Car Wash System

Abstract

To provide a car washing system capable of integrally managing a plurality of car washing places.SOLUTION: A car washing system includes a setting unit for setting a main car washing place from among a plurality of car washing places for each object contract, an acquisition unit for acquiring the number of main car washing place object contracts set as the main car washing place about each of the plurality of car washing places, and a calculation unit for calculating a sales amount corresponding to the number of main car washing place object contracts about each of the plurality of car washing places.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a car wash system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a car wash system that can show car washes suitable for member customers. This car wash system has a database, a position information acquisition unit, a car wash information acquisition unit, a surrounding information acquisition unit, an area information management unit, and a calculation unit. The database stores member information. The position information acquisition unit acquires vehicle position information. The car wash information acquisition unit acquires car wash information. The surrounding information acquisition unit acquires surrounding information about the car wash. The area information management unit manages search area information. The calculation unit calculates a car wash suitable for a member customer based on the member information and vehicle position information as well as the car wash information, surrounding information, or search area information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-95375 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional car wash systems including that disclosed in Patent Document 1 are required to comprehensively manage multiple car wash locations, and they do not adequately meet this requirement, leaving room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a car wash system that can comprehensively manage multiple car wash locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The car wash system of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets a main car wash from among a plurality of car washes for each target contract, an acquisition unit that acquires the number of target contracts for the main car wash set as the main car wash for each of the plurality of car washes, and a calculation unit that calculates sales according to the number of target contracts for the main car wash for each of the plurality of car washes. The setting unit changes the main car wash for each of the target contracts based on a usage history of the plurality of car washes. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the car wash system of the present invention, a car wash system capable of managing a plurality of car wash stations in an integrated manner can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a car wash system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a car wash menu for a first car wash station to a third car wash station. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a main car wash. [Diagram 5] A figure showing an example of the number of target contracts for a main car wash for each of a plurality of car washes. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of restrictions on the car wash menus of the first to third car wash stations. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining a main car wash location. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a payment process for multiple car washes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a car wash system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the car wash system 1 has a first car wash station 10, a second car wash station 20, a third car wash station 30, and a control device 40. The control device 40 is connected to the first car wash station 10 to the third car wash station 30 via a computer network 50, and generally manages (controls) the first car wash station 10 to the third car wash station 30.

[0010] The car wash system 1 as an invention described in the claims may or may not include the first car wash station 10 to the third car wash station 30 as constituent elements. In other words, the car wash system 1 has the control device 40 as a main constituent element, and the first car wash station 10 to the third car wash station 30 are not essential constituent elements.

[0011] The first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30 correspond to "multiple car washes". The number of car washes is not limited to three as exemplified here, and may be two or four or more. The multiple car washes may be facilities that can perform at least one of car washes using an automatic car wash device, manual car washes by car wash staff, and a combination of these. The multiple car washes may be at least one of a dedicated facility specialized in car washes, a facility attached to a fueling facility (gas station), and a facility attached to a vehicle maintenance facility (oil change, tire change, etc.). In addition, the multiple car washes may include those attached to roadside commercial facilities such as retail businesses such as supermarkets, home centers, and convenience stores, and amusement facilities such as game centers and pachinko parlors. The multiple car washes may be facilities operated by the same (common) owner or a person associated with a person who can be considered to be the same. More specifically, the multiple car washes may be multiple affiliated stores of the same (common) franchise.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the car wash menu of the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30 have a shampoo car wash, a wax car wash, and a water-repellent coating car wash as a car wash menu for a vehicle (automobile). In the automatic car wash installed in the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30, a car wash menu selection screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, and a user can select one of the shampoo car wash, the wax car wash, and the water-repellent coating car wash by operating the car wash menu selection screen. After the user selects the desired car wash menu, when the vehicle (automobile) is stopped at a predetermined position, the automatic car wash executes a car wash process according to the selected car wash menu. Note that the car wash menu shown in FIG. 2 is only an example, and alternative car wash menus and additional car wash menus can be applied as appropriate. For example, an optional car wash menu for a specific part such as a tire, a wheel, or a bumper may be applied. Furthermore, optional car wash menus such as adding shampoo foam, washing the undercarriage, and thorough washing may be included.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the control device 40. Each component in Fig. 3 is a functional block realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0014] The control device 40 has a car wash fee plan selection unit (hereinafter, the selection unit) 41, a main / sub car wash setting unit (hereinafter, the setting unit) 42, a main car wash target contract number acquisition unit (hereinafter, the acquisition unit) 43, a car wash menu restriction unit (hereinafter, the restriction unit) 44, and a sales calculation unit (hereinafter, the calculation unit) 45.

[0015] The selection unit 41 allows the user to select a car wash fee plan. The car wash fee plan referred to here does not include, for example, a plan in which cash is inserted each time the car is washed, but includes a plan in which the car wash fee for a predetermined period (for example, one month) is debited from a bank account or paid by credit card. In particular, in this embodiment, the car wash fee for a predetermined period (for example, one month) is set to a fixed amount (for example, 2000 yen to 5000 yen), while one of the multiple car washes (the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30) is set as the "main car wash (my store)" and the remaining car washes are set as the "sub car wash," and a car wash fee plan in which the main car wash (my store) and the sub car wash are used in different ways can be selected. In the following, this car wash fee plan is called the "my store, all-you-can-wash plan," and the explanation will be given assuming that this car wash fee plan is selected. The monthly car wash fee may be flexibly set according to the grade of the car wash menu (for example, normal, special, premium, etc.).

[0016] The selection process of the car wash fee plan using the selection unit 41 is as follows, for example. The user sees a Web advertisement of the service provider and becomes interested in the "My Store · Unlimited Wash Plan", and accesses the dedicated website of the service provider to check the details of the car wash fee plan. After comparing it with other companies' car wash fee plans, the user decides to purchase (contract) the "My Store · Unlimited Wash Plan", and inputs the name, sex, age, address, email address, credit card information, etc., into the dedicated website. After the purchase (contract) of the "My Store · Unlimited Wash Plan" is confirmed, the user further inputs vehicle information (model, vehicle number, etc.) into the dedicated website. Then, the "My Store · Unlimited Wash Plan" can be used by creating a My Page account for the "My Store · Unlimited Wash Plan" and setting a password. When using the plan, for example, the user logs in to the My Page, displays the My QR Code (registered trademark), and reads the QR code (registered trademark) with the store's terminal. Then, the store staff will check that the contract details match the vehicle, and either receive a code or card for the car wash you want to use, or have the staff set up a course for you.

[0017] The "My Store Unlimited Wash Plan" is set in association with (linked to) the vehicle information (model, vehicle number, etc.) registered by the user. In principle, one vehicle is set for one contract for a "My Store Unlimited Wash Plan", but multiple vehicles may be set for one contract if, for example, a family has multiple vehicles.

[0018] The setting unit 42 sets a main car wash (my store) from among a plurality of car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30) for each contract covered by the "My Store Unlimited Wash Plan," and sets the car washes other than the main car wash as sub-car washes. In the initial settings at the time of contract conclusion, the main car wash (my store) is set in conjunction with (as part of) the selection process of the car wash fee plan by the selection unit 41.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a main car wash (my store). As shown in FIG. 4, a screen is displayed on the dedicated website of the service provider, which prompts the user to select a main car wash (my store) to be initially set from among the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30, and the user selects one of the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30 as the main car wash (my store) by operation. When the first car wash 10 is selected (set) as the main car wash (my store), the other two car washes, the second car wash 20 and the third car wash 30, are selected (set) as sub-car washes. Similarly, when the second car wash 20 is selected (set) as the main car wash (my store), the other two car washes, the first car wash 10 and the third car wash 30, are selected (set) as sub-car washes. Similarly, when the third car wash 30 is selected (set) as the main car wash (my store), the other two car wash facilities, the first car wash 10 and the second car wash 20, are selected (set) as sub-car wash facilities.

[0020] After the initial setting of the main car wash (my store), the setting unit 42 changes the main car wash (my store) for each target contract based on the usage history of multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30). For example, the setting unit 42 can change the car wash that has the most number of car washes in a predetermined period (for example, one month) to the main car wash (my store) (the usage history is tallied at the end of the month and reset at the beginning of the month). For example, when the first car wash 10 is set as the main car wash (my store), it is assumed that the number of car washes in a certain month is two at the first car wash 10, zero at the second car wash 20, and four at the third car wash 30. In this case, the setting unit 42 changes the main car wash (my store) in the target contract from the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30 from the next month.

[0021] Here, there is a degree of freedom in counting the number of times the car is washed, and various design modifications are possible. For example, even if the car is washed more than twice in one day, the number of times the car is washed may be counted as one. Also, if multiple vehicles are set for one contract of the "My Store Unlimited Wash Plan," the total number of times each vehicle is washed may be counted.

[0022] When the above-mentioned requirements for changing the main car wash (my store) are satisfied, the setting unit 42 notifies the target contractor of that fact, and changes the main car wash (my store) when approval is obtained from the target contractor. The setting unit 42 notifies the target contractor by, for example, a POP (Post Office Protocol) notification, etc., and changes the main car wash (my store) only when approval is obtained from the target contractor, and does not change the main car wash (my store) and maintains the current main car wash (my store) when approval is not obtained from the target contractor.

[0023] The notification regarding the change of the main car wash (my store) can be made, for example, at the first login to My Page from the beginning of the month. In addition, if there is no login for one month or more after the requirements for changing the main car wash (my store) are satisfied, the notification can be made at the time of logging in to My Page. For example, assume that the first car wash 10 is set as the main car wash (my store), and the number of car washes in a certain month is two at the first car wash 10, four at the second car wash 20, and one at the third car wash 30, and there is no login to My Page in the following month. In this case, since there was no login to My Page in the following month, the setting of the main car wash (my store) of the first car wash 10 may be maintained, and an inquiry regarding the change of the main car wash (my store) to the second car wash 20 may be made at the time of logging in to My Page the month after next. Alternatively, the notification regarding the change of the main car wash (my store) may be made based on the usage history for the following month in which there was no login to My Page. If the requirements for changes to the main car wash (my store) are not met, no notification of such changes will be made.

[0024] In the case where sub-car washes other than the main car wash (my store) are frequently used and the number of times the sub-car washes are used is the same, the target contractor may be allowed to select which of the sub-car washes to change to the main car wash (my store). For example, assume that the first car wash 10 is set as the main car wash (my store), and the number of car washes in a certain month is one at the first car wash 10, two at the second car wash 20, and two at the third car wash 30. In this case, the target contractor may be notified of this and allowed to select whether to change the main car wash (my store) to the second car wash 20 or the third car wash 30, or to maintain the main car wash (my store) as the first car wash 10.

[0025] In addition, if the number of times the main car wash (my store) and the sub car wash are used (number of car washes) in a given month is the same, the main car wash (my store) can be maintained as a priority and notification of changes to the main car wash (my store) can be omitted.

[0026] In addition, some of the multiple car washes may subsequently terminate (reject) the "My Store, Unlimited Wash Plan." For example, assume that the first car wash 10 is set as the main car wash (my store) and in a certain month the first car wash 10 terminates (rejects) the "My Store, Unlimited Wash Plan." In this case, a notice to that effect is given the first time the user logs into their My Page the following month, and the target contract holder can be prompted to choose whether or not to set the second car wash 20 or the third car wash 30 as a new main car wash (my store).

[0027] The acquisition unit 43 acquires the number of contracts for the main car wash (my store) set for each of the multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30) as the main car wash (my store). Contracts for the "My Store Unlimited Wash Plan" are signed and terminated on a daily basis, and the main car wash (my store) is also changed. For this reason, the number of contracts for the main car wash (my store) changes from moment to moment.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for each of a plurality of car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30). FIG. 5A shows an example of the number of target contracts in a certain month, and FIG. 5B shows an example of the number of target contracts in the following month. In a certain month shown in FIG. 5A, the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for the first car wash 10 is 87, the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for the second car wash 20 is 122, and the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for the third car wash 30 is 29. In the following month shown in FIG. 5B, the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for the first car wash 10 is 141, the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for the second car wash 20 is 79, and the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for the third car wash 30 is 166.

[0029] The restriction unit 44 restricts the car wash menu at a plurality of car wash locations (first car wash location 10 to third car wash location 30). The restriction unit 44 relatively loosens the restrictions on the car wash menu at the main car wash location (my store), while relatively tightening the restrictions on the car wash menu at the sub car wash locations.

[0030] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example of restrictions on the car wash menu of the first car wash 10 to the third car wash 30. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an example in which the first car wash 10 is set as the main car wash (my store), and the second car wash 20 and the third car wash 30 are set as sub-car washes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, at the first car wash 10 as the main car wash (my store), any of shampoo car wash, wax car wash, and water-repellent coating car wash can be selected (there is no restriction on the car wash menu). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, at the second car wash 20 and the third car wash 30 as sub-car washes, only shampoo car wash can be selected, and wax car wash and water-repellent coating car wash cannot be selected.

[0031] The calculation unit 45 calculates the sales amount for each of the multiple car wash sites (first car wash site 10 to third car wash site 30) according to the number of contracts for the main car wash site (my store).

[0032] In the "My Store Unlimited Wash Plan," the car wash fee for a specified period (for example, one month) is a fixed amount (for example, 2,000 to 5,000 yen), and the fixed car wash fee is calculated as the sales revenue of the main car wash (my store). In the following explanation, we will assume that the standard fee for the car wash, that is, the monthly fee for the main car wash (my store), is 3,000 yen.

[0033] The calculation unit 45 calculates the sales amount for each of the multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30) by multiplying the standard fee for the car wash (3,000 yen per month) by the number of contracts for the main car wash (my store) of the car wash.

[0034] When calculated based on the month in Figure 5A, the sales revenue of the first car wash 10 is 3,000 yen x 87 = 261,000 yen, the sales revenue of the second car wash 20 is 3,000 yen x 122 = 366,000 yen, and the sales revenue of the third car wash 30 is 3,000 yen x 29 = 87,000 yen.

[0035] When calculated based on the month in Figure 5B, the sales of the first car wash 10 are 3,000 yen x 141 = 423,000 yen, the sales of the second car wash 20 are 3,000 yen x 79 = 237,000 yen, and the sales of the third car wash 30 are 3,000 yen x 166 = 498,000 yen.

[0036] The calculation unit 45 may calculate the sales amount for each of the multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30) by multiplying the sales amount by a coefficient corresponding to the number of contracts that are the main car wash (my store). Here, an example is explained in which the coefficient of the car wash with the most contracts that are the main car wash (my store) among the first car wash 10 to third car wash 30 is set to 1.0, the coefficient of the car wash with the second most contracts that are the main car wash (my store) is set to 0.9, and the coefficient of the car wash with the fewest contracts that are the main car wash (my store) is set to 0.8.

[0037] In this case, if we apply the calculations to the month in Figure 5A, the sales of the first car wash 10 will be 261,000 yen x 0.9 = 234,900 yen, the sales of the second car wash 20 will be 366,000 yen x 1.0 = 366,000 yen, and the sales of the third car wash 30 will be 87,000 yen x 0.8 = 69,600 yen.

[0038] Furthermore, when calculated based on the month in Figure 5B, the sales of the first car wash 10 are 423,000 yen x 0.9 = 380,700 yen, the sales of the second car wash 20 are 237,000 yen x 0.8 = 189,600 yen, and the sales of the third car wash 30 are 498,000 yen x 1.0 = 498,000 yen.

[0039] As is clear from the above method of calculating sales, in order to increase sales from the "My Store - Unlimited Wash Plan," it is important for each car wash to increase the number of target contracts that designate their store as the main car wash (my store). From this perspective, we can expect improvement in service quality based on the competitive effect of each car wash (e.g., franchise affiliated stores). For example, we can expect good customer service for customers who visit our store as the main car wash (my store) so that they will maintain the target contract that designates our store as the main car wash (my store). On the other hand, we can expect good customer service for customers who visit our store as a sub-car wash, taking it as an opportunity to change our store to the main car wash (my store).

[0040] On the other hand, for each car wash, when a customer visits their store as a sub-car wash to have their car washed, the car wash fee is not recorded as sales. Therefore, by placing certain restrictions on the car wash menu at the sub-car wash (in the example of Figures 6A and 6B, only shampoo washes are possible at the sub-car wash, and wax washes and water-repellent coating washes are prohibited), the profits of the main car wash (my store) and the sub-car wash are balanced.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a process for determining a main car wash (my store). All the processes shown in Fig. 7 are executed by automatic calculation of the system.

[0042] In step ST1, the member QR code (registered trademark) is read when the customer visits the car wash. In step ST2, the usage history is reflected in the member data. In step ST3, the system tallys up the history at the end of the month. In step ST4, the store ranking is calculated based on the frequency of usage. In step ST5, the "my store" is determined based on the rules. In step ST6, the results are reflected in each customer's data. In step ST7, if there are any changes, a POP is displayed to inform the customer. In step ST8, the results are reflected in each affiliated store's data.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a payment process to a plurality of car washes (affiliated stores). All the processes shown in Fig. 8 are executed by automatic calculation of the system.

[0044] In step ST11, the My Store is determined based on the My Store rules. In step ST12, the number of My Store members for the affiliated store is determined. In step ST13, the monthly sales amount is calculated from the My Store member number. In step ST14, the payment fee is calculated. In step ST15, the fee based on the affiliated store's contract rank is calculated. In step ST16, advertising expenses, system expenses, and other expenses are calculated. In step ST17, the monthly payment amount to the affiliated store is determined. In step ST18, this is reflected in the affiliated store's database. In step ST19, payment is made to the affiliated store at the end of the following month (e.g., automatic transfer).

[0045] In this way, the car wash system 1 of this embodiment has a setting unit 42 that sets a main car wash (my store) from among multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30) for each target contract, an acquisition unit 43 that acquires the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) set for each of the multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30), and a calculation unit 45 that calculates sales according to the number of target contracts for the main car wash (my store) for each of the multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30). Therefore, multiple car washes (first car wash 10 to third car wash 30) can be managed in an integrated manner.

[0046] In the above embodiment, an example was introduced in which the sales amount was calculated according to the number of target contracts of the main car wash (my store), but the sales amount may be allocated to the sub-car wash that was used for car washing by multiplying it by a certain coefficient. Furthermore, a fixed fee may be paid based on some rules to the sub-car wash that was used for car washing. In addition, for a store that was the main car wash (my store) when the member first joined, if the store is changed to a sub-car wash, a certain amount of sales may be allocated to the store regardless of whether the store is used for car washing or not. In this way, the basic scheme of calculating the sales amount according to the number of target contracts of the main car wash (my store) may be maintained, while the profit allocation to the sub-car washes may be balanced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Car wash system 10 First car wash (multiple car washes, main car wash (my store), sub car wash) 20 Second car wash (multiple car washes, main car wash (my store), sub car wash) 30 3rd car wash (multiple car washes, main car wash (my store), sub car wash) 40 Control device 41 Car wash fee plan selection section (selection section) 42 Main and sub car wash setting section (setting section) 43 Main car wash target contract number acquisition department (acquired department) 44 Car wash menu restriction section (restriction section) 45 Sales calculation unit (calculation unit) 50 Network

Claims

[Claim 1] A setting unit for setting a main car wash from among a plurality of car washes for each target contract; An acquisition unit that acquires, for each of the plurality of car washes, the number of contracts for the main car wash set as the main car wash; A calculation unit that calculates sales amount according to the number of contracts for the main car wash for each of the plurality of car washes; having The setting unit changes the main car wash for each target contract based on a usage history of the plurality of car washes. A car wash system comprising:

Images