JP7825534B2 - Bath system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bath system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional bath system. This bath system includes a bathtub, a water discharge device, an electrocardiogram measuring device, and a remote control. The bathtub is capable of storing hot water. The water discharge device is positioned above and spaced apart from the bathtub, and discharges hot water into the bathtub.

The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means and an analysis means. The signal detection means is placed in the bathtub at a position almost directly below the water discharge device. The analysis means is placed outside the bathtub and connected to the signal detection means. A remote control is placed in the bathroom. The remote control is connected to the water discharge device and the electrocardiogram measuring device. The remote control has a display unit.

This bath system allows the bather to measure their electrocardiogram using an electrocardiogram measuring device. Specifically, in the electrocardiogram measuring device, a signal detection means detects the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot water in the bathtub. An analysis means then analyzes the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform. In addition, in this bath system, the electrocardiogram waveform created by the analysis means is displayed on the display unit of the remote control. This allows the bather to understand their own health condition through the electrocardiogram waveform.

JP 2022-16064 A

In the above-mentioned conventional bath system, the signal detection means detects the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the water in the bathtub. Therefore, if the water sways while the electrocardiogram signal is being detected, the electrocardiogram signal contains a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the water. This results in an inaccurate electrocardiogram waveform created by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal, and this bath system has the problem of the electrocardiogram measurement device being unable to accurately measure the bather's electrocardiogram.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to solve the problem of providing a bath system that can perform highly accurate electrocardiogram measurements of bathers.

The first bath system of the present invention includes a bathtub capable of storing hot and cold water;
and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub,
The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water;
a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform;
the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts detecting the electrocardiogram signal;
The analysis means is characterized in that, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, it creates the electrocardiogram waveform by excluding the electrocardiogram signals detected thereafter until the water level difference becomes equal to or less than the threshold.

In the first bath system of the present invention, when the analysis means analyzes the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform, it excludes the electrocardiogram signal detected while the difference in water level between the highest and lowest levels in the bathtub, detected by the water level detection means, exceeds a threshold. Here, a state in which the water level difference exceeds the threshold means a state in which the water in the bathtub sways relatively significantly due to, for example, the bather changing their posture in the bathtub, and the electrocardiogram signal detected by the signal detection means may contain a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the water.

As a result, by excluding electrocardiographic signals detected while the water level difference exceeds the threshold, the analysis means analyzes electrocardiographic signals detected while the water level difference is below the threshold to create an electrocardiographic waveform. As a result, in this bath system, the analysis means can create highly accurate electrocardiographic waveforms.

Therefore, the first bath system of the present invention makes it possible to perform electrocardiographic measurements of bathers with high accuracy.

The first bath system of the present invention may further include a water heater connected to the bathtub and the analysis means. The water heater may be capable of performing at least one of the following specific operations: a filling operation to supply hot water into the bathtub; a reheating operation to reheat the hot water stored in the bathtub and supply the reheated hot water into the bathtub; a hot water top-up operation to increase the amount of hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation to generate bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub. It is preferable that the analysis means create an electrocardiogram waveform by excluding electrocardiogram signals detected while the water heater is performing a specific operation.

When the water heater is performing a specific operation, the water in the bathtub is likely to sway, making it easier for the water level difference to exceed the threshold. Furthermore, even if the water level difference does not exceed the threshold, a current may be generated in the water in the bathtub while the water heater is performing a specific operation. Therefore, the electrocardiogram signal detected by the signal detection means may contain noise caused by the water current. For these reasons, by excluding the electrocardiogram signal detected while the water heater is performing a specific operation, this bath system allows the analysis means to create a more accurate electrocardiogram waveform.

The second bath system of the present invention includes a bathtub capable of storing hot and cold water;
and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub,
The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water;
a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to generate an electrocardiogram waveform;
a control means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and controlling the signal detection means;
the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts measuring the electrocardiogram signal;
The control means is characterized in that, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, it stops detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the signal detection means until the water level difference thereafter becomes equal to or less than the threshold.

In the second bath system of the present invention, the control means stops the signal detection means from detecting electrocardiographic signals while the water level difference exceeds the threshold. This means that there is no electrocardiographic signal, which may contain a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the water. As a result, in this bath system as well, the analysis means creates an electrocardiographic waveform by analyzing only the electrocardiographic signals detected while the water level difference is below the threshold, allowing the analysis means to create an electrocardiographic waveform with high accuracy.

Therefore, the second bath system of the present invention makes it possible to perform electrocardiogram measurements of bathers with high accuracy.

The second bath system of the present invention may further include a water heater connected to the bathtub and control means. The water heater may be capable of performing at least one of the following specific operations: a filling operation to supply hot water into the bathtub; a reheating operation to reheat the hot water stored in the bathtub and supply the reheated hot water into the bathtub; a hot water top-up operation to increase the amount of hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation to generate bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub. It is preferable that the control means suspend detection of electrocardiogram signals by the signal detection means while the water heater is performing a specific operation.

In this case, there will be no electrocardiogram signal while the water level difference exceeds the threshold, nor will there be any electrocardiogram signal while the water heater is performing a specific operation, i.e., an electrocardiogram signal that may contain a lot of noise due to water flow. This allows the analysis means to create more accurate electrocardiogram waveforms even in this bath system.

The first and second bath systems of the present invention enable highly accurate electrocardiographic measurements of bathers.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bath system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bathtub and an electrocardiogram measuring device in the bath system of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an electrocardiogram waveform of a bather created by analyzing an electrocardiogram signal detected when the difference between the highest and lowest water levels in the bathtub is equal to or less than a threshold value. FIG. 6 shows an electrocardiogram waveform of a bather created by analyzing an electrocardiogram signal detected when the difference between the highest and lowest water levels in the bathtub exceeds a threshold value. FIG. 7 shows an electrocardiogram waveform of a bather created by analyzing an electrocardiogram signal detected when the water heater is performing a specific operation. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of electrocardiogram measurement in the bath system of the second embodiment.

Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
As shown in Figure 1, the bath system of Example 1 is applied to a house H1. This bath system includes a bathtub 1, an electrocardiogram measuring device 3, a water heater 5, and a remote control 7. The house H1 is provided with a bathroom R1.

The bathtub 1 is installed in the bathroom R1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bathtub 1 has a first surface 1a and a second surface 1b that face each other, a third surface 1c and a fourth surface 1d that face each other across the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b, and a bottom surface 1e that connects the first to fourth surfaces 1a to 1d. The third surface 1c and the fourth surface 1d are designed to be longer in the longitudinal direction than the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b. As a result, the bathtub 1 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape with a pair of short sides and a pair of long sides in a plan view, and is capable of storing hot water W1 inside. A water inlet 10 is provided on the first surface 1a. The shape of the bathtub 1 can be designed as desired. The water inlet 10 may also be provided on a surface other than the first surface 1a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 has a device main body 30, a first detection electrode 31, a second detection electrode 32, and a water level sensor 33. The device main body 30 is an example of the "control means" and "analysis means" of the present invention. The first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are an example of the "signal detection means" of the present invention. The water level sensor 33 is an example of the "water level detection means" of the present invention.

The device main body 30 is installed inside the bathroom R1, outside the bathtub 1. The device main body 30 has a control circuit 301 and an analysis circuit 302 inside. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the control circuit 301 and analysis circuit 302 are each composed of a CPU as a calculation device, as well as ROM, RAM, etc. as storage devices. Also, in Figure 2, the hot and cold water W1, control circuit 301, and analysis circuit 302 are not shown to facilitate explanation.

In the device main body 30, the control circuit 301 shown in Figure 1 controls the operation of the water level sensor 33 and the first and second detection electrodes 31, 32. The analysis circuit 302 analyzes the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform. Specific operations of the device main body 30 will be described later. The device main body 30 may also be installed outside the bathroom R1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first detection electrode 31 is disposed on the third surface 1c of the bathtub 1, and the second detection electrode 32 is disposed on the fourth surface 1d of the bathtub 1. As a result, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 face each other within the bathtub 1, sandwiching the bather's 100's heart across the width of the bathtub 1. More specifically, the first detection electrode 31 is disposed on the third surface 1c in the vicinity of the bather's 100's left wrist when the bather 100 bathes in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 in the posture shown in FIG. 1. Meanwhile, the second detection electrode 32 is disposed on the fourth surface 1d in the vicinity of the bather's 100's right wrist. The first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are connected to the device main body 30 by wire. Note that in FIG. 1, the second detection electrode 32 is shown by a virtual line for ease of explanation.

The first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are capable of detecting the bather's 100 heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1, and are capable of transmitting the detected electrocardiogram signal to the device main body 30. In this embodiment, commercially available products are used for the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration of the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 will be omitted.

The water level sensor 33 is provided on the third surface 1c of the bathtub 1. The water level sensor 33 is also wired to the device main body 30. The water level sensor 33 is capable of detecting the water level of the hot water W1 around it by measuring changes in capacitance. As a result, the water level sensor 33 detects the water level of the hot water W1 around it as the overall water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1. The water level sensor 33 also transmits the detected water level of the hot water W1 to the device main body 30. In this embodiment, a commercially available product is also used for the water level sensor 33. Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration of the water level sensor 33 will be omitted. The water level sensor 33 may also be configured to detect the water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 by detecting the movement of a float or the distance from the water surface of the hot water W1. The water level sensor 33 may also be provided outside the bathtub 1. Furthermore, the first detection electrode 31, the second detection electrode 32, and the water level sensor 33 may be wirelessly connected to the device main body 30.

The water heater 5 is installed outside the bathroom R1 in the residence H1. The water heater 5 is connected via piping to multiple mixer taps (not shown) installed within the residence H1, including the bathroom R1. The water heater 5 is also connected to the bathtub 1 via the water supply inlet 10 and piping connected to the water supply inlet 10. The water heater 5 is also equipped with a bubble generator 53.

In addition to hot water supply operation, the water heater 5 is capable of performing water filling operation, reheating operation, hot water top-up operation, and bubble generation operation. In hot water supply operation, hot water W1 is supplied to each mixer tap. In water filling operation, hot water W1 is supplied into the bathtub 1, causing the hot water W1 to be stored in the bathtub 1. In reheating operation, the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 is reheated and the reheated hot water W1 is supplied into the bathtub 1. In top-up operation, the amount of hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 is increased. In bubble generation operation, the bubble generator 53 is activated to dissolve gas in the hot water W1 supplied to the bathtub 1, causing it to contain fine bubbles. Then, in bubble generation operation, the hot water W1 containing this fine bubbles is supplied into the bathtub 1, generating bubbles in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. Here, in the water heater 5, of the hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation, reheating operation, hot water addition operation, and bubble generation operation, the reheating operation and bubble generation operation are set as specific operations.

The remote control 7 is installed in the bathroom R1. The remote control 7 has a remote control main unit 7a and a display 7b. The remote control main unit 7a is wirelessly connected to the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5. This allows the remote control main unit 7a to communicate with the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5. The remote control main unit 7a also has multiple operation buttons. The bather 100 can operate the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5 through each of these operation buttons. The electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5 can also communicate through the remote control 7. This allows the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 to determine, through the remote control 7, whether the water heater 5 is performing hot water supply operation, hot water filling operation, reheating operation, hot water top-up operation, or bubble generation operation. The electrocardiogram measuring device 3 and the water heater 5 may also be directly connected so that they can communicate with each other.

Furthermore, the remote control main unit 7a has a built-in clock. This allows the remote control main unit 7a to set the time when the water heater 5 will perform operations such as filling the water. In addition, the device main unit 30 of the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 can refer to the clock on the remote control main unit 7a by communicating with the remote control main unit 7a.

Display 7b displays text information about the hot water supply operation currently being performed by the water heater 5, as well as the electrocardiogram waveform (see Figure 5) created by the device main body 30. In this way, display 7b functions as a display means for showing the electrocardiogram waveform to the bather 100.

In this bath system configured as described above, the bather 100 can bathe in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 by the water heater 5. Furthermore, while bathing, the bather 100 can have the water heater 5 perform operations such as reheating or generating bubbles. This allows the bath system to enhance the relaxing effect of bathing by adjusting the temperature of the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 or generating bubbles in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1.

In addition, this bath system is capable of automatically measuring the bather's 100 electrocardiogram using the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 while the bather 100 is bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. Electrocardiogram measurement using the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 will be described in detail below.

To start electrocardiogram measurement, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 first activates the water level sensor 33. This causes the water level sensor 33 to detect the water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 (step S101 in Figure 3). The water level sensor 33 also transmits the detected water level of the hot water W1 to the device main body 30.

The device main body 30 then determines whether the bather 100 has started bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1 based on the change in the water level of the hot water W1 transmitted from the water level sensor 33 (step S102).

That is, if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 rises rapidly per unit time, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has started bathing (step S102: YES). On the other hand, if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 does not change, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has not started bathing (step S102: NO). Also, even if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 is rising, if the rate of rise is constant per unit time, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has not started bathing, even though the water heater 5 is performing a water filling operation, etc. (step S102: NO).

When the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has started bathing (step S102: YES), it activates the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. As a result, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 begin detecting the bather's 100 heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 (step S103). The signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are then transmitted to the device main body 30. The device main body 30 also references the clock on the remote control 7 and stores the time when the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 began detecting the electrocardiogram signal.

Furthermore, the water level sensor 33 detects the maximum and minimum water levels of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 every time a preset time period has elapsed after the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 start detecting electrocardiogram signals. That is, the maximum water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is the maximum water level of the hot water W1 when the bather 100 is bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. On the other hand, the minimum water level of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is the minimum water level of the hot water W1 when the bather 100 is bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1. If the bather 100 changes their posture while bathing in the hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1, for example, this causes the hot water W1 to sway, resulting in a difference in water level between the maximum and minimum water levels of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33.

In addition, in this bath system, the set time is 1 second. In other words, the water level sensor 33 detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 every second after the start of electrocardiogram signals from the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. The set time can be changed as needed.

The device main body 30 then determines whether the difference in water level between the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water W1 exceeds a preset threshold (step S104). In this bath system, the threshold is set to 10 mm. Note that the threshold can also be changed as appropriate.

If the difference in water level between the highest and lowest levels of the hot water W1 is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S104: NO), the device main body 30 determines that the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is not shaking significantly. Furthermore, the device main body 30 determines whether the water heater 5 is performing a specific operation, such as a reheating operation or a bubble generation operation (step S105).

If the water level difference is below the threshold (step S104: NO) and it is determined that the water heater 5 is not performing either reheating or bubble generation (step S105: NO), the device main body 30, or more specifically, the analysis circuit 302 of the device main body 30, analyzes the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. The analysis circuit 302 stores the electrocardiogram signals received from the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 for 60 seconds, and analyzes the stored electrocardiogram signals every 60 seconds. As a result, the analysis circuit 302 creates an electrocardiogram waveform P1 of the bather 100, as shown in FIG. 5 (step S106 in FIG. 3). The methods for analyzing the electrocardiogram signals and creating the electrocardiogram waveform P1 by the analysis circuit 302 are similar to known methods. The duration of the electrocardiogram signals stored by the analysis circuit 302 can be set as appropriate. Furthermore, each time an electrocardiogram signal is received from the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32, the device main body 30 may analyze the electrocardiogram signal and generate an electrocardiogram waveform P1.

The device main body 30 also stores the created electrocardiogram waveform P1 and displays the created electrocardiogram waveform P1 on the display 7b of the remote control 7 (step S107).

Next, the device main body 30 determines whether the bather 100 has finished bathing based on the change in the water level of the hot water W1 transmitted from the water level sensor 33 (step S108). That is, if the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33 drops rapidly per unit time, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has finished bathing (step S108: YES). On the other hand, if there is no change in the water level of the hot water W1 detected by the water level sensor 33, the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 is continuing bathing (step S108: NO).

If the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 is continuing bathing (step S108: NO), it executes the processing from step S104 onwards again. As a result, while the bather 100 is bathing, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 continue to detect electrocardiographic signals, and the water level sensor 33 detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 every second. The device main body 30 then sequentially analyzes the electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 every 60 seconds to create an electrocardiographic waveform P1. Therefore, while the bather 100 is continuing bathing, the electrocardiographic waveform P1 is displayed on the display 7b, updated sequentially every 60 seconds.

On the other hand, if the device main body 30 determines that the bather 100 has finished bathing (step S108: YES), it stops the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. This ends the detection of electrocardiogram signals by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 (step S109). In this way, electrocardiogram measurement by the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 in this bath system ends.

Here, in this bath system, if the water level difference exceeds the threshold in step S104 (step S104: YES), the device main body 30 determines that relatively large fluctuations are occurring in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1.

Furthermore, even if the water level difference is below the threshold in step S104 (step S104: NO), the water heater 5 may be performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S105: YES).

Therefore, when the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference has exceeded the threshold value or that the water heater 5 is performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation, it stores the time at which this determination was made as the time of exclusion (step S110). Note that at this time as well, the device main body 30 references the clock on the remote control 7.

Even after the exclusion occurrence time is stored, the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water W1 in the bathtub 1 are detected every time the set time of one second elapses, and the device main body 30 determines whether this water level difference is below the threshold value (step S111 in Figure 4). At this time, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference exceeds the threshold value (step S111: NO), the processing of step S111 is performed again.

Also, even if the device main body 30 determines in step S111 that the water level difference is below the threshold value (step S111: YES), if the water heater 5 continues to perform reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S112: NO), the processing of step S111 is performed again.

After storing the time when the exclusion occurred, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference is below the threshold (step S111: YES) and that the water heater 5 is not performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S112: YES), it stores the time when this determination was made as the time when the exclusion ended (step S113). Note that the device main body 30 also references the clock on the remote control 7 at this time.

The analysis circuit 302 of the device main body 30 then creates the electrocardiogram waveform P1 while excluding the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurs and the time the exclusion ends. In other words, in this bath system, the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurs and the time the exclusion ends are also transmitted to the device main body 30. However, when creating the electrocardiogram waveform P1, the analysis circuit 302 does not use the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurs and the time the exclusion ends.

Therefore, if the 60 seconds of electrocardiogram signals stored by the analysis circuit 302 include, for example, 10 seconds of electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 between the time the exclusion occurs and the time the exclusion ends, the analysis circuit 302 will exclude these 10 seconds of electrocardiogram signals and then analyze the electrocardiogram signals to create an electrocardiogram waveform P1. The electrocardiogram waveform P1 created in this way is also stored in the device main unit 30 and displayed on the display 7b of the remote control 7 (step S107).

In this way, in this bath system, electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference exceeds the threshold are excluded from creating the electrocardiographic waveform P1. In addition, in this bath system, electrocardiographic signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water heater 5 is performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation are also excluded from creating the electrocardiographic waveform P1.

Here, when the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 sways relatively significantly and the water level difference exceeds the threshold, the electrocardiogram signal detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 may contain a lot of noise caused by the swaying of the hot water W1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the electrocardiogram waveform P2 created by analyzing such an electrocardiogram signal containing a lot of noise will deviate significantly from the heart rate of the bather 100, resulting in a lack of accuracy.

In addition, while the water heater 5 is performing reheating or bubble-generating operation, the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 is likely to sway significantly, making it easier for the water level difference to exceed the threshold. Even if the water level difference does not exceed the threshold, a water flow occurs in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1 while the water heater 5 is performing reheating or bubble-generating operation. Therefore, when the water heater 5 is performing reheating or bubble-generating operation, the electrocardiogram signal detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 may contain a lot of noise due to the water flow of the hot water W1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the electrocardiogram waveform P3 created by analyzing such an electrocardiogram signal containing a lot of noise will also deviate greatly from the bather's 100 heart rate, similar to the electrocardiogram waveform P2 shown in Figure 6, resulting in a lack of accuracy.

However, as described above, in this bath system, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 creates the electrocardiogram waveform P1 by analyzing only the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 when the water level difference is below the threshold and the water heater 5 is not performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation. In other words, when a bather 100 is bathing in hot water W1 stored in the bathtub 1, the bather 100's movements in the bathtub 1 inevitably cause the hot water to sway, which can inevitably change the water level difference of the hot water W1 and can also cause a water current to occur within the bathtub 1. However, if the water level difference does not exceed the threshold and the water heater 5 is not performing the reheating or bubble-generating operation, even if the electrocardiogram signal detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 contains noise caused by the swaying or current of the hot water W1, the effect of the noise on the creation of the electrocardiogram waveform P1 is small. As a result, in this bath system, the analysis circuit 302, and therefore the device main body 30, is able to create a highly accurate electrocardiogram waveform P1.

Therefore, the bath system of Example 1 makes it possible to perform electrocardiogram measurements of the bather 100 with high accuracy.

Furthermore, in this bath system, when the device main body 30 creates the electrocardiogram waveform P1, there is no need to remove noise contained in the electrocardiogram signal due to the swaying or flow of the hot water or water W1, or to correct parts of the electrocardiogram signal that contain noise. Therefore, in this bath system, it is possible to reduce the processing burden on the device main body 30 when creating the electrocardiogram waveform P1.

Furthermore, in this bath system, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 created by the device main body 30 is displayed on the display 7b of the remote control 7. This allows the bather 100 to easily check their own electrocardiogram waveform P1 while bathing in the bathtub 1, making this bath system highly convenient.

Example 2
Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the bath system of Example 2 has a configuration similar to that of Example 1, and like the bath system of Example 1, a bather 100 can bathe in hot water W1 stored in a bathtub 1 by a water heater 5. In addition, this bath system also allows electrocardiogram measurement of the bather 100 using an electrocardiogram measurement device 3.

As shown in Figure 8, when electrocardiogram measurement begins, the device main body 30 of the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 executes the processes of steps S101 to S105, similar to the bath system of Example 1.

Furthermore, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference is below the threshold value (step S204: NO) and that the water heater 5 is not performing either reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S205: NO), it executes the processes of steps S106 to S109, as in the bath system of Example 1.

On the other hand, in this bath system, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference exceeds the threshold (step S104: NO) or determines that the water heater 5 is performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S104: YES), it stops the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32. This causes the device main body 30 to stop detecting electrocardiogram signals using the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 (step S210). The device main body 30 also references the clock on the remote control 7 and stores the time when electrocardiogram signal detection was stopped (step S211).

Even after electrocardiogram signal detection has stopped, the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water W1 in the bathtub 1 are detected every 1 second (the set time), and the device main body 30 determines whether this water level difference is below the threshold value (step S212 in Figure 9). If the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference exceeds the threshold value (step S212: NO), step S212 is performed again.

Also, even if the water level difference is below the threshold in step S212 (step S212: YES), if the water heater 5 continues to perform reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S213: NO), the processing of step S212 is performed again.

After storing the time when the exclusion occurred, if the device main body 30 determines that the water level difference is below the threshold (step S212: YES) and that the water heater 5 is not performing reheating operation or bubble generation operation (step S213: YES), it activates the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 again and resumes detection of electrocardiogram signals by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 (step S214). The device main body 30 also stores the time when detection of electrocardiogram signals was resumed (step S215). After resuming detection of electrocardiogram signals, the device main body 30 again executes the processing from step S104 onwards in FIG. 8.

In this way, in this bath system, the device main body 30 stops detecting electrocardiogram signals using the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference exceeds the threshold and while the water heater 5 is performing reheating or bubble generation operation. Therefore, the electrocardiogram signals sent to the device main body 30 and stored by the analysis circuit 302, and ultimately the electrocardiogram signals analyzed by the analysis circuit 302, do not contain electrocardiogram signals that may contain a lot of noise due to the swaying of the hot water W1, nor electrocardiogram signals that may contain a lot of noise due to the flow of the hot water W1. Therefore, like the bath system of Example 1, this bath system also allows the device main body 30 to create a highly accurate electrocardiogram waveform P1. Other functions of this bath system are the same as those of the bath system of Example 1.

The present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 and 2, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2, and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are considered to be the "signal detection means" of the present invention. However, this is not limited to this, and only one of the first detection electrode 31 or the second detection electrode 32 may be considered to be the "signal detection means" of the present invention. Furthermore, a detection electrode may be added in addition to the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 and used as the "signal detection means" of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, when the bather 100 bathes in the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1, the first detection electrode 31 is positioned near the bather's 100's left wrist, and the second detection electrode 32 is positioned near the bather's 100's right wrist. However, this is not limited to this, and the locations where the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 are positioned in the bathtub 1 can be designed as appropriate.

Furthermore, in the bath system of Example 1, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 may be created by excluding only the electrocardiogram signals detected by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 while the water level difference exceeds the threshold. Similarly, in the bath system of Example 2, detection of electrocardiogram signals by the first detection electrode 31 and the second detection electrode 32 may be stopped only while the water level difference exceeds the threshold.

Furthermore, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, when the bather 100 enters the hot water W1 in the bathtub 1, the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 automatically starts electrocardiogram measurement. However, this is not limited to this, and the bather 100 may operate the remote control 7 or the device main body 30 to cause the electrocardiogram measuring device 3 to start electrocardiogram measurement.

Furthermore, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, the reheating operation and the bubble generation operation are set as specific operations. However, this is not limited to this, and only one of the reheating operation and the bubble generation operation may be set as a specific operation, or the hot water addition operation, etc. may also be set as a specific operation.

Furthermore, the electrocardiogram measurement device 3 may end electrocardiogram measurement when a preset measurement time has elapsed, regardless of the bather 100 having finished bathing.

In addition, in the bath systems of Examples 1 and 2, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 is displayed on the display 7b of the remote control 7 while the bather 100 is bathing. However, this is not limited to this, and the electrocardiogram waveform P1 may also be displayed on a display of a smartphone or the like after the bather 100 has finished bathing. Furthermore, the electrocardiogram waveform P1 may also be displayed on both the display 7b of the remote control 7 and the display of the smartphone or the like.

This invention can be used in bath systems in homes, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 bathtub 3 electrocardiogram measuring device 5 water heater 30 device main body (analysis means, control means)
31...First detection electrode (signal detection means)
32...Second detection electrode (signal detection means)
33...Water level sensor (water level detection means)
100... Bather W1... Hot water P1-P3... Electrocardiogram waveform

Claims (4)

A bathtub that can store hot water,
and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub,
The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water;
a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to create an electrocardiogram waveform;
the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts detecting the electrocardiogram signal;
The bath system is characterized in that the analysis means, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, creates the electrocardiogram waveform by excluding the electrocardiogram signal detected thereafter until the water level difference falls below the threshold. The bathtub further includes a water heater connected to the bathtub and the analysis means,
The water heater is capable of executing at least one of the following specific operations: a bath filling operation for supplying the hot water into the bathtub; a reheating operation for reheating the hot water stored in the bathtub and supplying the reheated hot water into the bathtub; a hot water addition operation for increasing the amount of the hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation for generating bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub;
2. The bath system according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing means creates the electrocardiogram waveform by excluding the electrocardiogram signal detected while the water heater is performing the specific operation. A bathtub that can store hot water,
and an electrocardiogram measuring device for measuring the electrocardiogram of a bather bathing in the hot water stored in the bathtub,
The electrocardiogram measuring device has a signal detection means disposed in the bathtub for detecting the bather's heartbeat as an electrocardiogram signal through the hot and cold water;
a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
an analysis means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and analyzing the electrocardiogram signal to generate an electrocardiogram waveform;
a control means connected to the signal detection means and the water level detection means, and controlling the signal detection means;
the water level detection means detects the highest and lowest water levels of the hot and cold water at predetermined intervals after the signal detection means starts measuring the electrocardiogram signal;
A bath system characterized in that, when the water level difference between the highest water level and the lowest water level exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control means stops detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the signal detection means until the water level difference falls below the threshold. Further comprising a water heater connected to the bathtub and the control means;
The water heater is capable of executing at least one of the following specific operations: a bath filling operation for supplying the hot water into the bathtub; a reheating operation for reheating the hot water stored in the bathtub and supplying the reheated hot water into the bathtub; a hot water addition operation for increasing the amount of the hot water stored in the bathtub; and a bubble generation operation for generating bubbles in the hot water stored in the bathtub;
4. The bath system according to claim 3, wherein the control means stops the detection of the electrocardiogram signal by the signal detection means while the water heater is performing the specific operation.