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In-Toilet Apparatus for Discrimination of Urine and Feces

a technology which is applied in the field of human excrement measurement and characterization, can solve the problems of not being compatible with a retrofitted toilet, not being able to discriminate the relative amount of urine and feces, and requiring a total redesign of the toilet system

Active Publication Date: 2018-03-29
MEDIC INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method for detecting excrement events in a toilet bowl using a thermal imaging device mounted under the toilet seat or in the bowl. The method involves measuring the temperature of the excrement and comparing it to the temperature of the toilet bowl, body parts, water, or other objects. The system can also use optical sensors and strain gauges to detect the weight of urine and feces. Additionally, the patent describes a method for detecting liquid level changes in the bowl caused by feces. The technical effects of this patent include improved detection of excrement events and improved accuracy in identifying the type of excrement (urine or feces).

Problems solved by technology

However, weight alone does not discriminate the relative amounts of urine and feces.
Liquid level meters or divided bowls which separately collect urine and feces and which are supported by independent strain gauges could work, but these require a total redesign of the toilet system and are not compatible with a retrofitted toilet.
The addition of feces to the bowl typically causes a rapid rise in the bowl liquid level or decrease in user weight.
However, some feces are small and not as easily distinguished.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0019]It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

[0020]Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet 100 comprises an in-toilet human excrement discriminating system that comprises an optical sensor 110, strain gauges 112 and 116, and a footscale 104. A toilet seat 114 may comprise strain gauges 112 and 116, and / or additional strain gages may be located on or near hinges of toilet seat...

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Abstract

An in-toilet apparatus for discrimination of urine and feces is disclosed. An optical sensor is provided for the analysis of urination and defecation events within a toilet bowl. Additionally, strain gauges are provided to make possible the quantification of urine and feces that a user releases. The combination of data from the optical sensors and strain gauges makes it possible for a user to readily know the mass of their bodily excrements, characterized by excrement type. In several embodiments the optical sensor is a thermal camera mounted on the toilet seat or in the toilet bowl. In other embodiments the optical sensor is a water level sensor. In varying embodiments, strain gauges are located in the toilet seat or in an attached footscale or both.

Description

BACKGROUNDField of the Invention[0001]The present invention relates to the measurement and characterization of human excrement.Background of the Invention[0002]For management of various health conditions, it is useful to track the amount of urine and feces a user passes. It is possible to track the sum of urine and feces using change in weight. However, weight alone does not discriminate the relative amounts of urine and feces. Methods such as flammable gas sensing can detect the presence of flatus or feces but not the quantity. Flammable gas sensing is also somewhat slower. Liquid level meters or divided bowls which separately collect urine and feces and which are supported by independent strain gauges could work, but these require a total redesign of the toilet system and are not compatible with a retrofitted toilet.[0003]The addition of feces to the bowl typically causes a rapid rise in the bowl liquid level or decrease in user weight. On the other hand, the addition of urine add...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G01J5/04A47K13/24E03D11/13G01F23/292G01N33/00G01J5/10G01G19/44G01N5/00
CPCG01J5/041A47K13/24E03D11/13G01F23/292G01J2005/0077G01J5/10G01G19/44G01N5/00E03D2201/00G01N33/0027G01G19/52
Inventor HALLALLEN, DANPRICE, CAMERON
Owner MEDIC INC
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