JP2002159800A - Coin laundry system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a coin laundry system by which a work process by equipment is automated and also the time require for washing in accordance with the amount of laundry, etc., is calculated and reported. SOLUTION: The system includes a terminal equipment connected to a coin laundry equipment and provided with a control means, a storage means, a display means, an input means, an output means and a settlement information identifying means, a measuring instrument connected to the terminal equipment and measures and object to be washed through the use of a coin laundry. Then, a usable coin laundry machine, usage charge and a finish time, etc., are outputted through the use of data which are measured by the measuring instrument.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device connected to a coin laundry device and provided with control means, storage means, display means, input means, output means, and identification information reading means, and connected to the terminal device. A measuring device for measuring an object to be washed using a coin laundry,
The present invention relates to a coin laundry system for outputting usable coin laundry machines, usage fees, finishing times, and the like from data measured by the measuring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a coin laundry system, a drum type washing machine for a coin laundry business has been used. In addition, a unitized coin laundry system for installing a plurality of coin laundry washing machines in accordance with a space, a use, and the like in order to streamline the coin laundry management and effectively use the space is known.

[0003] In particular, today, as symbolized by the increase in convenience stores, 24-hour life is progressing regardless of the urban area or local area, and the lifestyle of people is changing. In terms of streamlining and eliminating waste of life, with regard to housework such as laundry, if a highly convenient coin laundry system is installed close to you, you do not necessarily need to use laundry facilities installed at home, By using these systems, it is possible to create a space that is effective in living both temporally and spatially.

On the other hand, in various devices such as electric appliances, computer control technology has advanced, and control means incorporated in the devices have been reduced in size, performance and price have been reduced. Some use electronic technology. For example, a device that digitally displays the number of coins inserted, the remaining time, and the like under the control of a microcomputer, and a device that automatically inserts latents and the like to save labor.

[0005]

By the way, in order to effectively use the time by using such a coin laundry machine, it is necessary to automate the work process by the machine and to reduce the time required for washing according to the amount of laundry. It is necessary to be calculated and notified. Also, in a coin laundry facility, equipment of various sizes may be installed depending on the amount and type of laundry, etc., so that it is possible to appropriately select which of these equipments should be used. If this is done, the labor of the user can be further reduced, and at the same time, the facility can be efficiently used by the coin laundry operator, which is desirable. Then, it is convenient if it is possible to select an appropriate washing machine and drying machine according to the amount of the laundry and notify the user, and at the same time, it is possible to make a payment according to them. In the present invention, in order to solve these problems while saving labor, the present invention is configured by providing a coin laundry system using information technology.

As a technique for solving such a problem, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-191179, "card-type laundry equipment", even though the drying operation is not performed, the money data on the card is rewritten. There is disclosed a technique for preventing the monetary data of the card from being rewritten even though the drying operation is being performed. The present invention has the following configuration, and the card microcomputer first sends a communication confirmation signal to the dryer microcomputer before sending the operation command signal to start the drying operation. Then, the card microcomputer receives the communication enable signal transmitted from the dryer microcomputer in response to the communication confirmation signal, and determines that bidirectional communication can be performed with the dryer microcomputer. An operation command signal is sent to the dryer microcomputer.
On the other hand, when the card microcomputer does not receive the communication enable signal, no operation command signal is output from the card microcomputer, and
Neither the drying operation nor the rewriting of the card data is performed.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-246100 "Business Laundry System", a business system for washing underwear cannot be implemented except for a machine lending system such as a coin laundry due to privacy problems and complicated sorting. However, the present invention discloses a technique aiming to make this possible. A customer who sells an empty bag consisting of a water-permeable and non-transparent outer bag and a water-decomposable inner bag inside it and purchases it, puts underwear etc. in the inner bag, seals it, and requests a washing of the whole bag. At the same time, the requested product subjected to the antibacterial and deodorizing treatment is delivered to the customer unopened in exchange for the collateral.
Also, the laundry fee is included in the bag fee.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to automate a work process by using an apparatus,
It is necessary to calculate and notify the time required for washing according to the amount of laundry and the like. In coin laundry facilities, depending on the amount and type of laundry,
There are cases where equipment of various sizes may be installed, but if it is possible to appropriately select which of these equipments to use, the trouble of the user can be further reduced, and at the same time, the coin laundry manager This is desirable because the equipment can be used efficiently. Then, it is convenient if it is possible to select an appropriate washing machine and drying machine according to the amount of the laundry and notify the user, and at the same time, it is possible to make a payment according to them.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a control unit, a storage unit, a display unit, and a control unit are connected to a coin laundry apparatus.
A terminal device including an input unit, an output unit, and an identification information reading unit; a measuring device connected to the terminal device for measuring an object to be washed using a coin laundry; and data measured by the measuring device. , Which outputs a usable coin laundry machine, a usage fee, a finish time, and the like.

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
According to the invention described in Item (1), in the invention described in Item (1), the measuring device is an electronic balance, and is the coin laundry system according to Item (1).

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the invention described in Item 1, in the invention described in Item 1 or 2, the measurement object measured by the measurement device includes a weight of an object to be washed.
The coin laundry according to claim 1 or 2.
It is characterized by being a system.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the invention described in the above, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the weight of the object to be washed and the weight of the object after washing are measured by the measuring device, and the weight of the object after washing is measured. The coin laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a process for obtaining a remaining water level of the object is performed by using the control means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising:
The invention according to claim 4, wherein in the invention according to claim 4, a time required for drying the object using a dryer is calculated from the measured residual water level. Item 4 is a coin laundry system according to Item 4.

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sixth aspect of the present invention is provided.
According to the invention described in (1), in the invention described in (1) to (5), the settlement information identifying means is a card controller capable of reading and rewriting data recorded on a card. Claim 1
It is a coin laundry system according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of a system according to the present invention. The coin laundry system of the present invention includes a coin laundry device for washing and drying.

Further, the coin laundry system of the present invention is provided with a terminal device connected to the coin laundry device and provided with control means, storage means, display means, input means, output means, and settlement information identification means. The control means
Designate the washing machine from the weight of the washing object measured by the measuring means described later, calculate the washing fee, calculate the washing / drying time from the remaining water amount of the washing object, etc., and use the screen and voice etc. It includes an application program for performing control for performing output and the like, and an operation system (OS) for controlling these programs.

The storage means is usually a storage device, and stores the application program and various data for calculating a fee, a required time for washing and drying, etc. from the measured weight of the object to be washed, and the like. It is for keeping. The display means is, for example, a terminal display required when a user of the system of the present invention operates. The input unit includes various units such as a touch panel and a keyboard, and is used for inputting data from a device connected to the terminal, for example, data from the measuring unit to the terminal. The output means includes a data output means for outputting to a display for outputting on a screen, a printer for printing and outputting, a data output means for outputting data by voice, and a device connected to a terminal. And a data output means for outputting data to the device.

[0018] The settlement information identification means, when the user selects a settlement method such as an electronic wallet settlement by coin, prepaid card, IC card, credit card, or mobile phone, by selecting the settlement method, the settlement procedure is valid. It is determined whether or not it was performed, and if performed, a washing machine,
This is to enable the operation of the dryer.

The coin laundry system of the present invention includes a measuring device connected to the terminal device for measuring an object to be washed using the coin laundry. As a measuring device, an electronic balance can be used as in the second aspect of the present invention. The measuring device and the terminal are connected such that bidirectional data communication can be performed by an RS-232C connection.

With the above configuration, the present invention realizes a coin laundry system that outputs usable coin laundry machines, usage fees, finishing time, and the like from data measured by the measuring device.

The basic processing flow of the present invention will be described below. 2 and 3 are simplified flowcharts showing the basic processing flow of the system of the present invention. Note that the processing flow shown here is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

First, a user of the system measures an object to be washed, for example, by placing the object to be washed on the measuring means (S1, S11). Here, the measurement target is assumed to be the weight of the laundry object, but it is also possible to measure the size of the laundry object and the like.

The measured data is transmitted to the terminal through the input means of the terminal (S2, S12). In the storage unit of the terminal, various data used for calculating a laundry fee and a required time for washing and drying are stored.
These data are, for example, the following data. FIG.
Is data indicating the relationship between the measured weight of the laundry object and the corresponding washing machine corresponding to the weight. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the data indicates the operating state of the compatible washing machine and the washing machine for determining whether the washing machine is currently usable. Further, as shown in FIG. If it is not empty, it is data for determining a next best washing machine.

Based on the measured weight of the object to be washed, the control means of the terminal refers to the data stored in the storage means (S3) to determine which washing machine is suitable (S4). , S5)). Next, it is determined whether or not the determined compatible washing machine has an available empty washing machine (S6). If there is a vacancy, the corresponding washing machine is selected (S8). If there is no vacancy, it is determined whether or not there is a next best-fitting washing machine (S7). A washing machine to be used by the user is selected (S8).

Next, the control means outputs data for transmitting the selected washing machine to the user (S).
9). When outputting data, print output,
It is possible to take a procedure based on display output, a procedure based on audio output, and the like, and these can be used in combination.

Next, the calculation of the residual water amount after washing by the washing machine will be described. As described above, the user measures the mass of the laundry object (dry cloth) using the measuring means, and the measured data is transmitted to the terminal through the input means of the terminal.
As described above, a suitable washing machine corresponding to the measured weight of the laundry object is selected and displayed from the measured weight of the laundry object. Here, in the storage means of the terminal, as shown in the figure,
Data indicating the relationship between the suitable washing machine selected from the weight of the laundry object and the degree of dehydration after washing and the amount of remaining water after washing after a predetermined number of revolutions when the machine is operated is stored. In the control means, by referring to these data (S
10) From the measured data of the laundry object (dry cloth), it is possible to extract the residual water ratio after washing when using a compatible washing machine and the number of rotations required until then (S11). Thus, the approximate required time for washing can be determined and output (S12).

In the control means, a suitable dryer for use after washing is selected, and data for transmitting the dryer and the drying time to the user from the measured weight of the laundry object is output. Can also be performed.

In this case, as described above, the user of the system measured the object to be washed by putting it on the measuring means (S11). The measured data is transmitted to the terminal through the input means of the terminal (S12). The storage means of the terminal stores various data used for calculating a washing fee and a required time for washing / drying, and these data are, for example, the following data. It is data showing the relationship between the measured weight of the laundry object and the corresponding dryer corresponding to the weight. The data also shows the operation status of the compatible dryer and the operation status of the dryer to determine whether or not the dryer is currently usable. This is data for determining a drying machine to be used.

Based on the measured weight of the object to be washed, the control means of the terminal refers to the data stored in the storage means (S13) to determine which dryer is suitable (S14). , S15). Next, it is determined whether or not the determined compatible dryer includes an empty dryer that can be used (S16). If there is a vacancy, the corresponding dryer is selected (S18). If there is no vacancy, it is determined whether there is a suboptimal dryer available (S1).
7) Select a dryer for use by the user (S18).

Next, the control means outputs data for transmitting the selected dryer to the user (S).
19). In outputting the data, it is possible to take an output by printing, an output by display display, a procedure by audio output, and the like, and these can be used together.

Next, regarding the calculation of the remaining water amount after washing by the washing machine, as described above, the user measures the mass of the laundry object (dry cloth) using the measuring means, and the measured data is: It is transmitted to the terminal through the input means of the terminal. As described above, a suitable washing machine corresponding to the measured weight of the laundry object is selected and displayed from the measured weight of the laundry object. Here, in the storage means of the terminal, as shown in FIG. Data indicating the relationship between the suitable washing machine selected from the weight of the laundry object and the degree of dehydration after washing and the amount of remaining water after washing after a predetermined number of revolutions when the machine is operated is stored. The control means refers to these data (S2
0), from the measured data of the laundry object (dry cloth), the residual water ratio after washing when using a compatible washing machine, and
It is possible to extract the dehydration rotation speed required until then (S
21) Thus, the approximate required drying time can be determined and output (S22). For example, an output such as "This laundry can be dried in about how many minutes with a drying machine after washing is completed," or by a display, sound, or the like is used. The dryness can also be calculated by calculating the following equation in the control means. Dryness (%) = Measured mass (kg) of laundry object (dry cloth) ÷ Mass (kg) of cloth after washing and dehydration × 100

In accordance with the instructions given by the data output, the user puts the laundry in the washing machine and closes the door. At this time,
The choice of settlement method is coin, prepaid card, I
This is a desirable embodiment because it allows the user to select an electronic wallet payment or the like using a C card, a credit card, or a mobile phone. Conventionally, it is usually performed by inserting a coin. Further, a card such as a prepaid card and an IC card can be used as in the invention described in claim 6. In this case, a card-type laundry device including a card controller capable of reading and rewriting data recorded on the card, and performing a predetermined operation based on a signal given from the card controller, A card control unit provided in the card controller, control means connected to enable bidirectional communication with the card control unit, an operation start button connected to the control means and pressed when starting operation, and the like. Means for sending an operation command signal to the control means in response to the operation start key being pressed, and starting operation in response to the reception of the operation command signal, and And rewriting control means for rewriting existing data, and performs settlement by card.

After the washing by the washing machine is completed, the user puts the washing object into the appropriate dryer. At this time, as a choice of the settlement method, a coin, a prepaid card, an IC card, a credit card, an electronic wallet settlement by a mobile phone, and the like can be selected, which is a desirable embodiment. Conventionally, it is usually performed by inserting a coin.

Calculation of the degree of drying by a dryer. The degree of dryness is determined by measuring the temperature before entering the drum of the combustion burner from the above-described residual water rate after washing calculated by measuring the impression cloth, completing the heat exchange of the clothes in the drum and exiting the drum. This signal is taken out by detecting the drying temperature by detecting the rising temperature, and displayed by a liquid crystal graphic indicator such as red. The progress of drying is indicated by a liquid crystal graphic indicator.
For example, the current dryness is displayed as about 30%, 50%, or 100%.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to automate the work process by the equipment and to calculate the time required for washing according to the amount of laundry and the like.
Notifications can be made. Also, in a coin laundry facility, depending on the amount and type of laundry, various sizes of equipment may be installed, but since it is possible to appropriately select which of these equipments to use, At the same time, the labor of the user can be saved, and at the same time, the equipment can be efficiently used by the coin laundry operator. Then, an appropriate washing machine and a drying machine can be selected according to the amount of the laundry and the like, and the user is notified, and at the same time, the settlement corresponding to the washing machine and the drying machine can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart showing a basic processing flow of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart showing a basic processing flow of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data indicating a relationship between a measured weight of a laundry object and a corresponding washing machine corresponding to the weight.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a compatible washing machine and data indicating an operating state of the washing machine for determining whether the washing machine is currently usable;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data for determining a next best-fitting washing machine when no suitable washing machine is available;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data indicating a relationship between a suitable washing machine selected from the weight of an object to be washed and a dehydration degree after washing after a predetermined number of rotations and a residual water amount after washing when the washing machine is operated. is there.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device connected to a coin laundry device and provided with a control unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an input unit, an output unit, and a settlement information identification unit, and a coin laundry connected to the terminal device. A measuring device for measuring an object to be washed, and from data measured by the measuring device, an available coin laundry machine, a usage fee, outputting a finishing time and the like,
Coin laundry system. 2. The coin laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is an electronic balance. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The coin laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement target measured by the measurement device includes a weight of an object to be washed. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device measures the weight of the object to be washed and the weight of the object after washing, and controls the terminal device. The coin laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a process for obtaining a remaining water level of the target object is performed by using the system. 5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein a time required for drying the object using a dryer is calculated from the measured residual water level. A coin laundry system according to item 1. 6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said settlement information identification means is a card controller capable of reading and rewriting data recorded on a card. The coin laundry system according to claim 1.