JP2020156581A - Laundry system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a laundry system which can provide specific free service with respect to a user who desires the specific free service.SOLUTION: A charge device 1 includes: a hard disk 9 for recording free service information in which a service code is associated with a service content which is the content of the free service to be provided to a user; a touch panel 8 in which an input operation of the service code is performed by a user; and a control device 2 for specifying the free service information in which the service code inputted in the touch panel 8 is associated with the service content out of a plurality of pieces of free service information recorded in the hard disk 9, and for executing the processing for providing the free service of the service content of the specified free service information to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry system that provides users with the use of laundry equipment.

Conventionally, there is known a laundry system including a fee payment device that enables the use of the laundry device based on the reduction of the usage fee of the laundry device from the balance recorded on the IC chip.

For example, the laundry equipment described in Patent Document 1 is installed in a coin laundry store. This laundry device has a built-in fee payment device that enables the use of the laundry device based on the reduction of the usage fee from the valuable value as the balance recorded on the IC card.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-334150

In the laundry system described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to provide a refund service to a user who cannot receive an appropriate laundry service due to a malfunction of the laundry equipment. Further, the laundry system described in Patent Document 1 cannot provide a receipt issuing service to a user who wishes to issue a receipt for the usage fee of the laundry equipment. That is, in the laundry system described in Patent Document 1, a specific free service is provided to a user who desires to provide a specific free service among a plurality of free services such as a refund service and a receipt issuing service. There is a problem that it cannot be done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laundry system capable of providing a specific free service to a user who desires to provide a specific free service. ..

The first aspect of the present invention is a laundry system including a fee payment device that enables the use of the laundry device based on the reduction of the usage fee of the laundry device from the balance recorded on the IC chip, and the user. The free service device is provided with a free service device for recording free service information in which a service code is associated with the service content which is the content of the free service provided to the user, and a recording medium for recording the free service information. The service code input to the input operation device is associated with the service content from the input operation device in which the user inputs the service code and the plurality of free service information recorded on the recording medium. It is a laundry system including a control device that identifies the free service information and executes a process of providing the user with a free service of the service content of the specified free service information.

According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that a specific free service can be provided to a user who desires to provide the specific free service.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit of the laundry system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit of the laundry system. It is a front view which shows the appearance of the electronic payment machine and the coin collector of the laundry system. It is a schematic diagram which shows the same laundry system installed in a coin laundry store, various laundry equipment, and a personal computer connected to a network line. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of the coin detection processing performed by the microcomputer of the coin receiving machine. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of the charge collection processing executed by the microcomputer of the electronic payment machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the receipt issuance processing executed in the control device of the charge device of the laundry system. It is a figure which shows an example of the history list screen displayed on the touch panel of the charge device. It is a top view which shows the printing surface of the receipt issued by the receipt issuance processing. It is a figure which shows the same history list screen in the state which an arbitrary history line is selected by a user. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a history list screen displayed when the user touches the receipt issuance button on the main menu screen again after the receipt shown in FIG. 9 is issued. It is a top view which shows the service code input screen displayed on the touch panel. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of the free service processing executed by the control device. In S7 of FIG. 13, it is a flowchart which shows the process flow at the time of executing the service provision process of cash refund. In S7 of FIG. 13, it is a flowchart which shows the process flow at the time of executing the service provision process of charge refund or free charge. In S7 of FIG. 13, it is a flowchart which shows the process flow at the time of executing the service provision process of issuing a cash receipt. In S7 of FIG. 13, it is a flowchart which shows the processing flow at the time of executing the service provision process of addition surcharge, point surcharge at the time of payment, or the member rank raising.

Hereinafter, an example in which the laundry system to which the present invention is applied is used in a coin laundry store will be described.

A laundry device having a built-in fee payment device to which the present invention is applied is a component of a laundry system to which the present invention is applied, but a laundry device having no built-in fee payment device is a laundry system to which the present invention is applied. Not a component. Since the electronic payment machine 20, which is the fee payment device described below, is not built in the laundry equipment but is attached to the outside of the laundry equipment, the laundry equipment is not a component of the laundry system according to the embodiment.

Further, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale and number of each structure may be different from the actual structure. Further, in order to make it easier to understand the part to be explained, the description of the code in the non-target part may be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of a laundry system according to an embodiment. The laundry system according to the embodiment includes a charging device 1, an electronic payment device 20 as a fee payment device, and a coin receiving machine 21. The combination of the charging device 1 and the electronic payment machine 20 functions as a free service device.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the charging device 1 of the laundry system according to the embodiment. The charging device 1 has a function of issuing a prepaid card having a built-in IC chip, a function of reading and writing information to the IC chip of the prepaid card, a function of issuing a receipt, and a function of exchanging banknotes for coins. Be prepared. In the front door of the metal housing 19 in the charging device 1, a bill slot 17, a coin receiving machine 5, an electronic card R / W machine 6, a touch panel 8, a coin receiving port 13, a receipt receiving port 14, and a card insertion are inserted. -A receiving port 15 is provided. The exchanged coins are paid out to the coin receiving port 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the charging device 1 includes a control device 2, a card issuing / returning machine 3, a bill receiving machine 4, a coin collecting machine 5, an electronic card R / W machine 6, a printing machine 7, a touch panel 8, and a hard disk. 9. The communication device 10, the USB port 11, the LAN port 12, and the coin payout device 18 are provided. A USB memory 90 is inserted into the USB port 11.

The card issuing / returning machine 3 includes a card R / W unit 3a that reads / writes information without contact (near field communication) with the IC chip of a prepaid card made of a My Fair (registered trademark) card. In addition, the card issuing / returning machine 3 includes a new card accommodating unit 3b for accommodating a plurality of new prepaid cards, a return card accommodating unit 3d for accommodating used prepaid cards returned by the user, and a card transport unit. It includes 3c. The card transport unit 3c has a function of transporting the prepaid card picked up from the new card storage unit 3b to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a, and inserts the prepaid card in the facing position to hand the prepaid card to the user. It has a function of transporting to the receiving port 15. Further, the card transport unit 3c has a function of transporting the prepaid card inserted into the card insertion / receiving port 15 by the user to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a, and a return card for the prepaid card at the facing position. It has a function of transporting to the accommodating portion 3d.

In this specification, the configuration of the laundry system will be described with reference to an example of using a prepaid card composed of a My Fair (registered trademark) card, but the prepaid card is not limited to the My Fair (registered trademark) card. It may be another contactless card such as a FeliCa (registered trademark) card or an individual number card.

The bill receiving machine 4 has a function of passing bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 17 by the user through a bill discriminator to determine the type of bills and whether or not they can be collected, and the bills determined to be uncollectible in the bill insertion slot 17. It has a function of returning and a function of transporting bills determined to be receivable to a bill storage unit. Further, the bill receiving machine 4 transmits the value (amount) information of the bill determined to be collectable to the control device 2. Examples of the types of banknotes that can be collected include Japanese 10,000-yen bills, 5,000-yen bills, and 1,000-yen bills.

The coin receiving machine 5 has a function of sorting and accommodating coins inserted into the coin slot 5a by the user according to type, and returning coins jammed in the internal passage by manually operating the user's return lever 5b. It has a function to drop it into the mouth 5c. Further, the coin receiving machine 5 has a function of automatically dropping the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 5a into the coin returning opening 5c when the coins cannot be collected. The coins that can be collected are sorted by type by the coin collecting machine 5 and stored in individual storage units. The coin just before being stored in the storage unit is detected by the sensor. When the sensor detects a coin, it transmits a coin identification signal to the control device 2. The control device 2 identifies the value (amount) of the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 5a based on the coin identification signal sent from the sensor. Examples of coins that can be collected by the coin collector 5 include Japanese 100-yen coins and 500-yen coins.

The electronic card R / W machine 6 is non-contact with electronic money IC cards such as Suica (registered trademark), PASMO (registration slip), and Edy (registered trademark), and IC chips of non-contact compatible credit cards. It has a function to read and write information.

The printing machine 7 has a function of printing receipt information on the drawn paper while feeding out the roll paper housed inside based on the information sent from the control device 2, and a printing portion of the roll paper. It has a function to cut it as a receipt. The cut receipt is discharged from the receipt receiving port 14.

The touch panel 8 has a function of displaying an image based on image information sent from the control device 2 and a function of accepting an input operation by touching the screen of the user. That is, the touch panel 8 functions as an image display device and an input operation device.

The hard disk 9 is a recording medium that records various types of information in a machine-readable manner.

The communication device 10 of the charging device 1 communicates with the communication device 20a of the electronic payment device 20 which is a toll payment device. The communication may be wired communication or wireless communication. Hereinafter, the configuration of the laundry system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to an example of performing wired communication.

The USB port 11 has a function of reading information recorded in the USB memory 90 inserted into the port and a function of writing information in the USB memory 90. The control device 2 periodically overwrites and copies the usage history database described later recorded in the hard disk 9 to the USB memory 90.

The LAN port 12 is connected to the network line 100. The control device 2 can communicate with the personal computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a personal computer) 101 of the management company via the network line 100.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the electronic payment machine 20 and the coin receiving machine 21. The electronic payment machine 20 and the coin receiving machine 21 are attached to the outer surface of the laundry equipment in order to collect the usage fee of the laundry equipment of the coin laundry from the user's prepaid card.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the electronic payment machine 20 includes a communication device 20a, a display 20b, a card R / W unit 20c, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 20d, and an operation lamp 20e. The communication device 20a communicates with the communication device 10 of the charging device 1. The display 20b comprises a 4-digit 7-segment LED, and displays the usage fee of the laundry equipment or the remaining required amount. The usage fee is the amount per use of the laundry equipment (in the case of a washing machine and a washer / dryer) or per unit time (in the case of a dryer). The remaining required amount is the amount required to reach the cumulative usage fee when a part of the usage fee is paid.

The card R / W unit 20c of the electronic payment machine 20 reads and writes information by non-contact communication with the IC chip of the prepaid card touched on the front surface of the case of the electronic payment machine 20. The microcomputer 20d has a function of controlling the communication device 20a, the display 20b, and the card R / W unit 20c, and a function of executing various arithmetic processes. The operation lamp 20e lights up when the electronic payment machine 20 is on standby, and temporarily blinks when reading / writing information to / from the prepaid card IC.

The coin receiving machine 21 includes a communication device 21a, a coin detection unit 21b, a coin insertion slot 21c, a return lever 21d, and a return port 21e, and communicates with the electronic payment machine 20 via the communication device 21a. If the coin inserted into the coin receiving machine 21 by the user is a coin that can be collected, it is detected by the coin detecting unit 21b via a predetermined passage in the coin receiving machine 21, and then the coin accommodating unit. Is housed in. If the coin is an uncollectible coin, it will be dropped into the return port 21e. The coins jammed in the passage in the coin receiving machine 21a are dropped into the return port 21e by the user's manual operation with respect to the return lever 21d. Examples of coins that can be collected by the coin receiving machine 21 include 100-yen coins from Japan.

The charging device 1 shown in FIG. 2 displays a main menu screen on the touch panel 8. On the main menu screen, a card issuance button, a charge button, a receipt issuance button, a service code input button, a point redemption button, and a currency exchange button are arranged.

When the card issuance button is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes the card issuance process. When the card issuance process is started, first, an amount selection screen for asking the user to select a charge amount is displayed on the touch panel 8. The content of the amount selection screen differs depending on the member rank of the user. Table 1 shown next is a data table showing the relationship between the member rank and various buttons displayed on the amount selection screen.

Six buttons are displayed on the amount selection screen. For example, in the case of a regular member, the amount selection screen shows "1000 yen + 100 points", "2000 yen + 300 points", "3000 yen + 500 points", "1000 yen + 100 yen", "2000 yen + 300 yen", and " Six buttons of "3000 yen + 500 yen" are arranged. In each button, the points or amount added after the "+" are additional points or additional amounts given in addition to the amount paid for charging.

For example, when the "2000 yen + 300 points" button is touched, 2000 yen is charged by paying 2000 yen, and 300 points are charged as additional points. The points are transferred to the charge amount of the same value by the point redemption process described later. When the "2000 yen + 300 yen" button is touched, 2000 yen is charged by paying 2000 yen, and 300 yen is charged as an additional amount.

Membership rank information is recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card. The control device 2 executes a process of displaying the amount selection screen according to the member rank read from the IC chip on the touch panel. Membership ranks are in the order of regular, silver, and gold. As can be seen from Table 1, the higher the member rank, the higher the ratio of the additional amount to the payment amount and the ratio of the additional points to the payment amount. The membership rank is raised each time the user uses the specified amount in total.

As for the payment method of the charge amount, the user can select either cash, electronic money, or a credit card. When any button on the amount selection screen is touched, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying the payment method inquiry screen on the touch panel 8.

When the cash button on the payment method inquiry screen is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes the cash collection process. The control device 2 that has started the cash collection process displays the required amount and a message prompting the insertion of cash on the touch panel 8, and when the required amount of cash that can be collected is input more than the required amount, the control device 2 collects the cash and then receives the cash. Execute the process of paying out change cash as needed. After that, the control device 2 executes a process of sending out one new prepaid card from the new card accommodating unit 3b of the card issuing / returning machine 3 and transporting it to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a. Next, the control device 2 executes a process of writing the balance information to the new prepaid card by the card R / W unit 3a (after charging) and then ejecting the charged prepaid card from the card insertion / receiving port 15. To do.

Table 2 shown next is a data table showing the data structure of the balance information recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card.

As shown in Table 2, the IC chip of the prepaid card is provided with nine balance information recording areas of charge area numbers 1 to 9. In the example shown in Table 2, balance information is recorded only in two balance information recording areas out of the nine balance information recording areas. The balance information is information that associates the charge date and time, the value balance, the premium balance, and the point balance. The value balance is a numerical value indicating how much of the amount paid by the user's cash payment, electronic money payment, or credit card payment remains. The premium balance is a numerical value indicating how much of the amount charged as an additional amount remains. For example, when a charge of 1100 yen is made by paying 1000 yen, 1000 yen is recorded as the value balance and 100 yen is recorded as the premium balance. The point balance is a numerical value indicating how many points remain among the points given to the user as a privilege.

When the electronic money button on the payment method inquiry screen is touched by the user, the control device 2 touches the touch panel with a message prompting the user to hold the electronic money card over the front of the electronic card R / W machine 6 of the charging device 1. The process displayed in 8 is executed. After that, when the electronic money card ID and the balance information are read by the electronic card R / W machine 6, the control device 2 makes an inquiry to the server machine of the card company via the network line 100.

In the above inquiry, the control device 2 first obtains the ID of the electronic money card, the balance information, the company code of the company that operates the coin laundry, the information that the laundry equipment will be used, and the required amount (payment amount this time). Send to the server machine of the card company. The server machine of the card company determines whether or not the result of reading the balance information associated with the ID sent from the control device 2 from the hard disk and the balance information sent from the control device 2 match. To do. If they do not match, the server machine sends error information to the control device 2. When the control device 2 receives the error information from the server machine, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying on the touch panel 8 that payment cannot be made due to the occurrence of an error and that an inquiry is required to the company of the electronic money card.

On the other hand, when the balance information read from the hard disk and the balance information sent from the control device 2 match and the balance is equal to or greater than the required amount, the server machine subtracts the required amount from the balance information in the hard disk. Update. Furthermore, the server machine records the company code, the information that the laundry equipment has been used, and the payment date and time on the hardy disk in association with the ID of the electronic money card, and then the payment completion information indicating that the payment has been made. Is transmitted to the control device 2. Upon receiving the payment completion information, the control device 2 updates the balance in the IC chip of the electronic money card by subtracting the required amount, and then issues a charged prepaid card in the same manner as in the case of cash payment.

Further, when the balance information read from the hard disk and the balance information sent from the control device 2 match, but the balance is less than the required amount, the server machine transmits the balance shortage information to the control device 2. When the control device 2 receives the balance shortage information, it displays a message on the touch panel 8 that the payment cannot be made with the electronic money card because the balance is insufficient, and then executes a process of displaying the above-mentioned payment method inquiry screen on the touch panel 8 again.

When the credit card button on the payment method inquiry screen described above is touched by the user, the control device 2 displays a message on the touch panel 8 prompting the user to hold the credit card over the front of the electronic card R / W machine 6. Execute the process to be performed. After that, when the ID information of the credit card is read by the electronic card R / W machine 6, the control device 2 makes an inquiry to the server machine of the card company via the network line 100.

In the above inquiry, the control device 2 first transmits the credit card ID, the company code of the company that operates the coin laundry, the information that the laundry equipment is used, and the required amount information to the server machine of the card company. Whether or not the server machine of the card company reads the remaining settlement amount information associated with the ID sent from the control device 2 from the hard disk and exceeds the required amount information sent from the control device 2. To judge. If the amount is not more than the required amount, the server machine transmits the non-settlement information to the control device 2. When the control device 2 receives the payment impossible information from the server machine, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying a message indicating that payment cannot be made on the touch panel 8.

On the other hand, when the remaining settleable amount information is equal to or greater than the required amount information, the server machine updates the remaining settleable amount information by subtracting the required amount. Further, the server machine records the company code, the information that the laundry equipment will be used, and the payment date and time on the hardy disk in association with the ID information, and then transmits the payment completion information to the control device 2. .. When the control device 2 receives the payment completion information, it issues a charged prepaid card in the same manner as in the case of cash payment.

A prepaid card that has been charged is issued by the card issuance process as described above.

When the charge button on the main menu screen of the touch panel 8 shown in FIG. 2 is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes the charge process. When the charging process is started, first, an insertion guidance screen for asking the user to insert the prepaid card is displayed on the touch panel 8. On the insertion guidance screen, a front image of the housing 19 that emphasizes the position of the card insertion / receiving port 15 on the front door of the charging device 1 and a message "Please insert the card" are arranged.

When the prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion / receiving port 15 by the user, the control device 2 transports the inserted prepaid card to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a, and then displays the above-mentioned amount selection screen. The process of displaying on the touch panel 8 is executed. The subsequent processing is the same as the subsequent processing when the amount selection screen is displayed in the card issuance processing.

The fee collection associated with the use of the laundry equipment is performed by the electronic payment machine 20 or the coin collection machine 21. In addition, the charge collection is prioritized from the charge with the oldest date and time. If the charges are made on the same date and time, the value balance will be prioritized over the premium balance. In the example of Table 2, since the charge date and time of the charge area number 1 is older than the charge of the charge area number 2, the charge is collected preferentially from the latter charge. Since both the value balance and the premium balance of the charge area number 1 are zero, the shortfall of 400 yen is collected from the value balance of the charge area number 2.

The charge area number 1 has a point balance of 121P, but this cannot be used for payment because the point redemption process has not been performed yet. When the point redemption process described later is performed on the point balance, the point balance in the charge area number 1 is updated to zero, and the premium balance in the charge area number 1 is updated to 121 yen. Then, the subsequent charge collection is prioritized over the value balance of 600 yen in the charge area number 2 and the premium balance of 121 yen in the charge area number 1.

When the value balance, premium balance, and point balance are all zero, the balance information is reset to the default state.

The expiration date of the point balance on the prepaid card is managed individually for each charge. Table 2 shows an example in which charging was performed on January 14, 2019 and January 15, 2019, respectively. In the laundry system according to the embodiment, the expiration date of the points is one year after the charging date (the charging date is not calculated). Therefore, the expiration date of the point balance recorded in the charge area number 1 is January 14, 2020. The expiration date of the point balance recorded in the charge area number 2 is January 15, 2020.

Table 3 shown below is a data table showing the data structure of the card identification information recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card.

As shown in Table 3, the IC chip of the prepaid card records card identification information associated with a card ID, a company code, an area number, and a store number. The card ID is a number individually assigned to each card. The company code is a code individually assigned to a company that operates a coin laundry. The area number is a number indicating the geographical location where the coin laundry store is located. The store number is a number individually assigned to each store.

When the charge button on the main menu screen of the touch panel 8 shown in FIG. 2 is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes the charge process. The control device 2 that has started the charge process first displays a message "Please insert the prepaid card into the card insertion / receiving port" and an image showing the position of the card insertion / receiving port 15 on the touch panel 8. To execute.

When the prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion / receiving port 15 by the user, the control device 2 transports the prepaid card to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a, and then prepaid by the card R / W unit 3a. Determine if there is space in the balance information recording area of the card. If there is no vacancy, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying a message on the touch panel 8 that "the recording area is full, so please redeem the points before executing the charge".

On the other hand, when there is a vacancy in the balance information recording area, the control device 2 reads the card identification information of the prepaid card by the card R / W unit 3a. Next, the control device 2 determines whether or not the prepaid card can be used in the store where the charging device 1 is installed, based on the read company code, area number, and store number. In the case of an unusable prepaid card, the control device 2 executes a process of ejecting the prepaid card from the card insertion / receiving port while displaying the message "This is a prepaid card that cannot be used at this store". On the other hand, in the case of a usable prepaid card, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying the above-mentioned amount selection screen on the touch panel 8. After that, the process of discharging the charged prepaid card is the same as the card issuance process.

When the point redemption button on the main menu screen of the touch panel 8 shown in FIG. 2 is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes the point redemption process. The control device 2 that has started the point redemption process first displays a message "Please insert the prepaid card into the card insertion / receiving port" and an image showing the position of the card insertion / receiving port 15 on the touch panel 8. Execute the process.

When the prepaid card is inserted into the card insertion / receiving port 15 by the user, the control device 2 conveys the prepaid card to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a, and then transfers the card identification information of the prepaid card to the card R. The process of reading is executed by the / W unit 3a. If the prepaid card is unusable at the store, the control device 2 executes the process of inserting and ejecting the prepaid card from the card insertion / receiving port while displaying the message "This is a prepaid card that cannot be used at this store". To do. On the other hand, in the case of a usable prepaid card, the control device 2 reads all the balance information recorded in the balance information recording area of the prepaid card by the card R / W unit 3a. Next, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying the sum of all value balances and premium balances as the charge balance and the sum of all point balances as the point balance on the touch panel.

The control device 2 that has executed the process of displaying the charge balance and the point balance on the touch panel 8 then displays the message "Do you want to return points?", The "Yes" button, and the "No" button on the touch panel 8. Execute the process to be displayed.

When the "No" button is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes a process of ejecting the prepaid card from the card insertion / receiving port 15. On the other hand, when the "Yes" button is touched, the control device 2 transfers the point balance to the premium balance of the same value and updates the balance information for each of the balance information recording areas that are not in the default state. Execute.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a laundry system installed in a coin laundry store 900, various laundry devices, and a personal computer 101 connected to a network line 100. In the store 900, a plurality of washing machines 201, a plurality of washing machines 202, and a plurality of dryers 203 are installed as laundry equipment. The electronic payment machine 20 of the laundry system and the coin collector 21 are attached to all the washer-dryer 201, the washer 202, and the dryer 203. The set of the electronic payment machine 20 and the coin receiving machine 21 attached to the same individual of the laundry equipment can perform wired communication with each other. Further, all the electronic payment machines 20 and the charging device 1 can perform wired communication with each other.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the laundry system will be described by taking as an example the case where the coins that can be collected by the coin collector 21 are only 100-yen coins in Japan. In addition to the 100-yen coins, other coins such as 500-yen coins will be described. May be receivable.

In the washer / dryer 201, any of course A (small amount course), course B (standard amount course), course C (washing only), and course D (drying only) can be performed by a plurality of buttons arranged on the front surface. It is possible to select either one. The required amount required to use the washer / dryer 201 varies depending on the course.

The washer / dryer 201 and the electronic payment machine 20 can perform wired communication with each other. When a course is selected by the user, the washer / dryer 201 transmits the required amount information according to the course to the electronic payment machine 20.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of coin detection processing executed by the microcomputer 20d of the coin receiving machine 21. When the coin detection unit 21b detects a 100-yen coin (Yes in S1), the microcomputer 20d transmits a detection signal as receipt information to the electronic payment machine 20 (S2).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the charge collection process executed by the microcomputer 20d of the electronic payment machine 20. When the required amount information is sent from the washer / dryer 201 (Yes in S1), the microcomputer 20d executes a process (S2) of storing the required amount and displaying the required amount on the display 20b. After that, when the detection signal is sent from the coin receiving machine 21 (Yes in S3), the required amount is updated by subtracting 100 yen, and then the updated required amount is displayed on the display 20b (S4). Execute. Further, the microcomputer 20d executes a process (S5) of transmitting sales information to the control device 2 of the charging device 1. For example, if the usage fee is 400 yen, 100 yen will be deducted from the required amount each time 100 yen coins are inserted into the coin collector 21, and a total of 4 100 yen coins will be inserted. , The required amount becomes zero. The sales information is information in which the collected amount (100 yen) as the receipt information is associated with the ID of the electronic payment machine 20.

When the detection signal is not sent from the coin receiving machine 21 (No in S3), the control device 2 advances the processing flow to S6 described later.

The user can also pay the usage fee with a prepaid card. Table 4 shown below is a data table showing the data structure of the usage history information recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card.

As shown in Table 4, the usage history information is in a state in which the usage date and time, the usage type, the collection fee, and the receipt issuance history are associated with each other. It is possible to record the usage history information for the past 6 times on the IC chip. When the payment is made for the seventh and subsequent times in total, the current usage history information is overwritten on the oldest usage history information among the six usage history information recorded on the IC chip.

The receipt issuance history has two values, "0" which means that it has not been issued and "1" which means that it has been issued.

After selecting the course of the washer / dryer 201, the user can pay the usage fee with the prepaid card by holding the prepaid card in front of the electronic payment machine 20 displaying the required amount on the display 20b. is there.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the control device 2 does not receive the detection signal in S3 or transmits the sales information to the charging device 1 in S5, the wireless communication with the prepaid card is established. The presence or absence is determined (S6). When the user holds the prepaid card in front of the electronic payment machine 20, wireless communication is established between the electronic payment machine 20 and the prepaid card.

If the microcomputer 20d of the electronic payment machine 20 does not detect the establishment of wireless communication with the prepaid card (No in S6), the processing flow proceeds to S12. In S12, the microcomputer 20d determines whether or not the required amount has been reduced to "0", and if the required amount has not been reduced to "0" (No in S12), the processing flow is looped to the above-mentioned S3. .. As a result, it is determined again whether or not the detection signal transmitted from the coin receiving machine 21 is received.

When the microcomputer 20d detects the establishment of wireless communication with the prepaid card (Yes in S6), the microcomputer 20d calculates the charge amount C (S7). Specifically, the microcomputer 20d reads all the value balances and the premium balances recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card held in front of the electronic payment machine 20 by the card R / W unit 30c. After that, the microcomputer 20d calculates the charge amount C by adding up all the value balances and the premium balances.

The microcomputer 20d that has calculated the charge amount C determines whether or not the charge amount C is equal to or greater than the required amount (S8). When the charge amount C is less than the required amount (No in S8), the microcomputer 20d calculates the maximum amount that can be collected in units of 100 yen from the charge amount C and executes a partial collection process (S9). .. In the partial collection process, the microcomputer 20d performs the value balance, the premium balance, or the value balance and the premium balance by subtracting 100 yen in order from the oldest balance information recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card. Executes the process of updating. At this time, the microcomputer 20d resets each data to the default for the balance information in which the value balance, the premium balance, and the point balance are all zero. If the user cannot pay all the required amount with the prepaid card, the user can pay the remaining fee in cash by inserting a 100-yen coin into the coin receiving machine 21.

When the charge amount C is equal to or greater than the required amount (Yes in S8), the microcomputer 20d executes a full amount collection process for collecting all the required amount from the charge amount C (S10). Also at this time, the microcomputer 20d updates the value balance, the premium balance, or the value balance and the premium balance by subtracting 100 yen units in order from the oldest balance information. Further, the microcomputer 20d resets each data to the default for the balance information in which the value balance, the premium balance, and the point balance are all zero.

The control device 2 that has executed the partial collection process (S9) or the full amount collection process (S10) determines whether or not the required amount has been reduced to "0" after executing the point update process (S11) (S12). ). If the required amount has not been reduced to "0" (No in S12), the control device 2 loops the processing flow to S3. As a result, it is determined again whether or not the detection signal transmitted from the coin receiving machine 21 is received. The content of the point update process (S11) will be described later.

On the other hand, when the required amount is reduced to "0" (Yes in S12), the control device 2 transmits the usage history information to the charging device 1 (S13), and then transmits the permission signal to the washer / dryer 201. (S14) The process is executed. The usage history information is slightly different from the usage history information shown in Table 4 in that the card ID information is associated with the usage date / time, usage type, collection fee, and receipt issuance history.

Upon receiving the permission signal sent from the electronic payment machine 20, the washer / dryer 201 starts the operation of the course selected by the user.

In the washing machine 202 shown in FIG. 4, one of the 4.2 kg course and the 4.5 kg course can be selected by a plurality of buttons arranged on the front surface. The usage fee varies depending on the course.

In the dryer 203, 10 minutes is added to the remaining operating time every time a 100-yen coin is inserted into the coin receiving machine 21. That is, the dryer 203 operates for 10 minutes at 100 yen.

In the use of the washing machine 202 and the dryer 203 as well as the use of the washer / dryer 201, the charge is collected by the charge collection process shown in FIG.

Table 5 shown next is a data table showing the data structure of the usage history database recorded on the hard disk 9 of the charging device 1.

A plurality of usage history information is stored in the usage history database. The usage history information is a state in which a card ID, a usage date and time, a usage type, a collection fee, and a receipt issuance history are associated with each other.

Each of the plurality of electronic payment machines 20 transmits one line of usage history information including a card ID, usage date and time, usage type, collection fee, and receipt issuance history to the charging device 1. The control device 2 of the charging device 1 adds and writes the usage history information of one line sent from the electronic payment machine 20 to the last line of the usage history database in the hard disk 9. As a result, the usage history database in the hard disk 9 is updated.

When the user touches the receipt issuing button on the main menu screen of the touch panel 8 shown in FIG. 2, the control device 2 of the charging device 1 executes the receipt issuing process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a receipt issuing process executed by the control device 2. The control device 2 that has started the receipt issuing process first executes a process (S1) of displaying a message screen on the touch panel 8. On the message screen, a message "Please insert the prepaid card into the card insertion / receiving slot" and an image showing the position of the card insertion / receiving slot 15 are displayed.

When the control device 2 detects the prepaid card inserted in the card insertion / receiving port 15 (Yes in S2), the control device 2 executes a process of transporting the prepaid card to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a (S3). .. After that, the control device 2 reads the card identification information of the prepaid card by the card R / W unit 3a, and then determines whether or not the inserted prepaid card can be used in the store (S4). To execute. If the prepaid card cannot be used at the store (No in S4), the control device 2 displays a message indicating that the prepaid card cannot be used at this store (S5), and inserts the prepaid card. The process (S14) of discharging from the receiving port 15 is executed. On the other hand, in the case of a usable prepaid card (Yes in S4), the control device 2 executes the individual database construction process (S6).

In the individual database construction process, the control device 2 constructs the individual database by extracting only the usage history information including the same card ID as the card ID of the previously read card identification information from the usage history database. The individual database contains only usage history information collected from the same prepaid card.

The control device 2 that has constructed the individual database executes a process (S7) of displaying a history list screen that lists all the usage history information included in the individual database on the touch panel 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the history list screen. On the history list screen, the usage type is displayed with the name of usage history. In addition, the collection fee is displayed as the usage amount. In addition, the card ID is displayed by the name of the card number. Hereinafter, on the history list screen, an area in which the usage date and time, the usage type, and the collection fee in one usage history information are arranged side by side is referred to as a history line. In the example shown in FIG. 8, four history lines are displayed.

On the history list screen, above the first history line, the message "Please select the usage history for which you want to issue a receipt", the card number, the total balance, the member rank, and the card usage amount. , The point balance and the point expiration date are displayed. The card usage amount is the total amount of collection fees for all usage history information recorded in the individual database.

The total balance, the point balance, and the point expiration date are calculated based on all the balance information recorded on the IC chip of the prepaid card. The total balance is the total amount of the value balance and the premium balance in all the balance information. The point balance is the total value of the point balance in all the balance information. The point expiration date is the date and time calculated based on the oldest charge date and time among all the balance information. Specifically, it is the date and time one year after the oldest charge date.

A check box 8c is displayed at the right end of the history line in the figure. The user can turn on / off the check box 8c of the history line by touching the history line for which the receipt is to be issued among the plurality of history lines displayed on the history list screen. The control device 2 issues a receipt for the (on) history line in which the check box is checked.

Of the four history lines in the first to fourth lines on the history list screen, the background of the history line in the third line and the history line in the fourth line is dark. The reason for the dark color is either that the receipt issuance has expired or that the receipt has been issued, but in the illustrated example, the former is the reason. The expiration date of the receipt issuance is limited to the day of use. In both the history line of the first line and the history line of the second line, the date and time of use is January 14, 2019. On the other hand, since the current date (when the history list screen of FIG. 8 is displayed) is January 15, 2019, the history line of the third line and the history line of the fourth line are respectively. , The receipt issuance has expired. Hereinafter, the history lines whose receipts have expired and the history lines for which receipts have been issued are collectively referred to as issuance prohibited lines.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the history line on the history list screen is touched by the user (Yes in S8), the control device 2 determines whether or not the touched history line is an issuance prohibited line. Judgment (S9). When the touched history line is an issuance prohibited line (Yes in S9), the control device 2 loops the processing flow to S8. Due to this loop, the user's input operation for selecting the issuance prohibited line is not accepted, and the touch operation to the history line that is not the issuance prohibited line is waited.

When the history line touched by the user is not an issuance prohibited line (No in S9), the control device 2 calculates the issuance amount (S10). More specifically, the issuance amount is set to 0 yen at the start of the receipt issuance process. If the check box of the touched history line is not checked, the control device 2 updates the issue amount by adding the collection fee (usage amount) of the touched history line after chucking the check box. To do. On the other hand, when the check box of the touched history line is checked, the control device 2 updates the issue amount by subtracting the collection fee of the touched history line after clearing the check box.

The control device 2 that has calculated the issue amount then determines whether or not there is a touch operation on the confirmation button on the history list screen (S11). When there is no touch operation on the confirmation button by the user (No in S11), the control device 2 loops the processing flow to S8 and waits for the touch operation on the history line. On the other hand, when there is a touch operation on the confirmation button (Yes in S11), the control device 2 executes a process (S12) of printing a receipt in which the issued amount is described as the receipt amount by the printing machine 7. The receipt on which necessary items such as the receipt amount are printed is cut from the roll paper and discharged from the receipt receiving port 14 shown in FIG.

The control device 2 that has issued the receipt executes a process of updating the receipt issuance history of the usage history database recorded on the hard disk 9 (S13). Specifically, the control device 2 identifies the usage history information having the same card ID and the same usage date and time as the history line obtained by adding the collection fee to the issuance amount from the usage history database in the hard disk 9, and the usage history information. The receipt issuance history of is updated to "1".

The control device 2 that has updated the usage history database executes a process (S14) of ejecting the prepaid card located opposite to the card R / W unit 3a from the card insertion / receiving port 15 to issue a series of receipts. End the process.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the printed surface of the receipt issued by the receipt issuing process. The receipt includes the handling date, service name, receipt amount, transaction serial number, serial N. o, the equipment code, the name of the company that operates the laundry system, and the address are printed.

The handling date is the date and time when the receipt printing started. The transaction serial number is a value obtained by arranging the date and time of the handling date only by numbers. Serial N. o is the cumulative number of receipts issued by the charging device 1. The equipment code is shown on the model of the laundry equipment.

There are three types of laundry services provided at store 900: washer / dryer (for example, course A), washer (for example, 4.5 kg of selector), and dryer (for example, 30 minutes for dryer). is there. On the receipt, "use of laundry equipment" common to all three types of use is printed as the service name.

The process until the receipt shown in FIG. 9 is printed is as described below.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a history list screen in a state in which an arbitrary history line is selected by the user. In the history list screen shown in FIG. 10, the first line and the second line of the history list screen shown in FIG. 8 are selected by the user. When the confirmation button 8b on the history list screen shown in FIG. 10 is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes a process of printing the receipt shown in FIG. 9 (S12 in FIG. 7). The printed receipt amount is the issuance amount calculated in S12 of the receipt issuance process shown in FIG. As described above, the issuance amount is updated every time the check box of the history line on the history list screen is checked or unchecked. Therefore, when the history list screen is in the state shown in FIG. 10, the issuance amount is the collected amount (usage amount 400 yen) in the history line of the first line of the history list screen and the history line of the second line. It is the total with the collected amount (usage amount 300 yen) in. The total is printed on the receipt as the receipt amount.

That is, when a plurality of history lines (collection charges) are selected by the user on the history list screen, the control device 2 prints a receipt in which the collection charges of the selected plurality of history lines are totaled. Execute the process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a history list screen displayed when the user touches the receipt issuing button on the main menu screen shown in FIG. 2 again after the receipt shown in FIG. 9 is issued. .. In the history list screen shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the issuance prohibited lines of the history lines of the third and fourth lines, the history lines of the first and second lines Each is a prohibited line. The reason why each of the first line and the second history line is prohibited from being issued is that the receipt has already been issued.

Although an example of issuing a receipt based on the usage history information recorded in the hard disk 9 has been described, the receipt is issued based on the usage history information recorded in the IC chip (recording medium) of the prepaid card. You may. Further, even if the usage history information is transferred from the control device 2 to the personal computer 101 via the network line and a receipt is issued based on the usage history information reversely transferred from the hard disk of the personal computer 101 to the control device 2. Good. Further, a receipt may be issued based on the usage history information recorded in the USB memory 90 as a recording medium.

A free service database is recorded on the hard disk 9 shown in FIG. Table 6 shown below is a data table showing the data structure of the free service database.

The free service database stores a plurality of free service information. The free service information is information that associates the service code with the service content. The service code is a 6-digit number randomly issued by the personal computer 101 of the management company.

The service content is information that records the type number, the service value, the start date, and the end date. The type number is a number indicating the type of free service. The laundry system according to the embodiment provides seven types of free services: cash refund, charge refund, cash payment receipt issuance, free charge, additional premium, point premium at the time of payment, and member rank increase. Hereinafter, the receipt for cash payment will be referred to as a cash receipt. A prepaid card is also simply called a card.

It is predetermined that the type numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 indicate cash refund, charge refund, cash receipt issuance, additional surcharge, point surcharge at the time of payment, and member rank increase. In Table 6, characters such as "cash refund" are described in the type number column for easy understanding, but the actual type number of the free service information is only the number.

The service value indicates the amount, member rank, or percentage (%). In the case of cash refund and charge refund, the service value indicates the refund amount (yen). In the case of issuing a cash receipt, the service value indicates the receipt amount (yen) described in the receipt.

In the case of additional surcharge, the service value indicates the current membership rank and the membership rank at the time of temporary increase. Specifically, in the laundry system according to the embodiment, by temporarily raising the member rank, the additional amount at the time of charging and the ratio of the additional points are temporarily increased. The service value in the case of additional surcharge consists of a two-digit number. Both the first digit number and the second digit number indicate the member rank. "1" indicates a regular member, "2" indicates a silver member, and "3" indicates a gold member. The first digit number indicates the membership rank when it is temporarily raised. The second digit indicates the original membership rank. In the example shown in Table 6, since the service value is "13", it indicates that the member rank of the user is temporarily raised from the regular member to the gold member.

In the case of point premium at the time of payment, the service value indicates the percentage (%). In the case of raising the member rank, the service value indicates the member rank after the raising. Unlike the additional surcharge, the membership rank increase is not a temporary increase in rank, so no period is set as shown in Table 6. In Table 6, characters such as "yen" are described in the service value column, but the actual service value of the free service information is only a number.

The start date is the date when the free service is started to be provided. The end date is the date when the provision of the free service ends. The combination of the start date and the end date indicates the period for which the free service is provided.

The user gets the right to refund because the laundry equipment is malfunctioning and the proper laundry service is not received, or the laundry equipment does not work due to a malfunction even though the fee was paid with the prepaid card. be able to. Users who have the right to refund can receive the refund service as a free service by contacting the management company by telephone, e-mail, etc.

The staff of the management company who received the contact from the user asked the user about the refund amount, the store name, and which of cash or charge he / she would like to refund, and then the software installed on the personal computer 101. A service code is issued by the software. Next, the staff member asks the user to write down the issued service code, and then after a predetermined time has passed (for example, 10 minutes), the service code will be entered into the charging device 1 for a refund. Tell the user how to enter the service code. Further, the staff member constructs the free service information for refund by the personal computer 101 based on the issued service code, the refund amount heard from the user, the refund value (cash or charge), and the like. Specifically, in the case of cash refund, the service provided to the user is cash refund, so the staff member constructs the free service information in which "1" is input as the type number. Further, in the case of refund by charge, since the service provided to the user is the charge refund service, the staff member constructs the free service information in which "2" is input as the type number. After that, the staff member transmits the constructed free service information to the charging device 1 of the store 900 via the network line 100. When the free service information is sent from the personal computer 101, the control device 2 of the charging device 1 executes a process of adding the free service information to the free service database.

When the service code input button on the main menu screen of the touch panel 8 shown in FIG. 2 is touched by the user, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying the service code input screen shown in FIG. 12 on the touch panel 8. On the service code input screen, various number buttons, correction buttons, confirmation buttons, cancel buttons, service code display units, etc. that make up the 10 keys are arranged. The user touches various number buttons on the service code input screen, inputs the service code given by the staff, and then touches the confirmation button.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of free service processing executed by the control device 2. In the free service process, the control device 2 first determines whether or not the stop button 8d on the service code input screen has been touched by the user (S1). When the stop button 8d is touched by the user (Yes in S1), the control device 2 ends the free service process after executing the process of displaying the main menu screen on the touch panel 8 (S8).

On the other hand, when the stop button 8d is not touched (No in S1), the control device 2 determines whether or not the confirmation button on the service code input screen has been touched (S2). If the confirmation button is not touched (No in S2), the control device 2 loops the processing flow to S1. On the other hand, when the confirmation button is touched (Yes in S2), the control device 2 determines whether or not the service code input by the user has 6 digits (S3). If the entered service code is not 6 digits (No in S3), the controller 2 executes the process of displaying the message "The service code is 6 digits. Please re-enter" on the touch panel 8 (No). S4), the processing flow is looped to S1.

When the service code entered by the user has 6 digits (Yes in S3), the control device 2 determines whether or not the free service information including the entered service code exists in the free service database. (S5). If the free service information does not exist in the free service database (No in S5), the control device 2 displays a message on the touch panel 8 that "the service code is not a legitimate service code. Please re-enter the service code." The process is executed (S6). After that, the control device 2 loops the processing flow to S1. On the other hand, when the free service information exists in the free service database (Yes in S5), the control device 2 executes the service provision process according to the type number of the free service information (S7). After that, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying the main menu screen on the touch panel 8 (S8), and then ends a series of processing flows.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when executing the cash refund service providing processing in S7 of FIG. In the cash refund service provision process, the control device 2 deletes the processed free service information from the free service database after the coin payout device 18 pays out the same amount of cash as the service value of the free service information (S71). (S72). Next, the control device 2 executes a process of displaying the message "Cash has been paid out. Please receive" on the touch panel 8 (S73), and then waits until a predetermined time elapses (S74). After that, the control device 2 ends the cash refund service provision process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when executing a charge refund or free charge service provision process in S7 of FIG. The free charge is, for example, a free service given to users who have won a lottery in a campaign. The control device 2 that has started the processing flow shown in FIG. 15 is inserted by the user after executing the process of displaying the message "Please insert the prepaid card into the card insertion slot" on the touch panel 8 (S71). Wait until the card is detected (No in S72). When the control device 2 detects the card inserted by the user, the control device 2 executes a process of transporting the card to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a (S73). After that, the control device 2 executes a charge process for updating the premium balance information in the IC chip by adding the same value as the service value of the free service information (S74). Next, the control device 2 deletes the processed free service information from the free service database (S75), and then executes a process of ejecting the card from the card insertion / receiving port 15 (S76). Further, after executing the process of displaying the message "Please receive the prepaid card" on the touch panel 8 (S77), the control device 2 ends the series of processing flows when the card is no longer detected (No in S78). To do.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when executing the service providing process of issuing a cash receipt in S7 of FIG. The control device 2 that has started the service provision process of FIG. 16 prints and cuts the cash receipt (S71), and then executes the process of discharging the cash receipt from the receipt receiving port 14 (S72). Next, the control device 2 deletes the processed free service information from the free service database (S73), and then executes a process of displaying the message "Please receive the receipt" on the touch panel 8 (S74). After that, the control device 2 ends a series of processing flows after a lapse of a predetermined time (Yes in S75).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the case of executing the service provision processing of the additional surcharge, the point surcharge at the time of payment, or the member rank raising in S7 of FIG. The control device 2 that started the processing flow of FIG. 17 executes a process of displaying the message "Please insert the prepaid card into the card insertion slot" on the touch panel 8 (S71), and then the card inserted by the user. Waits until it is detected (S72). After that, the control device 2 executes a process of transporting the card inserted by the user to a position facing the card R / W unit 3a (S73), and then determines the content to be written on the IC chip of the card (S74). .. Specifically, when the control device 2 provides the additional free service, it is a two-digit numerical value indicated by the service value as the content to be written to the IC chip (indicating the original member rank and the member rank at the time of temporary increase). , The start date and the end date are determined based on the free service information. Further, when the control device 2 provides the point surcharge at the time of payment, the control device 2 determines the ratio (%) indicated by the service value, the start date, and the end date as the contents to be written to the IC chip based on the free service information. .. Further, when the control device 2 provides a free service for raising the member rank, the control device 2 determines the member rank indicated by the member service value based on the free service information as a mode of writing to the IC chip.

Table 7 shown below is a data table showing the data structure of the premium information recorded on the IC chip of the card.

The premium information is data in which the service ratio, the service start date, and the service end date are associated with each other. When the free service of point premium at the time of payment is provided, the premium information as shown in Table 7 is recorded on the IC chip of the card. In the point update process (S11) of FIG. 6, the microcomputer 20d normally updates points by adding 3 [%] points of the payment amount, but in the example shown in Table 7, 6 [%] of the payment amount. ] Points are updated by adding points.

The control device 2 that determines the content to be written to the IC chip of the card in S74 of FIG. 17 then executes a process of writing the determined content to the IC chip (S75). Specifically, when the control device 2 provides the additional free service, the member rank information in the IC chip is updated to the same value as the service value. After that, when the period of the additional free service elapses and the card is inserted into the charging device 1 by the user, the control device 2 elapses for the period based on the end date recorded on the IC chip. Is determined, and the member rank information in the IC chip is updated to the original single-digit value.

Further, when the control device 2 provides the free service of the point premium at the time of payment, the control device 2 records the premium information exemplified in Table 7 on the IC chip of the card.

Further, when the control device 2 provides a free service for raising the member rank, the control device 2 updates the member rank information in the IC chip of the card based on the free service information.

When the premium information is recorded on the IC chip of the card, the microcomputer 20d of the electronic payment machine 20 determines whether or not the current date is within the period indicated by the premium information. Then, when the microcomputer 20d is within the period, points are given at the same ratio as the service ratio indicated by the premium information. On the other hand, when the current date has passed the period indicated by the premium information, the microcomputer 20d deletes the premium information from the IC chip of the card and gives points at the normal rate.

Next, the control device 2 in which the information is written in the IC chip of the card in S75 of FIG. 17 is whether or not the type number of the free service information is 7, that is, the member rank is raised for the free service being processed. Whether or not it is determined (S76). When the free service being processed is a member rank increase (Yes in S76), the control device 2 deletes the processed free service information from the free service database (S77), and then inserts the card into the card insertion / receiving port 15. The process of discharging from is executed (S78). On the other hand, if the free service being processed is not a member rank increase (No in S76), the control device 2 immediately executes the card insertion / ejection port 15 to eject the card (S78). After that, after executing the process of displaying the message "Please receive the prepaid card" on the touch panel 8 (S79), the control device 2 ends the series of processes when the card is no longer detected (No in S80). ..

The management company of the store 900 will carry out a campaign such as "This Saturday and Sunday, entering the service code 00465 will double the points at the time of payment" by leaflets, emails, etc. Inform users. As a result, it is possible to improve the rate of attracting customers in a specific period by increasing the ratio of points given at the time of payment of the fee only in a specific period.

In addition, the management company of the store 900 will use leaflets, emails, etc. to carry out campaigns such as "This Saturday and Sunday, entering the service code 00466 will double the additional amount and points added when charging." Inform users that it will be implemented. As a result, it is possible to improve the customer attraction rate in a specific period by increasing the ratio of the additional amount and the additional points at the time of charging only in a specific period.

Although the example in which the charging device 1 and the personal computer 101 of the management company communicate with each other via the network line 100 has been described, the charging device 1 and the personal computer 101 do not have to communicate with each other. For example, the present invention can be applied even in a configuration in which a staff member periodically visits the store 900 and manually updates the free service database in the hard disk 9 of the charging device 1.

Although the preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and modifications, and various modifications and modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and at the same time, are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

The present invention exerts a peculiar action and effect for each of the following aspects.
[First aspect]
The first aspect is a charge that enables the use of the laundry equipment based on the reduction of the usage charge of the laundry equipment (for example, the washer / dryer 201, the washing machine 202, and the dryer 203) from the balance recorded on the IC chip. It is a laundry system including a payment device (for example, an electronic payment machine 20). The first aspect includes a free service device (for example, a charging device 1 and an electronic payment machine 20) that provides a free service to a user. The free service device is a recording medium (for example, a hard disk 9) for recording free service information in which the service code is associated with the service content which is the content of the free service provided to the user, and the user inputs the service code. It includes an input operation device (for example, a touch panel 8) on which operations are performed. Further, the free service device specifies the free service information in which the service code input to the input operation device and the service content are associated with each other from the plurality of free service information recorded on the recording medium. A control device (for example, a control device 2) that executes a process of providing a user with a free service of the service content of the specified free service information is provided.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a specific free service to a user who desires to provide a specific free service.

[Second aspect]
The second aspect comprises the configuration of the first aspect. The free service device of the second aspect includes a cash payout device (for example, a coin payout device 18) that pays out cash. The control device (for example, the control device 2) executes a process of paying out the amount of cash indicated by the service content by the cash payout device when the type of the free service indicated by the service content is a cash refund. To do.

According to such a configuration, a specific free service of cash refund can be provided to the user. Furthermore, according to the second aspect, since the refund is made in cash, the refund can be made even to a user who does not have a prepaid card with a built-in IC chip.

[Third aspect]
The third aspect includes the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect. The free service device of the third aspect includes a receipt issuing device (for example, a printing machine 7) that issues a receipt. When the type of free service indicated by the service content is cash payment receipt issuance, the control device executes a process of issuing a receipt of the receipt amount indicated by the service content by the receipt issuing device. ..

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a user with a specific free service of issuing a receipt for the amount of receipt paid in cash.

[Fourth aspect]
The fourth aspect includes any of the configurations of the first aspect to the third aspect. The free service device includes a charging device (for example, charging device 1) that charges an IC chip with an amount of money. When the type of the free service indicated by the service content is free charge, the control device executes a process of charging the IC chip by the charging device with the amount indicated by the service content.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the user with a specific free service of charging the IC chip free of charge. Further, according to the fourth aspect, the number of fixed customers can be increased by providing the free service to the users who have won the lottery.

[Fifth aspect]
The fifth aspect includes any of the configurations of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. The free service device includes a charging device that charges an amount of money to the IC chip. As a process of charging the IC chip by the charging device, the control device includes a process of charging an amount paid by a user for charging and a process of charging an amount of a predetermined ratio with respect to the amount as an additional amount. Execute. Further, when the control device charges the additional amount, when the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the additional amount service, the service content is used instead of the additional amount of the predetermined ratio. Performs the process of charging the indicated percentage of the surcharge.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a user with a specific free service of charging an additional amount. Further, according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to increase the number of fixed customers by charging a specific user with a higher ratio of the additional amount instead of the predetermined ratio of the additional amount.

[Sixth aspect]
The sixth aspect comprises the configuration of the fifth aspect. The control device of the sixth aspect executes a process of charging the additional amount of the ratio indicated by the service content instead of the additional amount of the predetermined ratio only within the period indicated by the service content.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the customer attraction rate in a specific period by charging a higher rate of the additional amount instead of the predetermined rate of the additional amount.

[7th aspect]
The seventh aspect includes any of the configurations of the first aspect to the sixth aspect. The free service device of the seventh aspect includes a charging device that charges an amount of money to the IC chip. As a process of charging the IC chip by the charging device, the control device includes a process of charging an amount paid by a user for charging and a process of charging a predetermined ratio of points with respect to the amount as additional points. Execute. Further, when the control device charges the additional points, if the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the premium service of the additional points, the service content is used instead of the additional points of the predetermined ratio. Perform the process of charging the indicated percentage of additional points.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the user with a specific free service of charging additional points. Furthermore, according to the seventh aspect, it is possible to increase the number of fixed customers by charging a specific user with a higher ratio of additional points instead of a predetermined ratio of additional points.

[8th aspect]
The eighth aspect comprises the configuration of the seventh aspect. The control device of the eighth aspect executes a process of charging the additional points of the ratio indicated by the service content instead of the additional points of the predetermined ratio only within the period indicated by the service content.

According to such a configuration, by charging a higher ratio of additional points instead of a predetermined ratio of additional points only within a specific period, it is possible to improve the customer attraction rate during that period.

[9th aspect]
The ninth aspect includes any of the configurations of the first aspect to the eighth aspect. The fee payment device of the ninth aspect updates the point information recorded on the IC chip by adding points at a predetermined ratio of the usage fee as the usage fee is reduced from the balance of the IC chip. When the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the payment point premium service, the control device executes a process of writing the service ratio information indicated by the service content to the IC chip. When the service ratio information is written in the IC chip, the toll payment device updates the point information by adding points calculated based on the service ratio instead of the predetermined ratio.

According to such a configuration, when paying a fee using an IC chip, points are charged at a predetermined ratio of the payment amount, and points are charged to a specific user at a ratio higher than the predetermined ratio. Free service can be provided.

[10th aspect]
The tenth aspect includes the configuration of the ninth aspect. The control device of the tenth aspect executes a process of writing information of the period indicated by the service content to the IC chip when the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the point premium service at the time of payment. When the service ratio information is written in the IC chip and the usage fee is paid within the period, the toll payment device adds points calculated based on the service ratio instead of the predetermined ratio. When the point information is updated and the service ratio information is written in the IC chip and the usage fee payment time exceeds the period, the service ratio information is deleted from the IC chip.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the customer attraction rate in a specific period by charging the points at the time of payment at a higher rate instead of charging the points at a predetermined rate.

1: Charge device, 2: Control device, 3a: Card R / W section, 7: Printing machine (receipt issuing device), 8: Touch panel (image display device, input operation device), 9: Hard disk (recording medium), 10: Communication device, 18: Coin payout device (cash payout device) 20: Electronic payment machine (charge payment device), 20a: Communication device, 20b: Display (charge display), 20c: Card R / W section (reading and writing device) ), 21: Coin collector (cash collector)

Claims (10)

A laundry system equipped with a fee payment device that enables the use of the laundry equipment based on the reduction of the usage fee of the laundry equipment from the balance recorded on the IC chip.
Equipped with a free service device that provides free services to users
The free service device is
A recording medium that records free service information that associates the service code with the service content that is the content of the free service provided to the user.
An input operation device that allows users to input service codes, and
From the plurality of free service information recorded on the recording medium, the free service information associated with the service code input to the input operation device and the service content is specified, and the specified free service information A control device for executing a process of providing a free service of the service content to a user is provided.
Laundry system. The free service device includes a cash payout device that pays out cash.
The control device executes a process of paying out the amount of cash indicated by the service content by the cash payout device when the type of the free service indicated by the service content is cash refund.
The laundry system according to claim 1. The free service device includes a receipt issuing device that issues a receipt.
When the type of free service indicated by the service content is cash payment receipt issuance, the control device executes a process of issuing a receipt of the receipt amount indicated by the service content by the receipt issuing device. ,
The laundry system according to claim 1 or 2. The free service device includes a charging device that charges an amount of money to an IC chip.
When the type of the free service indicated by the service content is free charge, the control device executes a process of charging the IC chip by the charging device with the amount indicated by the service content.
The laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The free service device includes a charging device that charges an amount of money to an IC chip.
As a process of charging the IC chip by the charging device, the control device includes a process of charging an amount paid by a user for charging and a process of charging an amount of a predetermined ratio with respect to the amount as an additional amount. When the service content is executed and the additional amount is charged, if the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the additional amount service, the service content is indicated instead of the additional amount of the predetermined ratio. Execute the process of charging the additional amount of the ratio,
The laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control device executes a process of charging the additional amount of the ratio indicated by the service content instead of the additional amount of the predetermined ratio only within the period indicated by the service content.
The laundry system according to claim 5. The free service device includes a charging device that charges an amount of money to an IC chip.
As a process of charging the IC chip by the charging device, the control device includes a process of charging an amount paid by a user for charging and a process of charging a predetermined ratio of points with respect to the amount as additional points. When the service content is executed and the additional points are charged, if the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the additional point additional service, the service content is indicated instead of the additional point of the predetermined ratio. Execute the process of charging the additional points of the ratio,
The laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The control device executes a process of charging the additional points of the ratio indicated by the service content instead of the additional points of the predetermined ratio only within the period indicated by the service content.
The laundry system according to claim 7. The toll payment device updates the point information recorded on the IC chip by adding points at a predetermined ratio of the usage fee as the usage fee is reduced from the balance of the IC chip.
When the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the point premium service at the time of payment, the control device executes a process of writing the service ratio information indicated by the service content to the IC chip.
When the service ratio information is written in the IC chip, the toll payment device updates the point information by adding points calculated based on the service ratio instead of the predetermined ratio.
The laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. When the type of the free service indicated by the service content is the point premium service at the time of payment, the control device executes a process of writing the information of the period indicated by the service content to the IC chip.
When the service ratio information is written in the IC chip and the usage fee is paid within the period, the toll payment device adds points calculated based on the service ratio instead of the predetermined ratio. When the point information is updated, the service ratio information is written in the IC chip, and the usage fee payment time exceeds the period, the service ratio information is deleted from the IC chip.
The laundry system according to claim 9.

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