Remote controlled washer, dryer, laundry product dispenser and payment system and operating method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry systems for shared facilities face challenges such as inconvenience due to the need for coins or cards, lack of diagnostic analytics, inability to up-sell products, and limited information on user identity and usage patterns, with existing remote monitoring and control systems relying on specific communication protocols like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows remote control and monitoring of laundry machines, integrates payment processing, and provides diagnostic data without requiring Wi-Fi, enabling real-time statistics and user profiling, while allowing for cashless transactions and targeted advertising, using a communication device to interact with multiple machines from different manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other communication protocols are used for remote monitoring and control, then real-time communication capability is improved, but device complexity and protocol dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication card as an intermediary device that bridges the laundry machine and the external network. This card handles all communication protocols externally, so the laundry machine itself doesn't need built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules, reducing its complexity while maintaining real-time communication capability through the intermediary card.
2Ease of operation
If coin mechanisms or card readers are installed in laundry machines, then payment collection capability is improved, but device complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the payment system from the laundry machine itself and places it in a separate, centralized location. The laundry machine only needs to detect coin insertion or card presence, while the actual payment processing, card reading, and security functions are handled by a remote payment system, reducing the machine's complexity and security vulnerabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized payment system acts as an intermediary between users and laundry machines. This separate system handles all complex payment operations including coin verification, card processing, and security checks, allowing the laundry machine to remain simple while providing convenient payment options.
3Reliability
If laundry machines are designed for single household use, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to shared facilities decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control system that can manage multiple laundry machines from different manufacturers through a single interface. The system adapts to different machine types and payment methods (coin, card, cashless), making it suitable for shared facilities while maintaining the reliability of individual machine operation through standardized communication protocols.
4Productivity
If payment systems require cash or cards on premise, then payment collection is improved, but security risks and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized payment system as an intermediary that handles all cashless transactions remotely. Users can add funds and make payments through a secure remote interface, eliminating the need to carry cash or cards to the laundry facility. The intermediary system secures the funds and processes payments, reducing both security risks and improving user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling washing and drying laundry machines, dispensing laundry products, collecting and remitting payments for laundry washing machine use, laundry drying machine use, monitoring location user base sales of laundry products from a dispenser, collecting diagnostic data from laundry machines, clearing laundry machine error codes, displaying advertisements, and scheduling repair visits, as well as an operating method therefor is disclosed, in which remote communication devices, such as cell phones, key fobs, other near field communication devices, or touch-screen kiosks, act on washing machines, dryer and product dispensers.