Distributed networked laundry machine control and operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial laundry facilities, users face the challenge of securing their laundry during washing and drying operations, as existing systems often lack effective locking mechanisms, leaving their belongings vulnerable to theft due to the need to remain present or wait for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling and managing laundry machines, enabling users to select machines, set operation types, and choose parameters through a user interface, with payment processing and locking mechanisms, providing estimated durations and costs, and offering notifications for operation completion and additional time options, ensuring secure and convenient laundry processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual lock, timed lock, or no locking mechanism is used in typical commercial laundry applications, then the locking mechanism is simple to implement, but the laundry security is poor and vulnerable to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the user device and the washing machine. The server receives locking requests from the user device, processes them, and sends control signals to the washing machine's locking mechanism. This mediator architecture allows the locking mechanism to remain relatively simple while achieving reliable security through centralized control and authentication verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical locking systems with an electronically controlled locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is controlled via electrical signals from the server based on authentication results, substituting complex mechanical key-based or timed locks with a simpler electronic system that achieves superior security through software-based authentication and control.
2Reliability
If users must remain in the laundry facility for the duration of washing and drying operations, then the laundry security is maintained, but the user convenience deteriorates and time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where users can initiate washing operations, lock their laundry, and receive notifications of completion through a user device. The system automatically manages the locking mechanism and sends notifications without requiring user presence. Users can retrieve their laundry by authenticating at any time, eliminating the need to wait at the facility while maintaining security through automated authentication and locking control.
3Device complexity
If no locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the laundry security is compromised and theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a centralized intermediary that provides security functionality without requiring complex locking mechanisms in each washing machine. The server handles authentication, authorization, and locking control, allowing individual machines to have simpler locking hardware while achieving robust security through the centralized mediation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The server provides multiple functions including authentication, authorization, locking control, and notification delivery through a single centralized system. This multi-functional approach consolidates security operations across multiple washing machines, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strong security through a unified control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, system and apparatus for the controlling laundry machines in a laundry facility. A user device receives a list of machines for a laundry facility and displays them on a machine control user interface. The user may then make a selection of a machine, a selection of an operation type and a selection of one or more operational parameters associated with the selected operation type. The selection of the operation type and the one or more operational parameters may be made on the user device or on the selected machine. The machine control user interface may then display the user selections, an estimated duration and a cost. The estimated duration and cost may be based on the selected machine, selected operation type and the one or more selected operational parameters.