Patent Description:
The present application relates to a data collection device for a toilet, and more specifically, a structure for mounting the data collection device to a rim of the toilet.

The analysis of urine and feces may help in diagnosing health conditions. These health conditions may range from poor nutrition to cancer. The health conditions may include infection from viruses, bacteria, parasites or other microbial entities that may be harmful to the human body. Urine is also a valuable source of diagnostic information for health conditions. Examples include urinary tract infection, kidney infection or other kidney disease, and diabetes.

In some examples, urine and feces may be placed in a container and transported to a laboratory for analysis. This technique is time consuming and expensive. Techniques for at home analysis may reduce some of these downfalls of laboratory testing.

<CIT> discloses a device for determining physiological data through analysis of human excrement in a toilet by means of at least one indicator and/or sensor.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device comprising a plurality of electrodes exposed to a surface of the body to contact at least two portions of a user's body, and a controller configured to apply a current to at least any one of the plurality of electrodes to obtain a bio signal of the user.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl. While the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, light is received by the apparatus using one or more light sensors. A computer processor analyses the light received.

<CIT> discloses a toilet unit mountable on a toilet bowl that includes a collection and sampling sub-unit for collection and measuring the characteristics of urine.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Electronic devices inside a toilet bowl or near the rim of the toilet face hazardous conditions. Water and urine inevitably come in contact with the electronic device. Any water and urine that leaks inside the electronic device could wreak havoc on the electronic device. The electronic device should be substantially airtight and hermetically sealed. The housing of the electronic device may be formed of a hydrophobic material to repel water and urine.

The mounting structure that secures the electronic device to the rim of the toilet could also be susceptible to water and urine. Any moving parts of the mounting structure may also be particularly at risk to liquid. Also, the protein in urine may dry and become sticky and possibly be caked on moving parts. For example, a screw clamp may become unusable when exposed to drying urine.

The following embodiments include techniques for securing the electronic device to the rim of the toilet with minimal moving parts. Toilets, and specifically toilet rims, are available in a variety of sizes and widths. In addition, the width of the toilet rim may vary around the circumference of the toilet. Thus, the data collection device may be adjustable to fit the various sizes of toilet rims. In the first embodiment, a spring loaded sleeve allows the collection device to adjust to various rim sizes. In a second embodiment, a modular extender may be interchangeable to accommodate different rim sizes. In a third embodiment, the collection device may be flexible and confirm to the size of the rim.

<FIG> illustrates toilet data collection device <NUM> in an unmounted position with respect to a toilet <NUM>. The toilet <NUM> may include a rim <NUM> around a bowl <NUM>. The data collection device <NUM> may include a first compartment <NUM> and a second compartment <NUM>. The first compartment <NUM> is coupled to the second compartment <NUM> by a bridge <NUM>. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

The bridge <NUM> includes an outer extender <NUM> and an inner extender <NUM> as sleeves such that the inner extender <NUM> fits within the outer extender <NUM>. The inner extender <NUM> may be coupled to the first component <NUM>. The outer extender <NUM> may be coupled to the second component <NUM>. A spring inside the outer extender <NUM> may be configured to push the inner extender <NUM> to slide farther within the outer extender <NUM>. The spring may pull the inner extender <NUM> with respect to the outer extender <NUM>. The spring may pull the inner extender <NUM> toward the rim <NUM>. The spring may be a constant force spring should that the force placed on the inner extender <NUM> and/or the outer extender <NUM> is constant. Other examples may include progressive springs where the force applied by the spring is proportional to the relative distance between the inner extender <NUM> and the outer extender <NUM>. The progressive spring or springs includes a spring constant that is variable depending on the relative position of the inner extender <NUM> and outer extender <NUM>. In one alternative, the inner extender <NUM> and/or the outer extender <NUM> includes a ratcheting device that allows the inner extender <NUM> and the outer extender <NUM> to be pressed together but not a part. The ratcheting mechanism may be released via a release button.

The inner extender <NUM> and/or the first component <NUM> may include a bumper or grip <NUM> configured to press against the rim <NUM> and hold the data collection device <NUM> to the toilet <NUM>. The user may manually press the inner extender <NUM> and the outer extender <NUM> toward one another to cause the grip <NUM> to contact the rim <NUM> and hold the data collection device <NUM> to the toilet <NUM>.

The toilet <NUM> may include a variety of shapes and configurations for the base of the toilet <NUM> supporting the bowl <NUM> and rim <NUM>. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be made of a vitreous material such as clay. It should be noted that various components of the toilet may be polymeric and/or over molded or otherwise fixed to the toilet. The toilet disclosed herein may have a wide variety of skirted toilet configurations, and all such configurations are intended to be encompassed herein. The following description of various toilet features is therefore intended as illustration only of one possible embodiment, and it should be understood by those reviewing the present description that similar concepts or features may be included in various other embodiments.

The base of the toilet <NUM> may include any suitable shape that is configured to form the bowl <NUM> having an opening formed by the rim <NUM> at the top of the opening. The base may also be configured to include a plurality of walls having varying shapes that together form a bowl having an opening formed by a rim. The wall of a pedestal supporting the base may extend downward and/or rearward from the bowl <NUM> to form a lower portion configured to support the toilet <NUM>.

The base may also include a top member that extends between two sides of the wall (or between two opposing walls) and is provided rearward (or behind) the bowl <NUM>, wherein the top member forms a plateau for supporting a seat assembly <NUM>. For example, the top member may include one or more than one opening, wherein each opening is configured to receive a fastening device (e.g., bolt, screw, etc.) to couple (e.g., attach) the seat assembly <NUM> to the top member of the base. As another example, the top member may include one or more than one fastening device (e.g., bolts, recessed nuts, etc.) integrally formed therein (i.e., already provided connected or coupled to the base), wherein the fastening device may be used to couple or secure at least a portion of the seat assembly <NUM>. The seat assembly <NUM> may include a hinge, hinge shoulders configured to receive a fastener, a seat coupled to the hinge and a cover coupled to the hinge.

The bowl <NUM> may be configured to include a receptacle (e.g., sump) and an outlet opening, wherein the water and waste is collected in the receptacle until being removed through the outlet opening, such as upon activation of an actuator (e.g., lever, motor). The base may also include a base internal passageway, such as a trapway, that connects the outlet opening or discharge outlet of the bowl <NUM> to a drain or soil pipe. The passageway, or trapway, generally includes a first portion, a second portion, and a weir separating the first and second portions. The first portion of the passageway may extend from the outlet opening of the bowl <NUM> at an upwardly oblique angle to the weir. The second portion of the passageway may extend from the weir downwardly to the exiting device, such as the drain or soil pipe.

Between operational cycles (e.g., flush cycles) of the toilet <NUM>, the water (and waste) is collected in the first portion of the trapway (in addition to the receptacle of the bowl), such that the weir prohibits the water from passing past the weir and into the second portion of the trapway. A flushing cycle may begin upon activation of the actuator. Upon activation of the actuator, additional water may be discharged into the bowl <NUM> through rim opening <NUM> and/or a sump jet, resulting in the flushing action and waste removal. For example, water may be discharged into the bowl from rim opening <NUM> along a swirling surface <NUM> on the interior of the bowl <NUM> below the rim <NUM>. The swirling surface <NUM> forms a channel below the rim <NUM> so that water from the rim opening <NUM> travels along the channel forming a swirling motion to wash the inside of the bowl <NUM>. The swirling motion is in a circular around the interior of the bowl <NUM>. The swirling motion may be clockwise or counterclockwise as dictated by the direction of the rim opening <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the data collection device <NUM> above the toilet <NUM>. For example, <FIG> illustrates a position that the user is holding the data collection device <NUM> above the toilet <NUM> before it is installed or mounted on the rim <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the data collection device <NUM> resting on the rim <NUM> but not yet secured to the rim <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the data collection device <NUM> secured to the rim <NUM>. The inner extender <NUM> has been pushed inside the outer extender <NUM> to shorten the bridge <NUM> to fit tightly onto the rim <NUM>.

The bumper <NUM> may be configured to space the first component <NUM> at a predetermined distance from the rim <NUM> and/or bowl <NUM>. The predetermined distance may be sized such that the water traveling through the channel along the swirling surface <NUM> has sufficient space to maintain the swirling motion. In other words, the predetermined distance between the first component <NUM> and the rim <NUM> or bowl <NUM> is selected so that that the channel is large enough for sufficient water for rinsing the bowl <NUM> travels between the first component <NUM> and the bowl <NUM>. The water in the channel travels between the first component <NUM> and the second compartment <NUM>. A hypothetical line connecting the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> intersect the water in the channel along the swirling surface <NUM>.

The bumper <NUM> may be formed from a variety of materials. The bumper <NUM> may be comprised of a rubber or a rubber like resin. For example, the bumper <NUM> may be comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), styrenic block copolymers (TPE-S), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPE-O), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPE-U), thermoplastic copolyesters (TPE-E), melt processable rubber (MPR), thermoplastic polyether block amides (TPE-A), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the bumper <NUM> may be comprised of two or more materials. In one example, the bumper <NUM> may include a polypropylene (PP) shell and over molded with a rubber or rubber like resin. Accordingly, the grip performance of the bumper may be maximized.

The bumper <NUM> may be flexible. In some embodiments, the bumper <NUM> may be configured to deform to set the predetermined distance to space the first component <NUM> from the rim <NUM> and/or bowl <NUM>. The bumper <NUM> may be formed from a material or materials selected based on their durometer properties of the material.

<FIG> illustrates the data collection device <NUM> after the toilet seat <NUM> has been lowered over the bridge <NUM> of the data collection device <NUM>. The toilet seat <NUM> may contact the bridge <NUM>. The toilet seat <NUM> may include a recessed portion to receive the bridge <NUM>. The bridge may be formed of a material having a predetermined brittleness or compressive strength such that the weight of the seat <NUM> and the human user sitting on the seat does not deform or otherwise damage the bridge. The bridge may have a height of <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters (e.g., <NUM>). The bridge <NUM> may also include a protective cushion, collar, or other structure to protect the bridge <NUM>. The protective cushion may cover the bridge <NUM> with any of the materials described above with respect to the bumper <NUM>. The collar may include at least one supporting arm or wall that contacts both the seat <NUM> and the rim <NUM> to support the seat <NUM> without placing substantial weight or stress on the bridge <NUM>.

The first compartment <NUM> includes at least one circuit component and the second compartment <NUM> includes at least one circuit component. Various embodiments of the circuitry are described below. The bridge <NUM> includes wires, traces, or other conductors for provided power and/or communication between the circuitry of the first compartment <NUM> and that of the second compartment <NUM>.

Because the bridge <NUM> changes size, by virtue of the relative movement of the inner extender <NUM> and the outer extender <NUM>, the conductors should be adaptable. In some examples, the conductors may be provided by a ribbon cable that is configured to elongate or contract. In some examples, the conductors may be provided by looped or slacked wiring in the bridge such that the wires move within a cavity as the bridge <NUM> changes size. In some examples, the conductors may include traces on the inner extender <NUM> and the outer extender <NUM> that slide with respect to each other in a direction parallel so as to maintain the physical conduct and electrical conduct and the inner extender <NUM> is moved relative to the outer extender <NUM>.

In other words, as the bridge <NUM> is adjusted in size, one or more electrical conductors (e.g., power connection and/or data connection) are also modified in respond to the adjustment in size of the bridge <NUM>. In some examples, the one or more electrical conductors include a first electrical connection corresponding to a first size (e.g., reduced size) of the bridge <NUM> and a second electrical connection corresponding to a second size (e.g., extended size) of the bridge <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates three modular interchangeable bridges <NUM> including a small length X, a medium length Y, and a long length Z. As an example, the bridges <NUM> in <FIG> do not adjust in size; instead, the bridges <NUM> are removable, replaceable, modular, and interchangeable such that a bridge of a first sized may be removed and replaced with a bridge of a second size. The bridge <NUM> may be removable from the first compartment <NUM> and that of the second compartment <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> may snap-fit into a recess in each of the first compartment <NUM> and that of the second compartment <NUM>. The bridge <NUM> may fastened to the first compartment <NUM> and/or the second compartment <NUM> using a screw, a pin, a spring, or another fastener. The bridge <NUM> may be magnetically coupled to the first compartment <NUM> and/or the second compartment <NUM>.

The user may interchange the bridge to select the bridge <NUM> that fits a specific rim <NUM>. A particular size for the bridge <NUM> may be selected based on the width of the rim <NUM>. For example, a user may measure the width of the rim <NUM> and place an order for the data collection device <NUM> having a bridge of the corresponding width. In one example, the user may place an order over the phone or website according to a particular model of toilet, and the size of the bridge is looked up according to the model of toilet.

<FIG> illustrates a conforming bridge <NUM> in an unmounted position. <FIG> illustrates the conforming bridge <NUM> in a mounted position. The conforming bridge <NUM> is configured to change shape to be bended against the contours of the rim <NUM>. The conforming bridge <NUM> may include a rigid but flexible metal strap surrounding by a plastic or resin. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

A cleat <NUM> may be attached directly to the rim <NUM>. The conforming bridge <NUM> may rest on the cleat <NUM>. The clear may include a magnet or magnetic material that attached a corresponding magnet or magnetic material in the conforming bridge <NUM>. Alternatively, the cleat may include an adhesive or a tactile material.

<FIG> illustrates an example puck style compartment including a puck <NUM> connected to a sensor module <NUM>. The puck <NUM> may have a shape of a cylinder or rounded rectangular prism. <FIG> illustrates an example circuit layout for the puck style compartment of <FIG>. In this example, the sensor module <NUM> includes a sensor board <NUM> and a light emitting diode (LED) board <NUM>. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

The sensor board <NUM> may include various sensors for the detection or measurement of urine or feces in the toilet <NUM>. The sensors may include a camera. The LED board <NUM> may be coupled with a LED that projects light on to the urine, feces, or other contents of the toilet <NUM> to facilitate the collection of images (e.g., illuminate). In any of these examples, the camera may be configured to collect images of feces, urine, or other contents of the bowl <NUM>. The sensor board <NUM> including the camera may collect data for spectroscopy. In any examples, the sensor board <NUM> receives or collects sensor data indicative of urine, feces, or another material deposited at the bowl <NUM>.

The puck <NUM> may include a driver board <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> arranged in at least two layers parallel to the circumference of the rim <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The controller <NUM> may include a microcontroller chip, a flash memory, and a universal serial bus (USB) port <NUM> for power, data, and programming. The controller <NUM> may also include a serial wire debug (SWD) port for troubleshooting and monitoring. The driver board <NUM> may include such ports and memory for programming the controller <NUM>. The driver board <NUM> may be omitted.

The battery <NUM> is in a separate layer in the puck <NUM>, the controller <NUM> is in a separate layer in the puck <NUM>, and the driver board <NUM> is in a separate layer in the puck <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to analyze images collected by the camera. The controller <NUM> may identify one or more medical conditions or other measurements from the images.

The controller <NUM> receives sensor data from the sensor board <NUM> through one or more data connection through the bridge <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may compare the sensor data from the sensor board <NUM> to one or more thresholds or templates to determine when a predetermined condition has occurred. The threshold or template may be stored in memory. In some examples, the controller <NUM> identifies the presence of the urine and/or feces in addition to identification of the predetermined condition.

<FIG> illustrates an example outer curve style compartment including an outer curve compartment <NUM> and a sensor module <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example circuit layout for the outer curve style compartment of <FIG>. In this example, the outer curve compartment <NUM> includes a driver card <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> arranged in a single layer parallel to the rim <NUM>. The sensor module <NUM> includes a sensor board <NUM> and a LED driver board <NUM>. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

The controller <NUM> receives sensor data from the sensor module <NUM> through one or more data connection through the bridge <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may compare the sensor data from the sensor module <NUM> to one or more thresholds or templates to determine when a predetermined condition has occurred. The threshold or template may be stored in memory. In some examples, the controller <NUM> also identifies the presence of the urine and/or feces in addition to identification of the predetermined condition.

Alternatively, the sensor data from the sensor module <NUM> may be transmitted to the controller <NUM> wireless. For example, radio waves, a cellular telephone network, an <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network may be used to transmit the sensor data from the sensor module <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example inner curve style compartment including an inner curve component <NUM> and battery module <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example circuit layout for the inner curve style compartment of <FIG>. The inner curve component <NUM> may include a sensor board <NUM>, a light board <NUM>, a driver card <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. The battery module <NUM> may include only a battery <NUM>. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

In the example of <FIG>, only electrical connections are provided between the battery module <NUM> and the inner curve component <NUM>. That is, the bridge <NUM> includes at least one electrical connection between the battery module <NUM> and the inner curve component <NUM> but does not include any data connection between the battery module <NUM> and the inner curve component <NUM>. Instead, the sensor board <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are co-located in the inner curve component <NUM> and communication through a direct connection (e.g., wire or printed circuit board).

The controller <NUM> receives sensor data directly from the sensor board <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may compare the sensor data from the sensor board <NUM> to one or more thresholds or templates to determine when a predetermined condition has occurred. The threshold or template may be stored in memory. In some examples, the controller <NUM> identifies the presence of the urine and/or feces in addition to identification of the predetermined condition.

In any of these examples, the battery (e.g., the battery module) may include two batteries. One battery may be a removable battery, and one battery may be permanent. The removable battery may provide the primary source of power for the sensor board, the light board, the driver card, the battery, and the controller. The removable battery may be removed from the collection device <NUM> and charged via a wire and outlet, induction, or another technique. The permanent battery provides power to at least one of the sensor board, the light board, the driver card, the battery, and the controller when the removable battery has been removed for charging. In this way there is potentially always a source of power for the data collection device.

Any of these embodiments of the data collection device may also include a user identification module. The user identification module may include a fingerprint reader. The user identification module may include a near field communication or radio frequency identification that interacts with a mobile device or a tag of the user. The user identification module generates data indicative of the user's identity (e.g., a username, a code, or an alphanumeric word) and sends the identifier (e.g., sometimes through the electrical conductors of the bridge) to the controller. The controller may store analyzed biometric data in a memory in association with the identifier of the user. The controller (e.g., via a communication interface) may also transmit the analyzed biometric device paired with the user identifier to another device such as a server, a mobile device, or a network device.

<FIG> includes another embodiment including a biometric data collection device embedded in the toilet seat <NUM>. Circuitry <NUM> may include any combination of a sensor board, a light board, a driver card, a battery, and a controller. The circuitry <NUM> is configured to slide in and out of the toilet seat <NUM> using a handle or latch <NUM>. The collection sensor <NUM> (e.g., camera) may be mounted on an underside of the toilet seat <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example control system or controller <NUM> for any of the embodiments described herein. The controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a communication interface <NUM> for interfacing with devices or to the internet and/or other networks <NUM>. In addition to the communication interface <NUM>, a sensor interface may be configured to receive data from the sensors described herein or data from any source. The controller <NUM> may include an integrated display <NUM>, speaker <NUM>, or other output devices. The components of the control system may communicate using bus <NUM>. The control system may be connected to a workstation or another external device (e.g., control panel) and/or a database for receiving user inputs, system characteristics, and any of the values described herein.

<FIG> illustrates an example flow chart for the operation of the biometric data collection device. Additional, different, or fewer acts may be performed.

At act S101, a length of a bridge between a first compartment and a second compartment of a biometric data collection device is adjusted. The length may be adjusted using a spring clamp, module bridge extenders, or a conformable bridge.

At act S103, the biometric data collection device is fit to a rim of the toilet. For example, after adjustment of the length of the bridge to fir the rim, the user may place the collection device on the rim.

Once installed on the rim, the collection device may be turned on to commence the collection of data. At act S105, the sensor collects data at the first compartment of the biometric data collection device. At act S107, the controller analyzes the data. At act S109, an identification module including another sensor identifies a user associated with the data. At act S111, the controller stores the data with an indicator of the user in memory or transmits the analyzed data and indicator to another device.

Optionally, the control system may include an input device <NUM> and/or a sensing circuit <NUM> in communication with any of the sensors. The sensing circuit receives sensor measurements from sensors as described above. The input device may include any of the user inputs such as buttons, touchscreen, a keyboard, a microphone for voice inputs, a camera for gesture inputs, and/or another mechanism.

Optionally, the control system may include a drive unit <NUM> for receiving and reading non-transitory computer media <NUM> having instructions <NUM>. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included. The processor <NUM> is configured to perform instructions <NUM> stored in memory <NUM> for executing the algorithms described herein. A display <NUM> may be an indicator or other screen output device. The display <NUM> may be combined with the user input device <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor <NUM> is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory <NUM> or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor <NUM> may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.

Memory <NUM> may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory <NUM> may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory <NUM> may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory <NUM> may be communicably connected to processor <NUM> via a processing circuit and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor <NUM>) one or more processes described herein. For example, the memory <NUM> may include graphics, web pages, HTML files, XML files, script code, shower configuration files, or other resources for use in generating graphical user interfaces for display and/or for use in interpreting user interface inputs to make command, control, or communication decisions.

In addition to ingress ports and egress ports, the communication interface <NUM> may include any operable connection. An operable connection may be one in which signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and/or a data interface. The communication interface <NUM> may be connected to a network. The network may include wired networks (e.g., Ethernet), wireless networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

While the computer-readable medium (e.g., memory <NUM>) is shown to be a single medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. The computer-readable medium may be non-transitory, which includes all tangible computer-readable media.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of the data collection device <NUM>, including the first compartment <NUM> and the second compartment <NUM>. The first compartment <NUM> is coupled to the second compartment <NUM> by the bridge <NUM> including the inner extender <NUM> fits within the outer extender <NUM>. In addition to port <NUM> described above, the data collection device <NUM> may include a window <NUM> adjacent to a sensor (e.g., motion sensor) configured to detect movement of the user or gestures from the user. The data collection device <NUM> may include a window <NUM> adjacent to a light (e.g., LED) that indicates power operation or a mode or the data collection device <NUM>. The data collection device <NUM> may include one or more buttons or inputs <NUM> to select a mode or turn on/off the data collection device <NUM>. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

The grip/bumper described above may be replaced with a swappable pad <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the swappable pad for the data collection device in a rear view (<FIG>), a side view (<FIG>), and a front view (<FIG>). The swappable pad <NUM> may include an outer cover <NUM> and an inner core <NUM> that are coupled together.

The swappable pad <NUM> includes at least one magnet <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> is configured to align the swappable pad <NUM> with the first components at a predetermined angle. The swappable pad <NUM> includes a ridge <NUM> which is configured to space the first compartment <NUM> from the rim <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> allows the swappable pad <NUM> to easily be removed and replaced with a new swappable pad. The first component <NUM> may include another magnet or magnetizable material to selectively couple with the magnet <NUM>. Different swappable pads may be used with different models of the data collection device <NUM> and/or different models of the toilet <NUM>.

The swappable pad <NUM> may be formed from a variety of materials are described herein with respect to the bumper <NUM> (e.g., resins, elastomers, rubbers, etc.).

<FIG> illustrates another swappable pad for the data collection device. A spacer <NUM> may be used as cleat <NUM> to space the bridge <NUM> from the rim <NUM>. <FIG> include multiple views for the spacer <NUM> including rear view (<FIG>), a side view (<FIG>), and a front view (<FIG>).

The spacer <NUM> may include a rounded side <NUM> and a flat side in a horizontal direction (e.g., parallel to the rim <NUM>). The spacer <NUM> may also include rounded edges <NUM>. The spacer <NUM> may be formed of a rigid material. The spacer <NUM> may optionally include a magnet <NUM> for selectively coupling the spacer <NUM> to the bridge <NUM>, which includes an opposing magnet or magnetic material.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of a data collection device <NUM>. The data collection device <NUM> may include multiple portions including a controller compartment <NUM> and a battery <NUM>. A coupling device is configured to couple the data collection device <NUM> to the battery <NUM>. An electrical connection provides power from the battery <NUM> to the compartment <NUM>.

The bridge <NUM> may also include an identifier or indicia <NUM> that identifies the data collection device <NUM>. The indicia may also include manufacturer device, compatible toilets, or other information.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the invention. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

Claim 1:
A biometric data collection device (<NUM>) for a toilet (<NUM>), the biometric data collection device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first compartment (<NUM>) including a first circuit board;
a second compartment (<NUM>) including a second circuit board; and
a bridge (<NUM>) coupled to the first compartment (<NUM>) and the second compartment (<NUM>) and configured to be supported by a rim (<NUM>) of the toilet (<NUM>) so that the first compartment (<NUM>) is inside of a bowl (<NUM>) of the toilet (<NUM>) and the second compartment (<NUM>) is outside of the bowl (<NUM>) of the toilet (<NUM>), wherein the bridge (<NUM>) is changeable in length to fit different widths of the rim (<NUM>); and
wherein the bridge (<NUM>) includes an outer extender (<NUM>) and an inner extender (<NUM>) configured to extend within the outer extender (<NUM>); and
characterised in that either:
there is a spring inside the outer extender (<NUM>), said spring being configured to pull or push the inner extender (<NUM>) with respect to the outer extender (<NUM>), or
the inner extender (<NUM>) and/or the outer extender (<NUM>) includes a ratcheting device configured such that it allows the inner extender (<NUM>) and outer extender (<NUM>) to be pressed together but not apart.