Abstract: A system and method for assessing toilet user health and wellness is disclosed. The system comprises a toilet bowl adapted to receive excreta from a user; a sensor which detects at least one property of the user or excreta and records a timestamp associated with the property; and a processor which analyzes the property and uses the time stamp to correlate the property with data from previous events to assess one or more health or wellness conditions; wherein the correlation of the date stamp comprises correlating events that take place during the same segment of the day.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a seat for the user; a sensor for detecting a symptom of the user; wherein the sensor transmits data to a processor that uses the data to measure a symptom of the user is disclosed. A method for monitoring a patient comprising providing an analytical toilet comprising: a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a seat for the user; a sensor for detecting a symptom of the user; having a user use the toilet to deposit excreta; detecting a symptom of the user with the sensor; transmitting data from the sensor to a processor; and using the data to measure the symptom and compare it to the user's normal or expected symptoms is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for obtaining health and wellness information about individuals and systems for implementing the method. In one embodiment, a method for obtaining health and wellness information about an individual comprising providing an analytical toilet comprising a bowl adapted to receive excreta from the individual and a sensor for measuring at least one characteristic of the individual or the excreta; a controller receiving data from the sensor and using that data to determine what additional information is needed to evaluate that data; the controller sending a prompt to the individual to solicit the additional information from the individual; the processor receiving the information from the device; and processing the data from the sensor and from the device to determine the health and wellness information is disclosed.

Abstract: A node and methods for securely communicating information are described. The node includes a transducer that provides a first stream of data elements, a network interface, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller identifies a first data type associated with the first stream of data elements from the transducer, harvests each data element (e.g., measurement) from the first stream of data elements based on the first data type, aggregates a plurality of the measurements into an array of first measurements, generates a payload that includes a length identifier, a data type identifier that identifies the first data type, and the array of first measurements, identifies a destination for the payload, determines a token based on the identified destination, adds the identified token to the payload to form a datagram; and sends the datagram to the destination, via the network interface.

Abstract: A system for obtaining clearance comprises a mechanism to identify the user and generate an identification signal; an analytical toilet comprising a bowl to receive excreta from the user; an analyzer configured to analyze the sample to detect one or more antibodies in a sample of the excreta or sputum and to generate an analysis signal; a processor configured to receive the identification signal and the analysis signal; determine therefrom the status of the user with respect to the one or more antibodies; and transmit a report to an authority, the report comprising the identity and the status of the user with respect to the antibodies detected.

Abstract: A system for tracking an infectious disease in a population comprising an analytical toilet configured to analyte a sample of excreta or sputum from an individual in the population, to thereby determine whether the individual is positive for the infectious disease; a processing module configured to link each positive result with the date and time it was determined; a communication module for communicating data comprising the linked positive result and date and time to an authority, thus providing the authority with information required to track the infectious disease in the population is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and a method to obtain clearance is disclosed. The system includes user identification hardware configured to establish identity of the user. The system also includes a toilet configured to analyze a sample of excreta or sputum from the user, to thereby determine the status of the user with respect to a pre-determined condition. A processing module is configured to link the identity of the user with the status of the user. A communication module communicates information including the linked identity and status of the user to an authority. As such, the authority is provided the information required to grant or deny clearance to the user. Clearance may include allowing a user to use one or more forms of public transportation, be in places where large numbers of people congregate, participate in an athletic competition or other places or activities where the condition of the user may put themselves or others at risk.

Abstract: The invention is an analytical toilet and a method. The toilet, includes a bowl adapted to receive urine. A passage is provided for transferring a sample of the urine to a detection system. The detection system is configured to receive the sample and detect a virus. When the sample is brought into contact with the detection system, the detection system indicates the presence of a virus by generating a distinct signal. Preferably, the detection system makes use of a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as a quantitative PCR instrument. The method makes use of the analytical toilet and is designed to detect the presence or absence of targeted genetic material, preferably genetic material from a virus, such as SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: An analytical toilet is disclosed. The analytical toilet includes a bowl adapted to receive excreta and a detection system to detect a virus, such as a coronavirus. The analytical toilet presents a sample extracted from feces to the detection system and the detection system creates a signal indicating whether or not a coronavirus is present in the sample. Preferably, the detection system comprises a quantitative PCR instrument and a fluorimeter.

Abstract: An analytical toilet is disclosed. The analytical toilet includes a bowl adapted to receive excreta and a sensor comprising a component functionalized to interact with an analyte, such as a biomarker. The analytical toilet presents a sample extracted from urine or feces to the component and the component creates an electronic signal indicating whether or not the analyte is present in the sample.

Abstract: Described is a method to detect an analyte in an analytical toilet that includes the steps of receiving excreta in a bowl, transporting a measured sample of the excreta through a passage and bringing the sample into contact with a sensor. The sensor comprises a FET configured to interact with an analyte in the excreta. When the sample is brought into contact with the sensor, the sensor indicates the presence of the analyte by a distinct electric signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of generating electrical power utilizing a mining bank of individual blockchain miners. The blockchain miners operate as a revenue generating heat source that provides thermal energy into a power plant's Rankine or Brayton cycle turbines.

Abstract: The computer system and method described herein attempt to address the deficiencies by analyzing all relevant data points for each test and control location collectively determine outliers and then exclude the individual outlier data points from the data when analyzing an initiative during a relevant test period. Rather than exclude outliers at the site level, the particular time increment having the outlier data can be extracted and the site can remain in the analysis.

Abstract: The pressure pad which pressure-sensing fabric which is within a gasket and which measures the distribution of pressure on the gasket. Thus, the gasket protects the pressure-sensing fabric from damage due to water or mechanical trauma. The pressure pad includes multiple piezoresistive depositions of piezoresistive depositions ink or paste which act as individual pressure-sensing points. Conductive tracks between the piezoresistive depositions transmit the pressure measurements in the form of electrical signals. The pressure-sensing fabric is connected to a controller and transmits pressure measurements to the controller. Algorithms stored on the controller create a map of absolute mechanical loading to each pressure-sensing point of the pressure pad. The gasket may be mounted beneath a toilet or between plumbing joints. The pressure pad may detect weaknesses in the gasket, a toilet user's weight, a weight of excrement added to the toilet, or a toilet user's posture.

Abstract: A node and methods for securely communicating information are described. The node includes a transducer that provides a first stream of data elements, a network interface, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller identifies a first data type associated with the first stream of data elements from the transducer, harvests each data element (e.g., measurement) from the first stream of data elements based on the first data type, aggregates a plurality of the measurements into an array of first measurements, generates a payload that includes a length identifier, a data type identifier that identifies the first data type, and the array of first measurements, identifies a destination for the payload, determines a token based on the identified destination, adds the identified token to the payload to form a datagram; and sends the datagram to the destination, via the network interface.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a flush mechanism for cleaning the bowl after use; at least one analytical test device wherein a sample of excreta is analyzed; a manifold comprising conduits and valves for distributing one or more fluids to and from the at least one receptacle; and a digital control device controlling the valves to distribute the sample to the analytical test device for analysis; and distribute fluid to remove the sample from the analytical test device after analysis and to clean the analytical test device is disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for internet of things (IOT) discovery/auto discovery are described. A discovery packet is received from a device. The discovery packet includes a first stream identifier and a request to establish a second stream. A stream acceptance packet is sent to the device. The stream acceptance packet includes the first stream identifier and an input for generating a second stream identifier. A first association is added to the registration based on the request to establish the second stream. The first association is between the second stream identifier and a determined destination. A first data packet is received from the device, where the first data packet includes/utilizes the second stream identifier. The first data packet is sent to the destination based on the first association in the registration.

Abstract: A photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and methods for safely operating a PPG sensor are described. The sensor includes a PPG light source (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), a laser), a photo detector, a memory, and a processor in electronic communication with the memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to detect a light level via the photo detector, determine an ambient light level based on the detected light level, determine that the photo detector is obstructed when the ambient level satisfies a first threshold, operate the PPG light source at a first level when the photo detector is unobstructed, and operate the PPG light source at a second level when the photo detector is obstructed.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising: a bowl for collecting feces from a user; a comminutor that comminutes at least a portion of the feces; a processing fluid driver that causes a processing fluid to mix with and transport at least a portion of the comminuted feces to an analytical station in the toilet; a separator that separates a sample of the at least a portion of the comminuted feces to be analyzed; and a wash fluid driver that causes a wash fluid to wash the feces out of the bowl.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising a bowl for receiving excreta from a user; a base supporting the bowl; a supply of flush water; and a plurality of receptacles, each providing mechanical attachment, a power supply, and a data connection to an analytical device, which analytical device is adapted to provide data useful to the user is disclosed.