device 400 generates a graph GR2 in which color information from the excretion information (excretion record) stored for each date and time is arranged in chronological order. The server device 400 generates the graph GR2, which is a line graph in which the vertical axis indicates one of yellow, light yellow ochre, yellow ochre, brown, dark brown, and dark dark brown, and the horizontal axis indicates the date.

In the example of FIG. 14, the server device 400 uses the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th to generate a graph GR2 that chronologically arranges the colors of the user U's stool over those approximately 10 days. The server device 400 generates a graph GR2 to which information manually entered by the user U from the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th has been added, indicating that the information was manually entered. The server device 400 refers to the defecation information database 421, and generates a graph GR2 to which information manually entered was added for December 28th and January 5th, which are associated with the second label (manual), from the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th.

Then, the server device 400 transmits information (contents) including the graph GR2 shown in FIG. 14 to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives information (contents) including the graph GR2 shown in FIG. 14 from the server device 400. The user terminal 200 then displays the information (contents) including the graph GR2 shown in FIG. 14. Note that the user terminal 200 may accept re-input by the user for December 28th and January 5th, which are associated with the second label (manual).

For example, if the user selects December 28th or January 5th in the displayed graph GR2, the user terminal 200 may display a screen for accepting input of stool color (e.g., the manual input screen of the user terminal 200-2 in FIG. 7) and accept re-input of the stool color by the user. When the user re-inputs the stool color, the user terminal 200 transmits the stool color information re-input by the user from the server device 400 together with the corresponding date and time information. The server device 400 updates the stool color information for the received date and time to the stool color information re-input by the user.

<3-3. Example of stool volume display>
Next, Fig. 15 will be described. For example, the server device 400 generates a graph GR3 in which the amount of information among the excretion information (excretion record) stored for each date and time is arranged in chronological order. The server device 400 generates the graph GR3, which is a line graph whose vertical axis indicates either very much, much, medium, little, or very little, and whose horizontal axis indicates the date.

In the example of FIG. 15, the server device 400 uses the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th to generate a graph GR3 that chronologically arranges the amount of stool by the user U during those approximately 10 days. The server device 400 generates a graph GR3 to which information manually input by the user U from the excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th has been added, indicating that the information was manually input. The server device 400 refers to the defecation information database 421, and generates a graph GR3 to which information manually input was added for December 28th and January 5th, which are associated with the second label (manual), from the user U's excretion records for approximately 10 days from December 26th to January 7th.

Then, the server device 400 transmits information (content) including the graph GR3 shown in FIG. 15 to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives the information (content) including the graph GR3 shown in FIG. 15 from the server device 400. The user terminal 200 then displays the information (content) including the graph GR3 shown in FIG. 15. Note that the user terminal 200 may accept re-input by the user for December 28th and January 5th, which are associated with the second label (manual).

For example, if the user selects December 28th or January 5th in the displayed graph GR3, the user terminal 200 may display a screen for accepting input of the amount of stool (e.g., the manual input screen of the user terminal 200-2 in FIG. 7) and accept re-input of the amount of stool by the user. When the user re-inputs the amount of stool, the user terminal 200 transmits information on the amount of stool re-input by the user from the server device 400 together with information on the corresponding date and time. The server device 400 updates the information on the amount of stool for the received date and time to the information on the amount of stool re-input by the user.

<3-4. Example of location display>
The display mode of the excretion records is not limited to by type, and may be various display modes. For example, the user terminal 200 may display the characters and numbers of the excretion records in chronological order. In this case, the server device 400 generates content (content CX) in which the characters and numbers of the excretion records are arranged in chronological order, and transmits it to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 then displays the received content CX. For example, the user terminal 200 may display the defecation information database 421 shown in FIG. 6.

The user terminal 200 may also display the excretion record in association with the location. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a mapped display.

For example, the server device 400 refers to the excretion information (excretion records) stored for each date and time, and counts the number of excretion actions for each location (area). In the example of FIG. 16, the server device 400 counts the number of excretion actions for each location (area) by prefecture. The server device 400 then generates content CY in which the points increase the more frequently the excretion actions occur. In the example of FIG. 16, the server device 400 generates content CY including the largest point P1 corresponding to Tokyo, which has the highest number of excretion actions. The server device 400 also generates content CY including point P2 corresponding to Tochigi, point P3 corresponding to Hokkaido, and point P4 corresponding to Ehime, which are other locations where excretion actions have occurred.

The server device 400 transmits the content CY to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 then displays the received content CY.

<3-5. Example of notification prompting input>
The excretion information management system 1 may issue a notification to prompt the user to input excretion information if the user's excretion record has not been registered for a predetermined period (e.g., a period longer than the user's excretion interval, such as 24 hours). This point will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a notification to prompt the user to input information. The predetermined period is calculated based on the excretion date and time information. The server device 400 may use the excretion interval estimated from the interval between the excretion dates and times as the predetermined period.

In addition, the information displayed on the user terminal 200 in FIG. 17 may be generated by the server device 400 and provided to the user terminal 200. The server device 400 refers to the defecation information database 421, and if the difference between the date and time of the user's last defecation and the current date and time exceeds the user's defecation interval, instructs the user terminal 200 of the user to issue a notification prompting input. For example, the server device 400 may transmit content including the text information TX1 and button BT21 in FIG. 17 to the user terminal 200 and display the content on the user terminal 200, thereby instructing the user terminal 200 to issue a notification prompting input.

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the user terminal 200 displays text information TX1 such as "24 hours have passed since the last excretion. Have you forgotten to enter anything?" and a button BT21 labeled "Enter manually". The text information TX1 is information for notifying the user that an excretion record has not been registered for a period exceeding the user's excretion interval (24 hours in the example of FIG. 17). The button BT21 is a button for making the user enter information manually, and when the button BT21 is selected by the user, the user terminal 200 displays a screen for accepting the entry of excretion information (for example, the manual entry screen of the user terminal 200-2 in FIG. 7). This allows the excretion information management system 1 to prompt the user to enter information manually, and to prevent data loss. Note that even if the user is notified that an excretion record has not been registered for a period exceeding a predetermined period, there may be cases where there is truly no excretion, rather than a user forgetting to enter information. In this case, the fact that there has been no excretion for a predetermined period may be registered by inputting into the user terminal 200 that there was no forgetting to enter information.

<3-6. Example of estimated information display>
When displaying the manual input screen, the excretion information management system 1 may display estimated information (estimated information) that has been set in advance. This point will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the display of estimated information.

The information displayed on the user terminal 200 in FIG. 18 may be generated by the server device 400 and provided to the user terminal 200. For example, when a user selects button BT1 in FIG. 7 or button BT21 in FIG. 17, the server device 400 generates a manual input screen (content) on which estimated information corresponding to the user is preset, and provides the manual input screen (content) to the user terminal 200. For example, the server device 400 transmits content including information for registering the manually input information in FIG. 18 and button BT31 to the user terminal 200.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, the user terminal 200 displays a manual input screen on which the estimated information is preset, including the time of excretion "7 o'clock," stool shape "soft," stool amount "100g to 250g" (medium), and stool color "brown." The time of excretion "7 o'clock" may be, for example, the time at the time of display, or the time obtained by adding the user's excretion interval to the last excretion date and time. For example, the server device 400 calculates the excretion time to be set by adding the user's excretion interval to the user's last excretion date and time.

The stool shape "soft" may be, for example, the shape that occurs most frequently in the user's defecation record or the shape of the last excretion. For example, the server device 400 counts each shape in the user's defecation record stored in the defecation information database 421, and estimates the shape that occurs most frequently as the shape of the user's stool.

The amount of stool "100g to 250g" may be, for example, the average amount in the user's defecation record or the amount at the last excretion. For example, the server device 400 calculates the average amount in the user's defecation record stored in the defecation information database 421, and estimates the average amount as the amount of stool for that user.

The stool color "brown" may be, for example, the color most frequently occurring in the user's defecation record or the color of the last excretion. For example, the server device 400 counts each color in the user's defecation record stored in the defecation information database 421, and estimates the most frequently occurring color as the color of the user's stool.

In the example of FIG. 18, the server device 400 generates a manual input screen (contents) in which the excretion time is set to "7:00", the shape of the stool is "soft", the amount of the stool is "100g to 250g", and the color of the stool is "brown", and transmits it to the user terminal 200. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the user terminal 200 displays the manual input screen (contents) in which the excretion time is set to "7:00", the shape of the stool is "soft", the amount of the stool is "100g to 250g", and the color of the stool is "brown". In this way, when a user wants to register excretion information related to excretion performed in a toilet (toilet bowl) that does not have an automatic recording function, such as a toilet other than the toilet system TS (healthy toilet), by setting and displaying (inputting) estimated information in advance, the user can correct the estimated information if it is incorrect, and register the estimated information if it is correct. Therefore, the excretion information management system 1 can reduce the complexity of manual input by the user and can promote manual input by the user.

<3-6-1. Estimated example>
The excretion information management system 1 may estimate information using various information, not limited to the above. For example, the excretion information management system 1 may calculate the time and stool properties from an average over the past few weeks. For example, if a user has a tendency to have a normal bowel movement at 8 o'clock on average over the past week, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate (guess) that the user will also have a normal bowel movement at 8 o'clock next time.

For example, the excretion information management system 1 may make an estimate from the previous excretion result. For example, if a user has a tendency to pass hard stool in the morning and then soft stool in the evening, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will pass soft stool in the evening if the user passes hard stool in the morning. Also, for example, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will pass normal stool the next morning if the user has a tendency to pass normal stool the next morning if the user passes normal stool in the morning. Note that rather than making an estimate from only the previous excretion result, an estimate may also be made from the tendency of the past two or more excretion results or the tendency of the user's defecation record stored in the defecation information database.

For example, the excretion information management system 1 may make an estimate based on trends for each day of the week. For example, if a user has a tendency to have hard stools on Monday mornings, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will have hard stools on Monday mornings. For example, if a user has a tendency to have normal stools on Friday evenings, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will have normal stools on Friday evenings.

For example, the excretion information management system 1 may acquire location information and make an estimate based on the tendency for each location. For example, if a user tends to have normal stools in the morning when at home, and the user is at home during the morning hours (e.g., 7:00-10:00, etc.), the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will have normal stools. For example, if a user tends to have loose stools in the evening when out, and the user is at a location different from his/her home and workplace during the evening hours (e.g., 4:00-7:00, etc.), the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will have loose stools.

For example, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate a trend in conjunction with a schedule. For example, if a user has a tendency to have loose stools before a meeting, the excretion information management system 1 may estimate that the user will have loose stools before a meeting.

4. System configuration example
As described above, the configuration of the excretion information management system 1 is merely one example, and the excretion information management system 1 can adopt any device configuration as long as it can realize the desired processing. For example, the above-mentioned clock unit 232 and memory unit 22 may be included in a device other than the toilet seat device 2. For example, the device that realizes the function of the clock unit 232 and the device that realizes the function of the memory unit 22 may be located at any position. For example, the server device 400 may have all or part of the functions of the clock unit 232. Also, for example, the server device 400 may have all or part of the functions of the memory unit 22.
Determination of stool condition

4 shows an example in which the toilet seat device 2 has the clock unit 232, but the clock unit 232 may be included in another device included in the excretion information management system 1. For example, the clock unit 232 may be included in the server device 400, or may be included in another device (stool property determination device) that communicates with the toilet seat device 2, the server device 400, etc. In this case, for example, the excretion information management system 1 may include a stool property determination device. In addition, for example, if the server device 400 has the clock unit 232, the server device 400 also functions as a stool property determination device. In addition, the server device 400 may have only the function of determining the stool property, such as the color of the stool, of the clock unit 232, and the toilet seat device 2 may have the other functions of the clock unit 232. In this way, the excretion information management system 1 may distribute the functions of the clock unit 232 to multiple devices. Note that the above is merely one example, and the excretion information management system 1 can adopt any device configuration as long as the desired processing is possible.

The above-described embodiments and variations can be combined as appropriate to the extent that they do not cause inconsistencies in the processing content.

Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

R Toilet room 1 Excretion information management system 2 Toilet seat device 21 Communication unit 22 Memory unit 23 Control unit 231 Acquisition unit 232 Clock unit 233 Request unit 3 Main unit 30 Main unit cover 4 Toilet lid 5 Toilet seat 6 Cleansing nozzle 60 Nozzle cover 7 Western-style toilet bowl (toilet bowl)
Reference Signs List 71: Solenoid valve 8: Bowl section 9: Rim section 10: Operation device 11: Display screen 200: User terminal 301: Seating sensor 302: Feces property sensor 400: Server device 410: Communication section 420: Storage section 421: Defecation information database 430: Control section 431: Reception section 432: Registration section 433: Provision section

Claims (2)

A detection unit that is installed on the toilet bowl and detects at least one of the following excretion information: the presence or absence of feces, and the color, shape, and amount of the feces;
A display unit that displays the user's excretion record;
An input means;
A clock unit that acquires information on the date and time of excretion;
a memory unit that automatically records an excretion record including the excretion information detected by the detection unit and the date and time information of the excretion acquired by the clock unit;
An excretion information management system comprising:
The input means includes:
The excretion records of excretion in toilets other than the toilet can be additionally input to the storage unit,
The display unit is
Displaying the excretion record recorded in the memory unit;
the input means receives a manual input of an excretion record of excretion in a toilet bowl other than the toilet bowl,
If there is no recording in the storage unit for a predetermined period of time, a notification is given to prompt input to the storage unit;
The excretion information management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is calculated based on date and time information of the excretion recorded in the storage unit. A detection unit that is installed on the toilet bowl and detects at least one of the following excretion information: the presence or absence of feces, and the color, shape, and amount of the feces;
A display unit that displays the user's excretion record;
An input means;
A clock unit that acquires information on the date and time of excretion;
a memory unit that automatically records an excretion record including the excretion information detected by the detection unit and the date and time information of the excretion acquired by the clock unit;
An excretion information management system comprising:
The input means includes:
The excretion records of excretion in toilets other than the toilet can be additionally input to the storage unit,
The display unit is
Displaying the excretion record recorded in the memory unit;
the input means receives a manual input of an excretion record of excretion in a toilet bowl other than the toilet bowl,
an excretion record is estimated from the excretion record recorded in the memory unit, and the estimated excretion record is input to the input means before the manual input of the excretion record of excretion in a toilet other than the toilet is accepted.

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