Self-laundry system

Abstract

To provide a self-laundry system which achieves the improvement of the convenience of a user, and the like.SOLUTION: When starting operation command output control, a server 30 associates a user terminal 51 with a laundry apparatus 20 in a step S1, and transmits a recognition signal to the user terminal 51 in a step S2. When accounting in a step S22 is completed, the server 30 determines whether or not a "lid lock" button 76 is touched in a step S9, and determines whether or not a "window opacity" button 77 is touched in a step S11. Then, the server 30 outputs an operation start command to the laundry apparatus 20 in a step S13, and ends operation start command control. The laundry apparatus 20 to which the operation start command has been input starts operation in an operation mode selected by a user, and locks a lid 23 and opacifies a glass window 22 according to the user's request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-service laundry system, and more particularly to a technique for improving user convenience. [Background technology]

[0002] A user who visits a coin-operated self-service laundry (a so-called coin laundry) inserts coins into the coin insertion machine, and then operates various setting buttons and start buttons attached to 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 to an outside store or restaurant to do some shopping or have a meal (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-129300 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2006-262942 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] 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 or the like, a user calls the installer in the store to request a refund, but dealing with such complaints takes a lot of effort and time. A relatively large amount of coins accumulates in the washing machine or dryer, so 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 operate various laundry machines on their mobile terminals by installing dedicated application software on their mobile terminals and notifies the mobile terminals when the washing or drying is complete. However, even in such a system, since many users handle many laundry machines simultaneously 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 terminals, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a self-service laundry system that realizes improved convenience for users, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The self-laundry system of the present invention is a self-laundry system installed in a laundry store, equipped with a plurality of laundry machines having at least one of a washing function and a drying function, each with a unique identification code, and a control device which communicates with a user's mobile terminal and controls the operation of the laundry machines in accordance with the communication results, the control device having a linking means which links a user carrying a mobile terminal with one of the laundry machines based on an identification signal from the mobile terminal which has read the identification code, and an operation command output means which outputs an operation command to the laundry machine linked to the mobile terminal based on an operation request signal from the mobile terminal.

[0007] Preferably, communication between the mobile terminal and the control device is performed via the Internet.

[0008] Preferably, a wireless LAN for connecting the mobile terminal to the Internet is installed in the laundry store.

[0009] Preferably, the laundry appliance has a locking means for locking a lid, and the control device has a lock command means for outputting a lid lock command to the laundry appliance based on a lid lock request from the mobile terminal.

[0010] Preferably, the laundry equipment 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 opacification request from the mobile terminal.

[0011] Preferably, the laundry machine has an end notification means for transmitting a notification regarding the end of operation of the laundry machine to the mobile terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, each user is associated with an individual laundry machine by the mobile terminal reading the identification code, so that multiple users can smoothly operate multiple laundry machines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-service laundry system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operation command output control in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a recognition signal in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5]4 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an operating course signal in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a charge signal in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a billing process in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 11 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received an insufficient balance signal in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for an end notice process in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a first end notice signal in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a second end notice signal in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for error processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an error signal in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal from which an identification code has been read in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for operation command output control in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a recognition signal in the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal that receives an operating course signal in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a user terminal receiving a charge signal in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [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.

[0015] <Configuration of the First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-service laundry system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the server according to the first embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the self-service laundry system 1 according to the embodiment has a number of laundry appliances 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 appliances 20.

[0017] A label 21 (21a, 21b, 21c, etc.) with a unique identification code printed thereon (hereinafter simply referred to as identification code) is attached to each laundry machine 20. Note that a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) is preferable as the identification code.

[0018] Each laundry machine 20 is provided with a manually opened / closed lid 23 having a transparent glass window 22. Each laundry machine 20 is provided with an electric locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the lid 23, and locks the lid 23 in a closed state in response to a command from the server 30. The glass window 22 is of 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.

[0019] The laundry store 10 is equipped with a wireless LAN 40 based on the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. A mobile terminal (smartphone, etc.: hereinafter referred to as a user terminal) 51 of a user 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 a terminal (personal computer, smartphone, etc.: hereinafter referred to as a manager 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.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the server 30 has a memory unit 31 that stores operating modes, user information, etc., 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 operating command signals to the laundry equipment 20 and signals to the user terminal 51 and the administrator terminal 52 based on the judgment results of the processing unit 32.

[0021] <Operation of the 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 that receives 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 the procedure of 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.

[0022] When a user uses laundry equipment 20 at laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the homepage of laundry store 10 at home or while at 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.

[0023] Next, the user performs user registration using the user terminal 51. 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 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.

[0024] 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 app, and reads the identification code 21 of the laundry machine 20 with the 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.

[0025] When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes 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 of 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.

[0026] The server 30 determines in step S3 whether the user has touched the "YES" button 72, and if the determination is Yes, transmits an operation course signal to the user terminal 51 in step S4. On the user terminal 51 that has received the operation course signal, as shown in Fig. 5, an "operation course" button 73 (73a to 73d) corresponding to the selected laundry device 20 and an "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.

[0027] 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 transmits a fee signal to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the fee signal, 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, as shown in Fig. 6. If the user wishes to lock the lid 23 or make the glass window 22 opaque while the laundry appliance 20 is in operation, the user selects (touches) the "Lid lock" button 76 or the "Opaque window" button 77.

[0028] 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. A run request signal Sd is transmitted from the user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21. The run request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

[0029] The server 30 determines in step S7 whether or not the user has input a driving request signal Sd, and if the determination is YES, performs a billing process in step S8, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0030] (Charge processing) When the billing process begins, the server 30 determines in step S21 of FIG. 7 whether the user's charge balance Bchg is greater than or equal to 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.

[0031] If the determination in step S21 is No, the server 30 in step S23 transmits an insufficient balance signal to the user terminal 51. In the user terminal 51 that has received the insufficient balance signal, a message 81 saying "Insufficient balance. Please charge" and a "Cancel" button 82 are displayed on the screen 51a as shown in Fig. 8.

[0032] If the user has a prepaid card, the user inputs the prepaid card code, and 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.

[0033] 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 to perform 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 while the determination is No.

[0034] When the user touches the "Cancel" button 82 and the determination in step S25 becomes Yes, the server 30 stops the driving command output control itself in step S26, and ends the billing process.

[0035] 3, the server 30 determines whether the "Lid Lock" button 76 has been touched, and if the determination is Yes, outputs a lid lock command to the laundry appliance 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 appliance 20 in step S12.

[0036] Thereafter, in step S13, the server 30 outputs an operation start command to the laundry appliance 20 and ends the operation start command control. The laundry appliance 20 that has received the operation start command starts operation in the operation mode selected by the user, and locks the lid 23 or makes the glass window 22 opaque based on the user's request.

[0037] 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.

[0038] (Terminator Notice Processing) When the laundry machine 20 starts operation, the server 30 executes an end notice process, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9. When the end 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. Then, when this determination is Yes, the server 30 transmits a first end notice signal to the user terminal 51 via the Internet 60 in step S32. In the user terminal 51 that receives the first end notice signal, as shown in FIG. 10, a message 91 saying "10 minutes left until the end of operation" is displayed on the screen 51a and a ringtone is sounded at a low volume. Note that even if the user is outside the laundry store 10, the end notice signal is received by the user terminal 51 via the Internet 60 via a 3G line or an outside wireless LAN.

[0039] Next, the server 30 repeatedly determines at a predetermined time interval whether or not it is 5 minutes before the driving end time in step S33. Then, when 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" is flashed on the screen 51a, and the ringtone and vibration functions are activated.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The server 30 constantly executes error processing, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, in parallel with the operation command output control and the like.

[0042] (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.

[0043] If an error occurs in the laundry device 20 and the determination in step S41 is Yes, error information 42 (which laundry device 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 has received 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.

[0044] In response to the error information, a manager or a maintenance company will go to the laundry store 10 and take measures such as suspending the use of the laundry machine 20 or repairing it. Also, the user touches the “Cancel” button 92 according to the screen display of the user terminal 51.

[0045] Next, the server 30 determines whether or not the "Cancel" button 102 has been touched in step S44, and repeats the determination in step S44 while the determination is No. When the "Cancel" button 102 is touched by the user and the determination in step S44 becomes Yes, the server 30 transmits an operation stop signal to the laundry device 20 in step S45.

[0046] When the laundry appliance 20 receives the operation stop signal, it stops the rotation of the washing drum and the drying drum, drains water if a wash or rinse is in progress, and then unlocks the lid 23. This allows the user to remove the clothes from the laundry appliance 20 and wash or dry them in another laundry appliance 20.

[0047] Next, in step S46, the server 30 cancels (i.e., refunds) the charge made in the above-mentioned charging process, and ends the error process.

[0048] [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. It should be noted that 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.

[0049] <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.

[0050] When a user uses laundry equipment 20 at laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the homepage of laundry store 10 at home or while at 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.

[0051] Next, the user performs user registration using the user terminal 51. User registration involves registering the user's name, address, mobile phone number, and payment information (credit card information) in the server 30.

[0052] 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 to the Internet with a user terminal 51, launches a dedicated application, and reads the identification code 21 of the laundry machine 20 with a built-in camera.

[0053] On the user terminal 51 which has read the identification code 21, as shown in FIG. 14, a message 111 saying "Do you want to send the identification code? If so, touch YES. If you want to use a different machine, please read the identification code of that machine" and a "YES" button 112 are displayed on the screen 51a.

[0054] When the user touches the “YES” button 112, the user terminal 51 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 through the wireless LAN 40.

[0055] When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes 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 so, please touch YES" and a "YES" button 72 are displayed on the screen 51a as shown in Fig. 16.

[0056] The server 30 determines in step S53 whether the user has touched the "YES" button 72, and if the determination is Yes, transmits an operation course signal to the user terminal 51 in step S54. On the user terminal 51 receiving the operation course signal, as shown in FIG. 17, the "operation course" buttons 73 (73a to 73d) corresponding to the selected laundry device 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.

[0057] 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 transmits a fee signal to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the fee signal, a message 75 saying "The usage fee is XXX yen. Please put in your clothes and close the lid", a "Lid lock" button 76, an "Opaque window" button 77 and an "Start operation" button 78 are displayed on the screen 51a, as shown in Fig. 18. If the user wishes to lock the lid 23 or make the glass window 22 opaque while the laundry appliance 20 is operating, the user selects (touches) the "Lid lock" button 76 or the "Opaque window" button 77.

[0058] After checking the usage fee and selecting the "Lid Lock" button 76 and the "Window Opaque" button 77, the user touches the "Start Operation" button 78. When the "Start Operation" button 78 is touched, a driving request signal Sd is transmitted from the user terminal 51. The driving request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

[0059] The server 30 judges in step S57 whether the user has input the driving request signal Sd, and if the judgment is YES, 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 above-mentioned payment information.

[0060] When the charging in step S58 is completed, 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 appliance 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 appliance 20 in step S62.

[0061] Thereafter, in step S63, the server 30 outputs an operation start command to the laundry appliance 20 and ends the operation start command control. The laundry appliance 20 that has received the operation start command starts operation 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] When the laundry machine 20 starts operation, the server 30 executes the end notice 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.

[0064] Although the description of the specific embodiment 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, etc. 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. 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 appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The self-service laundry system of the present invention can be effectively used in self-service laundries located in cities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Self-service laundry system 10 Laundry Stores 20 Laundry Equipment 21 Identification Code 22 Glass Window 23 Lid 30 Servers 40 Wireless LAN 42 Error Information 51 User terminal 51a screen 52 Administrator terminal 60 Internet

Claims

1. The laundry machine is installed in a laundry store and has at least one of a washing function and a drying function, A self-service laundry system including a plurality of laundry machines, each of which is assigned a unique identification code, and a control device that communicates with a user's mobile terminal and controls the operation of the laundry machines in accordance with the results of the communication, The control device includes: a linking means for linking the mobile terminal with one of the laundry devices based on an identification signal from the mobile terminal that reads the identification code using dedicated application software; an operation command output means for outputting an operation command to a laundry device linked to the mobile terminal based on an operation request signal from the mobile terminal using the dedicated application software; Self-laundry system.

2. a termination notification means for 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.

Images