Washing machine

Abstract

Many dormitories, budget hotels, and hospitals have shared washing machines that are used by multiple people. Furthermore, in coin-operated laundries, multiple people use the washing machines and dryers. In these shared washing machines, the previous user might not come to collect their laundry, leaving the next user waiting, which could lead to strained relationships and problems. Furthermore, because it was a shared space, there was a possibility of theft or vandalism of laundry. [Solution] Provide a washing machine that, if necessary, can identify or automatically contact the owner of abandoned laundry while respecting privacy, and also has a theft prevention function.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a washing device.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-125090 In accordance with the end of operation of a washing device, a coin laundry system that automatically notifies the user of the end of operation is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-131740 An example of a door lock mechanism for a drum washing machine is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. WO2019-234985 An example of a lid lock mechanism for a vertical washing machine is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In many dormitories, simple hotels, hospitals, etc., shared washing machines are installed and used by multiple people. Also, in coin laundries, multiple people use washing machines and dryers. In such shared washing machines, the person who used it before may not come to collect the laundry, and the person who wants to use it next may be made to wait, which may lead to deterioration of human relations and troubles. In addition to washing machines, many buildings now have door locking and unlocking functions using PIN codes for improved security. However, shared washing machines lack any measures to prevent theft or vandalism, forcing users to wait inside the facility. On the other hand, there is a growing emphasis on time efficiency, and the number of users waiting inside facilities is tending to decrease. The objective is to provide a washing machine that can be locked and allows the next user to contact the current user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In shared washing machines, theft and vandalism are prevented by locking and unlocking the door using a PIN code. Furthermore, by knowing or having a means of contacting users, it is possible to prevent problems before they occur. Furthermore, by providing a means to inform users of the scheduled end time of operation, it helps them to be aware of the need to retrieve their items in advance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, in a shared washing machine, theft and vandalism can be prevented by locking and unlocking the door by entering a PIN code. Furthermore, by knowing or having a means of contacting users, it is possible to prevent problems before they occur. Furthermore, having a means to communicate the scheduled end time of operation makes it possible to make users aware of the need to retrieve their items in advance. Even if adopting this invention results in slightly higher costs, it offers significant advantages for laundromat operators, as it allows them to differentiate themselves from competitors by displaying a sign that reads, "A coin laundry equipped with safe and secure washing machines that can be locked with a lid," and is expected to increase sales. If locking and communication methods are combined, Leaving laundry unattended after the cycle has finished creates a sense of urgency, as customers will be notified. Conversely, this is expected to increase the number of customers who come to pick up their laundry about 5 minutes before the cycle ends, ultimately increasing the utilization rate of the store's equipment and thus providing a cost-effective solution for the business owner. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A block diagram of a washing machine to enable claim 1. [Figure 2] Block diagram of a washing machine to enable claim 2. [Figure 3] Block diagram of a washing machine to enable claim 3. [Figure 4] A block diagram of a washing machine to enable claim 4. [Figure 5] Block diagram of a washing machine to enable claim 5. [Figure 6] A block diagram of a washing machine that enables the user to be informed of the estimated end time of operation by voice according to claim 6. [Figure 7] A block diagram of a washing machine that enables the display of claim 6 to inform the user of the scheduled end time of operation. [Figure 8] A washing machine control panel for enabling claims 1 and 6. [Figure 9] A washing machine control panel for enabling claims 2 and 4. [Figure 10] A washing machine control panel for enabling claims 3 and 5. social background

[0008] In the dormitory, the shared washing machines are very busy after school, after work, and on weekends. Additionally, coin-operated laundry facilities experience increased demand for dryers and other equipment during rainy weather. Occasionally, some people would forget to use or collect their laundry from the washing machine, or they would be so inconsiderate as to never come to collect their laundry, causing the next person to wait indefinitely. On the other hand, there was a possibility that the laundry left behind after the operation was over could be stolen or vandalized.

[0009] Even if it is something after washing, one would still hesitate to open the lid or door and touch other people's clothes without permission. However, if one only presses a button and makes a phone call to the displayed number, there would not be much resistance. Nowadays, it is an era when each person carries a communication terminal, so it is easy to get in touch.

[0010] In dormitories, simple hotels, hospitals, etc., only the contact information is displayed by button operation, and it is okay even if the next person who wants to use it makes a phone call. In a coin laundry, since the identity of the next user is unknown, even if the remaining laundry is linked to the phone number by human memory, there are privacy issues. Especially when a young woman washes her underwear, etc., there is resistance to receiving a phone call saying "you've been waiting" from an unknown man. In this case, it would be more desirable for the waiting person to just perform button operations and have the washing machine automatically contact them from the phone part. Also, in the case of a coin laundry, for theft prevention of the laundry, it is more reassuring to have a washing machine that can lock the lid or door until it is unlocked after entering the contact information.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that each drawing only schematically shows the present invention to such an extent that it can be sufficiently understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited only to the illustrated examples. The present invention targets washing machines, dryers, or washer-dryers. However, the washing machines described in this specification are the general terms for washing machines, dryers, or washer-dryers. Furthermore, while the term "door" refers to a lid in the case of a top-loading washing machine and a door in the case of a front-loading washing machine, the term "door" as used herein includes not only the door of a front-loading washing machine but also the lid of a top-loading washing machine.

[0012] (Conventional shared washing machines) The following describes the conventional tank cleaning method. Until now, shared washing machines, like household washing machines, only locked their doors while in operation. Once the service ended, anyone could open and close the doors. However, even after the service ended, some users would not come to retrieve their laundry, preventing the next person from using the service.

[0013] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 1, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes an information input unit, the door has a door lock mechanism, and the microcontroller includes an information control unit, a door lock control unit, and a rewritable memory unit. The information input section refers to a panel or button-type numeric keypad, a simple keyboard, or a card reader. A rewritable memory unit refers to a memory that temporarily stores numbers and symbols entered by the user. The information control unit stores the input information in memory and simultaneously transmits a locking instruction to the door lock control unit. It also verifies the information against the input information when unlocking and, if they match, informs the door lock control unit accordingly. The door lock control unit, based on instructions received from the information control unit, It controls the door lock mechanism. In this context, "rock" refers to... Although the structure is the same as the safety lock found in typical household washing machines, its purpose is different. The locking mechanisms can be separate, The lock time for the anti-theft device in this invention is: Since the locking period during operation is included, the shared washing machine or dryer of the present invention does not need to be locked depending on whether it is in operation or not, so only locking and unlocking may suffice.

[0014] Figure 8 shows the control panel for realizing this embodiment. For washing machines and dryers, first-time users may not know how to use them. Therefore, it would be even easier to use if an automated voice guidance system started when a button was pressed, prompting users to insert money or enter a PIN at appropriate times. For entering the PIN, the washing machine's control panel or casing should have buttons or a touch-sensitive keypad. Alternatively, voice input is also acceptable. Furthermore, in the case of shared washing machines in dormitories or hospitals, it is acceptable for the washing machine to read information when the user inserts a card equipped with a magnetic tape or IC chip, which has been distributed to the user in advance by the administrator.

[0015] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 2, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes a telephone number input section and a telephone section, while the microcontroller includes an information control section, a telephone control section, and a rewritable memory section. The telephone number input section is for the user to enter the number of their mobile communication terminal as their contact number, and is a panel or button type with an easy-to-understand keypad. It may also be a card reader or the like, as in the first embodiment. Keypad input might be more suitable for places like coin laundries, while card-based reader systems might be better suited for dormitories and hospitals. It would be better if the washing machine wouldn't start operating unless contact information was entered. The contact phone number provided by the user is stored in a rewritable memory unit. The telephone control unit, upon request from the next person wishing to use the service, transmits the number stored in memory to the telephone unit and initiates the call. When the caller answers the phone, the automated voice message plays, "Thank you for using our service. Your laundry is finished. The next person is waiting. Please come and pick it up." Even if the person who answered the phone hangs up midway through, the message is considered to have been delivered to the user.

[0016] Figure 9 shows the control panel for realizing this embodiment. If the washing machine has finished operating but the owner of the laundry has not come to collect it and it is left unattended, the next person who wishes to use it should press the button that says "Call the owner of the laundry and ask them to come and pick up the washing machine." When this button is pressed, the washing machine will make an automated voice call from the telephone unit shown in Figure 2, urging the user to return the item. The user realizes that "someone they don't know is waiting" and rushes to pick it up. For washing machines and dryers, first-time users may not know how to use them. Therefore, it would be even easier to use if an automated voice guidance system started when a button was pressed, prompting users to insert money or enter contact information at appropriate times. For entering contact information, the washing machine's control panel or casing should have buttons or a touch-sensitive keypad. Alternatively, voice input is also acceptable. Furthermore, in the case of shared washing machines in dormitories or hospitals, it is acceptable for the washing machine to read information when a card equipped with a magnetic tape or IC chip, which has been distributed to the user in advance, is inserted.

[0017] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 3, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes a telephone number input section and a telephone number display section, and the microcontroller includes an information control section and a rewritable memory section. The telephone number input section is for the user to enter the number of their mobile communication terminal as their contact number, and is a panel or button type with an easy-to-understand keypad. It may also be a card reader or the like, as in the first embodiment. Keypad input might be more suitable for places like coin laundries, while card-based reader systems might be better suited for dormitories and hospitals. It would be better if the washing machine wouldn't start operating unless contact information was entered. The contact phone number provided by the user is stored in a rewritable memory unit. The information control unit transmits the number stored in memory to the telephone number display unit upon request from the next user. The telephone number display unit will show the number provided by the information control unit. In addition to the telephone number of the owner of the laundry, it would be preferable to also display the message, "You can call this person and tell them you are waiting," as this clearly conveys that the decision of whether or not to call is left to the person waiting.

[0018] Figure 10 shows the control panel for realizing this embodiment. If the laundry service has finished but the owner has not come to collect the laundry and it is left unattended, the next person who wishes to use the service should press the button that says "Display the owner's phone number." When this button is pressed, the washing machine displays the telephone number of the owner of the laundry on the telephone number display unit shown in Figure 3. The person who presses the button and is next in line can, at their own discretion, call the owner of the laundry and ask them to retrieve it. For washing machines and dryers, first-time users may not know how to use them. Therefore, it would be even easier to use if an automated voice guidance system started when a button was pressed, prompting users to insert money or enter contact information at appropriate times. For entering contact information, the washing machine's control panel or casing should have buttons or a touch-sensitive keypad. Alternatively, voice input is also acceptable. Furthermore, in the case of shared washing machines in dormitories or hospitals, it is acceptable for the washing machine to read information when a card equipped with a magnetic tape or IC chip, which has been distributed to the user in advance, is inserted.

[0019] (Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 4, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes a telephone number input section and a telephone unit, the door has a door lock mechanism, and the microcontroller includes an information control unit, a telephone control unit, a door lock control unit, and a rewritable memory unit. This embodiment combines the first and second embodiments, and enables locking, unlocking, and contact with the user by using the user's contact telephone number as the PIN. The information control unit stores the entered contact phone number in memory and simultaneously transmits a locking instruction to the door lock control unit. It also verifies the entered contact phone number when unlocking and, if they match, informs the door lock control unit accordingly. The door control unit, following instructions from the information control unit, It controls the door lock mechanism. The telephone control unit, upon request from the next person wishing to use the service, transmits the number stored in memory to the telephone unit and initiates the call. When the caller answers, the telephone department plays an automated message such as, "Thank you for using our service. Your laundry is finished. The next person is waiting. Please come and pick it up." If the person who answered the phone hangs up midway through, the system assumes that the message has been delivered to the user. Once the washing machine is unlocked and the door is opened, The act of opening this cover will erase the contact information in the memory unit. This will protect personal information.

[0020] (Fifth embodiment) A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 5, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes a telephone number input section and a telephone number display section, the door has a door lock mechanism, and the microcontroller includes an information control section, a door lock control section, and a rewritable memory section. This embodiment combines the first and third embodiments, and enables locking, unlocking, and contact with the user by using the user's contact telephone number as the PIN. The information control unit stores the entered contact phone number in memory and simultaneously transmits a locking instruction to the door lock control unit. It also verifies the entered contact phone number when unlocking and, if they match, informs the door lock control unit accordingly. The door control unit, following instructions from the information control unit, It controls the door lock mechanism. The information control unit transmits the number stored in memory to the telephone number display unit upon request from the next user. The telephone number display unit will show the number provided by the information control unit. In addition to the telephone number of the owner of the laundry, it would be preferable to also display the message, "You can call this person and tell them you are waiting," as this clearly conveys that the decision of whether or not to call is left to the person waiting. Once the washing machine is unlocked and the door is opened, The act of opening this cover will erase the contact information in the memory unit. This will protect personal information.

[0021] (Sixth Embodiment) A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 6, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes a clock unit and an audio unit, while the microcontroller includes a time calculation unit, a clock control unit, and a memory unit. At the start of operation, the time calculation unit determines the scheduled end time of operation based on the current time and the expected time, and the voice unit informs the user of the scheduled end time of operation. Users can come and pick up their laundry at that time, so they can leave the washing machine until then.

[0022] (Seventh Embodiment) A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine according to this embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 7, In addition to the components of a typical washing machine, the casing includes a clock unit and a time display unit, while the microcontroller includes a time calculation unit, a clock control unit, and a memory unit. At the start of operation, the time calculation unit determines the scheduled end time of operation based on the current time and the expected time, and displays the scheduled end time of operation on the time display unit. Users can come and pick up their laundry at that time, so they can leave the washing machine until then.

[0023] Examples of voice guidance and operation for the first to seventh embodiments are shown below. When the user presses the voice guidance start button, An announcement says, "Please press the drum cleaning button." An announcement is made saying, "Please open the door and put in your laundry." After the user opens the door and puts in their laundry, An announcement says, "Please close the door and insert the money once you have finished putting in your laundry." After the user closes the door and inserts the required amount, An announcement prompting the addition of detergent. After the user puts in the detergent and closes the door, An announcement reads, "Please enter your contact phone number as your PIN. Your laundry will be protected by the lock, but if you do not come to retrieve your laundry after the washing cycle is finished, we may contact you at this number." After the user enters their phone number and presses the Enter key, In addition to the announcement regarding the end time, The announcement concludes with "We will now begin operation," and then the train starts moving. After unlocking and opening the door, erase the contact information. The process ended with the announcement, "Your contact information has been deleted. Thank you for using our service."

[0024] This invention can also be applied to shared microwave ovens used in dormitories, budget hotels, and the like. Having a microwave oven with a function to input and display contact information would reduce problems. Furthermore, in nursing care facilities, if the bathroom door can be locked by entering the room number after closing it during bath time, facility managers can keep track of who is bathing, whether there are any problems inside, etc., which provides peace of mind for both facility managers and residents. This can also be applied to toilet doors in nursing homes.

Claims

1. A means of receiving an arbitrary PIN entered by the user, The means of storing that information, By entering that PIN, A means of locking the lid or door, A means of unlocking the lid or door by re-entering the PIN numbers or symbols, A washing machine or dryer is provided.

2. The means by which the user provides contact information, A means of storing contact information, A method to automatically contact the user by phone through button operation by someone other than the user, A washing machine or dryer is provided.

3. The means by which the user provides contact information, A means of storing contact information, A means of displaying contact information through button operation by someone other than the user, A washing machine or dryer is provided.

4. The means by which the user provides contact information, A means of storing contact information, A means of locking a lid or door by determining contact information, A means of automatically communicating with the user through button operation by someone other than the user, A means of unlocking the lid or door by re-entering contact information, A washing machine or dryer is provided.

5. The means by which the user provides contact information, A means of storing contact information, A means of locking a lid or door by determining contact information, A means of displaying contact information through button operation by someone other than the user, A means of unlocking the lid or door by re-entering contact information, A washing machine or dryer is provided.

6. Having a watch, By calculating the time required for driving, A means of determining the scheduled end time of operation, By displaying or sounding it, A means of informing users of the scheduled end time of service at the start of service, A washing machine or dryer is provided.

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