Coin laundry system and laundry application

Abstract

To provide a coin laundry system capable of easily associating a portable device owned by a user with a management device, and easily executing a procedure for using a laundry device by using the associated portable device.SOLUTION: When a coin laundry store is selected by a mobile terminal, a display device installed in the selected coin laundry store displays identification information in the selected coin laundry store, and when the identification information is read by the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal and the management device are associated with each other and the plurality of laundry devices of the selected coin laundry store managed by the management device are displayed on a screen of the mobile terminal in a selectable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to coin laundry systems and laundry applications. [Background technology]

[0002] Coin laundry stores are equipped with a variety of laundry equipment, including washing machines, dryers, and other machines, and are available to customers 24 hours a day. The use of coin laundry stores tends to increase, especially during the rainy season and periods of prolonged rain, when there is little sunlight and laundry cannot be washed and dried properly. Furthermore, due to the recent impact of COVID-19, the number of people using coin laundry stores has increased due to their high sterilization ability during drying.

[0003] Coin laundry stores have a system where customers pay a predetermined fee based not only on the washing and drying course used (including washing only or drying only), but also on additional settings such as the number of rinses and drying time. Therefore, even if customers use coin laundry stores frequently, they are not given special preferential treatment, and only receive limited-time service coupons. Furthermore, when running a coin laundry store, there is no way to know how many regular customers there are. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-33823 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. WO2019-077649 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-146342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a coin laundry system and laundry application that allows users to easily link their mobile devices to a management device, and that allows users to easily carry out procedures for using a laundry machine using the linked mobile device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The coin laundry system of one embodiment is a coin laundry system that uses a mobile terminal owned by a user, and is equipped with multiple laundry machines installed within a coin laundry store and a management device that directly or indirectly controls the multiple laundry machines within the coin laundry store.When the coin laundry store is selected using the mobile terminal, a display device installed in the selected coin laundry store displays identification information that identifies the store within the selected coin laundry store.By reading the identification information using the mobile terminal, an association is established between the mobile terminal within the selected coin laundry store and the management device.The multiple laundry machines of the selected coin laundry store that are managed by the management device are displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, and the user can select one of the desired laundry machines from the multiple laundry machines displayed on the screen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a coin laundry system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the coin laundry system shown in FIG. 1 in chronological order. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile device when installing the "laundry application." [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a "point card settings" screen displayed on the mobile device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of user information registered in a user information table of a second management device of the coin laundry system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the hardware connection configuration of a centralized settlement machine, a first management device, a second management device, and a mobile terminal of a coin laundry system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a touch screen display that allows the user to select between mobile device processing and centralized payment machine processing in S150 of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the execution procedure of a "laundry application" on a smartphone linked to a second control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a smartphone in the selection step (S320) of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a smartphone in the course selection step (S330) of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a smartphone when the "Code Payment" application is selected on the screen of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone when "Credit Card" is selected on the screen of FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a smartphone for confirming the usage details of the laundry machine after the payment according to FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 has been made. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification test screen of a smartphone for notifying a user that a laundry operation in the laundry device has been completed. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a smartphone when all preparation operations for a laundry device containing laundry items have been completed. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the "usage status" of the laundry machine displayed on a smartphone. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment points acquisition screen displayed on a smartphone. [Figure 18] A diagram showing the configuration of a coin laundry system of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a coin laundry system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 18. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a coin laundry system 100 according to an embodiment. In Figure 1, a coin laundry store 10 is equipped with a number of washing and drying machines (hereafter referred to as laundry machines 20) depending on the size of the store. A centralized payment terminal (an example of a display device) 30 has a touch screen 40, a cash processing machine, a credit card reader, etc., and is a device that centrally manages the operation settings, operation management, and payment of usage fees for the many laundry machines 20 installed in the coin laundry store 10.

[0009] The centralized payment machine 30 is connected to a first management device (server device) 50, which manages one or more stores, via a gateway 45 and a network (not shown). The first management device 50 sends various commands to the gateway 45, which then controls the centralized payment machine 30 and each laundry machine 20. The first management device 50 is also connected to a second management device (server device) 60 via the network. The second management device 60 operates and manages a "laundry application" according to the embodiment. The "laundry application" can be downloaded from the second management device 60 to a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) owned by a user and installed therein. The mobile terminal 70 can wirelessly communicate with the second management device 60. Here, the first management device 50 and the second management device 60 are configured as separate server devices, but the first management device 50 and the second management device 60 may also be configured as a single server device (see FIG. 18). Therefore, the second management device 60 is a device that indirectly controls the centralized payment machine 30 and the coin laundry device 20 in the coin laundry store 10 via the first management device 50 and the gateway 45.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the coin laundry system 100 shown in FIG. 1 in chronological order. When a user uses a mobile device 70 owned by the user to use the laundry machine 20 in the coin laundry store 10, the user downloads and installs a "laundry application" provided by the manufacturer of the coin laundry system 100 from the second control device 60 (S100, S105). The user launches the "laundry application" installed on the mobile device 70 and first enters membership information (S110). The entered membership information is registered in a user information table in a database 630 (see FIG. 6) of the second control device 60, which will be described later (S115). Note that users are also permitted to log in and use the "laundry application" without registering as a member.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the mobile device 70 when installing the "laundry application." For example, the manufacturer of the coin laundry system 100 has set up a website (HP) on the network managed by the second management device 60. This website displays an identification code (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode, QR Code (registered trademark)) that allows the "laundry application" to be downloaded. The identification code that allows the "laundry application" to be downloaded is also displayed at the coin laundry store 10 (e.g., the centralized payment machine 30). The identification code that allows the "laundry application" to be downloaded may be displayed in advertisements, flyers, etc. to promote its use. A user uses the QR code reading function of their mobile device 70 (hereinafter, a smartphone will be used as an example) to read the identification code from such media (S200) and download the "laundry application" from the app store (S210).

[0012] Next, the user launches the "laundry application" installed on the smartphone 70 (S220). This causes a user registration screen to be displayed on the smartphone 70 for inputting a user ID (email address, etc.), password, etc. Then, using this input screen, the user further inputs required information such as "zip code," "gender," and "birth month" (S230). If the user information according to the input screen is correctly input (Yes in S240), the process proceeds to S260, which will be described later. If the user information is not correctly input in S240 (No in S240), and if re-input is selected in S250, the process returns to S230 and the user information is re-input. If re-input is rejected in S250, the operation ends.

[0013] As shown in S120 of FIG. 2, the "laundry application" of this embodiment is designed to provide, for example, 500 points to users who register for the first time. It is also designed to provide points based on a percentage (e.g., 5%) of the amount paid (used) for the laundry machine. Instead of providing percentage points based on the amount paid, users may be ranked based on the total amount spent in the previous month or the average total amount spent over the past two months or more (e.g., six months), and monthly points may be provided based on the rank. For example, 1,500 points may be provided to users in rank A who spend a total of 10,000 yen or more, 1,000 points to users in rank B who spend a total of 5,000 yen to less than 10,000 yen, and 500 points to users in rank C who spend a total of less than 5,000 yen. Of course, the application may be designed to provide both percentage points and monthly points.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a "Point Card Settings" screen 71 displayed on the smartphone 70 in step S260 of FIG. 3. The "laundry application" of this embodiment is designed to award, for example, 500 points as a bonus for initial registration. Therefore, screen 71 of FIG. 4 can be used to operate the screen so that the points are awarded to the point card app registered on the user's smartphone 70. On screen 71 of FIG. 4, the user can select one of the point card apps 71a affiliated with the coin laundry system 100 that the user desires. The 500 points awarded at the time of enrollment are awarded to the selected point card app (point acquisition S125 of FIG. 2). If the user does not own any of the multiple point card apps 71a, the user can select and install the Laundry 123 card app 71b provided by the coin laundry system 100 for use. 4, laundry machine 20 usage points are also provided to the user's Point Guard app, and these points, including those accumulated at other properties, can be used for discounts on the use of laundry machine 20. Conversely, usage points accumulated by using laundry machine 20 can be used for discounts on the use of other properties.

[0015] 5 shows an example of the user information registered in the user information table 601 of the database 630 of the second management device 60, which is the member information entered in S230 in Fig. 3. In Fig. 5, the user information registered in the user information table 601 includes, for each user, "user ID," "password," "postal code," "gender," "month of birth," "point card information," etc.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the hardware connection configuration of the centralized settlement machine 30, first control device 50, second control device 60, and smartphone 70 shown in FIG. 1. The second control device 60 can communicate data with the centralized settlement machine 30 via a communication unit 610 and the first control device 50. Note that the gateway 45 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted here. The second control device 60 can also communicate wirelessly with the smartphone 70 via a communication unit 620. The second control device 60 has a large-capacity database 630, which includes a user information table 601 that stores user information and a usage history table 605 that stores the usage history of the laundry machine 20 for each user. The usage history table 605 records the usage history of the laundry machine 20 at the store for each user. The first management device 50 and the second management device 60 can be linked using a user ID (e.g., email address, etc.). The "laundry application" is designed to provide a "my store" (see FIG. 16) so that users can see multiple coin laundry stores available to them (including stores they have used in the past). When using for the first time, users can link the first and second management devices 50 and 60 by selecting the coin laundry store 10 they want to use from the coin laundry store information provided by the "laundry application" and notifying the second management device 60.

[0017] The touch screen 40 of the centralized settlement machine 30 displays a selection screen for the laundry machine 20 and a selection screen for the wash / dry course of the selected laundry machine, etc., in order to perform processing using the centralized settlement machine. In addition, in response to the selection of the coin laundry store 10, an identification code 80 is transmitted from the second management device 60 to the centralized settlement machine 30 of the store and displayed. The smartphone 70 can read the identification code 80 displayed on the touch screen 40 using its built-in QR code reading function.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 2, once initial registration with the "Laundry Application" is complete, it can be applied to all coin laundry stores 10 registered in the coin laundry system 100. Therefore, when a user selects a desired coin laundry store 10 from the "Laundry Application" (for example, this can be selected from "My Store" in FIG. 16), the user requests use of the laundry machine (S130), which is received by the second control device 60 (S135). The second control device 60 transmits the above-mentioned identification code 80 to the centralized payment machine 30 of the specified coin laundry store 10 via the first control device 50 and gateway 45 (S140). The centralized payment machine 30 of the specified coin laundry store 10 displays the received identification code 80 on the touch screen 40 (S145). Then, since a "Read identification code and start" button is displayed on the home screen of the "Laundry Application" on the smartphone 70, touching this button executes smartphone (mobile device) processing (S155, S160). On the other hand, if centralized adjustment machine processing is selected from the touch screen 40, the existing laundry processing using the centralized adjustment machine 30 is performed.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu selection screen on the touch screen 40 for allowing the user to select between mobile device processing and centralized payment machine processing in S150 of FIG. When a user uses a laundry machine 20 in a coin-operated laundry store 10, the user places the laundry in the desired laundry machine 20. Afterward, the user moves to the centralized payment machine 30, where menu selection information such as that shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Specifically, the touch screen 40 displays a selection image 40a for centralized payment machine processing and a selection image 40b for mobile device processing, which displays the identification code 80 transmitted from the second control device 60. If the user desires centralized payment machine processing, the user touches the selection image 40a. Then, the user selects the laundry machine containing the laundry, selects a course, selects a payment method, and performs payment processing as before. The selected laundry machine then operates to perform the designated washing and drying course. On the other hand, if the user desires smartphone processing, the user uses the QR code reading function of the smartphone 70 to read the identification code 80 displayed in the selection image 40b for mobile device processing. This associates the smartphone 70 with the second control device 60 on the day the laundry machine 20 is used. That is, a link between the smartphone 70 and the second control device 60 is established based on information for identifying the user that is included in the communication protocol between the smartphone 70 and the second control device 60.

[0020] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the execution procedure of the "laundry application" on the smartphone 70 linked with the second control device 60. Figs. 9 to 15 show examples of display screens in each execution procedure of the "laundry application." Each operation of the "laundry application" on the smartphone 70 will be described below with reference to these examples. As shown in FIG. 8, when the identification code 80 displayed on the touch screen 40 is read into the smartphone 70 (S310), based on the reception screen sent and provided from the second management device 60, a laundry device 20 selection step (S320), a course selection step (S330), a usage fee payment step (S340), a content confirmation step (S350), a notification test step (S360), and a reception completion step (S370) are executed.

[0021] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone 70 in the laundry machine 20 selection step (S320). The screen (device selection information) 72 shown in FIG. 9(a) shows examples of laundry devices 20: "No. 01 Large Washer-Dryer," "No. 02 Large Washer-Dryer," "No. 03 Medium Washer-Dryer," and "No. 04 Small Dryer." Four laundry devices are shown here, but other laundry devices can be viewed by scrolling the screen. To learn more about each laundry device, touch the icon of the desired device to display laundry information such as usage fee, usage time, and laundry capacity. This laundry information may be displayed simultaneously on the screen 72. In this case, the information about devices 01 through 04 is displayed by scrolling the screen. The user then selects the laundry device containing the laundry by touching it on the screen 72. In FIG. 9(a), the "Select" button for "No. 01 Large Washer-Dryer" is shown as being touched. The "X" mark on the "Select" button indicates that the laundry device is in use and therefore unavailable for selection.

[0022] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone 70 in the course selection step (S330). In the screen (course selection information) 73 shown in FIG. 9(b), in response to the selection of "Machine 01 Large Washer-Dryer" in FIG. 9(a), four courses are available: "Standard Course 60 minutes 1200 yen," "Light Course 45 minutes 1000 yen," "Wash only 20 minutes 700 yen," and "Dry only 30 minutes 300 yen." If the "Standard Course" is selected, it may be possible to further specify detergent, fabric softener, or whether to use hot water. FIG. 9(b) shows that the "Standard Course 60 minutes 1200 yen" has been selected.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone 70 in the step of paying the usage fee (S340). The screen (payment method selection information) 74 shown in FIG. 10 prompts the user to select whether to use points and how to pay the remaining balance, based on the "standard course 60 minutes 1,200 yen" selected in FIG. 9(b). To use points, enter the desired number of points in the points input area 74a and touch the apply button 74b to complete the process. In addition, "code payment," "credit card," "carrier payment," and other payment methods for the fee (remaining balance) are available. In FIG. 10, the "code payment" app, which is an example of a type of electronic money payment, is shown as having been selected.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the payment screen 75 using the "Code Payment" app selected in FIG. 10. The payment screen 75 displays the "affiliated store name," "product name," "payment method," "product price," "total payment," etc. If the user is satisfied with the contents of screen 75, they can touch the "Pay" button 75a. If they want to stop payment using the "Code Payment" app and change to another payment method, they can touch the "Cancel" button 75b to return to FIG. 10.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone 70 when "Credit Card" is selected on the screen (payment method selection information) 76 of FIG. On screen 76 shown in Figure 12, depending on whether "Credit Card" is selected, the user is prompted to select "Card Number" or "Credit Card," and to enter or select "Cardholder Name," "Security Code," etc. If the information entered on screen 76 is OK, the user touches the "Pay" button 76a. If the user wishes to discontinue "Credit Card" and change to another payment method, they can touch the "Cancel" button 76b to return to Figure 10. This card information is registered as user information in the system when it is entered for the first time, so from the next time onwards, a credit card payment confirmation screen will be displayed, and the process can be completed with the simple procedure of "approving" on that confirmation screen.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone 70 for confirming the usage details specified for the selected laundry machine after the payment has been made as shown in FIG. 11 or 12. The content confirmation screen (confirmation information for reception content) 77 shown in Fig. 13 displays the results (contents) selected or entered on the display screen of the smartphone 70 shown in Figs. 9 to 12. The content confirmation screen 77 displays, for example, "store," "machine," "course," "required time," "payment information," "payment amount," etc. If the user understands the content, they touch the "Next" button.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the smartphone 70 for notifying the user that the laundry operation (washing and drying) at the selected laundry device has been completed after touching the “Next” button in FIG. 13. When the "Test" button 78a is touched on the screen (notification test information) 78 in FIG. 14, the second management device 60 will notify the user of the notification test by vibration or the like. If the "notification test" is performed correctly, the "Confirmed" button 78b is touched to transmit the result to the second management device 60. If no vibration is felt, the "No vibration" button 78c is touched to transmit the result to the second management device 60. Here, the completion notification is made by vibration, but it may also be made by voice.

[0028] Fig. 15 shows an example of a screen displayed on smartphone 70 when all preparation operations for the selected laundry machine are complete. Screen 79 in Fig. 15 displays "Registration Completed" along with the reception number. By receiving the contents displayed on screen 79, the user can understand that all settings related to the reception of the laundry machine into which the laundry has been placed have been completed.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 2, the second control device 60 confirms the deposit processing from the smartphone 70 in S165. If it determines that all input and selection operations are complete, it sends a command to delete the identification code 80 of the centralized settlement device 30 and activation information including the course information for the selected laundry machine 20 via the first control device 50 and gateway 45 (S170). The centralized settlement device 30 deletes the identification code 80 in response to the deletion command. The laundry machine 20 then begins operation for the selected course indicated in the transmitted course information. Here, the gateway 45 directly controls the activation of the selected laundry machine, but the centralized settlement device 30 may also be designed to control the activation of the selected laundry machine. The identification code 80 displayed on the centralized settlement device 30 is deleted immediately after the deposit is made, preventing unauthorized use by another person using the identification code 80.

[0030] When the selected laundry machine starts up and begins the set washing and drying operations, information indicating its operating status is sent from the laundry machine via gateway 45 to first control device 50, which monitors and manages laundry machine 20. The first control device 50 is then designed to send the operation information of laundry machine 20 to second control device 60. Therefore, second control device 60 can send the operation (operation) information of the laundry machine containing the laundry items to user's smartphone 70 periodically or in response to a request from smartphone 70 (S175). Therefore, even if a user is located far from coin laundry store 10, the user can check the operation status (e.g., remaining operation time) of the laundry machine 20 containing the laundry items from the operation (operation) information displayed on smartphone 70 (S180).

[0031] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the "usage status" of the laundry machine 20 displayed on the smartphone 70. The "Usage Status" screen 85 shown in FIG. 16 displays the operation status (operation information image) 85a of the selected laundry machine when using, for example, Laundry 123 Musashi-Kosugi Branch. The user can see from the operation status 85a that the remaining operation time is "22 minutes," allowing them to take action based on that remaining time. The "My Store" 85b shown on screen 85 displays a list (vacancy information image) of coin laundry stores 10 that the user has used in the past. Each user's past usage information is recorded in the usage history table 605 of the database 630. When using the laundry machine 20 in S130 of FIG. 2, simply selecting the laundry store to be used from the "My Store" 85b on screen 85 allows the store information to be easily notified to the second management device 60. This store information allows the second management device 60 and the first management device 50 to be linked, simplifying the linking process. The operation status (operation information image) 85a and "My Store" 85b may be displayed on separate screens.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 2, when the operation of the laundry machine 20 being used is completed, the second control device 60 receives the completion information via the centralized settlement machine 30 or gateway 45 and the first control device 50. In response to this, the second control device 60 provides the user with points corresponding to the payment of the usage fee (S185). Information about the points earned is then notified and displayed on the user's smartphone 70 (S190). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a payment points acquisition screen displayed on the smartphone 70. The user can confirm the points earned (e.g., 5% of the payment amount) on screen 90.

[0033] FIG. 18 illustrates the configuration of a coin laundry system 101 according to another embodiment. In this coin laundry system 101, the first management device 50 and the second management device 60 of FIG. 1 are implemented as a single management device 65. Therefore, the management device 65 is configured as a server device that manages each laundry machine 20 in one or more coin laundry stores 10 and manages the "laundry application" of the embodiment. Also, in FIG. 18, the centralized settlement machine 30 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a display monitor 300 configured with a touch screen. For example, the display monitor 300 may be configured using a personal computer or tablet. The display monitor 300 is designed to have the same functions as the centralized settlement machine 30 described above. However, unlike the centralized settlement machine 30, the display monitor 300 does not have a cash handling device. Therefore, in the coin laundry system 101, all processing related to usage procedures is designed to be performed between the management device 65 and the smartphone 70. The management device 65 controls and manages each laundry machine 20 according to settings received from the smartphone 70. Furthermore, instead of displaying the identification code 81 on the display monitor 300, it may be affixed as a fixed item to any medium within the store (such as a conspicuous position on the front surface of the centralized payment machine or as part of a notice poster). In this case, the identification code 81 records store information. When this identification information 81 is read by the mobile device 70, it is connected to the management device 65, and linking becomes possible by referencing the user information stored in the management device 65. Because the identification code 81 contains only store information, it cannot be used for fraudulent activities.

[0034] Thus, according to the embodiment, by reading the identification codes 80, 81, it is possible to easily link the mobile terminal 70 and the second control device 60 (or the control device 65). By linking the mobile terminal 70 and the second control device 60 (or the control device 65), it is possible to smoothly guide the mobile terminal 70 to perform operation inputs such as selecting one of multiple laundry machines, selecting a usage plan for the selected laundry machine, and selecting a payment method for the usage fee for that usage plan, based on the display information related to the laundry reception sent from the second control device 60.

[0035] As described above, the coin laundry system of the embodiment comprises a display device 30 (or 300), a mobile terminal 70 owned by a user, and a management device 60 (or 65) that directly or indirectly controls multiple laundry machines 20 within the laundry store 10. The mobile terminal 70 is linked to the management device 60 (or 65) by reading an identification code 80 (or 81) from a medium including the display device 30 (or 300). The mobile terminal 70 is configured to receive from the management device 60 (or 65) display information for selecting a laundry machine 20, a usage course, and a method of payment for the usage fee through the linking. Therefore, by linking the mobile terminal 70 to the management device 60 (or 65), the user can be smoothly guided through the selection of a laundry machine, a usage course, and a payment method for the usage fee based on images related to laundry reception sent from the management device 60 (or 65).

[0036] The mobile terminal 70 of the coin laundry system of the embodiment is equipped with a laundry application, and the management device 60 (or 65) controls the washing and / or drying operations of the desired laundry device according to input information including selections made from the mobile terminal 70 by executing the laundry application, so that the reception input can be smoothly guided on the screen of the mobile terminal 70.

[0037] The management device 60 (or 65) of the coin laundry system in this embodiment is configured to display the identification code 80 on the display device 30 (or 300) and delete the identification code 80 after the reception process is completed, so that by reading the identification code 80, it is possible to smoothly guide the user through the reception input required to use the laundry device 20, and since the identification code 80 displayed on the display device 30 is deleted after the reception process is completed, fraudulent use can be prevented.

[0038] The mobile terminal 70 of the coin laundry system of the embodiment selects multiple laundry machines 20, a usage course, and a method of payment for the usage fee based on the display information related to laundry reception sent from the management device 60 (or 65), and sends the selected information to the management device 60 (or 65), allowing each reception process to be input smoothly from the mobile terminal 70.

[0039] In the coin laundry system of the embodiment, the mobile terminal 70 displays machine selection information (screen 72) that allows one of the multiple laundry machines 20 in the laundry store 10 to be selected as the laundry machine, and the mobile terminal 70 displays course selection information (screen 73) for the selected laundry machine as the course to be used, so that the user can be smoothly guided through the operation of selecting one of the multiple laundry machines. The user can also be smoothly guided through the operation of selecting the course to be used.

[0040] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 70 of the coin laundry system displays payment method selection information (screen 74) for selecting a payment method for the usage fee of the selected course, and the payment methods for the course fee include using earned points and payment using a payment app registered on the mobile device 70, so the user can be smoothly guided through the operation of selecting a payment method for the usage fee of the course. In addition, points are provided to a point card app that can be used for payment using the mobile device 70, so the earned points can be used effectively.

[0041] When payment for the selected course is completed, the mobile terminal 70 of the coin laundry system of this embodiment displays confirmation information (screen 77) of the reception details, which allows the input information related to the laundry reception to be confirmed, so that the reception input from the mobile terminal 70 can be smoothly confirmed.

[0042] The display device 30 (or 300) of the coin laundry system of the embodiment is provided in the centralized settlement machine 30, and the management device 60 (or 65) displays selection information for centralized settlement machine processing (screen 40a) and selection information for mobile device processing (40b) that displays the identification code 80 on the display device 30 (or 300) as menu selections, so that the user can freely select between centralized settlement machine processing and mobile device processing according to their wishes.

[0043] As described above, according to the embodiment of the laundry application, the laundry application is executed on the mobile terminal 70 of a coin laundry system comprising a display device 30 (or 300), a mobile terminal 70 owned by a user, and a management device 60 (or 65) that directly or indirectly controls multiple laundry machines 20 within a laundry store 10. The laundry application causes the mobile terminal 70 to execute the following steps: read an identification code 80 (or 81) from a medium including the display device 30 (or 300), link it to the management device 60 (or 65), and receive from the management device 60 (or 65) display information for selecting a laundry machine 20, selecting a usage course, and selecting a method of payment for the usage fee. This allows the user to smoothly navigate through operations such as selecting a laundry machine 20, selecting a usage course, and selecting a method of payment for the usage fee.

[0044] In the embodiment of the laundry application, the laundry machine 20 is selected from the machine selection information (screen 72) displayed on the screen, which allows one of the multiple laundry machines 10 in the laundry store 10 to be selected, and the course to be used is selected from the course selection information (screen 73) of the selected laundry machine displayed on the screen, so that the user can be smoothly guided through the operations of selecting the laundry machine and the course to be used.

[0045] In this embodiment, the method of payment for the laundry application usage fee is selected from the payment method selection information (screen 74) displayed on the screen, and the payment methods include using earned points and payment using a payment app registered on the mobile device 10, so the user can be smoothly guided through the operation of selecting the payment method for the usage fee for the usage course. In addition, points are provided to a point card app that can be used for payment using the mobile device 70, so the earned points can be used effectively.

[0046] In the embodiment of the laundry application, once payment of the usage fee is completed, there is further a procedure for displaying confirmation information (screen 77) of the reception details, on which input information related to the laundry reception can be confirmed, so that reception input from the mobile terminal 70 can be smoothly confirmed.

[0047] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100, 101... Coin laundry system 10... Coin laundry stores, 20... Laundry equipment 30...Centralized payment machine (example of display device), 40...Touch screen 45...Gateway, 50...First management device (server device) 60... second management device (server device), 65... management device 610, 620...Communication Department, 630...Database 601...User information table, 605...Usage history table 80, 81...Identification code (e.g., QR code, a two-dimensional barcode) 70...Mobile device (smartphone or tablet) 300...Display monitor (an example of a display device)

Claims

1. A coin laundry system that uses a user-owned mobile terminal, A plurality of laundry devices installed in a coin laundry store; a management device that directly or indirectly controls the plurality of laundry machines in the coin laundry store; Equipped with When the coin laundry store is selected by the mobile terminal, a display device installed in the selected coin laundry store displays identification information that identifies the store within the selected coin laundry store, By reading the identification information by the mobile device, the mobile device in the selected coin laundry store is associated with the management device, displaying the plurality of laundry machines of the selected coin laundry store managed by the management device on a screen of the mobile terminal; Select one desired laundry machine from the plurality of laundry machines displayed on the screen. A coin laundry system characterized by:

2. The coin laundry system described in claim 1, characterized in that the management device displays the identification information on the display device and then deletes the identification information after completing the acceptance process for washing and / or drying operations for the selected laundry device from the mobile terminal.

3. the display device is a payment machine installed in the coin laundry store, 2. The coin laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the screen of the settlement machine displays the identification information and a menu screen for selecting from the plurality of laundry machines.

4. The screen of the mobile terminal displays payment method selection information for the usage course as payment for the washing and drying or drying usage fee of the selected laundry machine, The coin laundry system according to claim 1, characterized in that the payment method selection information for the usage course includes the use of earned points and payment using a payment application registered on the mobile terminal.

5. The coin laundry system described in claim 4, characterized in that when payment for the selected course is completed, reception confirmation information is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal, which allows the input information related to reception at the selected laundry device to be confirmed.

6. A method for controlling a plurality of laundry machines installed in a laundry store using a mobile terminal owned by a user, comprising: a first step in which, when the coin laundry store is selected by the mobile terminal within the laundry store, a display device installed in the selected coin laundry store displays identification information for identifying the store; a second step of reading the identification information provided by the first step using a mobile terminal owned by the user; a third step of linking the selected laundry store with the mobile terminal using the identification information read in the second step; a fourth step of providing information about a plurality of laundry machines managed and operated at the selected laundry store to the mobile device linked in the third step; a fifth step of displaying information about a plurality of laundry machines in the selected laundry store on the mobile terminal based on the information provided in the fourth step; a sixth step of selecting a predetermined laundry machine from the information about the plurality of laundry machines displayed in the fifth step; A laundry control method, characterized in that the laundry machine selected in the sixth step can be operated from the mobile terminal.

Images