Advertisement distribution system in self-service laundry establishment

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an advertisement distribution system in a self-service laundry establishment, said advertisement distribution system being capable not only of efficiently managing the application of advertisement information, but also of greatly contributing to customer analysis and customer retention. [Solution] A display 12 is positioned in the vicinity of a laundry machine 11 in a brick-and-mortar establishment 10. There is a first server 6 to which a brick-and-mortar establishment ID and information about the possibility of payment for the use of the laundry machine 11 are transmitted via a network due to a customer terminal 3 reading an identification code that is displayed on the display 12. The first server 6 creates a list of customer information and advertisement information and registers and stores the result. There is a second server 7 that, when the first server 6 determines that payment is permitted, transmits an operation permission signal via the network and causes the laundry machine 11 to be in an operating state. The operation permission signal that was transmitted from the second server 7 is received, and the first server 6 selects and outputs advertisement information corresponding to attribute information for the customer.

Description

Advertising distribution system for coin laundry stores

[0001] The present invention relates to an advertising distribution system for coin laundry stores that are operated as a chain of multiple stores spread over a wide area, and in particular to an advertising distribution system for network-type coin laundry stores in which advertising information is distributed via communication lines between advertising displays installed in physical stores, information terminals (DTUs: Data Transfer Units) managed by each store via a support server (SIS: Support Integrator Server), and a host server that remotely manages the system.

[0002] In recent years, personal and portable terminal devices such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to simply as PCs) and smartphones have rapidly become popular, and as the use of the Internet has expanded, the digital networking of advertising distribution of a wide variety of product information and merchandise information has rapidly expanded.

[0003] Conventionally, a method has been proposed for customers to obtain product advertising information by reading an IC card placed on the back of an advertising display into a mobile terminal device using a reader / writer connected to the mobile terminal device, and then obtaining the advertising information using the server address recorded on the IC card (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In addition, a system has been proposed in which a QR code (registered trademark) containing information related to the advertising content of hanging advertisements inside trains is read by a mobile terminal device and advertising information is obtained from the QR code (registered trademark) (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0005] Also, a system has been proposed in which a two-dimensional barcode displayed on an outdoor signboard is read by a mobile terminal and advertising information is obtained from the two-dimensional barcode (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0006] Meanwhile, due to the significant impact of the cashless movement, purchasing goods and making monetary payments over the Internet have already become commonplace, and a payment support system has been proposed for coin laundry stores in which, when a customer terminal reads a two-dimensional barcode displayed on a laundry machine, the store ID and the laundry machine in question are sent from the customer terminal device to a support server, and if the machine usage fee is less than the balance in the balance information file, a use permission signal is sent and the laundry machine begins operating (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-30134 Japanese Patent No. 5266550 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-040243 Japanese Patent No. 7357376

[0008] However, conventional advertising distribution systems and cashless payment support systems are limited to providing services by customers accessing a single support server that provides or manages those services, in other words, a single company's advertising database. In view of the problems with the above-mentioned conventional technology, the present invention provides an advertising distribution system for coin laundry stores that not only enables efficient operation and management of advertising information, but also enables the introduction of a safe and reliable cashless system, greatly contributing to customer analysis and customer retention.

[0009] The present invention provides an advertising distribution system for coin-operated laundry stores, comprising: a display displaying an identification code corresponding to a network address for accessing advertising information, located near the laundry machines in the store; a first server to which a customer terminal reads the identification code displayed on the display and transmits the store ID and payment availability information for the laundry machine over the network; the first server stores customer information registered as a member and stores it in advance, and also stores advertising information in a list; and a second server that, when the first server determines that payment is permitted, transmits an operation permission signal for the laundry machine over the network to activate the laundry machine. The first server receives the laundry machine operation permission signal from the second server, selects advertising information corresponding to the registered customer's attribute information, and outputs it to the display or the customer terminal. The second server is connected by wire to a third server via a dedicated public line, storing a wide variety of advertising information (e.g., videos and still images) managed by advertising creators. The third server changes the lighting pattern of LEDs on the laundry machines in response to or in synchronization with the advertising videos and images displayed on the display.

[0010] The present invention provides the following excellent advantages: (1) The operating status of laundry machines can be continuously notified and displayed on in-store displays and customer devices, contributing to the effective use of customers' waiting time. (2) Because the system polls the laundry machines and customer devices while the machines are operating, stable operation and monitoring and control of the operating status can be achieved without placing excessive load on network devices. (3) By changing the LED lighting pattern when the laundry machine's operating status (washing process) changes, customers can be intuitively notified of the progress of the washing process. (4) By changing the LED lighting pattern according to a specified time, the system can be used as a street timer. (5) For example, by synchronizing or varying the LED lighting patterns for all stores or all machines, specific stores or specific machines, or by dividing the area into sections, a highly eye-catching effect can be achieved, contributing to customer retention in chain operations. (6) The synergistic visual stimulation of the LED lighting and the advertising videos and images displayed on the in-store displays has the effect of attracting customers, increasing the amount of time and frequency of viewing the advertisement, and ultimately significantly increasing the motivation to purchase the advertised product. (7) Not only can advertising information be efficiently managed, but a safe and reliable cashless system can also be introduced.

[0011] The present invention relates to a method for distributing and displaying advertising information on a display device installed in a coin laundry.

[0012] The following describes the advertisement distribution system for a coin laundry store according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 1 shows an overview of the network configuration of an advertisement distribution system for a coin laundry store 10 according to this embodiment. In the advertisement distribution system 1, a system administrator PC 4 of a company (hereinafter referred to as the advertisement provider) that manages identification codes for advertisement information and provides them to customers is connected to a network 2 (including the Internet, public lines, or dedicated individual lines).

[0014] Connected to the network 2 are a first server (host server: advertising information distribution system means: (hereinafter referred to as WHA server: WASH House (registered trademark) Host Server)) 6 that stores identification codes managed by a system administrator's PC 4 that manages and provides identification codes of advertising information to customers, and a second server (laundry machine operating system means: (hereinafter referred to as SIS server: Support Integrator Server)) 7 that controls the operating status of laundry machines 11 in response to command signals from the administrator's PC 4. Also connected to the network 2 is a third server (display operating means: (hereinafter referred to as DSP (Demand Side Platform) server) 8 that stores a wide variety of advertising information (moving images, still images, etc.) managed by advertising creators.

[0015] This DSP server 8 also functions as a system server for transmitting advertising information including an identification code managed by the system administrator PC 4 and provided by the WHA server 6 to the customer device (i.e., the DSP terminal) 3.

[0016] The advertising information providing system 1 of this embodiment can be accessed from a mobile device 3, such as a smartphone or tablet, owned by a customer. The advertising display 12 is installed in a physical coin laundry store 10, and in this embodiment, is disposed on top of a laundry machine 11, such as a washer / dryer or dryer, via a remote information display unit (DTU) 13. This remote information display unit (DTU: Data Transfer Unit) 13 is connected to the DSP server 8 via the SIS server 7. The information display 12 may display an identification code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), that can be read by the customer device 3 to access various applications.

[0017] Here, network 1 is composed of multiple networks, such as the existing Internet, LAN, ATM lines, dedicated lines, wireless networks, or public line networks. Furthermore, the above-mentioned PC 4, WHA server 6, SIS server 7, DSP server 8, multiple information displays 12, and portable devices 3 are connected to network 1 by wire or wirelessly. Here, advertising displays 12 are preferably connected to DSP server 8 by wire via dedicated public line 9 to prevent unauthorized access due to network vulnerabilities during advertising playback, such as harmful access to advertising data, information acquisition, playback interference, and alteration, and to ensure clear, safe, and accurate advertising image quality and audio playback. This is because a stable network connection can be ensured without being affected by obstacles such as buildings or electromagnetic waves emitted by other electrical appliances.

[0018] Figure 2 shows the workflow for delivering and displaying advertising information in this embodiment. A customer displays the QR code (registered trademark) of the system app on their mobile device 3 (hereinafter, a smartphone will be used as an example) (step S1). The QR code reading process begins (step S2). The SIS server 7 acquires member information (step S3). An advertising list tailored to the member is created (step S4). The advertising list is then stored on the mobile device 3 and prepared for playback (step S5). Next, a cashless payment is made via the application (step S6). The WHA server 6 issues a remote operation instruction signal (step S7), starting operation of the laundry machine 11 (step S8). At the same time, sales information, including customer information, is notified to the WHA server 6 (step S9). The WHA server 6 then receives the sales information (step S10) and transmits it to the SIS server 7. Then, the SIS server 7 and DSP server 8 (step S11), which have received the sales information, sequentially play the advertisement list stored corresponding to the customer information on the portable device 3 and the advertising display 12 (step S12), and display the operation process screen of the laundry machine 11 (step S13). When the advertisement is played on the portable device 3 (step S14), the SIS server 7 counts the number of page views (step S14a). When the customer taps on the advertisement played in step S14 (step S15), the SIS server 7 counts the number of clicks (step S15a). The advertisement played in step S14 is also displayed on the advertising display 12 installed in the store 10, and may display the same advertisement as on the portable device 3 or different advertisements.

[0019] Meanwhile, when the WHS server 6 receives the sales notification in step S11, it sends a message to turn on the LED to the LED lighting app (step S16), and the operation process progresses (step S18) while changing the lighting pattern of the LEDs 5 arbitrarily arranged on the laundry machine 11 (step S17), and sends the operation status to the WHA server 6 (step S20). The WHA server 6 receives and acquires the operation status and sends the acquired information to the DSP server 8 (step S21), and changes and displays the operation status on the customer's mobile device 3 (step S22). In this way, by changing the lighting pattern of the LEDs 5 when the operation status (washing process) of the laundry machine 11 changes, the customer can be intuitively notified of the progress of the washing process.

[0020] After acquiring the operating status in step S21, the SIS server 7 transmits a message indicating the change in the LED illumination pattern corresponding to the operation process to the LED illumination app (step S23) and transmits the LED illumination change pattern to the laundry machine 11 (step S24). While the laundry machine 11 is operating, the system polls the machine 11 and the customer device 3, enabling stable operation and monitoring and control of the operating status without placing excessive load on the network devices. When the laundry machine 11 finishes operation (step S25), a completion notification is sent to the WHA server 6 (step S26). Upon receiving the completion notification (step S27), the completion notification is sent to the SIS server 7 and received by the SIS server 7 (step S28). The completion notification is then sent to the portable device 3, which displays an operation completion screen (step S29), and the administrator PC 4 receives the completion notification (step S30).

[0021] Meanwhile, the WHS server 6 that received the operation end notification in step S28 sends a message to turn on the LED to the LED lighting app, which causes the laundry machine 11 to change the LED to the operation end pattern (step S18). Also, for example, by changing the lighting pattern of the LED 5 according to a specified time, it can be used as a street timer, and by synchronizing or varying the lighting pattern of the LED 5 for all stores or all machines, or for specific stores or specific machines, or for divided locations, a highly eye-catching effect can be achieved, contributing to customer retention in chain operations.

[0022] The flowchart in Figure 3 illustrates an example of the operation of a customer's portable device. When a customer touches an identification code displayed on the portable device 3 to launch an application (step P1), a request for access (acquisition) of advertising information corresponding to the identification code is sent to the SIS server 7 based on the device number of the portable device 3 included in the identification code (step P2). If the SIS server 7 determines the access is legitimate through a predetermined authentication procedure, it sends an access request including the device number and identification code of the received portable device 3 to the WHA server 6 (step P3). Based on a built-in correspondence table of identification codes and URL addresses, the WHA server 6 transmits video or still images of advertising information corresponding to the identification code of the access request to the portable device 3 with the device number that received the access request (step P4). The portable device 3 performs optimal attribute analysis of the received advertising information (steps P5 and P6). The customer then views the extracted and played advertisement (steps P7 and P8). After viewing the advertisement, if the user intends to purchase the advertised product, the user launches a purchasing application (e.g., displays a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on the last image) (step P10), and if the user does not wish to purchase, the user ends viewing (step P9).

[0023] The advertisements displayed on the displays 12 in the store 10 can be changed via the system (for all stores, by store, or by machine). The system also allows for the order of advertisement playback, store and area settings, and the playback of advertisements tailored to customer attributes. The system also links with existing portal site accounts to play advertisements optimized for each customer, simultaneously reload and play any advertisements at a date and time set in the system on the administrator's PC 4, and display different advertisements on the displays 12 and the customer's terminal device 3. Because these systems are centrally managed by the WHA server 6, upgrades can be performed all at once. The system also allows for the lighting pattern of the LEDs 5 on the laundry machines 11 to change in response to or synchronize with the advertising video and images displayed on the displays 12. This synergistic visual stimulation between the lighting of the LEDs 5 and the advertising video and images displayed on the in-store displays 12 can attract customers and increase the amount of time and frequency with which they view the advertisements, significantly increasing customer motivation to purchase the advertised products.

[0024] It should be noted that the above example is presented as one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. It goes without saying that various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0025] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Advertising distribution system 2 Network (Internet line) 3 Customer terminal device 4 System administrator PC 5 LED 6 First server (advertising information distributor: WHA server) 7 Second server (laundry machine operator: SIS server) 8 Third server (display operator: DSP server) 9 Dedicated public line 10 Coin laundry physical store 11 Laundry machine 12 Advertising display 13 Remote information collection device (DTU)

Claims

1. An advertising distribution system for a coin laundry store, characterized in that a display displaying an identification code corresponding to a network address for accessing advertising information is placed near the laundry equipment in the physical store, a first server is provided to which a customer terminal reads the identification code displayed on the display and transmits the physical store ID and payment availability information for the use of the laundry equipment over the network, the first server stores customer information as a pre-registered member and registers and stores advertising information in a list, and a second server is provided which, when the first server determines that payment is permitted, transmits a signal to enable operation of the laundry equipment over the network to put the laundry equipment into operation, and the first server receives the laundry equipment operation permission signal sent from the second server, and selects advertising information corresponding to the attribute information of the registered customer and outputs it to the display or the customer terminal.

2. An advertising distribution system for a coin laundry store as described in claim 1, characterized in that a third server storing a wide variety of advertising information (videos, still images, etc.) managed by advertising creators is connected by wired connection via a dedicated public line.

3. An advertising distribution system for a coin laundry store as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the lighting pattern of the LEDs installed on the laundry equipment is changed in response to or in synchronization with the advertising videos and images displayed on the display.

Images