JP7540956B2 - Self-service laundry system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a self-service laundry system, and more specifically to technology that improves user convenience.

When a user visits a coin-operated self-service laundry (a so-called coin laundry), they insert coins into the coin dispenser and then operate various setting and start buttons on the washing machine and dryer to wash and dry the clothes according to the amount and type of clothes (see Patent Document 1). While waiting for the washing machine and dryer to finish operating, the user may go outside to a store or restaurant to do some shopping or eat (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-129300 A JP 2006-262942 A

Coin laundries have various problems that need to be improved, as listed below. When a washing machine or dryer does not work due to a clogged coin slot, users call the installer in the store to request a refund, but dealing with such complaints takes a lot of time and effort. Since a relatively large amount of coins accumulates in the washing machine and dryer, there is a risk of theft. Female users are reluctant to leave the store while the dryer is running because they are concerned that their underwear, etc. being dried may be seen through the glass window of the lid or stolen. Users who are outside the store cannot know when the washing or drying is complete, so the laundry machine is left unattended for a long time, which reduces the operating rate of the laundry machine. In order to solve these problems, the inventor devised a system that allows users to install dedicated application software on a mobile device, allowing them to perform various operations on the laundry machine from the mobile device and notifying the mobile device when the washing or drying is complete. However, even with such a system, since many users simultaneously operate many laundry machines in a large-scale coin laundry, there is a risk that multiple users will try to operate the same laundry machine due to input errors on the mobile device, etc.

The present invention was developed in consideration of the above situation, and aims to provide a self-service laundry system that improves user convenience, etc.

The self-service laundry system of the present invention is a self-service laundry system that is installed in a laundry store and includes multiple laundry machines that have at least one of a washing function and a drying function and each has a unique identification code, and a control device that communicates with a user's mobile terminal and controls the operation of the laundry machines according to the communication results. The control device has a linking means that links a user who owns a mobile terminal with one of the laundry machines based on an identification signal from the mobile terminal that reads the identification code, and an operation command output means that outputs an operation command to the laundry machine linked to the mobile terminal based on an operation request signal from the mobile terminal.

Preferably, communication between the mobile terminal and the control device is performed via the Internet.

Preferably, the self-laundry system according to claim 1 or claim 2 is provided with a wireless LAN in the laundry store that connects the mobile terminal to the Internet.

Preferably, the laundry device has a locking means for locking the lid, and the control device has a lock command means for outputting a lid lock command to the laundry device based on a lid lock request from the mobile terminal.

Preferably, the laundry device has a glass window that can be switched between transparent and opaque, and the control device switches the glass window to opaque based on a window opaqueness request from the mobile terminal.

Preferably, the device has a termination notification means for sending a notification regarding the termination of operation of the laundry machine to the mobile device.

According to the present invention, the mobile device reads the identification code to link each user to each laundry device, allowing multiple users to smoothly operate multiple laundry devices.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-service laundry system according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operation command output control in the first embodiment. 4 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a recognition signal in the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an operating course signal in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a charge signal in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a billing process in the first embodiment. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving an insufficient balance signal in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a termination notice process in the first embodiment. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a first end notice signal in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a second end notice signal in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an error process in the first embodiment. 10 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving an error signal in the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal from which an identification code has been read in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operation command output control in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a recognition signal in the second embodiment. 13 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an operating course signal in the second embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a charge signal in the second embodiment.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 13. The first embodiment is characterized in that a driving request signal and the like are transmitted from a mobile terminal by reading an identification code, and that the fee is paid by a prepaid card.

<Configuration of First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-service laundry system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the self-service laundry system 1 according to the embodiment has a number of laundry machines 20 (20a, 20b, 20c, etc.) consisting of washing machines, dryers, etc. installed in a laundry store 10, and a server 30 (control device) that controls the operation of these laundry machines 20.

Each laundry machine 20 has a label 21 (21a, 21b, 21c, ...) with a unique identification code printed on it (hereinafter, simply referred to as the identification code). It is preferable that the identification code be a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark).

Each laundry machine 20 is equipped with a manually opened and closed lid 23 having a transparent glass window 22. Each laundry machine 20 is equipped with an electric locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the lid 23, and the lid 23 is locked in the closed position in response to a command from the server 30. The glass window 22 is an instantaneous dimming type that uses liquid crystal, and can be instantly switched between transparent and opaque in response to a command from the server 30.

The laundry store 10 is equipped with a wireless LAN 40 based on the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. A user's mobile terminal (smartphone, etc.: hereafter referred to as the user terminal) 51 inside the laundry store 10 is connected to the Internet 60 via this wireless LAN 40 (or a 3G line). The server 30 is connected to the Internet 60 by a wired LAN 41, and communicates with the user terminal 51 and the administrator's terminal (personal computer, smartphone, etc.: hereafter referred to as the administrator terminal) 52 of the laundry store 10 via the Internet 60. When the user is outside the laundry store 10, the user terminal 51 is connected to the Internet 60 via a 3G line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 30 has a memory unit 31 that stores the operation mode and user information, a processing unit 32 that performs judgment processing and signal output based on input signals from the user terminal 51, and a signal generating unit 33 that generates an operation command signal to the laundry device 20 and a signal to the user terminal 51 and the administrator terminal 52 according to the judgment result of the processing unit 32.

<Operation of First Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the output of an operation command in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a recognition signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an operating course signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a charge signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the billing process in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an insufficient balance signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the termination notice process in the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received the first end notice signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received the second end notice signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for error processing in the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an error signal in the first embodiment.

When a user uses the laundry equipment 20 at the laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the laundry store 10's homepage at home or while at the laundry store 10 and downloads dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as the dedicated app) corresponding to the self-laundry system 1 to the user terminal 51.

Next, the user uses the user terminal 51 to perform user registration. User registration involves registering the name, address, mobile phone number, and payment information (prepaid card code) in the server 30. The prepaid card used for payment may be unique to the laundry store 10, or it may be a general card sold at convenience stores, etc. When the user enters the prepaid card code, the face value of the prepaid card is stored in the server 30 as the charge balance Bchg.

A user who visits the laundry store 10 selects a laundry machine 20 according to the type and amount of clothes to be washed or dried. Next, the user connects the user terminal 51 to the Internet via the wireless LAN 40, starts a dedicated application, and reads the identification code 21 of the laundry machine 20 with a built-in camera. The user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21 transmits an identification signal Si corresponding to the user terminal 51 and the laundry machine 20. The identification signal Si is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.
The identification signal Si for identifying the portable terminal includes information for identifying the user based on user registration.

When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes the operation command output control, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the operation command output control is started, the server 30 associates the user terminal 51 with the laundry machine 20 based on the identification signal Si in step S1 in Fig. 3, except when the laundry machine 20 is being used by another user, and transmits a recognition signal to the user terminal 51 in step S2. In the user terminal 51 that has received the recognition signal, a message 71 saying "Welcome. You would like to use the washer/dryer number XX, right? If so, please touch YES" and a "YES" button 72 are displayed on the screen 51a as shown in Fig. 4.

In step S3, the server 30 determines whether the user has touched the "YES" button 72, and if the determination is Yes, in step S4, it sends an operation course signal to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the operation course signal, as shown in FIG. 5, the "operation course" buttons 73 (73a to 73d) corresponding to the selected laundry machine 20 and the "ENTER" button 74 are displayed on the screen 51a. The user selects the desired "operation course" button 73 according to the type and amount of laundry, and then touches the "ENTER" button 74.

In step S5, the server 30 determines whether the user has touched the "ENTER" button 74, and if the determination is YES, in step S6, it sends a fee signal to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the fee signal, as shown in FIG. 6, a message 75 saying "The usage fee is XXX yen. Please put in your clothes and close the lid", a "Lid lock" button 76 and an "Opaque window" button 77 are displayed on the screen 51a. If the user wants to lock the lid 23 or make the glass window 22 opaque while the laundry machine 20 is running, the user selects (touches) the "Lid lock" button 76 or the "Opaque window" button 77.

After the user has confirmed the usage fee and selected the "Lid Lock" button 76 or the "Window Opaque" button 77, the built-in camera reads the identification code 21 of the laundry machine 20 again. The user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21 transmits an operation request signal Sd. The operation request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

In step S7, the server 30 determines whether the user has input a driving request signal Sd, and if the determination is YES, in step S8, it performs a billing process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7.

(Charge processing)
When the billing process is started, the server 30 determines in step S21 of FIG. 7 whether the user's charge balance Bchg is equal to or greater than the usage fee Fusg, and if the determination is Yes, performs billing in step S22 (subtracting the usage fee Fusg from the charge balance Bchg) and terminates the billing process.

If the determination in step S21 is No, the server 30 transmits an insufficient balance signal to the user terminal 51 in step S23. In the user terminal 51 that receives the insufficient balance signal, as shown in FIG. 8, a message 81 saying "Insufficient balance. Please charge" and a "Cancel" button 82 are displayed on the screen 51a.

If the user has a prepaid card, the user enters the prepaid card code; if the user does not have a prepaid card, the user purchases a prepaid card at the laundry store 10. On the other hand, if the user has neither a prepaid card nor cash, the user touches the "Cancel" button 82.

In step S24, the server 30 determines whether or not the user has completed charging the prepaid card, and if the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S22 and performs charging. On the other hand, if the determination is No in step S24, the server 30 determines in step S25 whether or not the "Cancel" button 82 has been touched, and repeats the determination in step S25 as long as the determination is No.

When the user touches the "Cancel" button 82 and the judgment in step S25 becomes Yes, the server 30 cancels the driving command output control itself in step S26 and ends the billing process.

When charging is completed in step S22, the server 30 determines whether the "Lid Lock" button 76 has been touched in step S9 of FIG. 3, and if the determination is Yes, outputs a lid lock command to the laundry machine 20 in step S10. Next, the server 30 determines whether the "Window Opaque" button 77 has been touched in step S11, and if the determination is Yes, outputs a window opaque command to the laundry machine 20 in step S12.

Then, in step S13, the server 30 outputs an operation start command to the laundry device 20 and ends the operation start command control. Upon receiving the operation start command, the laundry device 20 starts operating in the operation mode selected by the user, and locks the lid 23 and makes the glass window 22 opaque based on the user's request.

The server 30 sequentially transmits each command for the operation command output control and the results of the billing process to the manager terminal 52. This allows the manager to recognize the operating status and sales of the laundry machines 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

(Termination notice processing)
When the laundry machine 20 starts operation, the server 30 executes a termination notice process, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9. When the termination notice process starts, the server 30 repeatedly determines at a predetermined time interval whether it is 10 minutes before the operation end time in step S31 of FIG. 9. If the determination is Yes, the server 30 transmits a first termination notice signal to the user terminal 51 via the Internet 60 in step S32. In the user terminal 51 that receives the first termination notice signal, a message 91 saying "10 minutes left until the operation ends" is displayed on the screen 51a as shown in FIG. 10, and a ringtone is sounded at a low volume. Note that the termination notice signal is received by the user terminal 51 via the Internet 60 via a 3G line or an outside wireless LAN even if the user is outside the laundry store 10.

Next, in step S33, the server 30 repeatedly determines at a predetermined time interval whether it is 5 minutes before the driving end time. Then, if this determination is Yes, the server 30 transmits a second end notice signal to the user terminal 51 in step S34. In the user terminal 51 that has received the second end notice signal, as shown in FIG. 11, a message 92 saying "5 minutes left until the driving end" flashes on the screen 51a, and the ringtone and vibrator functions are activated.

This allows users who have gone to an outside store or restaurant to finish their shopping or meal and return to the laundry store 10 before the laundry machine 20 finishes operating, thereby improving the operating rate of the laundry machine 20.

The server 30 constantly executes error processing, the steps of which are shown in the flowchart of Figure 12, in parallel with the operation command output control, etc.

(Error Handling)
When error processing is started, the server 30 repeatedly determines at predetermined time intervals whether or not an error signal has been input from the laundry machine 20 in the laundry store 10 in step S41 of FIG.

If an error occurs in the laundry machine 20 and the determination in step S41 is Yes, error information 42 (which laundry machine 20 has which error) is sent to the manager terminal 52 and the maintenance company terminal (not shown) in step S41, and an error signal is sent to the user terminal 51 in step S43. On the user terminal 51 that receives the error signal, a message 101 saying "An error has occurred. Please cancel and remove the clothes" and a "Cancel" button 102 are displayed on the screen 51a as shown in FIG. 13.

In response to the error information, an administrator or maintenance company will go to the laundry store 10 and take measures such as suspending use of the laundry machine 20 or repairing it. The user will also touch the "Cancel" button 92 when prompted by the screen of the user terminal 51.

Next, the server 30 determines whether the "Cancel" button 102 has been touched in step S44, and repeats the determination in step S44 while the determination is No. When the user touches the "Cancel" button 102 and the determination in step S44 becomes Yes, the server 30 transmits an operation stop signal to the laundry device 20 in step S45.

When the laundry appliance 20 receives the operation stop signal, the rotation of the washing drum and drying drum is stopped, and if a wash or rinse is in progress, the water is drained and then the lid 23 is unlocked. This allows the user to remove the clothes from the laundry appliance 20 and wash or dry them in another laundry appliance 20.

Next, in step S46, the server 30 cancels (i.e., refunds) the charge made through the billing process described above, and ends the error processing.

[Second embodiment]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 14 to 18. The second embodiment is characterized in that transmission from a mobile terminal is performed by a user's button operation (touching the screen), and payment is performed by credit card.
Incidentally, the hardware of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

<Operation of the Second Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a front view showing a user terminal from which an identification code has been read in the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the output of an operation command in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a recognition signal in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an operating course signal in the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a charge signal in the second embodiment.

When a user uses the laundry equipment 20 at the laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the laundry store 10's homepage at home or while at the laundry store 10 and downloads dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as the dedicated app) corresponding to the self-laundry system 1 to the user terminal 51.

Next, the user uses the user terminal 51 to perform user registration. User registration involves registering the user's name, address, mobile phone number, and payment information (credit card information) on the server 30.

When a user visits the laundry store 10, the user selects a laundry machine 20 according to the type and amount of clothes to be washed or dried. Next, the user connects to the Internet using the user terminal 51, launches a dedicated app, and reads the identification code 21 of the laundry machine 20 using the built-in camera.

As shown in FIG. 14, on the user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21, a message 111 stating "Do you want to send the identification code? Touch YES if you wish. If you wish to use a different machine, please read the identification code of that machine" and a "YES" button 112 are displayed on the screen 51a.

When the user touches the "YES" button 112, an identification signal Si corresponding to the user terminal 51 and the laundry device 20 is transmitted from the user terminal 51. The identification signal Si is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60 via the wireless LAN 40.

When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes the operation command output control, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the operation command output control is started, the server 30 associates the user terminal 51 with the laundry machine 20 based on the identification signal Si in step S51 in Fig. 15, except when the laundry machine 20 is being used by another user, and transmits a recognition signal to the user terminal 51 in step S52. In the user terminal 51 that has received the recognition signal, a message 71 saying "Welcome. You would like to use the washer/dryer number XX, right? If this is OK, please touch YES" and a "YES" button 72 are displayed on the screen 51a as shown in Fig. 16.

In step S53, the server 30 determines whether the user has touched the "YES" button 72, and if the determination is Yes, in step S54, it transmits an operation course signal to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the operation course signal, as shown in FIG. 17, the "operation course" buttons 73 (73a to 73d) corresponding to the selected laundry machine 20 and the "ENTER" button 74 are displayed on the screen 51a. The user selects the desired "operation course" button 73 according to the type and amount of laundry, and then touches the "ENTER" button 74.

In step S55, the server 30 determines whether the user has touched the "ENTER" button 74, and if the determination is YES, in step S56, it sends a fee signal to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the fee signal, as shown in FIG. 18, a message 75 saying "The usage fee is XXX yen. Please put in your clothes and close the lid", a "Lock lid" button 76, an "Opaque window" button 77, and a "Start operation" button 78 are displayed on the screen 51a. If the user wants to lock the lid 23 or make the glass window 22 opaque while the laundry machine 20 is operating, the user selects (touches) the "Lock lid" button 76 or the "Opaque window" button 77.

After checking the usage fee and selecting the "Lid Lock" button 76 or the "Window Opaque" button 77, the user touches the "Start Operation" button 78. When the "Start Operation" button 78 is touched, an operation request signal Sd is sent from the user terminal 51. The operation request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

In step S57, the server 30 determines whether the user has input a driving request signal Sd, and if the determination is YES, it performs billing processing in step S58. The billing processing is performed by communicating with the credit card company via the Internet 60 based on the payment information described above.

When charging is completed in step S58, the server 30 determines in step S59 whether the "Lid Lock" button 76 has been touched, and if the determination is Yes, outputs a lid lock command to the laundry machine 20 in step S60. Next, the server 30 determines in step S61 whether the "Window Opaque" button 77 has been touched, and if the determination is Yes, outputs a window opaque command to the laundry machine 20 in step S62.

Then, in step S63, the server 30 outputs an operation start command to the laundry device 20 and ends the operation start command control. Upon receiving the operation start command, the laundry device 20 starts operating in the operation mode selected by the user, and locks the lid 23 and makes the glass window 22 opaque based on the user's request.

The server 30 sequentially transmits each command for the operation command output control and the results of the billing process to the manager terminal 52. This allows the manager to recognize the operating status and sales of the laundry machines 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

When the laundry device 20 starts operation, the server 30 executes the termination notification process, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, and the error process, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Although the description of the specific embodiments has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these. For example, in the first embodiment, billing is performed by a prepaid card, but billing may be performed by a credit card, a debit card, a mobile phone usage fee, or the like.
In the second embodiment, billing is performed by credit card, but it may be performed by prepaid card, debit card, mobile phone usage fee, etc. Also, points may be awarded each time the laundry machine is used, and these points may be used as part of the usage fee. In the above embodiment, the user selects a preset operation program, but it may be possible to freely set the washing, rinsing, and drying times.
In addition, the user may connect to the Internet at home or the like, launch a dedicated application, and check the availability information of the laundry machines. In addition, the specific configuration of the self-service laundry system and the specific procedure for controlling the output of operation commands may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The self-service laundry system of the present invention can be effectively used in self-service laundries located throughout the city.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Self-laundry system 10 Laundry store 20 Laundry equipment 21 Identification code 22 Glass window 23 Lid 30 Server 40 Wireless LAN
42 Error information 51 User terminal 51a Screen 52 Administrator terminal 60 Internet

Claims (2)

A plurality of laundry machines installed in a laundry store, each having at least one of a washing function and a drying function, and each having a unique identification code;
A user's mobile terminal having a built-in camera;
a control device that communicates with a mobile terminal of a user having the built-in camera and controls the operation of the laundry equipment according to the communication result,
The mobile terminal is capable of reading the identification code with the built-in camera and transmitting an identification signal corresponding to one of the laundry devices to the control device while the dedicated application software is running .
After the transmission, the control device has an operation command output means capable of outputting an operation command to the laundry equipment corresponding to the identification code based on an operation request signal for the selected operation course from the mobile terminal using the dedicated application software. a termination notification means capable of transmitting to the mobile device, before the end of the operation, a time remaining until the end of the operation, among notifications related to the end of the operation of the laundry machine;
The self-laundry system according to claim 1.