Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a liquid level sensor on the surface of a flush jet fill tube. The liquid level sensor is a noncontact electrical impedance sensor that is an electrical capacitor. The capacitor may be used alone or with other volume sensors to detect volume of materials added to a toilet bowl. Some embodiments include a processor which records data and provides reports that may be clinically useful to assess the user&#39;s health status. The temporal nature of the liquid level sensor measurements is particularly useful because urination or defecation may be measured over time. Not only are total volumes detected but rates at which waste is deposited into the toilet during the entire excretion event are detected. These measurements are particularly useful in assessing certain health conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/280,140 filed on Jan. 19, 2016 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/276,826 filed on Jan. 9, 2016, both of which the entire contents is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to toilets, and, in particular, toilets capable of detecting the volume of material added to the toilet bowl. 
         [0004]    Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    In a toilet configured to refill the toilet bowl up to a point that is below a trap way overflow level, a level sensor may record a level change corresponding to a volume of waste deposited in the toilet bowl. Measuring the urination and defecation volumes may be useful for clinical monitoring as well as for at-home health trending and diet monitoring. 
         [0006]    Various flow meters have been proposed for measuring the flow of water within the hydrostatic circuit of a toilet. Flow meters in a toilet may be used to measure urine flow rates, track overeating, measure diarrhea volumes, as well as applications for conservation (optimal flush volumes) and clog detection. Typical flow meters assume a full pipe, which is not the case in a toilet, and measure Doppler effects with ultrasound or heat flow with a heater and a temperature sensor. These methods are quite challenging with a porcelain toilet. Others have proposed to place a valve below the trap way which will drain standing water and then measure the volume in time with a liquid level meter and differentiate to obtain flow rates. This method includes issues with cost, hygiene, and reliability due to the presence of a liquid drain with a narrow diameter valve used in a toilet used to dispose of excrement. A better consumer toilet with a flow meter is needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    We disclose a novel device for measuring a volume of excrement added to a toilet. Measurements of excrement, including urine and feces, may be used to monitor a user&#39;s health. The device includes a liquid level sensor that may be a noncontact electrical impedance sensor. The liquid level sensor may be placed on the surface of a flush jet fill tube. The noncontact electrical impedance sensor measures changes in liquid flow rate through the flush jet fill tube over time. Because the toilet includes a hydrostatic circuit, changes in water being added to the toilet bowl through the flush jet fill tube are indicative of the volume that has been added to the toilet bowl. 
         [0008]    The noncontact electrical impedance sensor may be a capacitor with two metal electrodes made of metal strips. The strips may be separated by a gap and may be wrapped at least partially around the outside surface of the flush jet fill tube or arranged along a direction of water flow on the surface of the flush jet fill tube. 
         [0009]    The sensor on the flush jet fill tube may function with liquid sensors in other parts of the toilet, including the toilet bowl and the trap way to provide a more complete assessment of liquid movement through the toilet and volume addition by a user. 
         [0010]    Some embodiments include a processor which performs tasks such as recording data from the liquid level sensor, combining this data with that collected from other sensors, and providing reports that may be relevant to a user&#39;s health status. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toilet with a flush jet fill tube with a noncontact electrical impedance sensor within the fill tube. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic illustration of electrical strips according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic illustration of the electrical strips of  FIG. 2A  positioned on a flush jet fill tube. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross section of a liquid level sensor including the electrodes, insulating material and electrical shield over a flush jet fill tube. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an embodiment of a toilet with a flush jet fill tube, a noncontact electrical impedance sensor within the fill tube, and a volume sensor in the toilet bowl. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a toilet with a gas sensor according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a toilet with a flush jet fill tube, a noncontact electrical impedance sensor, a gas sensor, and a processor according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Definitions 
         [0019]    Toilet, as used herein, means a device that may be used to collect one or more biological waste products of a user. 
         [0020]    User, as used herein, means a human or animal that deposits bodily waste into an embodiment of the toilet disclosed herein. 
         [0021]    Flush jet fill tube, as used herein, means a tube or pipe that is connected to a water system and which refills a toilet bowl with water after the toilet is flushed. The fill tube may also be called a refill tube. 
         [0022]    Trap way, as used herein, means a section of pipe connecting the toilet bowl to a sewer pipe through which waste passes into the sewer system. The section of pipe is typically curved with the section nearest the toilet bowl holding water when the toilet bowl is full. The section nearest the sewer pipe does not hold water. The trap way may also be called a P-trap or S-trap. 
         [0023]    Water seal, as used herein, means a vertical section of a trap way which holds water, the water acting as a barrier for sewer gases which would otherwise travel from a sewer pipe connected to the trap way into the toilet bowl. 
         [0024]    Disclosed herein is a toilet capable of measuring small changes in volume within the toilet&#39;s hydrostatic circuit. The toilet accomplishes this task by measuring the flow rate of water traveling through the hydrostatic circuit. Specifically, the disclosed toilet comprises a noncontact electrical impedance sensor connected to a flush jet fill tube which detects small changes in volume within the toilet bowl. Consequently, the volume of human excrement, including urine, feces, vomit, or other bodily waste that is deposited into the toilet bowl is detected. 
         [0025]    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. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , toilet  100  is illustrated which includes rim  110 , toilet bowl  120 , and tank  130 . Additionally, toilet  100  includes flush jet fill tube  140  which is connected to a water source. When toilet  100  is flushed, water in toilet bowl  120 , along with any excrement that is present, moves through a waste exit port in toilet bowl  120  and through a wastewater exit pipe. The wastewater exit pipe includes a curved trap system, sometimes referred to as a P-trap. The end of the trap system that is furthest from the toilet and nearest a sewer pipe includes a spillway. The spillway comprises a height corresponding to a maximum level of standing liquid in the toilet bowl. 
         [0027]    Flush jet fill tube  140  includes liquid level sensor  150 . Liquid level sensor  150 , and other embodiments thereof, measures the level of liquid in flush jet fill tube  140  over time. While other embodiments are within the scope of the invention, liquid level sensor  150  is shown on the lower side of flush jet fill tube  140 . One of skill in the art will recognize that other parts are included in a toilet, including additional plumbing which is connected to fill tube  140 . These have been omitted from  FIG. 1  for clarity. 
         [0028]    While typical toilets refill up to the level set by the spillway in the trap way ensuring a 2-inch high water seal between the toilet bowl and the sewer pipe, the toilet according to the disclosed invention may include a water seal with a height that his greater than 2 inches. For example, the water seal may be approximately 2.25 inches or approximately 2.5 inches high. In this design, the bowl may refill to a level that is lower than the spillway and still have at least a 2-inch water seal as required for connection to a sewer system. For at least the reason that the toilet bowl has a lower volume of water, it is possible to detect small additions of volume to the bowl, as occur during typical urination and defecation events. 
         [0029]    When the liquid level sensor detects a volume in the toilet bowl that is below the desired water level during refill after flushing, the liquid level sensor may actuate a refill controller. The refill controller may be a solenoid valve connected to a water supply or other mechanism known in the art. The refill controller may be connected to a water refill valve and cause a water refill valve to stop the flow of water into the toilet bowl when the liquid level sensor detects a desired level of water in the toilet bowl. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the liquid level sensor is a noncontact electrical impedance sensor.  FIG. 2A  is an illustration of an embodiment of such a sensor which is a capacitor. The capacitor includes capacitor plates  210  which are separated by gap  220 . Capacitor plates  210  function as capacitively coupled electrodes and may be two substantially parallel metal strips. Capacitor plates  210  may be powered by an alternating current (AC) power source. The capacitor may be wrapped at least partially around the outside surface of the flush jet fill tube with the electrodes running perpendicular to the direction of water flow through the flush jet fill pipe as shown in  FIG. 2B  or arranged parallel with the direction of water flow through the flush jet fill tube. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the capacitor is covered by an electrical shield. Some embodiments further include an insulating material. The insulating material may be placed between the electrical shield and the electrodes in a sandwich configuration. A clamp may secure the electrical shield against the insulating material. In some embodiments, the claim is circular and wraps at least partially around the circumference of the flush jet fill tube similar to a pipe clamp. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates the order of components in the sandwich configuration described above. Electrode  350  is placed against surface  340  of a flush jet fill tube. Insulating material  360  covers electrode  350 . Electrical shield  370  then covers insulating material  360 . 
         [0033]    Given the electrical component of the liquid level sensor disclosed herein, embodiments are disclosed which inhibit a user from contacting the electrodes. In some embodiments the electrodes are placed on the side of the flush jet fill pipe that is furthest from the exterior surface of the toilet. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the toilet includes a controller which may set the water level to a defined level in the toilet bowl. As in conventional toilets, the water level in the toilet bowl may be equal to or lower than the spillway water level to prevent the siphon activity from occurring and emptying the toilet bowl. The controller, thus, determines how much water will be added through the flush jet fill pipe after the toilet is flushed. Specifically, the controller receives a signal from the liquid level sensor on the flush jet fill pipe then actuates the flush jet fill tube to refill the toilet bowl to the appropriate water level. 
         [0035]    In other embodiments, the toilet may also include a water level meter that may be located in one or both of the toilet bowl or spillway. The water level meter(s) may be a noncontact electrical impedance sensor or other type of water level sensor known in the art. The combination of liquid level sensor in the flush jet fill tube and water level meter in the toilet bowl and/or spillway may provide a more accurate assessment of volume change within the toilet bowl. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates toilet  400 , which is an embodiment of the invention. Similar to conventional toilets, toilet  400  comprises rim  410 , toilet bowl  420 , and tank  430 . Unlike conventional toilets, toilet  400  further comprise flush jet fill tube  440  which includes liquid level sensor  450 . Additionally, toilet  400  includes water level sensor  460  which, in this embodiment, is located within toilet bowl  420 . In some embodiments, water level sensor  460  may be a noncontact electrical impedance sensor. By including two sensors in two different positions, a clearer indication of the volume of waste added to the toilet bowl may be obtained. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a downward-looking illustration of toilet  500 , another embodiment of the disclosed invention. Toilet  500  includes toilet bowl  510 , rim  520 , and tank  530 . Toilet  500  further includes gas sensor  540 . Gas sensor  540  detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which may be produced by flatulence or from fecal matter that has been deposited in the toilet bowl by a user after a bowel movement. Gas sensor  540  and other embodiments thereof may be used in combination with the flush jet fill tube and liquid level sensor as disclosed herein to determine whether a user has had a bowel movement or whether the VOCs detected by a gas sensor are from other sources. For example, when a user has had a bowel movement and deposited fecal matter into the toilet bowl, the gas sensor may detect VOCs and the liquid level sensor may detect an increase in volume within the toilet bowl. Alternatively, when a user has experienced flatulence without an accompanying bowel movement, the gas sensor may detect VOCs but the liquid level sensor may detect no increase in volume within the toilet bowl. The water level sensor illustrated in toilet  400  of  FIG. 4  as well as other embodiments of the disclosed invention may also be combined with a gas sensor. In addition, in embodiments of the toilet that include a blood pressure monitor, the blood pressure monitor may identify changes in blood pressure that are indicative of exertion during the bowel movement. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates toilet  600 , yet another embodiment of the disclosed invention. Like conventional toilets, toilet  600  includes rim  620 , toilet bowl  610 , and tank  630 . Toilet  600  further includes flush jet fill pipe  640 , liquid water sensor  650 , and gas sensor  660 . Toilet  600  also includes processor  670  which records and processes signals collected by liquid level sensor  650  and gas sensor  650 . Processor  670  may be a microcontroller (MCU) or other electronic controller. Changes in the volume present in toilet bowl  610  and VOCs detected by gas sensor  650  may be recorded and reported by processor  670 . Health data may be calculated from signals that enter processor  670  for use by healthcare professionals who may be tasked with monitoring or diagnosing the health status of the user. Lines shown in  FIG. 6  which connect both liquid level sensor  650  and gas sensor  650  to processor  670  indicate signal input which may be through wireless connection, through electrical wiring, or methods for transferring data to a processor that are known in the art. 
         [0039]    Because the liquid level sensor measures changes in volume over time, the processor in the toilet may also record the change in volume in the toilet bowl over time and perform calculations and create reports that are useful in assessing the user&#39;s health status. For example, the processor may calculate and report a user&#39;s urine flow rate. Due to the temporal nature of the liquid level measurement, the processor may also report irregular urine flow rate. This is especially useful in monitoring or diagnosing an enlarged prostate. Some embodiments also include a blood pressure monitor. Combining measurements of urine flow rate with measured changes in blood pressure may estimate urinary exertion which is also an indicator of prostate health. 
         [0040]    Because adding solid matter displaces water in the toilet bowl, the liquid level sensor may also determine the volume of a user&#39;s solid feces after a bowel movement. Likewise, the processor may calculate and report the volume of the user&#39;s feces. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, in combination with a gas sensor, the processor may determine that a user has diarrhea and record how much fluid has been lost. Specifically, the gas sensor may detect VOCs while the liquid level sensor detects a flow rate that is consistent with liquid being deposited into the toilet as opposed to solid fecal matter. The processor may differentiate between liquid and solids being added to the toilet by receiving a signal from the liquid level sensor that indicates a consistent increase in volume (added liquid) as compared to a sudden increase in volume (added solid material). The volume of fluids lost as diarrhea may be an important clinical data point. Such information may alert the user to contact a healthcare provider because too much fluid has been lost. 
         [0042]    Embodiments of the invention what include a processor may be used to detect possible clogs or partial clogs in the toilet. The processor may determine when the toilet has been flushed. when a flush is accompanied by an abnormal change in the level of liquid in the flush jet fill tube over time. A report of a potential clog could alert a user to perform maintenance before the clog worsens. 
         [0043]    While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it is to be understood that the disclosure provided is not limited to the precise configuration, steps, and components disclosed. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems disclosed, with the aid of the present disclosure. 
         [0044]    Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein.