Patent Description:
Toilets require a certain degree of maintenance to remain clean and/or to avoid deposits of limestone or formation of biological films that could be detrimental to both the cleanliness of the toilet as to its operation.

In order to regularly dispense some cleaning agents for the maintenance and sanitation of toilets, it is now widespread to use rim blocks that contain one or more cleaning agents and further optionally including dyes and/or fragrances. These rim blocks are fixed on a rim of the toilet and contact the inner surface of the toilet bowl, so that they can dispense their chemistry when the toilet is flushed, via the interaction of water from the tank of the toilet with the rim block, on the toilet bowl.

Although such systems are successful at dispensing a cleaning agent regularly, immediately after a person interacted with the toilet by using it, they only act locally, downstream from a portion of a toilet bowl.

Besides, these rim blocks always dispense the same amount of cleaning agent, regardless of the actual requirements in order to keep the toilet clean. Frequency of flushing is the only parameter that provides some control over the amount of cleaning agent dispensed.

In order to provide a better control over the amount of cleaning agent that is dispensed, document <CIT> describes a smart toilet rim block that comprises sensor technology to assess a current cleanliness state of the toilet and to adapt the amount of cleaning agent that is dispensed as the toilet is flushed.

This system is however designed to act at the same level as any other rim block, downstream from a portion of the toilet bowl, leaving other areas of the toilet and parts of the toilet bowl dirty.

Another approach consists in putting a cleaning agent dispensing device inside the tank of a toilet. One possibility is to put a solid block of cleaning agent that will progressively dissolve in the water of the tank and act simultaneously on the water inside the tank and on a larger portion of the toilet bowl than a rim block when the toilet is flushed. Solid blocks of cleaning agent that dissolve in the water of the tank do not however allow a control over the amount of cleaning agent that is dispensed, and need to be replaced frequently. This is not convenient, in particular for toilets with a tank that is built inside the wall of a room.

Document <CIT> describes a dosing device for dispensing a cleaning agent into the water of a tank of a toilet. The dosing device is placed inside the tank of the toilet and comprises a dispensing mechanism that can selectively dose the dispensing of a cleaning agent. The device of this document is however fixed to a wall of the tank, and doses the dispensing of a cleaning agent according to a predetermined program.

Document <CIT> describes a cartridge assembly configured to dispense a metered amount of liquid into a water tank or bowl. Document <CIT> describes a toilet with a system for fixing a container for dispensing a cleaning product into the toilet. Document <CIT> describes a toilet bowl water sterilization device.

For the above reasons, a system and method for dispensing a cleaning agent in a toilet that enables an improved control of the dispensing of a chemical composition is sought.

To address the above need, the invention provides a dosing system as claimed in claim <NUM>. This dosing system for dispensing at least one chemical composition into a tank of a toilet, the dosing system comprises:.

wherein at least one of the non-transitory control unit and the at least one sensor is an integral part of the dosing device.

Such a dosing system activates the dispensing of one or more chemical compositions based not only on possible prerecorded programs for dosing the chemical composition, but also by taking into account recent information provided by sensors. Consequently, the dosing of the chemical composition can be adjusted in the amount that is output and the timing of the output can occur in a more relevant way. In particular, the activation signal can trigger the dispensing of a chemical composition after the tank is refilled with water, prior to flushing the toilet or during a flushing operation. Each of these steps of the use of a toilet can be accurately identified by analyzing information received from sensors. By dispensing the chemical composition directly into the tank of a toilet, cleanliness and maintenance is more efficiently achieved upstream and downstream from the toilet bowl.

A dosing system which includes the non-transitory control unit and at least one sensor is more compact and easier to handle. However, more sensors can be arranged on other parts of the toilet to further enhance the dosing system.

According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor is be at least one of:.

According to an embodiment, the parameter representative of a current state of an environment of the toilet is at least one of:.

According to an embodiment, the non-transitory control unit is configured to exchange data with a mobile device, data received from the mobile device providing the non-transitory control unit with a program comprising at least one activation signal for triggering and setting the duration of dispensing of the at least one chemical composition into the tank of the toilet.

Pre-programmed default settings can be accessed by the non-transitory control unit and used to generate activation signals to use the dosing device. Such pre-programmed settings can for example be accessed via a network from a remote database or be input and parameterized by a user.

According to an embodiment, the non-transitory control unit is configured to exchange data with a mobile device, data received from the mobile device providing the non-transitory control unit with a program comprising a set of rules associating values of the parameter representative of the current state of the environment of the toilet with properties of activation signals for triggering and setting the duration of dispensing of amounts of the at least one chemical composition into the tank of the toilet.

The set of rules can be parameterized for example by a user via the mobile device, which can be a mobile phone, a computer, a tablet a server or any other device enabling a user and a machine to exchange information. Such devices are typically called "man-machine interface". The set of rules can also be accessed via a network or be based on a previous recording of usage of the toilet. In particular a self-learning algorithm can be included in the mobile device or the non-transitory control unit in order to adapt the dispensing strategy based on previous usage of the dosing device in the tank of the toilet and based on feedback obtained from users of the device on the same toilet or on different toilets equipped with a similar dosing system.

According to an embodiment, the at least one chemical composition is chosen from among:.

According to an embodiment, the dosing device may be configured to float on a surface of water contained inside the tank of the toilet.

In order to enable the dosing device to float on the surface of the water inside the tank of the toilet, a floater may be arranged on the dosing device.

According to an embodiment, the dosing device comprises at least two cavities, each cavity being filled with a different chemical compound, each cavity being chosen from at least one among a refillable cartridge and a replaceable cartridge.

More than one cavity, and in particular any number of cavities can be arranged on the dosing device. These cavities can for example be in the form of cartridges or any other similar device. The cartridges can further be replaceable or refillable for example.

The invention also pertains to a method for dispensing at least one chemical composition inside the tank of a toilet, the method comprising:.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises generating the at least one activation signal upon detecting at least one of the following parameters representative of the current state of the environment of the toilet:.

The first, second and third chemical compositions can be different or identical. The amounts released for each chemical composition can also be adjusted based on the information provided by the sensors and the parameters input for example by a user.

According to an embodiment, the at least one activation signal comprises a series of signals triggering a dispensing of at least two different chemical compositions in a sequence.

For example, a shuffle program can change the coloring agent that is dispensed upon flushing the toilet to change the appearance of the toilet bowl and improve user experience. The sequence of coloring agents can be dispensed during one flushing of the toilet. It is also possible to dispense one coloring agent per flushing of the toilet, but a different one for each flushing of the toilet, according to a sequence. The sequence can be random or pre-programmed. Instead of a coloring agent, the same dispensing strategy can be used to dispense fragrances for example.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises:.

The determination can typically result from a measurement provided by a sensor placed on the dosing device, or by the non-transitory control unit which can estimate the usage of the chemical composition by counting the amounts of chemical composition previously dispensed. The non-transitory control unit or the sensor can then generate a warning message that is for example output to a mobile device or stored in a memory on the non-transitory control unit that is accessible via a network.

The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:.

The invention pertains to a system for dispensing a chemical composition into the tank of a toilet, as well as a method for enabling such dispensing.

A toilet <NUM> is a simple mechanical device which can take the form illustrated on <FIG>. A toilet <NUM> typically comprises a seat <NUM> closed by a lid <NUM>, a bowl <NUM>, a tank <NUM> filled with water <NUM> after each flushing operation and a button <NUM> or similar mechanism to activate flushing of the toilet. Water <NUM> from the tank <NUM> is directed towards the bowl <NUM> via a connection <NUM> typically in the form of a pipe opened with a valve or a similar mechanism upon pressing of the button <NUM>. Water <NUM> then flows downwards the bowl <NUM> entering the area of the bowl <NUM> from openings <NUM> arranged in the upper part of the bowl <NUM> below the seat <NUM>. A drain pipe <NUM>, typically with a siphon, evacuates the contents of the bowl.

As can be seen on <FIG>, water interacts with different parts of the toilet <NUM>, from the inside of the tank <NUM> to the bowl <NUM>. In order to insure proper maintenance of a toilet, it is therefore particularly advantageous to introduce any cleaning agents or fragrances not only in the bowl <NUM> but directly inside the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>.

The invention provides a dosing device <NUM> that can interact with a non-transitory control unit <NUM>, and a sensor <NUM>. In the embodiment represented on <FIG>, the dosing device <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> and the non-transitory control unit <NUM> are all part of the same physical object. However, it is to be noted that only the dosing device <NUM> needs to be inside the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>. The non-transitory control unit <NUM> can, according to an example not part of the claimed invention, be located outside of the tank <NUM> and outside of the toilet <NUM>, for example be part of a server or a mobile device. The sensor <NUM> can, according to an example not part of the claimed invention, be located anywhere on the dosing device <NUM>, in the tank <NUM>, on the toilet <NUM> or in the vicinity of the toilet <NUM>, depending on the parameter that the sensor <NUM> measures. There can also be more than one sensor <NUM>.

The dosing device <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> and the non-transitory control unit <NUM> together form the dosing system that is an object of this invention, they can interact in a wired or wireless fashion.

<FIG> illustrates in further detail one possible arrangement for the dosing system. The dosing system of <FIG> also represents a dosing device <NUM> that is integral with a non-transitory control unit <NUM> and a sensor <NUM>. It is to be noted that these three elements can, according to an example not part of the claimed invention, be separate from each other and exchange information wirelessly in order to enable a controlled dispensing of the chemical composition found in the dosing device <NUM> into the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>.

The dosing device <NUM> comprises at least one cavity <NUM> that is represented as a cartridge on <FIG>. The cavity <NUM> houses a chemical composition that can for example be either in liquid, gas or solid form. Solid chemical compositions can advantageously be in a powder or grain form that can then dissolve in the water <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

Among possible chemical compositions, it is advantageous to include one of the following in the cavity <NUM>: a descaling agent, an antibacterial agent, a cleaning agent comprising enzymes, a cleaning agent comprising surfactants, a cleaning agent comprising a foam-forming substance, a cleaning agent comprising polymers, a coloring agent, a fragrance. As seen on <FIG>, more than one cavity <NUM> can be present in the dosing device <NUM>.

The dosing device <NUM> further comprises a dispensing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM>. This dispensing mechanism can for example be in the form of a valve, activated electronically upon receiving an activation signal from the non-transitory control unit <NUM> for example. It can also be a spray system whose activation is also triggered by an activation signal received from the non-transitory control unit <NUM>. The dispensing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM> can also differ from a valve and can for example comprise a pump. In the case in which more than one cavity <NUM> is present in the dosing device <NUM>, each cavity <NUM> can be activated by a different activation signal.

Optionally, the dosing device <NUM> can include a floater <NUM>, that can be arranged on any part of the device. The floater ensures that the dosing device <NUM> remains only partially inside the water <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. This can in particular be advantageous in the case in which a fragrance in gas form is to be dispensed inside the tank of the toilet <NUM>.

The dosing device <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> and the non-transitory control unit <NUM> can communicate with each other. In particular, the sensor <NUM> is capable of sending the parameters that it measures to the non-transitory control unit <NUM>. The non-transitory control-unit can communicate with the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM> by sending it an activation signal, that is generated at least based on the information provided by the sensor <NUM>.

In the case in which the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM> is a valve, the amount of chemical composition dispensed from the cavity <NUM> into the water <NUM> of the tank <NUM> depends on the duration of opening of the valve. The activation signal can be adapted in order to increase or decrease the time during which the valve is open in order to adapt the amount of chemical composition that is dispensed.

It is optionally possible to program the dispensing of the chemical composition by providing information input by a user. For that matter, the non-transitory control unit <NUM> or the sensor <NUM>, or the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, <NUM> or any combination of these three elements can establish a communication <NUM> with a mobile device <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> is a man machine interface that allows a user to force the dosing device <NUM> to dispense the chemical composition according to a predefined timing and logic. The interface can in particular be in the form of an "app" on the mobile device.

The information provided by the user to force dispensing of the chemical composition via the mobile device <NUM> can further be processed by the non-transitory control unit <NUM> by combining it with information provided by the sensor <NUM>. In such a case, the non-transitory control unit <NUM> can enhance the instructions received from the mobile device <NUM> with a dosing strategy that takes into account the reality of the environment in the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM> or any other part of the toilet <NUM>. The non-transitory control unit <NUM> can further send information back to the mobile device <NUM> in order to report the current status of the dosing strategy that is implemented to the user. The reports can further indicate a remaining amount of chemical composition in the cavity <NUM>, provide information on the timing and amount dosed, as well as provide a processed report on the history of the environment of the toilet <NUM> as assessed based on the information obtained from the sensor <NUM>.

A remaining amount of chemical composition in the cavity <NUM> can for example be determined from a measurement provided by a sensor placed on the dosing device, or by the non-transitory control unit which can estimate the usage of the chemical composition by counting the amounts of chemical composition previously dispensed. The non-transitory control unit or the sensor can then generate a warning message that is for example output to the mobile device <NUM> or stored in a memory on the non-transitory control unit that is accessible via a network.

It is to be noted that the mobile device <NUM> can also be replaced by any other user interface, such as for example an interface on or in communication with a computer, a server, a tablet for example.

<FIG> shows another schematic representation of a toilet <NUM> in a room comprising a door <NUM> and a light source <NUM>. Several sensors <NUM>-<NUM> are arranged at different locations on the toilet <NUM> in order to measure different parameters of the environment of the toilet <NUM>.

These sensors can advantageously be units that either record a certain parameter over a certain period of time or are configured to react to changes in the environment of the toilet <NUM>.

The sensors can for example be chosen from: a vibration sensor, such as an accelerometer, an acoustic sensor, such as a microphone, a chemical gas sensor, such as an electronic noise or a set of receptors reacting to specific chemicals, a biosensor, a turbidity sensor, such as for example a visible light or near infrared light source coupled with a detector of absorbed radiation, a pressure sensor, a water level sensor, a temperature sensor or an optical sensor.

A vibration sensor can be placed anywhere on the toilet <NUM>, and even on the dosing device <NUM>. It can typically record vibration patterns which can then be sent to the non-transitory control unit <NUM> to be interpreted, for example by comparing them to reference patterns stored in a database on the non-transitory control unit <NUM> or accessed remotely on another storage device. Reference patterns typically comprise stored recordings of vibrations induced by interactions with the toilet such as : vibrations measured when the toilet is flushed, vibrations measured when a person sits on the toilet, vibrations induced in the toilet bowl <NUM> during usage of the toilet, vibrations induced by opening and closing the door <NUM>, vibrations induced by switching on or switching off the light source <NUM>. The patterns are most accurate when they correspond to measurements made on the same toilet with the sensor placed in the same location. However, special features in the reference patterns are identical independently from the location of the sensor and can also be used to identify a match between an interaction with the toilet <NUM> and a reference pattern. Comparison between the measurements made by the vibration sensor and the reference patterns can take the form of a correlation of recorded signals for example, or the mere identification of special features in the evolution over time of the vibration.

Similarly to the above, the acoustic sensor can be placed anywhere on the toilet <NUM> or on the dosing device <NUM> and record the same patterns as those described above in connection with the vibration sensor.

A chemical gas sensor can typically be configured to identify specific molecules associated with an undesired scent. Upon detection of a concentration of such molecules that is above a warning threshold, the non-transitory control unit <NUM> may generate an activation signal aimed at releasing an amount of fragrance into the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>. The scent cancelling agent can be generic and adapted for all types of undesirable scents or target a specific type of scent.

The turbidity sensor can typically be configured to measure special properties of water <NUM> inside the tank <NUM> of the toilet, for example to detect a level of limestone concentration in the water <NUM> or biological agents capable of changing the optical properties of water. The turbidity sensor can be arranged anywhere in the water <NUM> of the tank <NUM>, or on a wall of the tank <NUM>, inside the water <NUM>. It can also be part of the dosing device <NUM>, for example by including a water inlet section on the dosing device <NUM> to apply simple spectroscopic measurements on a portion of the water <NUM> of the tank <NUM> passing through the water inlet.

A pressure sensor can advantageously be arranged on the seat <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>, as illustrated with sensor <NUM> on <FIG>. Such a sensor is advantageously placed under the opened oval-shaped seat <NUM> of the toilet <NUM> in order to react to the weight of a person sitting on the toilet. Based on the pressure that is exerted on the pressure sensor, the non-transitory control unit <NUM> can estimate whether the person sitting on the seat <NUM> of the toilet <NUM> is a child, an adult, a woman or a man. Should the weight of specific users of the toilet <NUM> be prerecorded and stored in a memory accessible to the non-transitory control unit <NUM>, the latter can access this information to recognize the identity of the person sitting on the toilet <NUM> and adapt the dosing strategy to the needs or prerecorded wishes of that person.

Prerecorded wishes can for example be: a desired color of the water <NUM>, a desired scent of the water <NUM>, a desired amount of foam generated when flushing the toilet, a preset dosage of cleaning agent or a specific choice of cleaning agent.

The activation signal can also comprise a series of signals that trigger a dispensing of different chemical compositions, in particular different coloring agents and/or different fragrances according to a shuffle program. This can improve user experience by adding an element of surprise and changing the perceived environment of the toilet during and after each flushing of the toilet.

A water level sensor can typically be arranged either on a wall of the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>, placed inside the water <NUM> of the tank <NUM> to float therein, or be part of the dosing device <NUM>. The water level sensor is typically used to detect when the toilet is flushed and when the flushing operation is over once the tank <NUM> is filled with water <NUM>.

An optical sensor can also advantageously be arranged anywhere on the outside of the toilet <NUM>, especially on a surface that is exposed to light <NUM> that is cast for example by the light source <NUM> on the toilet <NUM>. In the example represented on <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> is arranged on the top of the lid <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>. Upon raising the lid <NUM>, the sensor receives a much smaller light intensity which is indicative of a person starting to use the toilet. Upon lowering of the lid <NUM>, the sensor receives a bigger amount of light before the person switches off the light <NUM>. This is an event hinting at the end of the interaction of the person with the toilet <NUM>. Alternatively, the sensor may detect the shade of a person standing in front of the toilet, typically standing less than one meter from the toilet <NUM>, in particular if the sensor is arranged elsewhere on the toilet <NUM> than the lid <NUM>. Another way to use information from this optical sensor is to react to the switching off and on of the light source <NUM>. Upon detecting that the light is switched on, the sensor <NUM> can send the information to the non-transitory control unit <NUM> to start dispensing a first chemical composition, to prepare the water in the tank for flushing. This prevents the water <NUM> from being constantly filled with a concentration of chemical compositions that could otherwise deposit on the walls of the tank <NUM>. When the light is switched back off, the sensor can send the information to the non-transitory control unit <NUM> which generates an activation signal to dispense a third chemical composition, such as a fragrance for example or a descaling agent into the tank <NUM>.

A biosensor can be arranged preferentially inside the tank <NUM> to detect biofilms or any other biological material forming in the stagnant water <NUM> between two flushing operations of the toilet. A biosensor can also be arranged under the seat <NUM>, under the lid <NUM>, on the bowl <NUM> or in the drain pipe <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>.

The dosing system of the invention can comprise one or more than one sensor as such described above. The non-transitory control unit <NUM> can receive the information from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> directly or receive the information measured by the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> from an external device that processes these signals beforehand. The information measured by the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can for example first be transferred via a network to a cloud or server or a mobile device <NUM> to be analyzed. The analysis can for example be made by a user or automatically by a program. Information provided by the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can also be stored to create a database that will later be used to update usage profiles and create a history of the environment of the toilet <NUM>, in order for example to provide longer term maintenance recommendations or to provide statistics on the usage of the toilet <NUM>.

It is to be further noted that, although the dosing device <NUM> is represented on <FIG> as having three cavities <NUM>, the number of cavities is not restricted. There can be as many cavities <NUM> as desired, and these cavities can take different forms, for example be in the form of replaceable cartridges, have flexible or rigid walls and come in different sizes.

The invention also relates to a method for dispensing at least one chemical composition into the tank <NUM> of a toilet <NUM>. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating the three main steps of such a method <NUM>.

First the method comprises a step of obtaining <NUM> a parameter representative of a current state of an environment of the toilet <NUM>. The parameter can for example be one of: a vibration pattern associated with an interaction with the toilet, a noise pattern associated with an interaction with the toilet, presence of a molecule associated with an undesired scent, water hardness of water inside the tank of the toilet, intensity of light <NUM> cast on the toilet, mechanical pressure exerted on the toilet by a person sitting on the toilet, water level inside the tank of the toilet, presence of bacteriological material in water inside the tank of the toilet. The value of this parameter can be measured by one of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> described above.

Then the method comprises a step of generating <NUM> at least one activation signal for triggering dispensing of an amount of the at least one chemical composition into the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM> based at least in part on the obtained parameter. The activation signal is generated by the non-transitory control unit <NUM> and is sent to the dispensing mechanism <NUM> of the dosing device <NUM> in order to control the opening and closing of the mechanism that dispenses the contents of a cavity <NUM> of the dosing device comprising the at least one chemical composition. The activation signal also defines the duration of the opening of the dispensing mechanism <NUM>, thereby controlling the amount of the at least one chemical composition that is released into the tank <NUM>. As explained above, the activation signal can be further generated based on information input for example by a user, for example via a mobile device <NUM> as represented schematically on <FIG>. An external source of information, for example one provided by a user, can provide the non-transitory control unit <NUM> with a set of rules associating values of the parameter representative of the current state of the environment of the toilet <NUM> with properties of activation signals for triggering and setting the duration of dispensing of amounts of the at least one chemical composition into the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>.

The non-transitory control unit <NUM> may also receive form another source, a default operating program for generating activation signals for triggering dispensing of the chemical composition. In particular, this can include a regular activation regardless of the actual use of the toilet, for maintenance purposes or scent purposes. Such a program can be set and parameterized, for example via the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Then, the method comprises a step of sending <NUM> the at least one activation signal to a dispensing mechanism <NUM> of a dosing device <NUM>, the at least one activation signal triggering a dispensing of the amount of the at least one chemical composition from a cavity <NUM> of the dosing device <NUM> into the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>. As explained above, the activation signal is parameterized so that the duration of the opening of the dispensing mechanism is adapted to release an amount of the at least one chemical composition that is correlated to the measured value of the parameter representative of the environment of the toilet <NUM>. The dosing strategy can be further tuned using input from a user, in particular to adapt the dosing of certain chemical compositions that are best dispensed based on criteria set by the user (for example fragrances or colors).

The dispensing and dosing strategy can be further adapted to dispense different chemical compositions at different appropriate times into the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>. It is also possible to dispense one chemical composition several times for example before, during and after use of the toilet <NUM>.

For example, a first chemical composition can be dispensed upon detecting a lifting-up of the lid <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>, or upon detecting that a person has switched the light on in the room where the toilet is, or upon detecting the presence of a person within less than typically one meter from a toilet, or less than any other predetermined distance from the toilet representative of a person standing in front of the toilet. The first chemical composition can also be dispensed upon detecting an increase in pressure exerted on the seat <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>, or by detecting a noise or vibration pattern characteristic of a person using the toilet.

A second chemical composition, which can for example be a different chemical composition than the first chemical composition, or be the same chemical composition, is typically dispensed upon detecting one of the following: a reduction of water level in the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>, an increase of water level in the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>, activation of a flushing mechanism of the toilet <NUM>, a decrease in pressure exerted on a seat <NUM> of the toilet, indicative of a person standing up after sitting on the seat <NUM>, a closing-down of a lid <NUM> of the toilet <NUM>.

Upon detecting the activation of a flushing mechanism of a toilet, it is possible to distinguish between a short activation of the flushing mechanism, indicative of a short interaction with the toilet that does not require strong cleaning agents to be dispensed and long activation of the flushing mechanism, indicative of a more intensive use of the toilet that would typically require a bigger amount of cleaning agent to be dispensed or a stronger cleaning agent to be dispensed.

A third chemical composition can be dispensed at a later stage, for example upon detecting one of the following: an increase in light intensity cast on the toilet characteristic of a person moving away from the toilet, a decrease in light intensity cast on the toilet characteristic of a switching off of light in a room in which the toilet is, a noise characteristic of a door being opened and closed in a room in which the toilet is, a vibration characteristic of a door being opened and closed in a room in which the toilet is.

The first, second and third chemical composition can be different or identical. The third chemical composition is advantageously one that is meant to affect the water <NUM> in the tank <NUM> of the toilet <NUM> for the duration between two flushing operations. The chemical composition may in particular be a descaling agent, a biocide for example. The first chemical composition is advantageously one which is meant to act quickly during use of the toilet, and that is advantageously dispensed shortly before the flushing operation. This can include a cleaning agent, a coloring agent, a foaming agent. The second chemical composition is typically one that is dispensed during the flushing operation, such as a cleaning agent.

Claim 1:
A dosing system for dispensing at least one chemical composition into a tank (<NUM>) of a toilet (<NUM>), the dosing system comprising:
- at least one sensor (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) configured to obtain a parameter representative of a current state of an environment of the toilet;
- a non-transitory control unit (<NUM>) capable of receiving the measured parameter and configured to generate at least one activation signal for triggering dispensing of an amount of the at least one chemical composition into the tank of the toilet based at least in part on the obtained parameter;
- a dosing device (<NUM>), configured to be inserted inside the tank of the toilet and wherein the dosing device is further configured to float on a surface of water contained inside the tank of the toilet, the dosing device comprising:
- at least one cavity (<NUM>) containing the at least one chemical composition,
- a dispensing mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled with the at least one cavity, the dispensing mechanism being configured to receive the at least one activation signal from the non-transitory control unit and to dispense the amount of the at least one chemical composition into the tank of the toilet upon reception of the at least one activation signal,
characterized in that at least one of the non-transitory control unit and the at least one sensor is an integral part of the dosing device.