JP2005339046A - Laundry system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience in making decision about whether to go a laundromat or not to go there. <P>SOLUTION: A server 4 stores positional information about locations of a plurality of laundromats. A person wanting to use a laundry machine 1 operates his/her own portable information terminal 7 to access the server 4 for transmitting positional information of the location of the portable information terminal 7 to the server 4 (B2). The server 4 searches for a laundromat matching the received positional information (B3). The server 4 transmits information showing information (availability information) whether there is any unused laundry machine 1 among the laundry machines installed in the searched laundromat to the portable information terminal 7 (B7). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a laundry system, and more particularly to a laundry system using a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone.

Coin laundry is popular and is used by many people as a facility for easy washing. Coin laundry generally takes the form of unattended business and can be operated 24 hours a day or self-service.
As is clear from the name of the coin laundry, by inserting coins (for example, 100 yen coins or 500 yen coins), laundry machines (washing machines and dryers) can be operated. Also, recently, by inserting a storage medium such as an IC card into a laundry device, it can be used without using coins or banknotes (without cash) using the valuable value stored in that storage medium. Laundry Coin Laundry (Since it does not use coins, it cannot be called “coin laundry” in the strict sense. Have been proposed).

  When a person who intends to use a laundry device visits a laundry store and all of the laundry devices installed in the laundry store are in use, that person must operate one of the laundry devices. You may wait for it to finish, visit another laundry store near it, or postpone the use of laundry equipment until the next opportunity. In such a situation, the person who tries to use the laundry equipment will be wasted labor. Therefore, before going to the laundry store, the operating status of the laundry device installed in the laundry store (for example, in use) It is convenient if it can be confirmed whether there is any laundry equipment that is not.

  Therefore, a laundry system has been proposed that can check whether there is a laundry device that is not in use by calling the laundry store before going to the laundry store (for example, a patent) Reference 1). In such a laundry system, it is possible to determine whether or not to visit a laundry store after confirming that there is a laundry device that is not in use in the laundry store.

In addition, in Patent Document 1, when a person using a laundry machine makes an inquiry by telephone about the time when the operation of the laundry machine being used ends, the operation of the laundry machine being used ends. The structure which can notify the time to do is disclosed.
JP 2003-244334 A

  A person who wants to use laundry equipment usually goes to a laundry store in or near the living area such as a laundry store closest to the address of the person. It is necessary to check in advance whether or not there is a laundry device that is not in use in the laundry store by checking the telephone number of the laundry store to be called in advance and calling the telephone number.

Further, in the laundry system as described above, it is troublesome to make an inquiry by telephone in order to confirm the time when the operation of the laundry machine in use ends.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a laundry system with improved convenience in determining whether or not to go to a laundry store.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry system capable of easily confirming the time when the operation of the laundry equipment in use is completed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a server storing a plurality of laundry devices (1) respectively installed in a plurality of laundry stores and area information where the plurality of laundry stores are located. (4), when the server receives regional information based on an operation of a certain portable information terminal (7) (B2, C2), a search means for searching for a laundry store according to the regional information ( B3, C3) and driving status transmission means (B7, C7) for transmitting a signal representing the driving status of the laundry equipment installed in the laundry store searched by the searching means to the portable information terminal This is a laundry system characterized by that.

The alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, a person who wants to use one of the laundry stores operates a portable information terminal to store regional information (for example, a place name such as the address of the person and a portable information such as latitude / longitude information). The location information of the information terminal) is transmitted to search for a laundry store corresponding to the regional information (for example, a laundry store located in the region corresponding to the regional information), and the laundry device installed in the laundry store Can be confirmed on the portable information terminal.

  Therefore, you can easily find a laundry store in or near your living area, such as the laundry store closest to the address of the person who wants to use the laundry store, and the operating status of the laundry equipment installed in that laundry store (for example, It is possible to check whether or not there is a laundry device that is not in use, which improves convenience in determining whether or not to go to a laundry store.

  As in the invention described in claim 2, the operation status transmission means (B7, C7) is used in the laundry equipment (1) installed in the laundry store searched by the search means (B3, C3). If it is for transmitting a signal indicating whether there is a laundry device that is not in the room to the portable information terminal (7), such as a laundry store closest to the address of the person who intends to use the laundry store, You can easily search for nearby laundry stores and check whether there are any laundry devices that are not in use among the laundry devices installed in the laundry store. Convenience is improved in determining.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the search means (B3) receives position information of a portable information terminal (B2) based on an operation of the portable information terminal (7), the search means (B3) responds to the position information. The laundry system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a laundry store is searched.
According to this configuration, a person who intends to use one of the laundry stores operates the portable information terminal to transmit the position information of the portable information terminal such as latitude / longitude information to the server, thereby obtaining the position information. A laundry store corresponding to the location information (for example, a laundry store located in an area corresponding to the position information) can be searched, and the operation status of the laundry equipment installed in the laundry store can be confirmed on the portable information terminal.

In the invention according to claim 4, when the search means (C3) receives a signal representing a place name based on an operation of a portable information terminal (7) (C2), the search means (C3) opens a laundry store corresponding to the place name. 3. The laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the laundry system is searched.
According to this configuration, a person who intends to use one of the laundry stores operates the portable information terminal and transmits information on the name of the place such as the address of the person to the server. A store (for example, a laundry store located in an area corresponding to the place name) can be searched, and the operating status of the laundry equipment installed in the laundry store can be confirmed on the portable information terminal.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the access number (for example, e-mail address) for accessing the portable information terminal (7A) owned by each member for each of a plurality of laundry devices (1A) and pre-registered members. And a server (4A) that stores a set value of time for notifying the end of operation of the laundry device when each member uses the laundry device, and the server operates the laundry device. When it is time to notify about the end of the service (D14, F21), the member's mobile information terminal is accessed using the access number of the member who uses the laundry machine, and the operation of the laundry machine is finished. The laundry system includes end notification means (D16, F23) for performing notification.

  According to this configuration, when it is time to notify the end of the operation of the laundry device (for example, notification of the remaining time until the operation ends), the mobile information terminal of the member who uses the laundry device is notified. Notification is automatically performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the time when the operation of the laundry device in use is completed without any inquiries from the member.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the server (4A) is accessed from a portable information terminal (7A) (D1, F12), the member specifying means for specifying the member who owns the portable information terminal ( D3, F14), setting value transmitting means (D4, F15) for transmitting a signal representing the setting value corresponding to the member specified by the member specifying means to the portable information terminal, and the setting value transmitting means And a setting value changing means (D7, F18) for storing the changed setting value in the server when the setting value is changed by an operation of the portable information terminal that has received the signal. Item 6. The laundry system according to Item 5.

According to this structure, the member can receive the signal showing the setting value corresponding to the member from the server to the portable information terminal by operating the portable information terminal. Therefore, since the set value can be changed after confirming the received set value, the time for performing the notification regarding the end of the operation of the laundry machine can be changed easily and accurately.
The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the end notification means (D16, F23) notifies information related to the use of the laundry machine as well as a notification related to the end of the operation of the laundry machine (1A). Item 7. The laundry system according to Item 5 or 6.

According to this configuration, information related to the use of the laundry device such as campaign information and information related to the use points can be notified together with the notification related to the end of the operation of the laundry device, so that serviceability is improved.
The invention according to claim 8 is that the server (4A) is connected to the laundry device from the personal digital assistant (7A) of the member who uses the laundry device while the laundry device (1A) is in operation. Including an end time transmitting means (E3) for transmitting a signal representing the time at which the operation of the laundry device ends to the portable information terminal when a signal requesting notification of the time at which the operation ends is received (E2). A laundry system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

  According to this configuration, even before the notification regarding the end of the operation of the laundry device (for example, the notification of the remaining time until the operation ends) is performed, it is in use by accessing the server from the portable information terminal. It is possible to check the time when the operation of the laundry machine ends.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the laundry system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, in this laundry system, a plurality of laundry devices 1 (washing machines and dryers) installed in laundry stores operating in the city and the like are installed in each laundry store and installed in the laundry store. A plurality of laundry machines 1 that are connected to each other and a data controller 3 that is communicably connected are included. Further, this laundry system is provided with a management server 4 provided so as to be able to communicate with a data controller 3 of a laundry store via a communication network 5 (for example, a wireless communication network). Note that there are a plurality of laundry stores provided to communicate with the server 4.

  A person who intends to use this laundry system obtains a member number (for example, an ID code) by performing membership registration in advance, and enters the member number into the laundry device 1 when using the laundry device 1 It becomes. When a coin (for example, a 100 yen coin or a 500 yen coin) is inserted and the laundry machine 1 is used, when the coin is inserted, an operation unit (not shown) provided in the laundry machine 1 is operated, You can enter your membership number. Further, when the laundry device 1 is used without using coins or banknotes (without cash) using a storage medium (for example, an IC card) in which valuable value is stored in advance, the storage medium is laundry. The member number can be input by inserting the device 1 and causing the laundry device 1 to read the member number stored in the storage medium together with the valuable value.

  The server 4 includes a member information management unit 41, an operation status management unit 42, and a point management unit 43. At the time of member registration, member information such as a member number, name, gender, date of birth and e-mail address is stored in the member information management unit 41 for each member. The data controller 3 periodically checks the operating status of the plurality of laundry machines 1 installed in the laundry store. For each laundry machine 1, the membership number of the member who uses the laundry machine 1, the laundry machine 1 represents the amount of usage data corresponding to the operation details of 1 and the operation status of the laundry machine 1 (indicating that it is operating normally, that an abnormality has occurred, and if an abnormality has occurred, the content of the abnormality) Signals and the like are periodically transmitted to the server 4 via the communication network 5. Based on the signal received from the data controller 3, the server 4 manages information related to the operation status of each laundry machine 1 by the operation status management unit 42.

  In this laundry system, a member can obtain a use point for using the laundry machine 1 and receive a privilege according to the accumulated value (server point) of the use point. That is, when the server 4 manages server points for each member by the point management unit 43 and receives data of the usage amount according to the operation content of the laundry machine 1 from the data controller 3, the server 4 responds to the usage amount. The used points are added to the server points of the member. The member can receive a privilege based on the server point (for example, charge to a storage medium of a valuable value corresponding to the server point, payout of money corresponding to the server point (point cashing process), etc.).

  As described above, the data controller 3 periodically confirms the operating status of the plurality of laundry devices 1 installed in the laundry store (A1). The data controller 3 stores the confirmed operating status of the laundry machine 1 in a memory (not shown) provided in the data controller 3 (A2), and transmits a signal indicating the operating status to the server 4 ( A3). Then, the server 4 that has received the signal indicating the operating status stores the operating status in the operating status management unit 42 (A4).

  In this embodiment, a person who intends to use the laundry device 1 operates a portable information terminal 7 (for example, a mobile phone) owned by the person to access the server 4 to thereby access a laundry store in a desired area. (For example, a laundry store relatively close to the address of the person) can be searched. As a method of searching for a laundry store, for example, a method of searching based on information (position information such as latitude / longitude information using GPS (Global Positioning System)) indicating the location of the portable information terminal 7 (area search) ), A search method based on a place name input by operating the portable information terminal 7 (place name search), a search method based on a postal code input by operating the portable information terminal 7 (zip code search), etc. There is.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of area search.
Referring to FIG. 2, when an operation for performing an area search using portable information terminal 7 is performed (B 1), the position information of portable information terminal 7 is transmitted to server 4 via communication network 5. (B2). Stored in the server 4 is store information (for example, store name) of each laundry store and location information where each laundry store is located, and the server 4 that has received the location information from the portable information terminal 7 stores the location information. Based on the position information, a laundry store that is relatively close to the position where the portable information terminal 7 is located is searched (B3). That is, the server 4 specifies a laundry store located within a certain range (for example, within a certain radius) with respect to the position information received from the portable information terminal 7.

  Thereafter, store information of one or more laundry stores searched is transmitted from the server 4 to the portable information terminal 7 via the communication network 5 (B4), and the store information of these laundry stores is stored in the portable information terminal 7. It is displayed on the display unit 71. When one of the laundry stores is selected from the store information displayed on the display unit 71 by the operation of the portable information terminal 7 (B5), a signal representing the selected laundry store is sent to the portable information terminal 7 To the server 4 via the communication network 5 (B6).

  The server 4 that has received the signal representing the selected laundry store confirms the operation status of the laundry device 1 of the laundry store stored in the operation status management unit 42, and the laundry device 1 that is not in use in the laundry store is confirmed. Information indicating whether or not there is (vacant information) is transmitted to the portable information terminal 7 via the communication network 5 (B7). Thereby, the vacant information of the selected laundry store is displayed on the display unit 71 of the portable information terminal 7, and the vacant information can be browsed (B8).

According to such a configuration, the laundry device installed in the laundry store can be easily searched for the laundry store in or near the living area such as the laundry store closest to the address of the person who intends to use the laundry store. Since the vacancy information of 1 can be confirmed, convenience is improved in deciding whether or not to go to the laundry store.
Note that the position information of the portable information terminal 7 transmitted to the server 4 is not limited to the configuration transmitted from the portable information terminal 7. For example, the position information of the portable information terminal 7 is based on the operation of the portable information terminal 7. It may be transmitted from a location information management device that manages information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of display contents of the display unit 71 of the portable information terminal 7 when performing area search.
A person who wants to perform an area search operates the portable information terminal 7 to access the server 4 to display the home page (top page) of the laundry system on the display unit 71 of the portable information terminal 7 (FIG. 3 ( a)). The homepage includes a key 100 (“Membership Search”) that is selected when searching for a member store (laundry store) of the laundry system, a key 101 (“Vacancy Information”) that is selected when checking vacant information, A key 102 ("end mail") that is selected when setting the mobile information terminal 7 owned by the person using the laundry machine 1 to notify the end of operation of the laundry machine 1 by e-mail. And a key 103 ("point service") that is selected when receiving a privilege based on server points, a key 104 ("member registration (free)") that is selected when registering as a member, and only members can use. A key 105 (“Member”) to be selected for receiving the service is displayed.

  When the portable information terminal 7 is operated and the “Member Store Search” key 100 is selected, the display on the display unit 71 is switched to a page (member store search screen) as shown in FIG. The member store search screen includes an area search setting area 106 for setting area search, a place name search setting area 107 for setting place name search, and a zip code search setting for setting zip code search. An area (not shown) is displayed. The area search area setting area 106 includes a check list 106A (“used item”) for selecting the type of laundry to be put into the laundry machine 1 and a search key 106B for instructing the start of area search. Is displayed. In the place name search setting area 107, a key 107A for inputting a prefecture name, a check list 107B ("used goods") for selecting the type of laundry to be put into the laundry machine 1, and start of place name search A search key 107C is displayed.

  After selecting the type of laundry to be put into the laundry machine 1 (for example, “general”) in the check list 106A of the area search setting area 106 and selecting the search key 106B, an area search is performed and the display on the display unit 71 is performed. However, the page (area search result display screen) as shown in FIG. That is, based on the position information of the portable information terminal 7 input from the portable information terminal 7 to the server 4 in accordance with the selection operation of the search key 106B and the type of laundry, the position where the portable information terminal 7 is located is relatively set. Laundry stores corresponding to the type of laundry are selected from nearby laundry stores, and their store information (store names 108, 109, etc.) is displayed on the area search result display screen. The store names 108 and 109 are associated with keys 108A and 109A selected to display images in each store, keys 108B and 109B selected to display a map in the vicinity of each store, and the like. Is displayed.

  When a store name of one of the laundry stores (for example, store name 108) is selected by operating the portable information terminal 7, a page dedicated to the laundry store is displayed on the display unit 71 (see FIG. 3D). This page includes an area 110 for displaying information on the laundry store (for example, campaign information), an area 111 for displaying a member registration prompt, and a free space for the laundry device 1 installed in the laundry store. An area 112 for displaying information is displayed. In the area 112 for displaying vacant information, the numbers, types (capacities, etc.) of the laundry devices 1 and whether or not they are in use are shown for all the laundry devices 1 installed in the laundry store. Information (remaining time until driving is completed if used) is displayed in association with it.

  When the “here” key 111A displayed in the area 111 is selected, the display on the display unit 71 is switched to a page (member registration screen) as shown in FIG. By registering various information (password, name, gender, date of birth, occupation, mobile number, etc.) by operating the mobile information terminal 7 in accordance with the contents displayed on the screen, the user can easily register as a member using the mobile information terminal 7 Can be done.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the flow of place name search.
Referring to FIG. 4, when an operation (placement name input operation) for performing a place name search using portable information terminal 7 is performed (C1), information (place name information) representing the input place name is transmitted to the communication network. 5 is transmitted to the server 4 via C5 (C2). The server 4 stores store information (for example, store name) of each laundry store and a place name where each laundry store is located in association with each other, and the server 4 that receives the place name information from the portable information terminal 7 A laundry store located in the place name is searched (C3).

  Thereafter, the store information of one or more searched laundry stores is transmitted from the server 4 to the portable information terminal 7 via the communication network 5 (C4), and the store information of those laundry stores is stored in the portable information terminal 7. It is displayed on the display unit 71. When one of the laundry stores is selected from the store information displayed on the display unit 71 by the operation of the portable information terminal 7 (C5), a signal indicating the selected laundry store is displayed. To the server 4 through the communication network 5 (C6).

  The server 4 that has received the signal representing the selected laundry store confirms the operation status of the laundry device 1 of the laundry store stored in the operation status management unit 42, and the laundry device 1 that is not in use in the laundry store is confirmed. Information indicating whether or not there is (vacant information) is transmitted to the portable information terminal 7 via the communication network 5 (C7). Thereby, the vacant information of the selected laundry store is displayed on the display unit 71 of the portable information terminal 7, and the vacant information can be browsed (C8).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the display contents of the display unit 71 of the portable information terminal 7 when performing place name search.
A person who wants to perform a place name search operates the portable information terminal 7 to access the server 4 to display the home page (top page) of the laundry system on the display unit 71 of the portable information terminal 7 (see FIG. 3 (a)), the member 100 search screen is displayed on the display unit 71 by selecting the "Member Search" key 100 (see FIG. 3B). Then, the key 107A of the place name search setting area 107 is selected to input the prefecture name, and the type of laundry to be put into the laundry machine 1 (for example, “general”) is selected in the check list 107B, and then the search key 107C. When is selected, the display on the display unit 71 is switched to a page for selecting an input municipality within the prefecture (see FIG. 5A). When any one of the city names 113 displayed on this page is selected, a place name search is performed, and the display of the display unit 71 displays a search result of a laundry store located in the city (a place name search). Result display screen) (see FIG. 5B).

  The place name search result display screen displays store information (such as store names 114 and 115) of the laundry store located in the selected municipality. Each store name 114, 115 is associated with keys 114A, 115A selected for displaying images in each store, keys 114B, 115B selected for displaying a map in the vicinity of each store, and the like. Is displayed. Thereafter, when a store name of any laundry store is selected by operating the portable information terminal 7, a page dedicated to the laundry store including the empty information of the laundry device 1 is displayed as described in FIG. It will be displayed on the display unit 71.

Even in such a configuration, the laundry device 1 installed in the laundry store can be easily searched for the laundry store in or near the living area such as the laundry store closest to the address of the person who intends to use the laundry store. Therefore, convenience is improved in deciding whether or not to go to a laundry store.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a laundry system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in this laundry system, a plurality of laundry devices 1A (washing machines and dryers) installed in laundry stores operating in the city and the like are installed in each laundry store and installed in the laundry store. A plurality of laundry machines 1A that are connected to each other and a data controller 3A that is communicably connected are included. The laundry system further includes a management server 4A provided so as to be communicable with a data controller 3A of the laundry store via a communication network 5A (for example, a wireless communication network). There are a plurality of laundry stores provided so as to be communicable with the server 4A.

  A person who intends to use this laundry system acquires a membership number (for example, an ID code) by performing membership registration in advance. When coins (for example, 100 yen coins or 500 yen coins) are used and the laundry machine 1A is used, by operating the portable information terminal 7A owned by the member at the time of use, the communication device 5A is used. The membership number can be transmitted to the server 4A. In addition, when using the laundry device 1A without using coins or banknotes (without cash) using a storage medium (for example, an IC card) in which valuable value is stored in advance, the storage medium is laundry. The member number can be input by inserting the device into the device 1A and causing the laundry device 1A to read the member number stored in the storage medium together with the valuable value.

  The server 4A includes a member information management unit 41A, an operation status management unit 42A, and a point management unit 43A. At the time of member registration, member information such as a member number, name, gender, date of birth, and e-mail address is stored for each member in the member information management unit 41A. In this embodiment, at the time of member registration, when the member uses the laundry device 1A, whether or not to notify the end of the operation of the laundry device 1A (end notification), and when the end notification is performed. The initial setting value of the time (end notification setting time) is stored in the member information management unit 41A as member information. Member registration can be performed by operating the portable information terminal 7A and transmitting various input contents to the server 4A via the communication network 5A.

  The data controller 3A regularly confirms the operating status of the plurality of laundry machines 1A installed in the laundry store. For each laundry machine 1A, the member number of the member who uses the laundry machine 1A, the laundry machine Data on the usage amount according to the operation details of 1A, the operation status of the laundry machine 1A (indicating that it is operating normally, an abnormality has occurred, and if an abnormality has occurred, details of the abnormality) Signals and the like are periodically transmitted to the server 4A via the communication network 5A. Based on the signal received from the data controller 3A, the server 4A manages information related to the operating status of each laundry machine 1A by the operating status management unit 42A.

  In this laundry system, a member can acquire a use point for using the laundry machine 1A and receive a privilege according to the accumulated value (server point) of the use point. That is, when the server 4A manages server points for each member by the point management unit 43A and receives data of the usage amount according to the operation content of the laundry machine 1A from the data controller 3A, the server 4A responds to the usage amount. The used points are added to the server points of the member. The member can receive a privilege based on the server point (for example, charge to a storage medium of a valuable value corresponding to the server point, payout of money corresponding to the server point (point cashing process), etc.).

  When using the laundry machine 1A, the member first operates the portable information terminal 7A to access the server 4A from the portable information terminal 7A via the communication network 5A (D1), and transmits the member number to the server 4A. (D2). After receiving the member number, the server 4A identifies the member based on the member number (D3), and then uses the communication network 5A to set an initial set value of the end notification setting time of the member stored in the member information management unit 41A. To the portable information terminal 7A (D4). Thereby, the initial set value of the end notification set time is displayed on the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A.

  Thereafter, by operating the portable information terminal 7A and inputting the number of the laundry machine 1A to be used, the server 4A is notified that the laundry machine 1A is to be used, and money (for example, 100 yen coins) is sent to the laundry machine 1A. Or a coin such as a 500 yen coin) is inserted to start the operation of the laundry machine 1A (D5). If the end notification set time is not changed at the time of the above declaration, the notification is made without changing the initial set value displayed on the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A, and the end notification set time is changed. Then, the initial set value displayed on the display unit 71A is changed and the declaration is made. When the end notification set time is changed by this declaration, the changed end notification set time is transmitted to the server 4A together with the number of the laundry machine 1A to be used from the portable information terminal 7A via the communication network 5A ( D6).

The server 4A that has received the signal from the portable information terminal 7A stores the number of the laundry device 1A in the member information management unit 41A in association with the member using the laundry device 1A and changes the end notification setting time. If it is, the changed end notification setting time is associated with the member and stored in the member information management unit 41A (D7).
On the other hand, as described above, the data controller 3A periodically checks the operating status of the plurality of laundry devices 1A installed in the laundry store (D8). When any one of the laundry machines 1A starts operating, the data controller 3A stores the operation status to that effect in a memory (not shown) provided in the data controller 3A (D9). ), A signal indicating the operation status is transmitted to the server 4A (D10). Then, the server 4A stores the received operating status in the operating status management unit 42A in association with the membership number received in advance by the declaration from the portable information terminal 7A (D11), the member number, The number of the laundry machine 1A used by the member and the end notification setting time set corresponding to the member are read from the member information management unit 41A, and a signal representing them is transmitted to the data via the communication network 5A. The data is transmitted to the controller 3A (D12). Upon receiving these signals, the data controller 3A receives information based on these signals (member number, number of the laundry machine 1A used by the member, and end notification setting time set corresponding to the member). Are stored in the memory in association with each other (D13).

  Thereafter, when the data controller 3A confirms that the operation time of any of the laundry machines 1A in operation is the end notification time stored in the memory in association with the number of the laundry machine 1A. (D14), the number of the laundry machine 1A and a signal for instructing completion notification (end notification instruction signal) are transmitted to the server 4A via the communication network 5A (D15).

  The server 4A that has received the number of the laundry device 1A and the end notification instruction signal, based on the member number stored in the member information management unit 41A and the number of the laundry device 1A used by the member, Time until the member who uses the device 1A is identified, the e-mail address of the member's portable information terminal 7A is read, and the operation of the laundry device 1A in use is terminated at the member's portable information terminal 7A Is transmitted (D16). At this time, information regarding the use of the laundry machine 1A such as campaign information is added to the end notification mail.

The content of the end notification mail is displayed on the display section 7A of the portable information terminal 7A that has received the end notification mail, and the member who owns the portable information terminal 7A is allowed to finish the operation of the laundry device 1A in use. Can be confirmed (D17).
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of display contents on the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A when reporting to the server 4A that the laundry machine 1A is used.

  First, the member operates the portable information terminal 7A to access the server 4A, thereby causing the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A to display a dedicated home page (my page) (see FIG. 7A). ). The My Page displays a list of laundry stores 120 that the member has registered as a member (“used store”), and a key 121 (“ The registered store is deleted ”), and a key 122 (“ change member information ”) selected when changing member information is displayed.

  When the member operates the portable information terminal 7A and selects one of the laundry stores (for example, a laundry XX store) from the list 120 of “used stores”, a dedicated page for the laundry store is displayed on the display unit 71A. (See FIG. 7B). On this page, the current server point 123 (“current point”) of the member, a key 124 (“Accumulate points”) to be selected when acquiring the use point, etc., and the laundry machine 1A used at that time Key 125 ("operating status of the device used") selected when confirming the driving status of the user, a list 126 of benefits that the member can receive according to the usage points ("point usage"), an ID code on the IC card The key 127 ("IC card registration") and the like which are selected to enter the member registration is displayed.

  When the member operates the portable information terminal 7A and selects the “accumulate points” key 124, a page for performing settings necessary for acquiring the use points is displayed on the display unit 71A. (See FIG. 7 (c)). On this page, a key 128 (“equipment number”) for setting the number of the laundry machine 1A to be used and a key 129 (for setting whether to send an end notification mail to the member's portable information terminal 7A) "End mail") is displayed. When the My Page is displayed on the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A, the initial set value of the end notification set time stored in the server 4A in association with the member is sent from the server 4A via the communication network 5A. By being transmitted to the portable information terminal 7A, the initial setting value (for example, 5 minutes before the end of the operation of the laundry machine 1A) is displayed on the key 129 of the display unit 71A. Therefore, if the end notification set time is not changed, the “next” key 130 displayed on this page may be selected without selecting the key 129, and the end notification set time is changed. After selecting the key 129 and performing an operation for changing the end notification setting time, the “next” key 130 may be selected.

  When the “next” key 130 is selected, a page for confirming the setting content is displayed on the display unit 71A (see FIG. 7D). After confirming the setting contents, the member operates the portable information terminal 7A and selects the “decision” key 131 displayed on this page, so that the server 4A is notified that the laundry machine 1A is to be used. The operation content 132 (“operation content”) achieved and set for the laundry device 1A, the use point 133 (“the current point”) granted for the current use of the laundry device 1A, and the current server The point 134 (“current point”) is displayed on the display unit 71A.

  Then, when the set end notification set time is reached, an end notification mail is transmitted from the server 4A to the portable information terminal 7A via the communication network 5A, and the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A displays the information shown in FIG. The contents of the end notification mail as shown are displayed. As shown in FIG. 7 (f), information regarding the use of the laundry machine 1 </ b> A such as campaign information is added to the end notification mail as “profit information”. As the “deal information”, various information such as information on usage points can be added in addition to the campaign information.

In this embodiment, when it is time to notify the end of the operation of the laundry device 1A (end notification mail), the member's portable information terminal 7A that uses the laundry device 1A is automatically notified. . Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the time when the operation of the laundry machine 1A in use is completed without making an inquiry.
In addition, by operating the mobile information terminal 7A, the member can receive a signal representing the end notification setting time corresponding to the member from the server 4A to the mobile information terminal 7A. Therefore, after confirming the received end notification set time, the end notification set time can be changed, so that the time for performing notification regarding the end of the operation of the laundry machine 1A can be easily and accurately changed. .

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the information regarding the use of the laundry machine 1A such as the campaign information and the information regarding the use points can be notified together with the end notification mail, the serviceability is improved.
6 and 7, when the operation of the laundry machine 1A is started (when the server 4A is notified that the laundry machine 1A is used), the end notification set time is set by operating the portable information terminal 7A. The case has been explained, but when the operation is not started (for example, when the laundry device 1A is not used or during operation of the laundry device 1A), the end notification set time is changed by operating the portable information terminal 7A. It is also possible to do.

Further, by operating the portable information terminal 7A and accessing the server 4A while the laundry machine 1A is in operation (before receiving the end notification mail), the operation status of the laundry machine 1A used by the member (for example, It is also possible to confirm the time when the operation is completed.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a flow when confirming the operation status of the laundry machine 1A. Moreover, FIG. 9 is a figure which shows the specific example of the display content of 71 A of display parts of 7 A of portable information terminals at the time of confirming the operating condition of 1 A of laundry machines.

  7 to 9, the member first operates portable information terminal 7A to access server 4A from portable information terminal 7A via communication network 5A, and displays 71A of portable information terminal 7A. To display the member's My Page (see FIG. 7A). When one of the laundry stores (for example, laundry XX store) is selected from the “used store” list 120 displayed on the My Page, a page dedicated to the laundry store is displayed on the display unit 71A. (See FIG. 9A). The page shown in FIG. 9A is the same as the page shown in FIG.

  After that, when the portable information terminal 7A is operated and the key 125 “operating status of the device used” displayed on the page shown in FIG. 9A is selected, the operating status (driving status) is confirmed. Operation is achieved (E1 in FIG. 8), and a signal requesting notification of the operating status of the laundry machine 1A used by the member is transmitted from the portable information terminal 7A to the server 4A via the communication network 5A. (E2 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving this signal, the server 4A reads the operating status of the laundry machine 1A used by the member from the operating status management unit 42A, and sends a signal indicating the operating status to the portable information terminal 7A via the communication network 5A. Transmit (E3 in FIG. 8).

  As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the display unit 71A of the portable information terminal 7A that has received the signal representing the operating status shows the type (number) of the laundry machine 1A used by the member and each laundry machine 1A. The time until the end of the operation is displayed. Thus, even before the end notification mail is received, the time when the operation of the laundry machine 1A in use can be completed can be confirmed by accessing the server 4A from the portable information terminal 7A.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a flow when starting operation of the laundry machine 1A using the IC card 6A.
Referring to FIG. 10, when a member inserts IC card 6A into laundry device 1A (F1) and performs an operation for starting operation of laundry device 1A, the member stored in IC card 6A is stored. The number is read, and the valuable value corresponding to the usage amount necessary for the operation is subtracted (decreased) from the valuable value stored in the IC card 6A (F2). Thereafter, when the operation of the laundry machine 1A is started (F3), the IC card 6A inserted in the laundry machine 1A is discharged (F4). However, the valuable value and the membership number stored in the IC card 6A are not limited to a configuration that is read by the laundry machine 1A by inserting the IC card 6A into the laundry machine 1A when using the laundry machine 1A. For example, it may be configured to be read by a reading device installed separately from the laundry machine 1A.

  The data controller 3A periodically checks the operating status of the plurality of laundry devices 1A installed in the laundry store (F5). When the operation of one of the laundry devices 1A is started, the data controller 3A determines the operation status to that effect and the member number read from the IC card 6A by the laundry device 1A at the start of the operation. The data is stored in the memory of the data controller 3A (F6), and the laundry machine 1A number and member number are transmitted to the server 4A via the communication network 5A (F7). Then, the server 4A identifies the member based on the received member number (F8), and stores the number of the laundry device 1A in the member information management unit 41A in association with the member using the laundry device 1A. (F9).

  The server 4A reads the member number, the number of the laundry machine 1A used by the member, and the end notification setting time set for the member from the member information management unit 41A, and reads them. The signal to represent is transmitted to the data controller 3A via the communication network 5A (F10). Upon receiving these signals, the data controller 3A receives information based on these signals (member number, number of the laundry machine 1A used by the member, and end notification setting time set corresponding to the member). Are stored in the memory in association with each other (F11).

  When changing the end notification setting time, the member operates the portable information terminal 7A to access the server 4A from the portable information terminal 7A via the communication network 5A (F12), and transmits the member number to the server 4A. (F13). The server 4A that has received the member number specifies the member based on the member number (F14), and then uses the communication network 5A to set the initial set value of the end notification setting time of the member stored in the member information management unit 41A. To the portable information terminal 7A (F15). As a result, the display section 71A of the portable information terminal 7A displays the initial set value of the end notification set time on the My page, as shown in FIG. 7C.

  When the portable information terminal 7A is operated and the end notification setting time is changed (F16), the number of the laundry machine 1A to be used is transmitted from the portable information terminal 7A to the server 4A via the communication network 5A. The changed end notification set time is transmitted (F17). The server 4A that has received the signal from the portable information terminal 7A stores the changed end notification setting time in association with the member in the member information management unit 41A (F18), and then the member number and the member Reads the number of the laundry machine 1A used by the customer and the (new) end notification set time after the change from the member information management unit 41A, and transmits a signal representing them to the data controller 3A via the communication network 5A. (F19). The data controller 3A that has received these signals stores the information based on these signals (member number, number of the laundry machine 1A used by the member, and the end notification set time after the change) in the memory in association with each other. (F20).

  Thereafter, the data controller 3A determines that the operation time of one of the laundry devices 1A in operation is the end notification time stored in the memory in association with the number of the laundry device 1A (if changed, When it is confirmed that the end notification time has been reached (F21), the number of the laundry machine 1A and a signal for instructing end notification (end notification instruction signal) are sent to the server via the communication network 5A. 4A is transmitted (F22).

  The server 4A that has received the number of the laundry device 1A and the end notification instruction signal, based on the member number stored in the member information management unit 41 and the number of the laundry device 1A used by the member, Time until the member who uses the device 1A is identified, the e-mail address of the member's portable information terminal 7A is read, and the operation of the laundry device 1A in use is terminated at the member's portable information terminal 7A Is transmitted (F23). At this time, information regarding the use of the laundry machine 1A such as campaign information is added to the end notification mail.

The content of the end notification mail is displayed on the display section 7A of the portable information terminal 7A that has received the end notification mail, and the member who owns the portable information terminal 7A is allowed to finish the operation of the laundry device 1A in use. Can be confirmed (F24).
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, the communication networks 5 and 5A between the data controllers 3 and 3A and the servers 4 and 4A are not limited to wireless communication networks but may be wired communication networks. In this case, the portable information terminals 7 and 7A can be connected to the laundry devices 1 and 1A so that the communication between the portable information terminals 7 and 7A and the servers 4 and 4A is performed by the data controllers 3 and 3A and the communication networks 5 and 5A. It may be possible to perform this via a (wired communication network).

  The portable information terminals 7 and 7A are not limited to cellular phones, and may be other portable information terminals such as PHS and PDA.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a laundry system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of an area search. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display content of the display part of a portable information terminal in the case of performing area search. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of a place name search. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display content of the display part of a portable information terminal in the case of performing a place name search. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the laundry system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display content of the display part of a portable information terminal at the time of declaring to a server that a laundry apparatus is used. It is a block diagram which shows the flow at the time of confirming the operating condition of a laundry apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display content of the display part of a portable information terminal at the time of confirming the operating condition of a laundry apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the flow at the time of starting the driving | operation of a laundry apparatus using an IC card.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laundry equipment 4 Server 7 Mobile information terminal 1A Laundry equipment 4A Server 7A Mobile information terminal

Claims (8)

A plurality of laundry devices installed in a plurality of laundry stores,
A server storing regional information where each of the plurality of laundry stores is located,
The above server
A search means for searching for a laundry store according to the area information when the area information is received based on an operation of a portable information terminal;
A laundry system comprising: an operation status transmission means for transmitting a signal indicating an operation status of a laundry device installed in a laundry store searched by the search means to the portable information terminal.   The operating status transmission means is for transmitting a signal indicating whether or not there is a laundry apparatus that is not in use among the laundry apparatuses installed in the laundry store searched by the search means to the portable information terminal. The laundry system according to claim 1, wherein:   2. The search unit according to claim 1, wherein when the position information of the portable information terminal is received based on an operation of a certain portable information terminal, the search means searches for a laundry store corresponding to the position information. Or the laundry system of 2.   3. The search means according to claim 1, wherein, when a signal representing a place name is received based on an operation of a portable information terminal, the search means searches for a laundry store corresponding to the place name. Laundry system. With multiple laundry equipment,
For each registered member, the access number for accessing the personal digital assistant owned by each member, and the time to notify the end of operation of the laundry device when each member uses the laundry device And a server storing values,
The above server
When it is time to notify the end of the operation of the laundry device, the member's mobile information terminal is accessed using the access number of the member who uses the laundry device, and the notification about the end of the operation of the laundry device A laundry system comprising an end notification means for performing the operation. The above server
A member identifying means for identifying a member who owns the portable information terminal when accessed from a certain portable information terminal;
Setting value transmitting means for transmitting a signal representing the setting value corresponding to the member specified by the member specifying means to the portable information terminal;
And a setting value changing means for storing the changed setting value in the server when the setting value is changed by an operation of the portable information terminal that has received the signal from the setting value transmitting means. The laundry system according to claim 5.   7. The laundry system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the end notification means notifies information related to the use of the laundry device together with a notification related to the end of the operation of the laundry device.   When the above server receives a signal requesting notification of the time when the operation of the laundry device ends from the portable information terminal of the member using the laundry device while operating any of the laundry devices, The laundry system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an end time transmitting means for transmitting a signal representing a time at which the operation of the laundry device ends to the portable information terminal.

Images