# US 2017/0285160 A1 · Sensor device and toilet device equipped therewith

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- Number: US 2017/0285160 A1
- Document ID: US20170285160A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/461,735
- Filed: 2017-03-17
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30
- Assignees: Toto Ltd.
- Applicants: Toto Ltd.
- Inventors: Shoichi Tsuiki; Yuta Tanogashira
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285160A1

## CPC

- G01S 13/56: for presence detection {(presence detection using near field arrangements G01V3/00, e.g. G01V3/08, G01V3/12; burglar, theft or intruder alarms with electrical actuation G08B13/22 - G08B13/26)}
- A47K 13/10: Devices for raising and lowering {; Collapsible or rotating seats or covers}
- G01S 13/88: Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications (electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00)
- A47K 13/305: {Seats with heating devices}
- E03D 5/105: {touchless, e.g. using sensors}
- E03D 9/002: {Automatic cleaning devices}
- E03D 9/08: Devices in the bowl producing upwardly-directed sprays; Modifications of the bowl for use with such devices (showers A47K3/28; bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H33/00, for specific parts of the body A61H35/00 ){; Bidets; Combinations of bowls with urinals or bidets; Hot-air or other devices mounted in or on the bowl, urinal or bidet for cleaning or disinfecting}
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- E03D: WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR

## Abstract

According to one embodiment, a sensor device includes a transmitter part, a receiver part, a signal generation part, and a determination part. The transmitter part is configured to emit a radio wave outside as a transmission wave. The receiver part is configured to receive a reflection wave reflected by an object as a reception wave. The signal generation part is configured to generate a first output signal generated based on the transmission wave and the reception wave, a second output signal provided with a phase different from that of the first output signal, and a third output signal generated based on the first output signal and the second output signal. The determination part is configured to determine presence or absence of an object based on the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sensor device comprising:
a transmitter part configured to emit a radio wave outside as a transmission wave;
a receiver part configured to receive a reflection wave reflected by an object as a reception wave;
a signal generation part configured to generate a first output signal generated based on the transmission wave and the reception wave, a second output signal provided with a phase different from that of the first output signal, and a third output signal generated based on the first output signal and the second output signal; and
a determination part configured to determine presence or absence of an object based on the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein
the signal generation part includes a differential amplifier circuit, and
the third output signal is a difference signal of the first output signal and the second output signal obtained by the differential amplifier circuit.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A toilet device comprising:
a toilet seat; and
the sensor device according to claim 1.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein the toilet seat is opened or closed based on a determination result of the determination part.