Laundry equipment control system

The laundry equipment control system addresses the inflexibility of pre-set course selection by enabling dynamic course selection through a network-connected system, enhancing user experience and reducing equipment burden.

JP2025111785APending Publication Date: 2025-07-30TOSEI CORPORATION
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025076632
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-05-02
Publication Date
2025-07-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing laundry equipment systems offer limited freedom in course selection, requiring users to choose from pre-set combinations of operation types and times, which can be inflexible and burdensome.

Method used

A laundry equipment control system comprising a server device, terminal device, and laundry equipment that allows users to select from a variety of courses through a network-connected system, enabling dynamic course selection and operation based on user input.

Benefits of technology

Enhances user freedom in selecting laundry courses and reduces the burden on equipment by allowing customizable options beyond pre-set parameters, thereby improving user experience and potentially reducing equipment costs.

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Abstract

To provide a laundry equipment control system capable of improving the degree of freedom for course selection by a user.SOLUTION: A plurality of sets of laundry equipment 10, a server device 20, and a terminal machine 30 are included. In the case where it is determined that identification information of the number received from the terminal machine 30 is valid, the server device 20 selects laundry equipment corresponding to the number, transmits the equipment selection information toward the laundry equipment, and also provides the plurality of pieces of course information including the course which the selected laundry equipment has to the terminal machine 30. The terminal machine 30 creates selection course information from a course list which the received course information shows, and when the settlement is completed, it transmits the selection course information to the server device 20. The server device 20 transmits operation execution information for operating in the course based on the received selection course information to the selected laundry equipment, and the selected laundry equipment executes washing and drying or washing or drying based on the parameter shown in the operation execution information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a laundry equipment control system for controlling laundry equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in laundry equipment such as washing machines and dryers, the operation is started by inserting cash or making an electronic money payment using an IC card or the like. For each manufacturer and installation store, a plurality of courses are prepared in advance with combinations of various parameters such as the operation types and times of washing and drying. Users of the laundry equipment use the equipment by selecting one of these pre-set courses. Generally, about 3 to 4 courses are prepared from a specification perspective such as the capacity of the storage device used in the laundry equipment and the installation of course selection buttons.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a laundry equipment control system that can improve the degree of freedom of course selection by users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The laundry equipment control system according to the embodiment includes a plurality of laundry equipment that perform any one of washing and drying, washing, or drying of laundry, an identification information table including numbers associated with at least the plurality of laundry equipment, and course information, a server device that stores the information and is communicable with the plurality of laundry equipment, and a user terminal device that is communicable with the server device. When using the laundry equipment, if the server device determines that the identification information of the number received from the terminal device is valid by referring to the identification information table, the server device further refers to the identification information table to select a laundry equipment corresponding to the received number, transmits equipment selection information to the selected laundry equipment, and provides a plurality of course information including the course information of the selected laundry equipment to the terminal device. The terminal device generates selection course information from the course list indicated by the received course information, transmits the selection course information to the server device when the settlement of the selected course is completed, the server device transmits operation execution information for operating the selected laundry equipment based on the course information received from the terminal device to the selected laundry equipment, and the selected laundry equipment executes the washing and drying, washing, or drying based on the parameters indicated by the operation execution information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] <The First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0008] (Overall Configuration) The overall configuration of the laundry equipment control system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the laundry equipment control system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the laundry equipment control system includes a plurality of laundry equipment 10 installed in a plurality of coin laundry stores S, a server device 20 capable of communicating with each of the plurality of laundry equipment 10 via a network N such as the Internet or an intranet and a gateway 40, a terminal device 30 capable of communicating with the server device 20 via the network N, and a gateway 40 installed in the plurality of coin laundry stores S. Hereinafter, the above-described components will be described in detail.

[0009] (Laundry Equipment 10) The laundry equipment 10 is a washing and drying machine capable of washing and drying laundry such as clothes. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening and closing door 11 capable of opening and closing an inlet for loading laundry is provided in the laundry equipment 10, and an ID plate 12 with an ID number uniquely indicating the laundry equipment 10 is attached to the housing. In addition, an operation panel 160, which will be described later, is provided at the upper front of the laundry equipment 10. Note that the laundry equipment 10 may be a washing machine, a dryer, a shoe washing machine, a compression pack machine, a futon dryer, etc., in addition to the washing and drying machine.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the laundry equipment according to this embodiment. The laundry equipment 10 includes a control unit 110 that performs main control of the equipment body, a fan 120 that allows air to flow into the laundry equipment 10, a heating heater 130 that heats the inflowing air, a motor 140 that rotates a rotating drum (not shown), a locking and unlocking unit 150 that locks and unlocks the opening and closing door 11, an operation panel 160 that has a display for displaying the operation end time and selection buttons for setting courses and receives user input, a sensor group 170 that measures and detects the temperature of the heated air, the water temperature, the water level, and the opening and closing of the opening and closing door 11, and a lamp 180 such as an LED for notifying the user of the laundry equipment 10 to be used.

[0011] The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a memory 112, and a network I / F 113. The CPU 111 executes the main processing of the control unit 110. The memory 112 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and is used as the working area of the CPU 111, and stores programs for realizing various functions, data used for the processing executed by the functions, etc. The I / F 113 is used for input signals from the operation panel 160 and the sensor group 170, output of control signals for the fan 120, the heating heater 130, the motor 140, the locking / unlocking unit 150, the lamp 180, etc., and communication with the server device 20 via the gateway 40 and the network N. Mainly, various functions described below are realized by the cooperation of the CPU 111 and the memory 112.

[0012] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the laundry equipment according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the laundry equipment 10 includes an acquisition unit 101, a drive control unit 102, and a transmission unit 103 as functions. The acquisition unit 101 acquires signals when cash is inserted into the insertion slot of the operation panel 160, detection signals from the sensor group 170, various data stored in the memory 112, and various transmission information transmitted from the server device 20. The drive control unit 102 drives and controls the fan 120, the heating heater 130, the motor 140, the locking / unlocking unit 150, the lamp 180, etc. based on the signals and transmission information acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The transmission unit 103 transmits end information indicating that the laundry drying process described later has ended to the server device 20.

[0013] (Server device 20) The server device 20 communicates with the terminal device 30 via the network N, and communicates with and controls the laundry equipment 10 via the network N and the gateway 40 in response to requests from the users of the terminal device 30. The server device 20 may be provided independently as one server device, or may be constructed as a so-called cloud server composed of a plurality of server devices.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server device according to the present embodiment. The server device 20 includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, and a network I / F 230. The CPU 210 executes the main processing of the server device 20. The memory 220 includes a RAM, a ROM, etc., and is used as a work area for the CPU 210 and stores programs for realizing various functions, data used for processes executed by the functions, etc. In the present embodiment, a plurality of course information 221 and an ID number table 222 are stored in the memory 220. The network I / F 230 communicates with the laundry device 10 and the terminal device 30 via the network N. Mainly, various functions are realized by the cooperation of the CPU 210 and the memory 220.

[0015] The course information 221 is such that various parameters related to the washing and drying process executed by the laundry device 10 and the usage fee thereof are associated. For example, a usage fee of "500 yen" is pre-associated with the parameters of "washing and drying" and "washing weight 2 kg" and set as one course. Note that it is preferable that the washing weight includes parameters such as the washing time and the amount of water. Also, the usage fee here is to be paid in the settlement process described later. Here, the course information 221 is set as a course that all laundry devices 10 can execute regardless of the type of the laundry device 10, but it may be prepared with unique settings for each laundry device 10 or for each coin laundry store S.

[0016] The ID number table 222 shows the ID number for each laundry device 10 installed in each coin laundry store S. It is preferable that the IP addresses of the laundry device 10 and the gateway 40 of the coin laundry store S to which the laundry device 10 belongs are associated with the ID number so that the server device 20 can access each laundry device 10.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the server device 20 includes an acquisition unit 201, a determination unit 202, a transmission unit 203, and a selection unit 204 as functions. The acquisition unit 201 acquires various types of information transmitted from the terminal device 30. The determination unit 202 determines whether the ID number input by the user exists in the ID number table 222. The transmission unit 203 transmits various types of information such as course information 221 to the terminal device 30. The selection unit 204 selects the laundry device 10 used by the user.

[0018] (Terminal device 30) The terminal device 30 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone that can communicate with the server device 20 via the network N by means of a wireless communication function. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 30 is a smartphone, but any device capable of executing the laundry application 321 described later, such as a tablet-type or laptop-type computer, may be used.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal device according to the present embodiment. The terminal device 30 includes a CPU 310, a memory 320, a network I / F 330, a display 340, and a camera 350. The CPU 310 executes the main processing of the terminal device 30. The memory 320 includes a RAM, a ROM, etc., and is used as a working area for the CPU 310, and is a storage device that stores programs for realizing various functions, data used for processes executed by the functions, and the like. The network I / F 330 performs wireless communication with the server device 20 via the network N. The display 340 is a so-called touch panel display having a touch panel as an input device. The camera 350 is provided on the back of the terminal device 30 and captures a two-dimensional code or the like. In the present embodiment, the laundry application 321 is stored in the memory 320, and the user starts the application 321. The various functions described below are mainly realized by the cooperation of the CPU 310 and the memory 320.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 30 includes an acquisition unit 301, a display unit 302, a determination unit 303, a transmission unit 304, and a generation unit 305 as functions. The acquisition unit 301 acquires various information transmitted by the server device 20 and information input by the user. The display unit 302 displays a GUI such as a store input field, a course list, a payment input field, etc. so that the user can input. The determination unit 303 determines whether the payment has been completed. The transmission unit 304 transmits the information input and selected by the user to the server device 20. The generation unit 305 generates selection course information, which will be described later, from the information input by the user.

[0021] (Gateway 40) One Gateway 40 is installed for one coin laundry store S, is connected to the network N and is also connected to a plurality of laundry devices 10, and is a relay device for communicably connecting the laundry devices 10 and the server device 20 with different protocols.

[0022] (Operation of the Laundry Equipment Control System) Next, the operation of the laundry equipment control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the laundry equipment control system according to the present embodiment. The left side in the flowchart shows the flow of the terminal device 30, the center shows the flow of the server device 20, and the right side shows the flow of the laundry device 10 respectively. The operation of the laundry equipment control system is executed triggered by the startup of the laundry application 321 stored in the memory 320 of the terminal device 30.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 8, first, the display unit 302 of the terminal device 30 displays an ID number input field on the display 340 (S101). The ID number input field is an input field for inputting the ID number printed on the ID plate 12 (see FIG. 1). Note that a two-dimensional code indicating the ID number may be attached to the ID plate 12, and the ID number may be acquired by photographing this with the camera 350. After the user inputs to the ID number input field, the transmission unit 304 transmits the input ID number (request information) to the server device 20 (S102).

[0024] When the acquisition unit 201 of the server device 20 acquires the ID number transmitted by the terminal device 30 (S103), the determination unit 202 determines whether the acquired ID number is included in the ID number table 222 (S104). If it is determined that the ID number is not included (S104, NO), the transmission unit 203 transmits error information to the terminal device 30 (S105). When the acquisition unit 301 of the terminal device 30 acquires the error information (S106), the display unit 302 makes an error notation such as "There is no corresponding ID number" on the display 340 (S107), and the process proceeds to step S101 to prompt the input of the ID number again.

[0025] On the other hand, if it is determined that the ID number is included (S104, YES), the selection unit 204 acquires the IP address included in the corresponding ID number table 222, selects the laundry device 10 indicated by the IP address, associates it with the terminal device 30 that transmitted the ID number, and the transmission unit 203 transmits device selection information indicating that it has been selected by the user to the selected laundry device 10 via the gateway 40 of the laundry store S to which the device belongs (S108). Also, together with the transmission of the device selection information, the transmission unit 203 transmits all the course information 221 stored in the server device 20 to the terminal device 30 (S109).

[0026] When the acquisition unit 101 of the laundry device 10 acquires the device selection information transmitted by the server device 20 (S110), the drive control unit 102 turns on the lamp 180 to notify the user that the selection has been made (S111). After the notification, when the drive control unit 102 detects with the sensor group 170 that the opening / closing door 11 has been opened and then closed again by the user, it determines that the laundry has been accommodated and locks the opening / closing door 11 with the locking / unlocking unit 150 (S112).

[0027] At this time, if a plurality of users execute this process and the lamps 180 of different laundry devices 10 in the same store are lit almost simultaneously, the user may misselect the laundry device 10 to be used. Therefore, a confirmation button is displayed on the display 340 of the terminal device 30 so that it can be selected. When the confirmation button is touched, the transmission unit 304 transmits confirmation information to the server device 20, and the server device 20 that has acquired this can execute a confirmation process of causing the lamp 180 of the selected laundry device 10 associated with the terminal device 30 to blink for a certain period of time again at the timing of the user.

[0028] When the acquisition unit 301 of the terminal device 30 acquires the course information 221 transmitted by the server device 20 (S113), the display unit 302 displays a course list on the display 340 in a selectable manner by means of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like based on the course information 221 (S114). After the display, the generation unit 305 generates selection course information consisting of the course information 221 selected by the user (S115).

[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a course list displayed on the display of the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 10, as the course list, 6 types of course information 221 for washing and drying, 2 types of course information 221 for washing only, and 3 types of course information 221 for drying only are displayed, and a fee is set for each course information. In addition, in the premium washing and drying included in the course information 221 for washing and drying, the type of detergent used during washing is more effective than the detergent used in normal washing.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, after the selection course information is generated, the display unit 302 displays on the display 340 so that settlement items can be input (S116). The settlement items here are, for example, selection items for settlement methods such as electronic money settlement and credit settlement, and input items such as card numbers and PINs when credit settlement is selected. After the settlement items are input, the transmission unit 304 transmits the input information as settlement information to an external settlement server via the network N (S117). The processing of these steps S116 and S117 corresponds to the settlement processing according to the present embodiment. After the transmission, the determination unit 303 determines whether the settlement has been completed (S118). This determination is made based on whether a settlement completion notification has been obtained from the settlement server. If it is determined that the settlement has not been completed, that is, if a non-settlement notification rather than a settlement completion notification is obtained (S118, NO), the display unit 302 displays a message such as "Settlement could not be completed" on the display 340, and proceeds to step S116 to prompt the input of the settlement items again.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined that the settlement has been completed, that is, if a settlement completion notification has been obtained (S118, YES), the transmission unit 304 transmits the selection course information to the server device 20 (S119). When the acquisition unit 201 of the server device 20 acquires the selection course information (S120), the transmission unit 203, based on the acquired selection course information, transmits operation execution information for operating the laundry device 10 in the course (combination of parameters and their values) indicated by the selection course information to the laundry device 10 via the gateway 40 of the laundry store S to which the device belongs (S121).

[0032] When the acquisition unit 101 of the laundry device 10 acquires the operation execution information (S122), the drive control unit 102 drives the fan 120, the heater 130, the motor 140, etc. based on parameters such as the washing weight, detergent type, drying temperature, and drying time indicated by the operation execution information, and executes a washing and / or drying process for washing the laundry (S123).

[0033] After the washing and drying process is executed, the transmission unit 103 transmits end information indicating that the washing and drying process has ended to the server device 20 via the gateway 40 (S124). After the transmission, the drive control unit 102 turns off the lamp 180 and unlocks the locked opening / closing door 11 so that the user can take out the laundry (S126).

[0034] On the other hand, when the acquisition unit 201 of the server device 20 acquires the end information transmitted by the laundry device 10 (S127), the transmission unit 203 transmits the acquired end information to the terminal device 30 (S128). When the acquisition unit 301 of the terminal device 30 acquires the end information (S129), the display unit 302 displays "The washing has ended" or the like and issues an alarm to notify the user that the selected course has ended, and this flow ends.

[0035] According to the present embodiment described above, the server device 20 side can store a plurality of course information 221, allow the user to select this, and operate the laundry device 10. Therefore, the user can select from a large number of courses other than the courses set in the laundry device 10, so that the degree of freedom in course selection can be improved. Further, it is not necessary to set course information in the laundry device 10, the burden on the laundry device 10 can be reduced, and ultimately, the cost can be reduced.

[0036] Also, in the present embodiment, it was described that the server device 20 that has acquired the ID number transmits the device selection information after determining that the acquired ID number exists in the ID number table 222. However, when the target laundry device 10 can be reserved in advance, there is a possibility that a reservation has been made. Therefore, it is preferable to incorporate a process of determining whether or not a reservation has been made prior to transmitting the device selection information. When the reservation is managed by the server device 20, a reservation flag is associated with the ID number table at the time of reservation, and the presence or absence of the reservation is determined based on the presence or absence of the flag. On the other hand, when the reservation is managed by the laundry device 10, the server device 20 transmits information requesting the presence or absence of the reservation to the laundry device 10 and determines the response.

[0037] Also, although the user inputs an ID number to associate the laundry device 10 to be used with the terminal device 30, on the terminal device 30 side, instead of the ID number, the coin laundry store name may be input or selected, and the selected store information may be transmitted to the server device 20 so that the server device 20 selects the laundry device 10 in the selected store. In this case, it is preferable that the server device 20 stores the IP addresses of the laundry devices 10 for each store in a table. The server device 20 determines whether the laundry device 10 in the store is in operation by means such as ping, associates the non-operating laundry device 10 with the terminal device 30, and lights the lamp 180 to let the user recognize the laundry device 10 associated with the terminal device 30. Also, the server device 20 may store the IP addresses of the gateways 40 for each store in a table and determine whether the laundry device 10 is in operation at the gateway 40 and notify the server device 20 accordingly.

[0038] Also, the terminal device 30 may perform the functions of the server device 20 and the gateway 40. In this case, communication is performed with the laundry device 10 using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the laundry device 10 can be operated without using the network N, the server device 20, etc. by transmitting device selection information and operation execution information. Needless to say, the same applies when the terminal device 30 and the laundry device 10 are wired-connected with a LAN cable or the like. Also, the function of the server device 20 may be provided to a system that manages the gateway 40, the laundry device 10, or the coin laundry store S such as a centralized payment machine.

[0039] Also, although it has been described that the settlement of the laundry device 10 is performed by electronic money settlement or credit settlement, cash may be directly inserted into the laundry device 10. In this case, by transmitting a notification of the completion of the settlement from the laundry device 10 to the terminal device 30 via the server device 20, the transmission of the selected course information on the terminal device 30 can be executed.

[0040] Also, although it has been described that various functions are realized when the terminal device 30 starts the laundry application 321, it is not limited thereto. The terminal device 30 accesses a website on the web provided by the server device 20, and by inputting an ID number and transmitting selection course information on the web, the same processing as when using the laundry application 321 can be performed.

[0041] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, it has been explained that a plurality of pieces of course information in which combinations of parameters related to the washing and drying process and the degree thereof are already set are prepared and the user is allowed to select them. In this embodiment, a laundry equipment control system in which the user can arbitrarily select the parameters themselves will be described.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the server device 20a according to this embodiment is different from the server device 20 according to the first embodiment in that the memory 220 stores parameter information 221a and a fee table 223 instead of the course information 221. The parameter information 221a indicates various parameters related to the washing and drying process described in the first embodiment, and includes, for example, "washing weight", "detergent type", "presence or absence of softener", "washing time", "drying temperature", and "drying time" as parameters.

[0043] The charge table 223 has charges assigned for each value of various parameters included in the parameter information 221a. For example, the charge for each 1 kg increase in the parameter of "washing weight", the charge for each 5-minute increase in the parameters of "washing time" and "drying time", the charge for each 1-level increase in the levels of the parameters of "detergent" and "drying temperature", the charge depending on the presence or absence of the parameter of "fabric softener", etc. Here, the level of the "detergent" parameter indicates the type of detergent used, and the higher the level, the more expensive the detergent with higher effectiveness, fragrance, etc. The charge table 223 here has usage charges set for each value of the parameter regardless of the type of the laundry device 10, but it may be prepared uniquely for each laundry device 10 or for each coin laundry store S.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 30a according to the present embodiment is different from the terminal device 30 according to the first embodiment in that it newly includes a calculation unit 306 as a function. The calculation unit 306 calculates the usage charge that the user should pay when causing the laundry device to execute the selected course information based on the parameter information 221a and the charge table 223.

[0045] (Operation of the Laundry Device Control System) Next, the operation of the laundry device control system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the laundry device control system according to the present embodiment. Here, the description of the processing steps similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 13, after transmitting the device selection information in step S108, the server device 20a transmits the parameter information 221a and the fee table 223 to the terminal device 30 (S201). When the acquisition unit 301 of the terminal device 30 acquires the parameter information 221a and the fee table 223 (S202), the display unit 302 displays a parameter list on the display 340 in a selectable manner on the GUI or the like based on the parameter information 221a (S203). After the display, the calculation unit 306 calculates the usage fee that the user should pay based on the values of the parameters selected by the user and the fee table 223, and displays this on the parameter list (S204).

[0047] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a parameter list displayed on the display of the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 14, the parameter list displays, as washing parameters, the washing weight, the level of the type of detergent (A to C), the presence or absence of a softener, and the washing time, and as drying parameters, the level of the drying temperature (low, medium, high) and the drying time, and these can be arbitrarily increased or decreased by the increase button 341 and the decrease button 342. Further, the calculated usage fee is displayed in the parameter list, and a settlement button 343 is displayed below it.

[0048] After the calculation, when the settlement button 343 is touched, the generation unit 305 generates selection course information by associating the values of the parameters selected by the user with the calculated usage fee, and stores this in the memory 320 in a readable manner (S205). The stored selection course information can be appropriately read and selected by touching a stored course read button 344 provided on the parameter list screen as shown in FIG. 15.

[0049] According to the present embodiment described above, since the user can arbitrarily select the value for each parameter, it is possible to provide a user-customized course that is very close to the user's desires, and it is possible to further improve the degree of freedom in course selection.

[0050] In the first embodiment, it has been described that the server device 20 stores the course information 221, and in the second embodiment, the server device 20a stores the parameter information 221a and the fee table 223. However, these pieces of information may be stored in the terminal devices 30 and 30a. By having the terminal devices 30 and 30a store them in advance, it is possible to shorten the processing time.

[0051] In the first and second embodiments, the laundry applications of the terminal devices 30 and 30a and the server programs of the server devices 20 and 20a that execute the above-described laundry equipment control method are pre-installed in the memories 220 and 320. Note that the laundry applications and server programs according to the present invention also include those stored in a storage medium. Here, the storage medium refers to all media that can be read and executed by the above-described terminal devices and server devices, such as magnetic tapes, magnetic disks (hard disk drives, etc.), optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVD disks, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MOs, etc.), flash memories, etc., media that are detachable from the terminal devices and server devices, and further media that can be transmitted via a network.

[0052] The first and second embodiments according to the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and can be combined, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0053] 1... Laundry equipment control system, 10... Laundry equipment 20, 20a... Server devices, 203... Transmission unit (execution information transmission unit) 204... Selection unit (equipment selection unit), 221a Parameter information (parameter value) 223... Fee table, 30, 30a... Terminal devices 302… Display unit (Course information generation unit) 304… Transmission unit (Request information transmission unit, Course information transmission unit) 305… Generation unit (Course information generation unit), 40… Gateway (Relay device)

Claims

1. A plurality of laundry devices that perform any one of washing and drying, washing, or drying of laundry, An identification information table including numbers associated with at least the plurality of laundry devices and a server device that stores course information and is communicable with the plurality of laundry devices, A user terminal communicable with the server device, A laundry device control system comprising: When using the laundry device, the server device refers to the identification information table and determines that the identification information of the number received from the terminal is valid. Further, the server device refers to the identification information table, selects a laundry device corresponding to the received number, transmits device selection information to the selected laundry device, and provides a plurality of course information including the course information of the selected laundry device to the terminal. The terminal generates selected course information from the course list indicated by the received course information, and transmits the selected course information to the server device when the settlement for the selected course is completed. The server device transmits operation execution information for operating the selected laundry device in a course based on the received selected course information to the selected laundry device. The selected laundry device executes the washing and drying, washing, or drying based on the parameters indicated in the operation execution information. A laundry device control system characterized by the above.

2. The laundry device control system according to claim 1, wherein the memory of the server device stores course information including the fees for each of the plurality of courses of washing and drying, the fees for each of the plurality of courses of washing, and the fees for each of the plurality of courses of drying.

Citation Information

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