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

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

An optical engine directly attached to a surface of a toilet bowl is disclosed. An optical element of the optical engine traps urine for analysis. A cleaning jet may be used to clean and dry the optical element after urine is analyzed. A heater may be used to preheat a urine capture area before receiving urine and control urine temperature while testing the urine. User feedback associated with urinalysis results may be visually given to a toilet user by one or more light sources of the optical engine.

A retrofit dispenser monitor is disclosed. The dispenser monitor has a connector allowing it to be connected directly to one of a number of dispensers. The dispenser monitor also comprises a sensor configured to detect the dispensing action of the attached dispenser by learning the characteristics of the dispensing action. Information corresponding to the dispensing action is then transmitted to a remote location which allows the use of the dispenser to be monitored.

An in-toilet leak detector is disclosed, as are communication systems for reporting toilet leaks. The leak detector comprises an inlet that receives water from the toilet's fill tube and diverts it through a flow tube. A capacitive sensor is located between the inlet and an opening of the flow tube from which water flows into the overflow tube of the toilet tank. A housing is connected to the flow tube and the inlet and contains a controller and other electronics, including one or more transceivers. The leak detector measures the duration of water flow and establishes an alert if the water flow is shorter or longer in duration than a calibrated normal duration. The transceivers connect the leak detector to a computer network, and leak alerts are communicated to a server or servers so that they can be forwarded directly to those responsible for fixing the toilets.

An in-toilet urine sampling and measurement system is disclosed. One or more toilet sensors trigger volatilization, measurement, and analysis of volatile compounds in a urine sample. Volatile urine compounds may be concentrated, measured, and analyzed by a measurement system attached to a toilet bowl. A volatilizer system may use heat generated from one or more measurement devices to assist in volatilization of the urine sample.

The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes one or more water volume and flow rate sensors on the surface of a P-trap. Changes in volume within the toilet's hydraulic circuit indicate volume of excrement added. Changes in rate of flow through the P-trap indicate rate of excretion. The sensors may be electrical capacitors. The capacitance readings may provide data relevant to a user's health status or assist in diagnosis of disease.

A flushing device configured to connect a toilet to a water tank includes a flushing vertical pipe configured to be connected to the water tank; a flushing lateral pipe configured to be connected to the toilet; and a connecting bend pipe configured to be connected between a lower end of the flushing vertical pipe and a first end of the flushing lateral pipe. An inner diameter of the flushing vertical pipe is larger than an inner diameter of the connecting bend pipe and larger than an inner diameter of the flushing lateral pipe.

An image capturing device which captures an image of excrement is provided at a toilet having a bowl and includes a sensor unit including an image capturing sensor. A view angle and an attachment position of the sensor unit are set so that a detection area presumed to receive dropping excrement in the bowl falls within a view field of the sensor unit.

A toilet assembly may comprise a toilet tank to hold flush water, a flush valve assembly positioned in the toilet tank, a trapway in flow communication with the toilet bowl, a container positioned in the toilet tank, and a connecting tube extending from an interior of the container to the trapway. Between flush cycles, the tank may store a volume of flush water. The flush water may be divided between different regions of the tank that are defined by the structure of the container. Between flush cycles, the container and the trapway may contain pressurized air. A force exerted by pressurized air in the trapway on water in a lower trap may cause an upstream water level in the lower trap to be lower than a downstream water level in the lower trap.