JP7320021B2 - How to operate the laundry system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of operating a laundry system.

Laundromats provide users with laundry equipment such as washing machines and dryers installed in the store. A user brings laundry such as clothes and futons, and pays a usage fee to do the laundry. Laundromats are generally unmanned. A user inserts cash into a payment machine provided for each laundry machine and uses the laundry machine in a self-service manner. In addition to cash, payment machines can also be used for electronic money such as IC cards and prepaid cards.

Transportation/distribution IC cards and credit cards can be used continuously by cash charging and credit functions. On the other hand, prepaid cards are often single-use cards because card manufacturers prohibit their reuse. Therefore, the used prepaid card may be discarded in a trash box or the like instead of a collection box. Furthermore, there are stores where the number of users who newly or continuously purchase and use prepaid cards is sluggish.

JP-A-4-354093 JP-A-8-255282 JP-A-11-328509

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method of operating a laundry system that provides convenient services to coin laundry users by using a centralized payment machine installed in the coin laundry.

In order to solve the above problems, a method of operating a laundry system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of laundry machines installed in a store, and a communication port capable of communicating with a communication terminal of a user, wherein the plurality of laundry machines and a payment machine having a display unit for displaying at least a laundry menu for operating modes of the laundry equipment and a payment menu for paying the usage fee to the user. When the user selects a laundry machine containing laundry from among the plurality of laundry machines , the fare adjustment machine displays the laundry menu on the display unit, and the user selects the laundry menu. When either washing/drying or washing/drying is selected from the laundry menu, the usage fee corresponding to the selected operation mode is displayed on the display unit, and the user selects one of the plurality of payment methods. When one settlement method for settlement of the usage fee is selected, the settlement processing is executed , and the controller is communicated to cause the selected laundry to execute the operation, and the controller controls the plurality of laundry machines. and notifies the communication terminal of the user of information on the remaining time of the washing operation based on the registered user ID from the communication port via the network.

1 is an internal view of a laundromat to which the coin laundry centralized settlement system of the first embodiment is introduced; FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the said laundromat centralized settlement system. This is the operating surface of the centralized payment machine of the coin laundry centralized payment system. It is an example of a coupon issued by the coin laundry centralized settlement system. 4 is a flow chart for explaining prepaid card collection operation of the coin laundry centralized settlement system. It is a flowchart explaining the prepaid card collection|recovery operation|movement of the laundromat centralized settlement system of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is an internal view of a laundromat to which the coin laundry centralized settlement system of the third embodiment is introduced. FIG. 11 is an internal view of a laundromat to which the coin laundry centralized settlement system of the fourth embodiment is introduced.

Hereinafter, a coin laundry centralized checkout system according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same structure.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, a coin laundry 1 is equipped with a plurality of laundry machines 2 in the store and provides users with a self-service laundry service. The laundry equipment 2 is, for example, a washing machine, a dryer, a washer/dryer, a shoe washer, a compression packing machine, or the like. FIG. 1 shows, as an example, a coin laundry 1 in which a plurality of drum-type washing and drying machines are installed. A user who comes to the store selects a machine to be used from the available laundry machines 2, puts in the laundry such as clothes brought by him/her, and performs washing and drying.

In the store of the coin laundry 1, a centralized settlement machine 3 for settlement of usage charges of each laundry machine 2 is arranged. The user selects the washing/drying menu according to the operation guidance of the centralized payment machine 3 and settles the usage fee with the centralized payment machine 3, thereby causing the laundry machine 2 to perform washing/drying according to the desired washing/drying menu. .

The coin laundry 1 is operated unmanned by the coin laundry centralized settlement system of the embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the coin laundry centralized settlement system 4 . The coin laundry centralized payment system 4 includes a centralized payment machine 3 and a system controller 41 . FIG. 3 shows the front surface, which is the operating surface of the centralized payment machine 3 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the centralized payment machine 3 has a display section 31 for displaying guidance to the user. The display unit 31 is, for example, a touch panel display controlled by the controller 31a, and allows the user to touch and select a selection menu displayed according to operation guidance. The menu includes a laundry menu such as washing and drying, a billing menu for paying usage charges, a used prepaid card collection menu to be described later, and the like.

The centralized fare adjustment machine 3 further includes a speaker 32 that emits voice guidance and notification sounds to the user. The speaker 32 outputs voice for reading or assisting the operation guidance displayed on the display unit 31 . For the operation guidance displayed on the display unit 31 and the voice guidance output from the speaker 32, languages other than Japanese can be selected through, for example, a touch panel display.

The centralized settlement machine 3 includes a banknote deposit section 33a and a coin deposit section 33b for cash settlement, and a change dispensing section 33c. Further, the centralized payment machine 3 includes a prepaid card reader/writer 34 for payment by a prepaid card and an IC card reader 35 for payment by an IC card such as a credit card as a payment method using electronic money. The user can select any one of cash settlement, prepaid card settlement, and IC card settlement according to the operation guidance on the display unit 31 . In addition, payment by an IC card may be applied to, for example, an IC card for transportation or distribution electronic money in addition to a credit card.

In the case of cash settlement, the user inserts cash corresponding to the usage fee displayed on the display unit 31 from the bill depositing unit 33a and the coin depositing unit 33b, and if there is change, the change is dispensed from the change dispensing unit 33c. receive. In the case of IC card payment, the user touches the reading surface of the IC card reader 35 with the IC card. For example, in the case of a credit card, the IC card reader 35 reads various types of information from the memory of the IC card (for example, an IC chip or a magnetic device) and inquires the management system of the credit company through a relay device (not shown). It is configured.

In the case of prepaid card settlement, the user inserts the prepaid card into the prepaid card insertion/return port 34a (see FIG. 3), and receives the prepaid card with a reduced balance due to the settlement from the prepaid card insertion/return port 34a. The prepaid card reader/writer 34 reads information stored in the storage section (for example, magnetic tape) of the prepaid card and determines whether or not the card meets the conditions of use.

As an example, the store identification information and balance information stored in the storage unit of the prepaid card are read, and it is determined whether or not they match the store identification information of the coin laundry 1 and whether or not the balance is insufficient. When the usage condition is satisfied, the centralized payment machine 3 performs payment processing, writes new balance information in the storage part of the prepaid card with the prepaid card reader/writer 34, and then returns the prepaid card through the prepaid card insertion/return opening 34a. The balance is displayed on the balance display section 34b (see FIG. 3). That is, the centralized payment machine 3 includes a prepaid card payment device. On the other hand, if the use condition is not satisfied, the reason ("cannot be used at this store", "insufficient balance", etc.) is displayed on the display unit 31, and the prepaid card is returned from the prepaid card insertion/return opening 34a.

The store identification information is, for example, an ID (identification) assigned in association with the store or the owner of the store (hereinafter referred to as store ID). For example, when an owner operates a plurality of stores, a different store ID is assigned to each store, or a store ID assigned to the owner is commonly used for each store.

In order to return profits to the owner, the prepaid card cannot be used at other stores or stores other than those operated by the owner. For this purpose, the ID stored in the memory of the prepaid card is used as an identifier. Furthermore, the prepaid card keeps its ID from being known to the outside in order to prevent the card from being reused due to, for example, rewriting of information in the card. That is, the prepaid card reader/writer 34 checks the ID to determine whether or not the prepaid card can be used at the store, but does not output the ID to the outside.

The centralized payment machine 3 has a printer 36 . The printer 36 prints a receipt containing usage charges and usage details settled by cash, prepaid card, etc., and outputs the receipt from the receipt outlet 36a (also used as the change dispensing section 33c) (see FIG. 3). As an example, the printer 36 includes, for example, a roll of thermal recording paper, a print head that prints on the paper, and a cutter that cuts the printed paper from the roll. Further, the printer 36 prints and outputs a coupon as a benefit of using a prepaid card and as a benefit of collecting a used prepaid card, which will be described below.

The central payment machine 3 has a prepaid card reader 37 for collecting used prepaid cards. The user inserts the card into the used prepaid card collection slot 37a (see FIG. 3) according to the operation guidance of the "used prepaid card collection menu" displayed on the display unit 31. FIG. Although the details will be described later, the centralized payment machine 3 determines whether or not the prepaid card meets the collection conditions, and if the card meets the conditions, it collects it in the card collection unit 38 provided in the machine. That is, the centralized payment machine 3 includes a used prepaid card recovery device.

Further, the centralized payment machine 3 issues coupons from the printer 36 as a privilege for collecting used prepaid cards. That is, the centralized payment machine 3 includes a privilege issuing device. On the coupon, printed is a bar code that encodes the information of the given privilege and the identification information of the centralized payment machine 3 that collected the card. A barcode is a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. The identification information of the centralized payment machine 3 is, for example, an ID (identification) assigned in association with the centralized payment machine 3 or the owner of the centralized payment machine 3 (hereinafter referred to as a centralized payment machine ID). That is, it is also the identification information of the coin laundry centralized settlement system 4 . Furthermore, this ID is different from the store ID stored in the prepaid card.

The coupon issued as a privilege for collecting used prepaid cards may be, for example, a monetary discount ticket or an exchange ticket for goods or prizes. The benefits may be increased according to the number of collected cards. The type of privilege to be given may be stored in the storage unit of the centralized payment machine 3 in association with the number of collected cards. Furthermore, a time element may be added, such as increasing the privilege when a plurality of cards are collected within a period of, for example, one month.

As an example, a discount privilege of 10 yen is provided for each collected sheet. FIG. 4 is an example of a collection certificate/coupon for collecting 10 used cards and giving a discount of 100 yen. The collection certificate/coupon is printed by a printer and output from the receipt outlet 36a (see FIG. 3). On the collection certificate/coupon, information on the privilege and information on the store name and address of the laundromat 1 are printed. A coded barcode is printed.

The centralized payment machine 3 has a barcode reader 39 . The bar code reader 39 reads the coded benefit information from the bar code printed on the coupon. In the case of a coupon issued as a privilege for collecting used prepaid cards, the centralized payment machine 3 reads the privilege information and the centralized payment machine ID with the bar code reader 39, compares the IDs, and confirms the coupon. This centralized payment machine 3 discriminates whether or not it can be used (ID match), and if it can be used, it provides a privilege (for example, a discount). That is, the condition for providing the privilege is determined based on the information on the privilege and the ID of the centralized payment machine. Coupons can be used, for example, when paying for laundry. That is, the centralized payment machine 3 is equipped with a privilege providing device.

The centralized payment machine 3 includes a control unit 5 that controls the overall operation of the centralized payment machine 3 . The control unit 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53 arranged on a circuit board, for example. The ROM 52 stores programs executed by the CPU 51 and information such as various control conditions. The CPU 51 reads programs and various control conditions from the ROM 52 and controls the overall operation of the centralized payment machine 3 . The RAM 53 temporarily stores information such as the operation status of the laundry machine and the number of collected used prepaid cards.

The system controller 41 is communicably connected to the centralized payment machine 3 through, for example, a cable harness. The system controller 41 includes a management system controller 42 that controls each laundry machine 2, and a communication port 43 for communicating with the outside via the Internet, for example. The management system controller 42 is connected to each laundry machine 2 so as to be capable of wired or wireless communication. The management system controller 42 receives, for example, information on whether the laundry machines 2 are in operation or unused (empty) from each laundry machine 2 and manages the operating status of the laundry machines 2 in the store. Also, the management system controller 42 receives information on the selection menu selected by the user from the centralized payment machine 3 and transmits it to the corresponding laundry machine 2 . Also, for the safety of the user and anti-theft, a signal for controlling locking and unlocking of the door 2a of the laundry machine 2 is transmitted.

The communication port 43 is connected to the Internet network 100 through an information communication device 44 such as a router or modem. Between the information communication device 44 and the Internet network 100, an "information system controller" that collects various types of information and data may be arranged. Through the Internet network 100, it is possible to communicate with a store owner's communication terminal (for example, server 101) and a user's communication terminal (for example, portable terminal 102). Furthermore, it is communicably connected to the centralized settlement systems 4A and 4B of other stores. Store owners can obtain information such as operating status and sales. In addition, it is possible to view the images of surveillance cameras (not shown) in the store. On the other hand, the user can obtain information such as the remaining time for washing. Furthermore, the system controller 41 is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and calls the user's mobile phone to send voice signals such as the remaining time for washing.

Next, the operation of the centralized payment machine 3 for collecting used prepaid cards will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user touches the display section 31 of the central payment machine 3 to select the "used prepaid card collection menu" displayed on the display section 31 (Act 1). Subsequently, the control unit 5 displays guidance such as "Insert a used card" on the display unit 31 to prompt the user to insert the card into the used prepaid card collection port 37a. When the card is inserted (Act 2), the prepaid card reader 37 reads the store ID stored in the memory of the prepaid card and determines whether or not it matches the store ID of the coin laundry 1 (Act 3). If the store IDs match (Act 3, ID match), then the balance information is read to determine whether or not there is no balance (0 yen) (Act 4). If there is no balance (Act 4, no balance), the control unit 5 conveys the prepaid card to the card recovery unit 38 in the aircraft (Act 5). Further, the control unit 5 counts the number of collected sheets (Act 6). Information on the number of collected sheets is temporarily stored in the RAM 53, for example.

On the other hand, if the IDs do not match (Act 3, ID does not match) or if there is a balance (Act 4, there is a balance), the control unit 5 displays the reason on the display unit 31 ("cannot be collected at this fare adjustment machine", The card is returned from the prepaid card insertion/return opening 37a (Act 7).

If there is no other used card, the user selects the "end menu" on the display unit 31 (Act 8, end touch). Act 8, no ending touch). When the card is inserted, the control unit 5 executes Act2 to Act5 described above, collects cards that meet the collection conditions, and counts up the number of collected cards (Act6). When there are no other used cards and the user selects the "end menu" on the display unit 31 (Act 8, end touch), the control unit 5 reads the number of collected cards temporarily stored in the RAM 53, for example (Act 9). . The number of collected cards is, of course, the number of cards counted up in accordance with the collection conditions.

When the collected number of sheets is 1 or more in Act 9, the control unit 5 issues a coupon with a privilege (Act 10). After that, the used prepaid card collection menu is terminated (Act 11). On the other hand, in Act 9, if the number of collected cards is 0 due to, for example, an ID mismatch or a balance remaining, the control unit 5 terminates the used prepaid card collection menu without issuing a coupon (Act 11). For example, if the user selects the collection menu by mistake, the user does not insert the card (Act 2, no card insertion) and selects the "end menu" on the display unit 31 (Act 8, no card insertion). end touch).

According to the above-described embodiment, a used prepaid card collecting device and a privilege issuing device that gives a privilege according to the number of collected cards are provided in the coin laundry centralized settlement system 4 that can be settled with a prepaid card. It is possible to promote the use and collection of prepaid cards. In the above-described embodiment, the prepaid card collecting device, privilege issuing device, and privilege providing device are integrated with the centralized payment machine 3. If there is, it may be arranged separately in the store. Furthermore, the prepaid card reader/writer 35 and the prepaid card reader 37 may be shared rather than separate. A prepaid card vending machine (not shown) is installed, for example, in the coin laundry 1 , but the prepaid card vending machine may be integrated with the centralized payment machine 3 .

In particular, the store owner's profit can be ensured by reading the store ID and balance information from the used prepaid card, and judging that the collection conditions are met only when the store ID matches and there is no balance.

In addition, a coupon issued as a privilege includes privilege information and a centralized fare adjustment machine ID, and a privilege is given when the centralized fare adjustment machine ID matches when the coupon is used. The owner's profit can be secured. In this case, an ID different from the store ID stored in the prepaid card is used, which results in suppression of card reuse and counterfeiting of the prepaid card. That is, it is possible to comply with the wishes of card manufacturers. That is, it is realized by using the first identification information of the prepaid card and the second identification information of the system 4 . As the first identification information and the second identification information, information other than the above IDs may be set. In addition, it is not always necessary to provide privilege usage restrictions based on centralized payment machine IDs.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the coin laundry centralized settlement system 4 of the second embodiment will be described. The coin laundry centralized payment system 4 of the second embodiment is the same as the coin laundry centralized payment system 4 of the first embodiment, except that collection benefits are given and managed in points in the configuration shown in FIGS. is.

That is, in the coin laundry centralized settlement system 4 of the second embodiment, for example, the server 101 is used as a point management server. The server 101 may be owned by an owner or may be a point management company's server. The server manages points for each user. As an example, a user ID and password are given to the user, and information on the number of points and the number of collected cards is managed in association with the combination of the user ID and password. The user ID is, for example, the mobile phone number of the user, and is registered by the user through the display section 31 . The password is given by the server 101 at the time of user registration, for example, and is displayed on the display unit 31 or printed by the printer 36 and output. The mobile number can also be used to voice the laundry time mentioned above.

Points given for collecting cards are given according to the number of collected cards, such as giving 10 points (1 point equals 1 yen) per card. Furthermore, a time element may be added, such as increasing the points when a plurality of cards are collected within a period of time such as one month. Points may be given by the server 101 or by the control unit 5 according to the number of collected cards. The use of points may be restricted to the centralized payment machine 3 that collects the card, or may be made available to other centralized payment machines 3 as well. Alternatively, it may be made available for a service of another industry in partnership.

Next, the operation of the central payment machine 3 for collecting used prepaid cards will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user touches the display section 31 of the central payment machine 3 to select the "used prepaid card collection menu" displayed on the display section 31 (Act 21). Subsequently, the control unit 5 displays guidance such as "Please enter your user ID and password" on the display unit 31 to prompt the user to enter your user ID and password. When the user inputs the user ID and password through the touch panel of the display unit 31 (Act 22), the control unit 5 transmits the input user ID and password to the server 101 to inquire (Act 23). The input of the user ID and password may be prompted at a different timing if the card is being collected (that is, when the collection service is being used).

When the server 101 determines that there is a user corresponding to the input user ID and password, the server 101 transmits user information and current point information to the control unit 5 . The control unit 5 displays the user information and the current point information on the display unit 31 based on the information from the server 101 (Act 24). Subsequently, the control unit 5 executes the card collecting process shown in Act2 to Act8 in FIG. 5 (Act25). On the other hand, in Act 23, if there is no user corresponding to the entered user ID and password, or if the user ID and password do not match, the control unit 5 displays an error message on the display unit 31 (Act 26), and ends the process. do.

When all the cards are collected and the user selects the "end menu" on the display unit 31 in Act 25 (Act 8 in FIG. 5, end touch), the control unit 5 displays the collected number of cards temporarily stored in the RAM 53, for example. is read (Act 27). The number of collected cards is the number of cards that have been counted up in accordance with the collection conditions.

In Act 27, when the number of collected cards is one or more, the control unit 5 transmits the number of times to the server 101, and the server 101 gives points according to the number of collected cards. The control unit 5 may give points according to the number of sheets collected and send information to the server 101 . The server 101 updates and registers the point information of the corresponding user ID (Act 29). Furthermore, information on the number of points after updating is transmitted to the control unit 5, and the control unit 5 displays it on the display unit 31 (Act 29). After that, the processing of the "used prepaid card collection menu" ends (Act 30). On the other hand, in Act 27, if the number of collected cards is 0 due to, for example, store ID mismatch or balance remaining, the control unit 5 terminates the used prepaid card collection menu without giving points (Act 30).

According to the above-described embodiment, a used prepaid card collecting device and a privilege issuing device that gives a privilege according to the number of collected cards are provided in the coin laundry centralized settlement system 4 that can be settled with a prepaid card. It is possible to promote the use and collection of prepaid cards. In particular, the use of a point system for benefits can encourage users to continue using the card collection service.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the centralized payment machine 3 adopts that of the first or second embodiment, but the laundry machine 2 will be described in more detail. As also shown in FIG. 1, the laundry machine 2 is provided with three interface units. The first is the oblong upper part of the surface of the laundry machine 2 . The second is provided on the left side of the surface of the laundry machine 2 . The third is provided on the right side of the surface of the laundry machine 2 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , by providing the centralized payment machine 3 , it is preferable that the user's operation be performed by the centralized payment machine 3 rather than by the individual laundry machines 2 . In the third embodiment, along with this idea, the interface of the laundry equipment was specified.

As shown in FIG. 7 , a first interface section 311 is provided on the upper surface of the laundry machine 2 .

The second interface section 317 is provided on the lower left side of the first interface section 311 . The third interface section 319 is provided on the lower right side of the first interface section 311 .

The first interface section 311 displays features of the device 2 . For example, it is assumed that "Washing Drying" and "Size M" are written in two lines. As the laundry equipment 2, there are a washing machine and a drying machine, and a drying machine. First, it is necessary to make this distinction easy for the user to understand. For example, either "Washing Drying" or "Drying Machine" is written in the equipment guide section 311 according to the features and contents of the equipment. Furthermore, since each device has a capacity, it is indicated as "Size L", "Size M", or, depending on the case, "Size S". These notations can prevent user selection errors.

When the user selects the laundry machine 2, the second interface section 317 interlocks with the operation of the centralized payment machine 3 and informs the user of the selection by flashing or the like. For example, in this laundry system, the user uses the laundry equipment 2 as follows.

First, the user selects a vacant laundry machine 2 from among the laundry machines 2 arranged side by side, opens the door 2a of the laundry machine 2, puts laundry in, and closes the door 2a. After this, the user moves from the location of each laundry machine 2 to the front of the centralized payment machine 3 . The user selects an operation mode (wash only, wash/dry only, or dry only) on the screen of the centralized payment machine 3 . At this time, the centralized payment machine 3 displays available laundry machines on the screen. Depending on the case, one laundry machine 2 may be displayed. In other cases, multiple laundry machines 2 may be displayed. The user confirms and specifies the laundry machine into which the laundry has been put and the door 2a has been closed from among the displayed usable laundry machines. The centralized payment machine 3 accepts this selection/specification and informs the user.

For example, the second interface unit 317 is composed of a flicker lamp, and when the user specifies a laundry machine at the centralized payment machine 3, the flicker lamp (interface unit 317) of the laundry machine 2 is blinked. As a result, the user can confirm that the laundry machine 2 that he/she desires to use and contains the laundry has been correctly selected, while being away from the individual laundry machine 2.例文帳に追加The centralized payment machine 3 can also determine which laundry machine 2 the user uses. If the laundry machine 2 into which the user puts the laundry does not match the laundry machine 2 selected on the screen of the centralized payment machine 3, the user selects the laundry machine 2 again.

The third interface unit 319 displays the drying status in the drying mode. For example, in the case of drying by gas combustion, it is necessary to display the combustion state in accordance with laws and regulations. In the case of drying by gas combustion, the effect shall be displayed while gas combustion is being carried out properly. For example, it is preferable to display a "flame" of gas during gas combustion.

Conventional devices were provided with means for storing fees such as a coin slot and a coin mech. A coin mech is a device that sorts inserted coins, counts the number of coins, and stores them. In the first or second embodiment, since payment can be made at the centralized payment machine 3, the laundry machine 2 does not require a coin slot, coin mechanism, or the like. Eliminating the coin slot or the like from each laundry machine 2 simplifies the configuration of the laundry machine 2 itself. In particular, when a coin slot, coin mech, or the like is provided, since money is handled, it is necessary to realize strong security from the viewpoint of safety and crime prevention. In addition, in order to handle coins and banknotes, authenticity determination, inserted coins and banknote storage units, etc. are required, and the number of related component parts increases, resulting in a heavy weight. This embodiment makes it possible to do away with the device for handling coins and simplifies the configuration of the individual laundry machines 2 .

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of reducing the chances of the operation of the coin laundry system stopping, it is possible to choose to keep the coin slot and the like in each laundry machine 2 . In this case, even if the centralized payment machine 3 becomes inoperable for some reason, as long as each laundry machine 2 has a coin slot or the like, the individual laundry machine 2 can be used by the user. It is also possible to reduce system downtime.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the interface of the laundry machine 2 has been further improved.

The first interface section 311 is composed of a device guide section 313 and a combustion state display section 315 . The third interface section 319 is abolished.

A device guidance section 313 that constitutes the first interface section 311 displays the features of the device 2 . The notation is similar to the previous embodiment. For example, it is assumed that "Washing Drying" and "Size M" are written in two lines.

The combustion state display section 315 displays the state of drying in the drying mode. It has the same function as the third interface section 319 in the above embodiment. By setting such a display form, it becomes possible to display the combustion state of the gas next to the display of the name of the laundry machine, which is similar to the display of the conventional machine, and is easy for the user to see. can be.

Embodiments of the invention are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1 Laundromat 2 Laundry Equipment 3 Centralized Payment Machine 34 Prepaid Card Reader 34a Used Prepaid Card Collection Port 4 Coin Laundry Centralized Payment System 41 System Controller 5 Control Unit

Claims (2)

Multiple laundry machines installed in the store,
a controller having a communication port capable of communicating with a user's communication terminal and controlling the plurality of laundry machines;
a checkout machine having a display unit for displaying at least a laundry menu for the operation mode of the laundry machine and a checkout menu for paying the usage fee to the user ;
A method of operating a laundry system comprising:
The payment machine is
when the user selects a laundry machine containing laundry from among the plurality of laundry machines, displaying the laundry menu on the display unit;
When the user selects one of washing and drying or washing or drying from the laundry menu, the usage fee corresponding to the selected operation mode is displayed on the display unit,
When one settlement method for settlement of the usage fee is selected by the user from a plurality of settlement methods, the settlement processing is executed and the selected laundry is caused to execute the operation. communicate with said controller ;
The controller manages the operation status of the plurality of laundry machines, and sends information on the remaining time of the laundry operation to the communication terminal of the user based on the registered user ID from the communication port via the network . A method of operating a laundry system, characterized by notifying. 2. The method of operating a laundry system according to claim 1, wherein when the user selects the laundry machine containing the laundry, the payment machine blinks a flicker lamp of the laundry machine.