JP4602115B2 - Car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a type of car wash machine that performs car wash in conjunction with a POS device in a gas station or the like.

  In a car wash machine linked to a POS device, a car wash with cash and a car wash with a prepaid card or a credit card are possible as disclosed in JP-A-1-255087. In the case of a car wash by cash, when the car wash machine accepts cash, the car wash content (course, fee, etc.) to be executed is transmitted to the POS device. In the case of car wash by card, the card information received on the car wash machine side is transmitted to the POS device, and if it is judged that the result inquired by the POS device is usable, an acceptance permission signal is sent to the car wash machine side to The car wash content to be executed is transmitted from the car wash machine side to the POS device. At this time, if the used card is a prepaid card, the balance data obtained by subtracting the car wash fee is written to the card, and if it is a credit card, a transaction slip is issued.

In this way, in the POS device, sales management, consumables management (liquid replenishment, brush replacement, etc.), customer management, etc. of the connected car wash machine are performed at once, so if communication with this POS device becomes impossible, There was a problem that the car washes could not be washed.
JP-A-1-255087

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a car wash machine capable of washing a car even when communication with a POS device is not possible.

As a first means present invention to solve the above problems, in car washes that links to the POS device for performing administrative tasks such as sales totalization and card inquiry, the communication confirmation means for confirming a communication state between said POS device, said Communication state between the first car wash acceptance unit that requires communication with the POS device, the second car wash acceptance unit that does not require communication with the POS device, and the POS device that is confirmed by the communication confirmation unit Control means for permitting / prohibiting car wash acceptance by the car wash accepting means, wherein the control means determines that the communication confirmation means cannot communicate with the POS device when the first car wash acceptance means The car wash acceptance by the second car wash acceptance device is allowed while the car wash acceptance by the vehicle is prohibited .

As a second means, in a car wash machine linked to a POS device that performs management operations such as sales counting and card inquiry, communication confirmation means for confirming a communication state with the POS device and communication with the POS device are performed. A first car wash acceptance unit that is required; a second car wash acceptance unit that does not require communication with the POS device; an input unit that disconnects communication with the POS device by manual operation; and a communication confirmation unit. Control means for permitting / prohibiting car wash acceptance by the car wash acceptance means depending on the communication state with the POS apparatus to be confirmed, and when the control means disconnects communication with the POS apparatus by the input means, Car wash acceptance by the first car wash acceptance means is prohibited, and car wash acceptance by the second car wash acceptance device is enabled.

Further, as a third means, in a car wash machine linked to a POS apparatus that performs management operations such as sales counting and card inquiry, a communication confirmation means for confirming a communication state with the POS apparatus, and a car wash without settlement of a car wash fee. Input means for transmitting a car wash acceptance signal to the machine, and control means for permitting / prohibiting car wash acceptance according to the communication state with the POS device confirmed by the communication confirmation means, the control means comprising the communication When it is determined by the confirmation means that communication with the POS device is not possible, the car wash is made possible by the car wash acceptance signal from the input means .

  Any of these means includes storage means for storing the contents of the car wash received in a state where communication with the POS apparatus is not possible, and when the communication with the POS apparatus becomes normal, the car wash contents stored in the storage means are stored in the POS apparatus. All the car washings performed during the linkage error with the POS device can be counted by the POS device.

  According to the present invention, the car can be washed even when communication with the POS device is disabled. In addition, the car wash executed during the linkage error with the POS device can be totaled by the POS device, so that a separate work is not required.

  A gate-type car wash machine installed at a gas station and used to collect sales and query data using a POS device.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the car wash machine of the first embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a car wash machine that reciprocates on rails 2 and 2 and includes cleaning brushes 3, 4, 4, blower nozzles 5, 6, 6 and a water discharge device (not shown), and an operation panel 7 on the front. I have. When a car wash command is issued through the operation panel 7, the main body 1 travels across the automobile, and the car body is sequentially subjected to brushing washing and blower drying to perform car washing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the car wash machine 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a control unit that drives the car wash processing devices such as the brush, blower, water discharge device and the like of the car wash machine 1 by exchanging signals with the operation panel 7 and receiving car wash and processing various data. A car wash control board 12 and an interface 13 connected to an external POS device 15 via a digital bus 14. In the central processing board 11, a communication detection unit 16 that detects whether or not communication with the POS device 15 is normally performed, and various data when the car wash is performed without communication with the POS device 15 are performed. And a storage unit 17 for temporary storage.

    The operation panel 7 includes a display 18, a key input unit 19, a coin device 20, a card device 21, and a printer 22. The display 18 displays an operation guide on the operation panel 7 and various error codes in the car wash machine. The key input unit 19 includes a car wash course selection key 23, a projection specifying key 24, a start key 25, and a power key 26, and selects a car wash course and issues a car wash start command. The car wash course selection key 23 and the protrusion designating key 24 include LED lamps corresponding to the keys. The power key 26 switches between a power-off mode, a car wash mode, and a management mode by inserting a predetermined key into the key slot and turning it. The car wash mode is a mode for setting a normal car wash acceptance state, and the management mode is a mode for performing management operations such as inputting necessary data such as a code code and a car wash fee and calling stored data such as a car wash result to the display 18. The coin device 20 accepts a car wash fee and a shortage fee when a shortage occurs due to a prepaid card. The card device 21 includes a prepaid card reader / writer 21a and a credit card reader 21b, and reads and writes the prepaid card and accepts the credit card. The printer 22 issues a transaction slip for a car wash fee.

    The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the central control board 11. When the power key 25 is set to the car wash mode, the communication detection unit 16 confirms whether or not communication with the POS device 15 is normally performed (1). Here, when it is determined that communication with the POS device 15 is normally performed, the online mode is set, and a state of waiting for insertion of a car wash fee by coin or card is entered (2).

  When the car wash fee is accepted, it enters a waiting state for selecting a car wash course (3), and when the desired car wash course / projection designation is selected, it enters a start wait state (4). When the start key 8 is pressed, the car wash fee is settled. Then, the car wash is executed with the selected car wash content (6). In the process (5), the car wash fee is settled by discharging the change if there is a cash wash, and if the prepaid card is used, the card charge data is calculated based on the charge of the car wash course executed in the reader / writer 21a. The card is deducted and the card is returned. In the case of car washing with a credit card, the card is returned from the reader / writer 21b. In the car wash operation in the process (6), for example, brushing cleaning is performed while discharging the detergent as the main body 1 travels, and blower drying is performed along the return.

  When the car wash is completed, a slip (receipt slip) relating to the car wash fee with which the transaction was made is issued from the printer 22 (7), and then the executed car wash content / fee data is transmitted to the POS device (8), and the process is completed. . In the POS apparatus, these contents are totaled and managed as sales data such as daily and monthly totals, consumption data such as detergent, customer data such as usage frequency and customer base.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process (1) that communication with the POS device 15 is not possible, the offline mode is set. In this mode, since a credit card that makes a card inquiry on the POS device side cannot be used, the fact that communication with the POS device 15 cannot be performed is displayed on the display 18 (9), and the card device 21 The reception is prohibited (10). The car wash with cash and the car wash with the prepaid card do not require communication with the POS device, so the car wash is accepted and the program is executed in the same manner as the processes (2) to (7) described above. When the car wash without communication with the POS device 15 is completed, the executed car wash content / charge data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 17 of the central processing board 11 (12). It is confirmed whether or not the communication with the POS device 15 has been recovered (13). When the recovery is confirmed, the data stored in the storage unit 17 is transmitted to the POS device side (14). Thus, a car wash executed in a state where communication with the POS device 15 is not possible is transmitted to the POS device side when communication with the POS device is restored, so that the POS device can perform collective management.

  Next, the operation of receiving a car wash fee in the above process (2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first embodiment, since the car wash fee can be paid by cash, a prepaid card, or a credit card, cash is inserted into the coin device 20 or a prepaid card is inserted into the card device 21. Depending on whether the credit card is inserted into the card device 21 or not, the reception operation is different.

  When cash is inserted into the coin device 20 (15), the amount inserted in the coin device 20 is read (16), and an LED lamp of a car wash course that can be executed with that amount is turned on (17).

  When a prepaid card is inserted into the card device 21 (18), the data of the inserted card is read in the prepaid card reader / writer 21a (19), and it is checked whether or not these data can be used (see FIG. 20). Here, if it is determined that the card can be used, the LED lamp of the car wash course that can be executed within the range of the remaining points in the card is turned on (21). If it is determined that the card cannot be used, the card is spit out (22) and the process returns to re-acceptance of the card. If the remaining amount of the card is insufficient, additional insertion from the coin device 20 or the card device 21 is permitted. This method is realized by a configuration similar to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-240349 previously proposed by the present applicant.

  When a credit card is inserted into the card device 21 (23), the card data inserted in the credit card reader 21b is read (24) and transmitted to the POS device 2 (25). Thereafter, the inquiry result from the POS device 2 is received (26), and if the reception is permitted, the LED lamp of the car wash course is turned on (27). If the acceptance is not permitted, the card is spouted (22), and the card is returned to the re-acceptance state.

  The first embodiment configured as described above exemplifies a gate-type car wash machine installed at a service station. However, an operation panel serving as a car wash reception unit is provided independently of the car wash machine, and the driver himself / herself is installed in the car. It can also be applied to a drive-through type car wash machine that accepts a car wash while riding and places a car in the car wash area of the car wash machine body 1.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the operation panel 30 includes a POS disconnect switch 31 that disconnects communication with the POS device 15 by manual operation. The switch 31 arbitrarily disconnects the communication between the car wash machine and the POS device 15. When the communication is disconnected by the switch 31, the central control board 11 performs processing in the offline mode (9) to (12) in FIG. Is done. With this configuration, when communication with the POS device 15 detected by the communication confirmation unit 16 is not stable due to repeated connection-disconnection, a service person operating the car wash machine cannot perform normal communication. Since communication can be arbitrarily cut, a convenient car wash machine can be provided.

  Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a car wash fee receiving unit such as a coin device or a card device is installed away from the car wash machine main body. Such a car wash machine is employed in a type of car wash machine in which a car wash fee reception unit is installed in the station, and after the payment is settled in the reception unit, the car wash is set in the main body of the car wash machine.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 40 denotes a fee receiving unit linked to the POS device 15, and 41 denotes an operation panel provided in the car wash machine. In addition to the key input section of the operation panel shown in the first embodiment, the operation panel 41 is provided with a password input key 42 for inputting a password code. The password input key 43 is used to enable car washing as an emergency measure by a manual operation by a serviceman in a state in which communication with the POS device 41 cannot be performed and the charge reception unit 40 cannot receive a charge. For example, it is used so that a cash equivalent to a car wash fee is deposited from a user, and a service person enters the password to make a car wash.

  The communication confirmation with the POS device 15 here may be either automatic detection shown in the first embodiment or manual switching shown in the second embodiment, and the POS device is used to prevent unauthorized use of the car wash machine by a serviceman or the like. The car wash performed in the state where 15 is disconnected is stored in the storage unit.

  Used in car wash machines linked to POS devices at gas stations.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the car wash machine of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the central control board. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of receiving a car wash fee. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car-wash machine main body 3.4.4 Brush 4 as a car-wash processing apparatus 5.6-6 Blower nozzle as a car-wash processing apparatus 7 Operation panel 10 Control part 11 Central control board 12 Car wash control board 15 POS apparatus 16 Communication confirmation part 17 Memory | storage part 20 coin device 21 card device 21a reader / writer for prepaid card 21b reader for credit card

Claims (4)

In car wash machines linked to POS devices that perform management tasks such as sales counting and card inquiry,
A communication confirmation means for confirming a communication state between said POS device, and the first wash accepting means which require communication with the POS device, and a second wash acceptance means that do not require communication with the POS device Control means for permitting / prohibiting car wash acceptance by the car wash acceptance means according to a communication state with the POS device confirmed by the communication confirmation means,
The control means prohibits the car wash acceptance by the first car wash acceptance means when the communication confirmation means determines that communication with the POS device is not possible, and accepts the car wash acceptance by the second car wash acceptance apparatus. A car wash machine characterized by being made possible.
In car wash machines linked to POS devices that perform management tasks such as sales counting and card inquiry,
A communication confirmation means for confirming a communication state with the POS apparatus; a first car wash acceptance means that requires communication with the POS apparatus; and a second car wash acceptance means that does not require communication with the POS apparatus. An input means for disconnecting communication with the POS device by manual operation; and a control means for permitting / prohibiting car wash acceptance by the car wash acceptance means according to a communication state with the POS apparatus confirmed by the communication confirmation means. ,
The control means prohibits the car wash acceptance by the first car wash acceptance means and enables the car wash acceptance by the second car wash acceptance device when communication with the POS device is disconnected by the input means. Car wash machine characterized by.
In car wash machines linked to POS devices that perform management tasks such as sales counting and card inquiry,
Communication between means for confirming communication with the POS apparatus, input means for transmitting a car wash acceptance signal to the car wash machine without settlement of the car wash fee, and communication with the POS apparatus confirmed by the communication confirmation means Control means for permitting / prohibiting reception of car wash depending on the state,
The car washing machine is characterized in that, when it is judged by the communication confirmation means that communication with the POS device is impossible, the car washing is possible by a car wash acceptance signal from the input means .
Storage means for storing car wash details received in a state where communication with the POS device is not possible is provided, and when the communication with the POS device becomes normal, the car wash content stored in the storage means is sent to the POS device. The car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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