JP7302807B2 - Coin laundry support system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for supporting the use of laundromats.

As is well known, a laundromat is a store equipped with a plurality of laundry machines for washing clothes and fabric products in response to payment. The user brings the laundry to the laundromat, pays the fee by inserting coins into an empty laundry machine, inserts the laundry into the laundry machine, and performs washing etc. on the laundry machine. to run. Then, when the washing or the like is finished, the customer goes to the laundromat again and collects the washed laundry.

In this specification, "coin laundry" is not limited to stores that employ a method of using laundry equipment by inserting coins (so-called coin method), and IC cards etc. Including laundromats, etc. that use a method (so-called cashless method) that uses laundry equipment by having a card reader read the card. In this specification, "washing" includes various treatments applied to clothes and cloth products, such as washing treatment, drying treatment, washing and drying treatment, sterilization treatment, and the like.

JP-A-2005-339046

In recent years, laundromats are trying to increase the convenience of users by flexibly responding to the needs of various users by installing a wide variety of laundry machines. For example, if we take a single washing machine, we have a small washing machine with a relatively small capacity, a large washing machine with a relatively large capacity, and a washing machine with a special function for washing sneakers and futons. From among these washing machines, the user can select a washing machine with a capacity according to the amount of laundry to be washed or a washing machine with special functions according to the user's purpose, thereby reducing the washing time and It eliminates wasteful charges and allows you to wash things that cannot be washed in your home washing machine.

The wide variety of laundry machines installed in laundromats can only be used effectively if the user can select the appropriate machine. There are many cases where it is not, and in such cases, it may conversely cause disadvantages and confusion for users. For example, if the user uses a washing machine with a capacity that is too large for the weight of the laundry, washing time and fees will be wasted. Conversely, if a washing machine with a capacity that is too small for the weight of the laundry is used, there is a risk that the laundry will not be washed sufficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technology that enhances the convenience of users by assisting them in making full and effective use of laundromats.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention takes the following means.

That is, the coin laundry utilization support system of the present invention is
a storage unit storing a laundry equipment database including information on a plurality of laundromats and laundry equipment installed in each laundromat;
A laundry information acquisition unit that acquires laundry information, which is information about the laundry, in the terminal device on the user side;
a laundry equipment extraction unit that extracts laundry equipment suitable for washing the laundry from the laundry equipment database based on the laundry information;
a laundry equipment information notification unit that notifies the terminal device of the extracted laundry equipment and the coin laundry where the laundry equipment is installed;
with
The laundry equipment database includes an operation schedule for each unit time of each laundry equipment installed in each of the plurality of laundromats,
The laundry equipment information notification unit notifies the terminal device of the operation schedule for each unit time of the extracted laundry equipment.

In the coin laundry usage support system of the present invention,
In the terminal device, a reservation reception unit that receives a reservation for the extracted laundry equipment;
is preferably provided.
In the coin laundry usage support system of the present invention,
The terminal device creates an operation schedule table for each laundry machine and displays it on the reservation reception screen, and the mark corresponding to "available" in the operation schedule table is an icon for accepting reservation operation,
Preferably, when the mark is operated, the reservation accepting unit accepts a reservation for using the specified laundry machine during the specified time period.

In the coin laundry usage support system of the present invention,
In the laundry machine, halfway through the completion of some steps after the start of washing, the required time for the remaining steps is predicted based on the actual required time for the partial steps, and the washing is performed. an end time prediction unit that predicts the scheduled end time;
with
It is preferable that the scheduled end time is reflected in the operation schedule of the laundry machine in the laundry machine database.

According to the present invention, when a user inputs laundry information about his/her own laundry to the terminal device, the terminal device is notified of the laundry machine suitable for washing and the coin laundry where the laundry machine is installed. Therefore, the user can appropriately select a laundry machine suitable for his or her laundry from among a wide variety of laundry machines installed in each of the coin laundromats. As a result, the user can make full use of the laundromat, improving convenience for the user.

According to the present invention, when a user inputs laundry information relating to his or her laundry to a terminal device, the terminal device is notified of the appropriate laundry machine as well as its operating schedule. If the operation schedule can be grasped, it is possible to avoid situations such as waiting time while the target laundry machine is in use when the user brings the laundry to the laundromat. further improved.

According to the present invention, when a user inputs laundry information related to his/her own laundry to a terminal device, the terminal device is notified of an appropriate laundry machine. Laundry equipment can be reserved. By reserving the laundry machine, the user can use the desired laundry machine at the reserved time, thereby further improving convenience for the user.

According to the present invention, halfway through the washing process, the time required for the rest of the processes is predicted based on the actual time required for some of the processes that have already been completed, so that the end time of the washing process can be accurately predicted. . Therefore, an accurate operation schedule of the laundry equipment is held in the laundry equipment database, further improving convenience for the user.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a coin laundry utilization support system SY according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration implemented in a coin laundry utilization support system SY; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed in the coin laundry utilization support system SY; 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a weight information reception screen 4 displayed on a touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a weight information reception screen 4 displayed on a touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a weight information reception screen 4 displayed on a touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a type information reception screen 5 displayed on a touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a laundry equipment information display screen 6 displayed on a touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a reservation acceptance screen 7 displayed on a touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized in a coin laundry utilization support system SYa according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed in the coin laundry utilization support system SYa;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<<First Embodiment>>
<1. Overall configuration>
The overall configuration of the coin laundry utilization support system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a coin laundry utilization support system SY according to an embodiment.

The coin laundry use support system SY is a system for supporting the use of the coin laundry 1, and includes a plurality of coin laundry 1, a server device 2, and a terminal device 3 held by a user of the coin laundry 1. .

A coin laundry 1 is a store in which a plurality of laundry machines 11 are installed. Each laundry machine 11 is a machine for washing clothes and cloth products in response to payment of fees. A plurality of types of laundry machines 11 are installed in each coin laundry 1. - 特許庁The “plural types of laundry machines 11” specifically include, for example, laundry machines 11 with different capacities and laundry machines 11 with various special functions. In addition, "special function" means, for example, a function to wash special cloth products such as blankets, quilts, sneakers, curtains, etc., a function to realize a special washing mode such as dry cleaning, sterilization, low temperature drying, etc. etc.

Each laundry machine 11 has a control section including a microcomputer. The microcomputer includes a CPU as a central processing unit, a memory comprising a volatile storage device such as a RAM, a storage unit comprising a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM, a network interface for controlling connection via the communication network N, etc. Consists of

The server device 2 is a general personal computer including a CPU, a memory, a storage unit, a network interface, a display unit, an input unit, etc., or a work that is a computer with higher performance than a general personal computer. It consists of stations.

The terminal device 3 is a communication terminal device held by the user of the laundromat 1, and includes a CPU, a memory, a storage unit, a network interface, a display unit, an input unit, etc., and realizes general information processing functions. It is possible. As the terminal device 3, for example, a smart phone, a tablet communication terminal, a mobile phone, a notebook computer, etc. are assumed. In the following description, it is assumed that the terminal device 3 includes a touch panel 30 as a display unit and an input unit.

Each laundry machine 11, server device 2, and terminal device 3 installed in each coin laundry 1 can transmit and receive data to and from each other via a communication network N such as the Internet.

<2. Function block>
Next, the functional configuration of the coin laundry utilization support system SY will be described with reference to FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration implemented in the coin laundry utilization support system SY.

The terminal device 3 includes a laundry information acquisition unit 301 that acquires information (laundry information) L about the user's laundry, and a laundry equipment information display that causes the touch panel 30 to display the laundry equipment information M notified from the server device 2. It includes a section 302 and a reservation receiving section 303 that receives a reservation for the laundry machine 11 from the user. These units 301 to 303 are realized by installing predetermined application software in the communication terminal device constituting the terminal device 3 .

The storage unit 20 of the server device 2 stores a laundry machine database DB. Various information about each laundry machine 11 installed in each coin laundry 1 is registered in the laundry machine database DB. That is, each laundry machine 11 installed in each coin laundry 1 is provided with individual identification information, and includes specification information of each laundry machine 11, an operation schedule of each laundry machine 11, and each laundry machine 11 installed. Store information of the laundromat 1 and the like are linked to the identification information of the laundry machine 11 and registered in this laundry machine database DB. The server device 2 manages this laundry machine database DB.

Here, the "specification information" is information representing the specifications of the laundry machine 11, and includes information indicating the capacity of the laundry machine 11, special functions provided with the laundry machine 11, and the like. The "operation schedule" represents the state of the laundry machine 11 for each unit of time. It contains information indicating whether it is in a state. In addition, "store information" represents information about the coin laundry 1 in which the laundry machine 11 is installed, and the location information of the store, the facility information provided by the store, the advertisement text of the store, etc. Registered. The facility information and advertisement text can be freely edited by the owner of each coin laundry 1 or the like.

Based on the laundry information L, the server device 2 extracts the laundry equipment 11 suitable for washing from the laundry equipment database DB. ), the laundry machine information M including information about the laundry machine 11 extracted by the laundry machine extraction part 201, the washing time predicted by the washing time prediction part 202, and the like. and a laundry equipment information notification unit 203 that notifies the terminal device 3 . These units 201 to 203 are implemented by installing predetermined application software in a personal computer or the like that constitutes the server device 2 .

Each laundry machine 11 installed in each coin laundry 1 is managed so that when a user makes a reservation for the laundry machine 11, the laundry machine 11 cannot be used by anyone other than the user who made the reservation during the time period related to the reservation. A reservation management unit 101 is provided. The reservation management unit 101 is implemented by executing a program stored in the memory by a microcomputer that constitutes the control unit of the laundry machine 11 .

<3. Process Flow>
Next, the flow of processing executed in the coin laundry utilization support system SY will be described with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing.

Step S1: First, the laundry information acquisition unit 301 acquires the laundry information L. The laundry information L is information about the user's laundry, and in addition to specifying the mode of laundry to be performed (washing only, drying only, or washing and drying), weight information indicating the weight of the laundry. La, type information Lb indicating the type of laundry, and position information Lc indicating the place where the user wants to wash are included. However, the laundry information L should include at least one of weight information La, type information Lb, and position information Lc, and all of these information La, Lb, and Lc are included. you don't have to be

(Acquisition of weight information La)
A manner in which the laundry information acquisition unit 301 acquires the weight information La will be described. In acquiring the weight information La, the laundry information acquisition unit 301 causes the touch panel 30 to display the weight information reception screen 4 for accepting input of information regarding the weight of the laundry. The weight information reception screen 4 includes tabs 41, 42, and 43 respectively displaying "specify number of sheets", "select from image", and "specify from number of people/number of days" (eg, FIG. 4).

The weight of the laundry can be roughly determined if the types and number of clothes included in the laundry are known. "Specify the number" is to acquire the weight information La by accepting the input of the type and number of clothes, etc. included in the laundry from the user. That is, when the user selects the tab 41 displayed as "number of sheets", the laundry information acquisition unit 301 displays a list of types of clothing such as towels, bath towels, shirts, etc. The touch panel 30 is caused to display a screen (quantity reception screen) 4a on which an input box 411 for receiving an input of the number of the garments, etc., is displayed (FIG. 4). When the user inputs an arbitrary number of sheets in an arbitrary input box 411 and then operates the icon 412 displayed as "Confirm", the laundry information acquisition unit 301 obtains laundry information from the specified type of clothing and the number of laundry items. , the weight of the laundry is calculated and obtained as weight information La.

Also, the weight of the laundry can be roughly estimated by its apparent capacity. "Select from images" is to acquire the weight information La by having the user select one of a plurality of images corresponding to laundry having different capacities. That is, when the user selects the tab 42 displayed as "select from images", the laundry information acquisition unit 301 displays a list of a plurality of images 421, and the radio button 422 for accepting selection of each image 421 is displayed. The displayed screen (image selection screen) 4b is displayed on the touch panel 30 (FIG. 5). Each image 421 is an image corresponding to laundry having a different capacity, and the weight of the laundry corresponding to each image is stored in the storage unit. When the user selects an arbitrary radio button 422 and then operates the icon 423 labeled "Confirm", the laundry information acquisition unit 301 accepts the selection of the image, and obtains the selected image and the corresponding laundry. is acquired as weight information La.

Also, the amount of laundry put out by one adult or one child per day is approximately fixed, and the weight of the laundry can be estimated from this. "Specify from the number of people and number of days" is to acquire the weight information La by having the user input the number of people who did the laundry and the number of days. That is, when the user selects the tab 43 labeled "specify from the number of people/number of days", the laundry information acquisition unit 301 displays input boxes 431 and 432 for accepting inputs of the number of adults and children, and input of the number of days. A screen (number of persons reception screen) 4c displaying an input box 433 for reception is displayed on the touch panel 30 (FIG. 6). The storage unit stores the average weight of laundry put out by one adult or one child in a day. When the icon 434 labeled "OK" is operated, the laundry information acquisition unit 301 calculates the weight of the laundry from the specified number of people and number of days, and acquires this as weight information La.

(Acquisition of type information Lb)
Next, a mode in which the laundry information acquisition unit 301 acquires the type information Lb will be described. In acquiring the type information Lb, the laundry information acquisition unit 301 causes the touch panel 30 to display the type information reception screen 5 for receiving input of information on the type of laundry (FIG. 7). As described above, each laundry machine 11 installed in each coin laundry 1 is equipped with various special functions. The type information reception screen 5 displays a list of special cloth products that can be washed by the special function and special washing modes realized by the special function. Also, on the type information reception screen 5, radio buttons 51 for receiving selection of each item displayed in the list are displayed. When the user selects an arbitrary radio button 51 and then operates the icon 52 displayed as "determine", the laundry information acquisition unit 301 acquires the content of each selected item as the type information Lb. .

(Acquisition of position information Lc)
Next, a mode in which the laundry information acquisition unit 301 acquires the position information Lc will be described. In acquiring the position information Lc, the laundry information acquisition unit 301 uses the GPS function of the terminal device 3 to specify the position of the terminal device 3 and acquires it as the position information Lc. However, the position information Lc may be acquired by receiving input of position information from the user via the touch panel 30 .

Step S2: When the laundry information acquisition unit 301 acquires at least one of the weight information La, the type information Lb, and the position information Lc according to each aspect described above, the acquired information is sent to the server device 2. Notice.

Step S3: When the laundry information L is obtained from the terminal device 3, the server device 2 starts the following processing.

Step S4: First, based on the laundry information L acquired from the terminal device 3, the laundry equipment extractor 201 extracts the laundry equipment 11 suitable for washing from the laundry equipment database DB.

Specifically, the laundry machine extraction unit 201 first identifies one or more laundromats 1 suitable for washing based on the position information Lc included in the laundry information L. As shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, the laundry equipment extracting unit 201 identifies all laundromats 1 whose distance from the position defined by the position information Lc is equal to or less than a predetermined value as laundromats 1 suitable for washing. Then, from among the laundry machines 11 installed in each specified coin laundry 1, a machine (washing machine, dryer, or washing/drying machine) corresponding to the manner of washing to be performed is extracted (first extraction step).

Next, based on the weight information La included in the laundry information L, the laundry equipment extraction unit 201 identifies the capacity of the laundry equipment 11 suitable for washing. Then, of the laundry machines 11 extracted in the first extraction step, those with the specified capacity are extracted (second extraction step).

Next, based on the type information Dc included in the laundry information L, the laundry equipment extraction unit 201 identifies the necessary special function. Then, among the laundry machines 11 extracted in the second extraction step, the laundry machines 11 equipped with the special function are extracted (third extraction step).

Through the first to third extraction steps described above, laundry machines suitable for washing are extracted. In addition, as described above, the laundry information L only needs to include at least one of the weight information La, the type information Lb, and the position information Lc. good. If any information is not included, the extraction step that makes use of that information is skipped. For example, if the type information Lb is not included, the second extraction step is skipped.

Step S<b>5 : Subsequently, the washing time prediction unit 202 predicts the washing time based on the laundry information L acquired from the terminal device 3 . Specifically, the washing time prediction unit 202 predicts the washing time based on the weight information La and the type information Lb included in the laundry information L. A well-known method can be used to predict the washing time from the weight and type of laundry.

Step S6: The laundry machine information notification section 203 acquires the identification information of each laundry machine 11 extracted by the laundry machine extraction section 201 in step S4 and the washing time predicted by the washing time prediction section 202 in step S5. Further, the laundry equipment information notification unit 203 refers to the laundry equipment database DB to acquire the operation schedule of each extracted laundry equipment 11 and store information of the coin laundry 1 in which each laundry equipment 11 is installed. Then, the laundry machine information M including the acquired group of information is generated. Then, the generated laundry equipment information M is notified to the terminal device 3 .

Step S7: When the laundry machine information M is acquired from the server device 2, the terminal device 3 starts the following processing.

Step S8: First, the laundry equipment information display unit 302 causes the touch panel 30 to display the laundry equipment information display screen 6 displaying the laundry equipment information M acquired from the server device 2 (FIG. 8). Each piece of information included in the laundry equipment information M is displayed on the laundry equipment information display screen 6 . That is, the laundry equipment information display screen 6 displays store information 61 of the coin laundry 1 in which the laundry equipment 11 suitable for washing is installed, identification information 62 of the laundry equipment 11, current operation status 63 of the laundry equipment 11, And the washing time 64 is displayed. By viewing the laundry equipment information display screen 6, the user can determine which laundry equipment 11 of which coin laundry 1 should be used, whether the laundry equipment 11 can be used from now on, how long it will take to wash, and so on. etc. can be grasped.

Step S9: The laundry equipment information display screen 6 includes an end instruction icon 65 labeled "end" and a reservation instruction icon 66 labeled "reservation". When the user operates the end instruction icon 65, the laundry machine information display unit 302 notifies the server device 2 to that effect, closes the laundry machine information display screen 6, and ends the process. Further, when receiving a notification from the terminal device 3 that the end instruction has been received from the user, the server device 2 also ends the processing.

Step S10: When the user operates the reservation instruction icon 66 displayed on the laundry machine information display screen 6 (YES in step S9), the reservation accepting section 303 accepts the reservation of the laundry machine 11. FIG. When accepting a reservation from a user, the reservation reception unit 303 first causes the touch panel 30 to display the reservation reception screen 7 for receiving the reservation (FIG. 9).

The reservation reception screen 7 displays an operation schedule table 71 showing the operation schedule of each laundry machine 11 extracted as being suitable for washing. The operation schedule table 71 shows the state of each laundry machine 11 for each unit of time. That is, each laundry machine 11 is indicated by a mark or the like as to whether it is "available", "reserved", "operating", or "unusable" in each unit time. A date input box 72 for receiving date input is also displayed on the reservation reception screen 7 .

When the user inputs an arbitrary date in the date input box 72, the reservation accepting unit 303 refers to the laundry machine information M to create an operation schedule table 71 for each laundry machine 11 on the entered date. This is displayed on the reservation acceptance screen 7.例文帳に追加

In the operation schedule table 71 displayed on the reservation acceptance screen 7, the mark corresponding to "Available" is an icon for accepting a reservation operation. That is, when the user operates a mark corresponding to "Available" displayed in an arbitrary time period on an arbitrary laundry machine 11, the reservation acceptance unit 303 selects the designated laundry machine 11 for the designated time. Reservation to use for obi is accepted.

Step S11: When the reservation reception unit 303 receives the reservation, the reservation reception unit 303 collects the identification information of the reserved laundry machine 11, the identification information of the reserved user, the reservation start time, and the washing time included in the laundry machine information M. Reservation information R including the information is generated and notified to the server device 2 .

Step S12: When the reservation information R is acquired from the terminal device 3, the server device 2 starts the following processing.

Step S13: First, the server device 2 updates the laundry machine database DB, specifically, the operation schedule of the reserved laundry machine 11, based on each information included in the reservation information R acquired from the terminal device 3. do. That is, the server device 2 sets the time obtained by adding the washing time to the reservation start time as the scheduled end time, and sets the state of the laundry machine 11 to "reserved" during the period from the reservation start time to the scheduled end time. In addition, the server device 2 notifies the reserved laundry machine 11 of the acquired reservation information R. FIG.

Step S14: When the reservation information R is obtained from the server device 2, the laundry machine 11 starts the following processing.

Step S15: First, the reservation management unit 101 manages so that the laundry machine 11 cannot be used by anyone other than the user who has made the reservation during the time slot related to the reservation. Specifically, the reservation management unit 101 locks the door of the laundry machine 11 at the reservation start time, and the laundry machine 11 cannot be used unless the identity of the user who made the reservation is confirmed (for example, input of identification information and password). and Also, in the time slot before the arrival of the reservation start time, if a user who has not made a reservation and tries to use the laundry machine 11, the scheduled end time of the laundry is set to the reservation start time before the laundry starts. If the scheduled end time is later than the reservation start time, a message such as "This washing machine cannot be used because it is reserved. Please use another washing machine." It is displayed on the operation panel and the start of the washing is prohibited. As a result, the user who made the reservation can use the laundry machine 11 reliably at the reserved time.

<4. Effect>
In the laundromat use support system SY according to the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 20 of the server device 2 stores a laundry machine database DB containing information on a plurality of laundromats 1 and the laundry machines 11 installed in each laundromat 1. there is The coin laundry usage support system SY includes a laundry information acquisition unit 301 that acquires laundry information L, which is information related to laundry, and a laundry equipment database DB based on the laundry information L in the terminal device 3 on the user side. laundry equipment extraction unit 201 for extracting the laundry equipment 11 suitable for washing the laundry from the laundry equipment information, and notifying the terminal device 3 of the extracted laundry equipment 11 and the coin laundry 1 in which the laundry equipment 11 is installed. and a notification unit 203 .

According to this configuration, when the user inputs the laundry information L regarding his/her own laundry to the terminal device 3, the laundry machine 11 suitable for washing and the coin laundry 1 in which the laundry machine 11 is installed are displayed on the terminal device 3. will be notified. Therefore, the user can appropriately select the laundry machine 11 suitable for his or her laundry from among a wide variety of laundry machines 11 installed in each of the coin laundry machines 1 . As a result, the user can make full use of the laundromat 1, thereby improving convenience for the user.

Further, in the coin laundry usage support system SY according to the above-described embodiment, the laundry information acquisition unit 301 displays a plurality of images 421 corresponding to laundry with different weights on the touch panel, which is the display unit of the terminal device 3 . 30, the user selects one of a plurality of images 421, and the weight of the laundry corresponding to the selected image 421 is acquired as the laundry information L. Then, the laundry equipment extraction unit 201 extracts the laundry equipment 11 having a capacity corresponding to the weight of the laundry.

For many users, it is not easy to accurately grasp the weight of their own laundry, and for this reason, the laundry machine 11 with an inappropriate capacity for the weight of their own laundry is used. I can put it away. However, according to the above configuration, the user simply selects an image that is close to his or her laundry from among the plurality of images 421 displayed on the terminal device 3, and the capacity corresponding to the weight of the laundry is changed. Appropriate laundry equipment 11 is notified. Therefore, by using the notified laundry machine 11, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of wasted washing time and fees, and insufficient washing.

Further, the coin laundry utilization support system SY according to the above-described embodiment includes the washing time prediction unit 202 that predicts the washing time based on the laundry information L. FIG. Then, the laundry equipment information notification unit 203 notifies the terminal device 3 of the predicted washing time.

According to this configuration, when the user inputs the laundry information L regarding his/her own laundry to the terminal device 3, the terminal device 3 is notified of the laundry time. Since the washing time can be grasped without going to the coin laundry 1, the user's convenience is further improved.

Further, in the coin laundry utilization support system SY according to the above embodiment, the laundry machine database DB includes the operation schedule of each laundry machine 11 installed in each of the plurality of coin laundry machines 1, and the laundry machine information notification The unit 203 notifies the terminal device 3 of the extracted operating schedule of the laundry machine 11 .

According to this configuration, when the user inputs the laundry information L regarding his/her own laundry to the terminal device 3, the terminal device 3 is notified of the appropriate laundry machine 11 and its operation schedule. If the operation schedule can be grasped, when the user goes to the laundromat with the laundry, the waiting time is avoided because the target laundry machine 11 is in use. Convenience is further improved.

In addition, in the coin laundry utilization support system SY according to the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 3 includes a reservation receiving unit 303 that receives a reservation for the extracted laundry machine 11 .

According to this configuration, when the user inputs the laundry information L regarding his or her own laundry to the terminal device 3, the appropriate laundry machine 11 is notified to the terminal device 3. , the notified laundry machine 11 can be reserved. By reserving the laundry machine 11, the user can certainly use the target laundry machine 11 at the reserved time, thereby further improving the user's convenience.

<<Second Embodiment>>
In the above embodiment, the operation schedule of each laundry machine 11 is registered in the laundry machine database DB stored in the storage unit 20 of the server device 2, and the laundry machine 11 specified based on this is registered. It is assumed that the current operating status 63 and the operating schedule table 71 are displayed on the touch panel 30 of the user's terminal device 3 (FIGS. 8 and 9).

Here, the operation schedule for the laundry equipment database DB is updated as follows, for example. That is, when washing is started in each laundry machine 11, the control unit of the laundry machine 11 adds a reference required time predetermined in the program of the machine to the washing start time. Predict the estimated end time of . Then, the server device 2 is notified of the start time and the scheduled end time. When the server device 2 acquires the notification, the state of the laundry machine 11 in the time period from the start time to the scheduled end time is changed to "in operation". As a result, the laundry machine database DB is updated.

Even in such a mode, it is possible to ensure that a sufficiently accurate operation schedule is held in the laundry equipment database DB. Scheduling accuracy can be further improved.

A coin laundry utilization support system SYa according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration implemented in the coin laundry utilization support system SYa according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed in the coin laundry utilization support system SYa. In the following description, configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and configurations that are the same as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the coin-operated laundry support system SYa, each laundry machine 11 includes a reservation management part 101 and a finish time prediction part 102 for predicting the finish time of the laundry being executed by the laundry machine 11 . Like the reservation management unit 101, the end time prediction unit 102 is implemented by executing a program stored in the memory by a microcomputer that constitutes the control unit of the laundry machine 11. FIG.

In the coin laundry utilization support system SYa, the flow of processing for updating the operating schedule to the laundry machine database DB will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S101: When the laundry machine 11 starts washing, the end time prediction unit 102 of the laundry machine 11 adds a reference required time predetermined in the program of the machine to the washing start time. , to predict the scheduled end time of the wash.

Step S102: When the expected end time is acquired, the end time prediction unit 102 notifies the server device 2 of the start time and the expected end time together with the identification information of the device itself.

When the server device 2 acquires the laundry start time and scheduled end time from the laundry machine 11, the server device 2 updates the laundry machine database DB based on the acquired information. That is, the server device 2 sets the state of the laundry machine 11 in the time period from the start time acquired from the laundry machine 11 to the scheduled end time as "in operation".

Step S103: On the other hand, in the laundry machine 11 that has started washing, the finish time prediction unit 102 determines whether or not the predetermined process has been completed. A predetermined process is a process arbitrarily selected from a series of processes related to washing. In the following description, it is assumed that a series of steps related to washing consist of two washing steps, and the predetermined step is the first washing step.

Step S104: When the predetermined process (that is, the first washing process) is completed, the end time prediction unit 102 calculates the remaining time based on the time required from the start of washing to the completion of the predetermined process. (that is, the second washing step) is predicted, and based on this, the scheduled end time of washing is predicted.

Specifically, the end time prediction unit 102 acquires a value obtained by dividing the time required for the first washing process by the reference required time for the first washing process as the rate of change. Then, a value obtained by multiplying the standard required time for the second washing process by the fluctuation rate is predicted as the required time for the second washing process. Then, the time obtained by adding the predicted required time to the start time of the second washing process is acquired as the scheduled end time.

In order to obtain a more accurate expected end time, the end time prediction unit 102 individually performs each process included in the first washing process, that is, the water supply process, the drainage process, the intermediate dehydration balance process, and the like. , and the value obtained by multiplying the standard required time of each step included in the second washing process by the variation rate of the process may be estimated as the required time of the second washing process.

Step S105: When the expected end time is acquired, the end time prediction unit 102 re-notifies the server device 2 of the expected end time together with the identification information of its own device.

When receiving a re-notification of the estimated laundry end time from the laundry machine 11, the server device 2 re-updates the laundry machine database DB based on the re-notified information. That is, the server device 2 updates the laundry machine database DB so that the state of the laundry machine 11 in the time period until the re-notified scheduled end time is "in operation". As a result, the scheduled end time predicted by the end time prediction unit 102 is reflected in the operation schedule of the laundry machine 11 in the laundry machine database DB.

As described above, in the laundromat use support system SYa according to the above-described embodiment, the end time prediction unit 102 causes the laundry machine 11 to partially complete the processes after the start of washing. Based on the actual time required for the steps of (1), the time required for the remaining steps is predicted, and the expected time for finishing the washing is predicted. Then, the scheduled end time is reflected in the operation schedule of the laundry machine 11 in the laundry machine database DB.

According to this configuration, halfway through the washing process, the time required for the remaining processes is predicted based on the actual time required for some of the processes that have already been completed, so the time at which the washing will end can be accurately predicted. . Therefore, an accurate operating schedule of the laundry machine 11 is held in the laundry machine database DB. As a result, the accuracy of the current operating status 63 of the laundry machine 11 and the operating schedule table 71 specified based on this increases. This further improves convenience for the user.

<<Modification>>
In the laundry machine 11, the user may give an instruction for extension processing after the laundry is started. Typically, in the case of under-drying, an extension process is envisaged for additional drying runs. Considering the possibility of such extension processing, the reservation reception screen 7 for accepting reservations is displayed with a message such as "Please note that the laundry start time may be delayed due to the extension of the use of the previous user." A message may be displayed.

In addition, when the extension processing cuts into the reserved time, the terminal device 3 of the user related to the reservation may be notified of this fact. Specifically, when the server device 2 receives a notification from the laundry machine 11 that the scheduled end time has been changed due to the occurrence of the extension process, and updates the laundry machine database DB, the server device 2 changes to "in operation" according to the notification. Determine whether the time slot to be changed is currently "reserved". Then, when the time period to be changed is "reserved", the server device 2 notifies the terminal device 3 of the user related to the reservation to that effect, and the touch panel 30 of the terminal device 3 reads, A message such as "The laundry start time will be delayed by XX minutes due to the extension of use by the previous user" may be displayed. Furthermore, in the terminal device 3 that has received the notification, the reservation reception unit 303 causes the touch panel 30 to display the reservation reception screen 7 displaying the operation schedule table 71 showing the latest operation status of the laundry machine 11, and the user It may be configured to accept changes in reservation.

In each of the above embodiments, the laundry time prediction unit 202 may take into account the specification information of the laundry machine 11 extracted in step S4 when predicting the washing time. In this case, the washing time is calculated for each laundry machine 11 extracted in step S4, and the washing time for each laundry machine 11 is displayed on the laundry machine information display screen 6. FIG. Therefore, the user can select the laundry machine 11 in consideration of the washing time.

In each of the above embodiments, the terminal device 3 is a communication terminal device held by the user of the laundromat 1, but the terminal device 3 may be a communication terminal device installed in the laundromat 1 or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the washing time prediction unit 202, the reservation receiving unit 303, and the reservation management unit 101 are not essential elements, and at least one of them may be omitted.

At least one of the functional units 201 to 203 included in the server device 2 in each of the above embodiments may be realized in the laundry machine 11 or the terminal device 3 . Also, at least one of the functional units 301 to 303 provided in the terminal device 3 may be realized in the server device 2 or the laundry machine 11 .

In the second embodiment, the mode in which the end time prediction unit 102 predicts the required time for the remaining steps based on the actual required time from the start of washing to the completion of the predetermined steps is exemplified above. not limited to For example, the end time prediction unit 102 determines the degree of drying of the laundry based on information acquired from a sensor or the like provided in the laundry machine 11 at the stage when the drying process for a predetermined time is completed, and determines the degree of drying of the laundry. You can estimate how long it will take to dry completely.

Other configurations can also be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. Also, it goes without saying that the configurations illustrated in the respective embodiments can be partially combined with each other.

1 Coin laundry 11 Laundry equipment 101 Reservation management unit 102 Expected end time prediction unit 2 Server device 20 Storage unit 201 Laundry equipment extraction unit 202 Washing time prediction unit 203 Laundry equipment information notification unit 3 Terminal device 30 Touch panel 301 Laundry information acquisition unit 302 Laundry Equipment information display unit 303 Reservation reception unit SY Coin laundry utilization support system DB Laundry equipment database L Laundry information M Laundry equipment information R Reservation information

Claims (4)

a storage unit storing a laundry equipment database including information on a plurality of laundromats and laundry equipment installed in each laundromat;
A laundry information acquisition unit that acquires laundry information, which is information about the laundry, in the terminal device on the user side;
a laundry equipment extraction unit that extracts laundry equipment suitable for washing the laundry from the laundry equipment database based on the laundry information;
a laundry equipment information notification unit that notifies the terminal device of the extracted laundry equipment and the coin laundry where the laundry equipment is installed;
with
The laundry equipment database includes an operation schedule for each unit time of each laundry equipment installed in each of the plurality of laundromats,
The coin laundry utilization support system , wherein the laundry equipment information notification unit notifies the terminal device of an operating schedule for each unit time of the extracted laundry equipment. The coin laundry utilization support system according to claim 1 ,
In the terminal device, a reservation reception unit that receives a reservation for the extracted laundry equipment;
A coin laundry usage support system. The coin laundry utilization support system according to claim 2,
The terminal device creates an operation schedule table for each laundry machine and displays it on the reservation reception screen, and the mark corresponding to "available" in the operation schedule table is an icon for accepting reservation operation,
The coin laundry utilization support system, wherein the reservation accepting unit accepts a reservation for using a specified laundry machine in a specified time period when the mark is operated. The coin laundry utilization support system according to claim 2 or 3 ,
In the laundry machine, halfway through the completion of some steps after the start of washing, the required time for the remaining steps is predicted based on the actual required time for the partial steps, and the washing is performed. an end time prediction unit that predicts the scheduled end time;
with
The scheduled end time is reflected in the operating schedule of the laundry equipment in the laundry equipment database;
Coin laundry usage support system.

Images