JP7424739B2 - self laundry system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a self-laundry system, and more particularly to a technique for realizing improved user convenience.

Users who visit a coin-operated self-service laundry (coin-operated laundromat) insert coins into the money insertion machine, then operate various setting buttons and activation buttons attached to the washing machine or dryer to check the amount of clothing. and washing and drying according to the type (see Patent Document 1).
While waiting for the washing machine or dryer to finish operating, the user may go to an external store or restaurant to shop or eat (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-129300 JP2006-262942A

Therefore, there is a problem of providing a coin laundry that is easy to use for users.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a self-laundry system that improves user convenience.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a laundry device installed in a laundry store and having at least a drying function communicates with a user's mobile terminal, and controls the operation of the laundry device according to the communication result. A self-laundry system comprising a device, wherein the laundry device has a locking means for locking a lid, and the control device causes the laundry device to lock the lid based on a lid lock request signal from the mobile terminal. The laundry apparatus is characterized by comprising a lock command means for outputting a command, and an unlock command means for outputting a lid unlock command to the laundry equipment based on a lid unlock request signal from the mobile terminal.
By doing so, it becomes possible to provide a user-friendly coin laundry using a user's own mobile terminal.

Preferably, the lock command means outputs the lid lock command to the laundry equipment even when the laundry equipment is in operation.
By doing this, even if you forget to lock the lid before driving, it is possible to lock the lid during driving.

Preferably, the unlock command means outputs the lid unlock command to the laundry equipment even if the laundry equipment is in operation.
By doing so, the lid can be unlocked during operation.

Preferably, when the laundry equipment receives the lid unlock command during operation, it temporarily stops operation.
By doing so, the lid can be safely unlocked.

Preferably, the locking means attaches a strike plate to the lid, attaches an electromagnetic lock section having a built-in electromagnet to the laundry equipment, and attracts the strike plate and the electromagnetic lock section by receiving the lock command. Then, by receiving the unlock command, the strike plate and the electromagnetic lock part are released from adhesion.
By doing so, the lid can be locked/unlocked using the electromagnetic lock.

Preferably, the laundry equipment has a glass window that can be switched between transparent and opaque, and the control device switches the glass window to opaque based on a window opaque request from the mobile terminal.
By doing so, it is possible to protect the user's privacy.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin laundry that is more user-friendly.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-laundry system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a screen of a mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the lid lock and window opacity of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the driving|operation start process in operation command output control in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process during driving in driving command output control in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a driving|operation end process in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received an error signal in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a user rank process in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a rank-up signal in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a rank down signal in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-laundry system according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the driving|operation start process in driving command output control in 2nd Embodiment . FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a recognition signal in a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a driving course signal in a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal in a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of billing processing in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received an insufficient balance signal in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has read an identification code in a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has read an identification code in a third embodiment. It is a front view which shows the user terminal which received the driving course signal in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal in a third embodiment. It is an explanatory view of a flow chart of operation start processing in a third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of billing processing in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal. It is a front view which shows the user terminal which received the balance insufficient signal in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has read an identification code in a third embodiment.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The first embodiment is characterized in that the transmission of a driving request signal and the like from the mobile terminal to the control device is performed by inputting a one-time password and short-range wireless communication, and that the fee is paid by credit card.

<Configuration of first embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-laundry system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the screen of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the self-laundry system 1 according to the embodiment includes a large number of laundry devices 20 (20a, 20b, 20c, . . . ) equipped with a washing function, a drying function, etc. installed in a laundry store 10. , and a server 30 (control device) that controls the operation of these laundry devices 20. Note that the large number of laundry devices include laundry devices that only have a washing function, laundry devices that only have a drying function, and laundry devices that have both a washing function and a drying function. In this embodiment, a plurality of laundry machines (dryers) having only a drying function will be mainly explained.

A lid for closing the drying tank is attached to each laundry device 20 so that it can be opened and closed by a user's operation, and a strike plate is attached to this lid. An electromagnetic lock portion is attached to each laundry device 20 at a position where the laundry device 20 overlaps the strike plate when the lid is closed.
When each laundry device 20 receives a lid lock command or an operation restart command, which will be described later, the electromagnetic lock section is energized to attract the strike plate and lock the lid, and the lid is locked by adsorbing a strike plate, and a temporary stop command or lid lock release, which will be described later, is activated. By not energizing the electromagnetic lock section when receiving the command, the attracted strike plate is released and the lid is unlocked.
In addition, each laundry device 20 has an open/close confirmation unit for checking whether the lid is open or closed, and if the lid is open when the lid lock command is received, the electromagnetic lock is activated. Do not energize.
The user side surface of the strike plate (the front side of the lid) is designed to prevent the user who operates the lid or the user who approaches the laundry equipment 20 to which the lid is locked from being affected by magnetic force (magnetic waves). Covered by a shield member. The shield member may be a metal shield member or a shield member made of resin or the like with metal plating applied to the inside (the side that covers the strike plate) of the shield member.
Further, the electromagnetic lock section is also covered with a shield member to prevent a user who operates the lid or a user who approaches the laundry equipment 20 with the lid locked from being influenced by magnetic force (magnetic waves). The shield member may be a metal shield member or a shield member made of resin or the like with metal plating applied to the inside (the side that covers the electromagnetic lock portion).
In this embodiment, an electromagnetic lock is used as a device for locking and unlocking the lid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an electric lock or the like may be used.

A two-dimensional code is displayed on each laundry device 20 as a unique identification display. This two-dimensional code is a printed two-dimensional code.
In addition, in FIG. 1, the message is "Please hold your smartphone up", but in this embodiment, the explanation will be based on a two-dimensional code (two-dimensional code). This is because either one is equivalent as long as the terminal can be identified. In addition, by changing the content of "Please hold up your smartphone" (for example, "Please hold up your smartphone") or by changing the line break position, even if it is "Please hold up your smartphone" in Figure 1, it will be changed individually. Each laundry device 20 can be specified.
Then, by photographing this two-dimensional code with a mobile terminal 51 (for example, a smart phone), the individual laundry equipment 20 to which this two-dimensional code has been pasted can be transmitted via a telephone communication network (Internet) or the like. It becomes possible to specify.
In other words, it becomes possible to link the mobile terminal 51 and each laundry device 20 on which the two-dimensional code to be photographed is printed.

However, if only this method is used, there is a risk that the laundry store 10 may be operated even when no user is present in the laundry store 10 by copying the two-dimensional code or the like.
In order to avoid this, a display 24 is provided on each laundry device 20 to display a one-time password 24a when the mobile terminal 51 and each laundry device 20 are linked.
When the user inputs this one-time password 24a to the mobile terminal 51, the linking process is completed. This makes it possible to confirm that the user is definitely in front of the laundry machine 20 and that the user is not in front of another laundry machine 20 in the laundry store 10.

Note that the one-time password 24a is a combination of randomly generated four-digit numbers, and changes at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 30 seconds).

In a further development, a device-side transceiver 25 for very short-range wireless communication using FeliCa (registered trademark) or the like is installed, and the mobile terminal 51 is also provided with a terminal-side transceiver for very short-range wireless communication. It's good to know.
In this case, by simply holding the mobile terminal 51 over a predetermined position (for example, the display 26 that says ``Please hold your smartphone over'' in Fig. 1), there is no need for a two-dimensional code or one-time password 24a. It is also possible to link.

Each laundry appliance 20 is equipped with a manually opened/closed lid 23 having a transparent glass window 22. Each laundry device 20 includes an electric locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the lid 23, and locks the lid 23 in a closed state based on a command from the server 30. The glass window 22 is of an instantaneous dimming type using liquid crystal, and can be instantly switched between transparent and opaque by a command from the server 30.

The laundry store 10 is equipped with a wireless LAN 40 based on the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. A mobile terminal (such as a smartphone, hereinafter referred to as a user terminal) 51 of a user in the laundry store 10 is connected to the Internet 60 via this wireless LAN 40 (or 3G line).
The server 30 is connected to the Internet 60 via a wired LAN 41, and connects to a user terminal 51 and a terminal (personal computer, smartphone, etc.; hereinafter referred to as the administrator terminal) 52 of the administrator of the laundry store 10 via the Internet 60. Communicate between.
Further, when the user is outside the laundry store 10, the user terminal 51 is connected to the Internet 60 via a 3G line.
Note that it goes without saying that communication may be performed using only the telephone communication network (long distance communication) instead of the wireless LAN 40.

The server 30 includes a storage unit 31 that stores operating modes, user information, etc., a processing unit 32 that performs determination processing and signal output based on input signals from the user terminal 51, and laundry processing according to the determination results of the processing unit 32. It has a signal generation unit 33 and the like that generates driving command signals to the device 20, signals to the user terminal 51 and the administrator terminal 52, and the like.

<Action of the first embodiment>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the lid lock and window opacity of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4-1 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of operation start processing in operation command output control in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4-2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of during-driving processing in driving command output control in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an image of the mobile terminal 51 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation termination process in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received an error signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of user rank processing.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a user terminal that has received a second termination notice signal in one embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a front view of a user terminal that has received a rank-up signal in the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a user terminal that has received a rank down signal in the first embodiment.

When using the laundry equipment 20 of the laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the homepage of the laundry store 10 at home or within the laundry store 10, and downloads dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as the dedicated application) compatible with the self-laundry system 1. is downloaded to the user terminal 51.

Next, the user performs user registration using the user terminal 51. User registration involves registering name, address, mobile phone number, and payment information (credit card information) in the server 30.

(Flow of operation command output control)
The driving command output control in this embodiment first starts with driving start processing (see Figure 4-1), then continues with driving processing (see Figure 4-2), and ends with driving end processing (see Figure 8). .
Each process of driving command output control will be described in detail below.
(Operation start processing in operation command output control)

When a user who visits laundry store 10 wants to dry clothes, laundry equipment 20 is selected according to the type and amount of clothes to be dried. Next, the user connects the user terminal 51 to the Internet via the telephone communication network (or wireless LAN 40) and starts the dedicated application.
Then, the two-dimensional code attached to the selected laundry equipment 20 is photographed using a camera or the like of the user terminal 51.
As a result, a temporary link is established with the laundry equipment 20 through communication.
Then, a password input screen 65 is displayed on the display 51a of the user terminal 51.
After doing so, the user inputs the one-time password 24a displayed on the display 24 of the laundry equipment 20 into the user terminal 51.
The formal linking is completed by sending the identification signal Si of the one-time password 24a to the laundry equipment 20 or the control device.

In addition, as an advanced form, when using extremely short distance communication, when the user holds the mobile terminal 51 over the device-side transceiver 25, an identification signal Si corresponding to the user terminal 51 and the laundry equipment 20 is transmitted from the mobile terminal 51. , this identification signal Si is input to the server 30 via the device side transceiver 25. The mobile terminal 51 and the device-side transceiver 25 are set to communicate at a distance of several centimeters or less. With this, it will be possible in the future to easily complete the linking.

When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes a driving start process in driving command output control whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4-1.
When the operation start process is started, in step S1 of FIG. 4-1, the server 30 selects the user terminal 51 and the laundry equipment 20 based on the identification signal Si, unless the laundry equipment 20 is being used by another user. When the linking is completed in step S2, a new recognition signal is issued in step S3, and the newly issued recognition signal is transmitted to the user terminal 51 via the wireless LAN 40.

When the user terminal 51 receives the recognition signal, a message 71 saying "Welcome . You are using the dryer No. ○○. If you agree, please touch YES" and a "YES" button 72 are displayed on the screen. 51a.

Here, when the user touches the "YES" button 72, a recognition signal +YES is sent to the server 30, and when this recognition signal +YES is received in step S4, the received recognition signal and the recognition signal transmitted in step S3 are combined in step S5. It is determined whether or not they match, and if they match, a driving course signal is transmitted to the user terminal 51 in step S6, and if they do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S19. In this recognition error signal processing, a message is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 saying, "The recognition signals do not match. Please start over from the beginning." The user who confirms this message will have to restart the operation from the beginning.

In the user terminal 51 that has received the driving course signal , as shown in FIG. 2 , the "driving course" button 73 (73a to 73d) corresponding to the selected laundry equipment 20 and the "ENTER" button 74 are displayed on the screen 51a. Is displayed. The user selects the desired "driving course" button 73 according to the type and amount of clothing, and then touches the "ENTER" button 74.

Here, when the user touches the "ENTER" button 72, the recognition signal + driving course is transmitted to the server 30, and when this recognition signal + driving course is received in step S7, the received recognition signal and the driving course are transmitted in step S8 and step S3. If they match, a charge signal is transmitted to the user terminal 51 in step S9, and if they do not match, a recognition signal error process is performed in step S19. In this recognition error signal processing, a message is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 saying, "The recognition signals do not match. Please start over from the beginning." The user who confirms this message will have to restart the operation from the beginning.

When the user terminal 51 receives the charge signal, as shown in FIG. 3 , a message 75 saying "The usage fee is ○○○○ yen. Please put in your clothes and close the lid" and a "Lock Lock" button 76 are displayed. and a "window opaque" button 77 are displayed on the screen 51a. If the user wants to lock the lid 23 or make the glass window 22 opaque before or during operation of the laundry equipment 20, the user selects (touches) the "lid lock" button 76 or the "window opaque" button 77. .

After confirming the usage fee and finishing loading the clothes, the user touches the "lock lid" button 76. Here, when the user touches the "lid lock" button 76, a recognition signal + lid lock is sent to the server 30, and when this recognition signal + lid lock is received in step S10, the received recognition signal and step S3 are transmitted in step S11. It is determined whether or not the transmitted recognition information matches, and if they match, a lid lock command is output to the laundry equipment 20 in step S12.
Upon receiving this lid lock command, the laundry equipment 20 checks whether the lid is open or closed. If the lid is closed, the electromagnetic lock portion and the strike plate portion are attracted to each other.
On the other hand, if the lid is in the open state when the lid lock command is received, a lid error is sent to the server 30. Upon receiving this lid error, the server 30 causes the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 to display a message saying "Please close the lid firmly."

Further, in step S11, if the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S19. In this recognition error signal processing, a message is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 saying, "The recognition signals do not match. Please start over from the beginning." The user who confirms this message will have to restart the operation from the beginning.

Here, when the user touches the "window opacity" button 77, a recognition signal + window opacity is sent to the server 30, and when this recognition signal + window opacity is received in a processing step not shown, in a processing step not shown , it is determined whether the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 match or not, and if they match, a window opaque command is output to the laundry equipment 20 in a processing step not shown.

In step S13, an operation start enable signal is transmitted to the user terminal 51. On the user terminal 51 that has received the driving start enable signal, a message "Please hold your mobile terminal up to start driving." is displayed on the screen 51a (not shown). When the user holds the mobile terminal 51 over the device transceiver 25, the user terminal 51 transmits a recognition signal + driving request signal Sd, and the recognition signal + driving request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60. be done.

When the server 30 receives the recognition signal + drive request signal Sd in step S14, it determines in step S15 whether or not the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 match, and if they match, the process proceeds to step S16. An operation start command is output to the laundry equipment 20.
The laundry equipment 20 to which the operation start command has been input starts operating in the operation mode selected by the user. On the other hand, if they do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S19. In this recognition error signal processing, a message is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 saying, "The recognition signals do not match. Please start over from the beginning." The user who confirms this message will have to restart the operation from the beginning.

Note that the user may decide whether or not to "lock the lid" in step S10 described above. In other words, there may be cases in which "operation is requested after locking the lid" and cases in which "operation is requested without locking the lid."

When the server 30 confirms that the laundry equipment 20 has started operating, it performs billing processing in step S17. The billing process is performed by communicating with the credit card company via the Internet 60 based on the above-mentioned payment information.

When the billing process is finished, the process is shifted to during-driving process in step S18, and then the driving start process is ended.

The server 30 sequentially transmits each instruction of the driving start process in the driving command output control and the results of the billing process to the administrator terminal 52. Thereby, the manager can recognize the operating status and sales of the laundry equipment 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

(During operation processing in operation command output control)
When the laundry equipment 20 starts operating, the server 30 executes an operation start process in operation command output control whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4-2.
During the driving process, when the user touches the "window opaque" button displayed on the driving screen (not shown), a recognition signal + window opaque is sent to the server 30. When the recognition signal + window opacity is received in step S21, it is determined in step S22 whether the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above match, and if they match, the window opacity is determined in step S23. The command is output to the laundry equipment 20, and if there is a mismatch, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S34. Note that in the recognition signal error processing here, a message "Recognition signals do not match" is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51.
If the recognition signal + window opacity is not received in step S21, the process advances to step S24.

During the driving process, when the user touches a "window transparent" button displayed on the driving screen (not shown), a recognition signal + window transparent is sent to the server 30. When the recognition signal + window transparency is received in step S24, it is determined in step S25 whether the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above match, and if they match, the window transparency is determined in step S26. The command is output to the laundry equipment 20, and if there is a mismatch, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S34. Note that in the recognition signal error processing here, a message "Recognition signals do not match" is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51.
If the recognition signal + window transparency is not received in step S24, the process advances to step S27.

As described above, in this embodiment, even if the laundry equipment 20 is in operation, if the user touches the "window opaque" button displayed on the screen during operation (not shown), the server 30 receives a recognition signal + window opacity button. By sending opacity, the window can be changed from transparent to opaque, and when the user touches the "opaque" button, a recognition signal + window transparency is sent to the server 30, making the window opaque. can be changed from to transparent.

During the running process, when the user touches a "pause" button displayed on the running screen (not shown), a recognition signal + pause is sent to the server 30. When the recognition signal + temporary stop is received in step S27, the server 30 checks in step S28 whether or not the laundry equipment 20 is in a time (state) in which operation can be temporarily stopped, and if it is in a time in which it can be temporarily stopped , it is determined whether the recognition signal received in step S29 matches the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above, and if they match, a temporary stop command is output to the laundry equipment 20 in step S30.
Upon receiving this temporary stop command, the laundry equipment 20 temporarily stops its operation, and then releases the electromagnetic lock part from the strike plate part, making it possible to open and close the lid.

If the recognition signal received in step S29 and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S34. In this recognition signal error processing, a message "Recognition signals do not match" is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51.
If it is determined in step S28 that it is not the time to temporarily stop, the process advances to step S31.

During the driving process, when the user touches the "resume driving" button displayed on the driving screen (not shown), a recognition signal + restart driving is sent to the server 30. When the recognition signal + operation restart is received in step S31, if the state is in a paused state, it is determined whether or not the recognition signal received in step S32 matches the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above, and if they match, outputs an operation restart command to the laundry equipment 20 in step S33.
The laundry equipment 20 that receives this operation restart command checks whether the lid is open or closed, and if the lid is closed, causes the electromagnetic lock part and the strike plate part to attract each other.
On the other hand, if the lid is open when the restart command is received, a lid error is sent to the server 30. Upon receiving this lid error, the server 30 causes the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 to display a message saying "Please close the lid firmly." After the lid is locked, the laundry equipment 20 starts operating.

Furthermore, if the recognition signal received in step S32 and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S34. Note that in the recognition signal error processing here, a message "Recognition signals do not match" is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51. Note that if the vehicle is not in the paused state, the process does not proceed to step S32 (that is, the operation restart instruction is invalid).
If the recognition signal + operation restart is not received in step S31, or if the output of the operation restart command is finished, the process proceeds to operation termination processing in step S35.

The server 30 sequentially transmits each command and the result of each process in the driving process in the driving command output control to the administrator terminal 52. Thereby, the administrator can recognize the operating status of the laundry equipment 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

(Operation end processing in operation command output control)
While the laundry equipment 20 is in operation, the server 30 executes an operation termination process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. After starting the driving end process, the server 30 determines whether 10 minutes have passed before the driving end time in step S33 of FIG. If this determination is Yes, the server 30 transmits the first end notice signal to the user terminal 51 via the Internet 60 in step S34. In the user terminal 51 that has received the first end notice signal , as shown in FIG . The ringtone sounds at the volume. Note that even if the user is outside the laundry store 10, the termination notice signal is received by the user terminal 51 via the Internet 60 via a 3G line or a wireless LAN outside the store.

Next, the server 30 determines whether it is 5 minutes before the driving end time in step S35. If this determination becomes Yes, the server 30 transmits a second end notice signal to the user terminal 51 in step S36. In the user terminal 51 that has received the second end notice signal, as shown in FIG. 6 , a message 92 indicating that there are 5 minutes until the end of the operation, "5 minutes ago" is displayed blinking on the screen 51a. , ringtone and vibrator functions are activated.

As a result, even users who have gone to an external store or restaurant can finish shopping or eating and return to the laundry store 10 by the time when the laundry equipment 20 finishes operating, thereby improving the operating rate of the laundry equipment 20. be done.

Next, the server 30 determines whether or not the operation has ended in step S37. If this determination becomes Yes, the server 30 transmits an end signal to the user terminal 51 in step S38-1. Upon receiving the end signal, the user terminal 51 displays a flashing message on the screen 51a indicating that the operation has ended, ``The operation has ended. (not shown).

A "removal" button (not shown) is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 that has received the end signal, and when the user touches the "eject" button, a recognition signal + retrieval is sent to the server 30. When the recognition signal + extraction is received in step S38-2, the server 30 determines in step S38-3 whether or not the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above match, and if they match, outputs a lid unlock command to the laundry equipment 20 in step S38-4.
Upon receiving this temporary stop command, the laundry equipment 20 temporarily stops its operation, and then releases the electromagnetic lock part from the strike plate part, making it possible to open and close the lid.
Further, in step S38-3, if the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 described above do not match, the server 30 performs recognition signal error processing in step S38-7. Note that in the recognition signal error processing here, a message "Recognition signals do not match" is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51.

When the server 30 confirms that the laundry equipment 20 has unlocked the lid in step S38-5, it clears the current recognition signal in step S38-6, and then ends the operation termination process.

The server 30 always executes an error process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 in parallel with the operation start process, the operation process, and the operation end process.

(Error handling in operation command output control processing)
When the error processing is started, the server 30 repeatedly determines at predetermined time intervals whether or not an error signal is input from the laundry equipment 20 in the laundry store 10 in step S41 of FIG .

If some error occurs in the laundry equipment 20 and the determination in step S41 becomes Yes, the error information 42 (which error occurred in which laundry equipment 20) is transmitted to the administrator terminal 52 and the maintenance company's terminal (not shown) in step S41. ) and transmits an error signal to the user terminal 51 in step S43. When the user terminal 51 receives the error signal, as shown in FIG. 9 , a message 101 saying "An error has occurred. Please cancel and remove the clothing" and a "Cancel" button 102 are displayed on the screen 51a. be done.

The administrator or maintenance company goes to the laundry store 10 in response to the error information and takes measures such as stopping the use of the laundry equipment 20 or repairing it. Further, the user touches the "cancel" button 92 according to the screen display of the user terminal 51.

Next, the server 30 determines whether the "cancel" button 102 has been touched in step S44, and repeats the determination in step S44 while this determination is No. When the "cancel" button 102 is touched by the user and the determination in step S44 becomes Yes, the server 30 transmits an operation stop signal to the laundry equipment 20 in step S45.

In the laundry equipment 20 that has received the operation stop signal, the rotation of the drying drum is stopped, and if drying is in progress, the hot air fan and the like are stopped, and then the lid 23 is unlocked. This allows the user to take out the clothes from the laundry machine 20 and dry them in another laundry machine 20.

Next, in step S46, the server 30 cancels (ie refunds) the billing due to the billing process described above, and ends the error process.

The server 30 sequentially transmits to the administrator terminal 52 the results of each command, each process, and the billing process in the drive start process, in-drive process, drive end process, and error process of the drive command output control. Thereby, the manager can recognize the operating status and sales of the laundry equipment 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

(User rank processing)
The server 30 executes user rank processing, the procedure of which is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 , every time the user completes use of the laundry equipment 20. When starting the user rank process, the server 30 determines whether or not the point up condition for the user terminal 51 is satisfied in step S51 of FIG . The point increase condition is satisfied, for example, when the user takes out the clothes within 5 minutes after the laundry equipment 20 stops, and if the determination in step S51 is Yes, the server 30 increases the initial value of 10 user points in step S52. Increment Pu. Next, in step S53, the server 30 determines whether the user point Pu has reached the rank-up value Pru (for example, 15), and if this determination is No, the process ends.

When the user point Pu reaches the rank up value Pru and the determination in step S53 becomes Yes, the server 30 executes the rank up process in step S54. That is, the server 30 allows the user who owns the user terminal 51 to make a reservation for the laundry equipment 20 and change the operation settings (adjustment of washing time and drying time), etc., and also sends a rank up signal to the user terminal 51. . When the user terminal 51 receives the rank-up signal, as shown in FIG. 11 , a message 105 appears on the screen saying, "Congratulations, you have become a "premium user." You can now reserve laundry equipment, change operating condition settings, etc." 51a.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S51 is No, the server 30 determines in step S55 whether the point reduction condition is satisfied. The point reduction condition is satisfied, for example, when the user does not take out the clothes within 15 minutes after the laundry equipment 20 is stopped (that is, when the clothes are left unattended for a long time), and if the determination in step S55 is Yes, the server 30 decrements the user point Pu in step S56. Next, in step S57, the server 30 determines whether the user point Pu has reached the rank down value Prd (for example, 5), and if this determination is No, the process ends.

When the user point Pu decreases to the rank down value Prd and the determination in step S57 becomes Yes, the server 30 executes the rank down process in step S58. In other words, the server 30 prevents the user who owns the user terminal 51 from making a reservation for the laundry equipment 20 or changing the operation settings (adjustment of washing time and drying time), etc., and also sends a rank down signal to the user terminal 51. do. In the user terminal 51 that has received the rank down signal, as shown in FIG. 12 , a message 106 is displayed on the screen 51a stating, "You have been ranked down to general user. You cannot reserve laundry equipment or change the settings of operating conditions." .

If the determination in step S55 is also No, for example, the user takes out the clothing within a few minutes and neither the point up condition nor the point down condition is satisfied, the server 30 does nothing and ends the user rank process. . In this embodiment, by performing user rank processing, the amount of clothes left unattended by the user is reduced, and the operating rate of the laundry equipment 20 is improved.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18. The second embodiment is characterized in that a driving request signal and the like are transmitted from a mobile terminal by reading an identification code, and that fee payments are made using a prepaid card.

<Configuration of second embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a self-laundry system according to a second embodiment.

The hardware of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment described above, but the laundry equipment 20 is not equipped with a display for displaying a one-time password, a receiver for short-range wireless communication, etc. The points are different. As shown in FIG. 13 , a label 21 (21a, 21b, 21c, . . . ) on which a unique identification code is printed (hereinafter simply referred to as an identification code) is affixed to each laundry equipment 20. There is. Note that a two-dimensional code is desirable as the identification code.

<Action of the second embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a driving start process in driving command output control in the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a recognition signal in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a front view of a user terminal that has received a driving course signal in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a front view of a user terminal that has received a charge signal in the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of billing processing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a front view of a user terminal that has received an insufficient balance signal in the second embodiment.

When using the laundry equipment 20 of the laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the homepage of the laundry store 10 at home or within the laundry store 10, and downloads dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as the dedicated application) compatible with the self-laundry system 1. is downloaded to the user terminal 51.

Next, the user performs user registration using the user terminal 51. User registration involves registering name, address, mobile phone number, and payment information (prepaid card code) in the server 30. The prepaid card used for payment may be one specific to the laundry store 10 or may be a general one sold at convenience stores and the like. When the user inputs the prepaid card code, the face value of the prepaid card is stored in the server 30 as the charge balance Bchg.

When a user who visits laundry store 10 wants to dry clothes, laundry equipment 20 is selected according to the type and amount of clothes to be dried. Next, the user connects the user terminal 51 to the Internet via the wireless LAN 40, starts a dedicated application, and reads the identification code 21 of the laundry equipment 20 using the built-in camera. The user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21 transmits an identification signal Si corresponding to the user terminal 51 and the laundry equipment 20. The identification signal Si is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes a drive start process in drive command output control whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG .
Note that the processing from step S61 to step S70 in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S13 in the flowchart of FIG. 4-1 described above, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.
Further, the process during operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 4-2 above, the process for ending driving is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and the error process is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 above. Therefore, descriptions of these will also be omitted.
Further, since the explanation of FIG. 16 is the same as the explanation of FIG. 2 mentioned above, and the explanation of FIG. 17 is the same as the explanation of FIG. 3 mentioned above, the explanation of these will also be omitted.

After the user finishes checking the usage fee and selecting the "lock lid" button 76 or the "opaque window" button 77, the user reads the identification code 21 of the laundry equipment 20 again using the built-in camera.
The user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21 transmits a driving request signal Sd. The driving request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

When the server 30 receives the recognition signal + operation request signal Sd , it determines whether the received recognition signal and the transmitted recognition information match or not, and if they match, it issues an operation start command to the laundry equipment 20. Output. The laundry equipment 20 to which the operation start command has been input starts operating in the operation mode selected by the user. On the other hand, if they do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed. In this recognition error signal processing, a message is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 saying, "The recognition signals do not match. Please start over from the beginning." The user who confirms this message will have to restart the operation from the beginning.

When the server 30 outputs the operation start command, it performs billing processing whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the billing process is finished, the process proceeds to step S118 during driving, and the driving start process ends.

(billing process)
When the billing process is started, the server 30 determines whether the user's charge balance Bchg is greater than or equal to the usage fee Fusg in step S81 of FIG . (subtraction of the usage fee Fusg) and ends the billing process.

If the determination in step S81 is No, the server 30 transmits an insufficient balance signal to the user terminal 51 in step S83. When the user terminal 51 receives the insufficient balance signal, as shown in FIG. 19 , a message 81 saying "There is insufficient balance. Please charge the balance" and a "Cancel" button 82 are displayed on the screen 51a.

If the user has a prepaid card, the user inputs the prepaid card code; if the user does not have a prepaid card, the user purchases a prepaid card at the laundry store 10.
On the other hand, if the user does not have a prepaid card or cash, he or she touches the "Cancel" button 82.

The server 30 determines in step S84 whether or not charging of the prepaid card by the user has been completed, and if this determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S82 and charges are made. On the other hand, if the determination in step S84 is No, the server 30 determines in step S85 whether or not the "cancel" button 82 has been touched, and repeats the determination in step S85 while this determination is No.

When the "cancel" button 82 is touched by the user and the determination in step S85 becomes Yes, the server 30 cancels the driving command output control itself in step S86 and ends the billing process.

When the laundry equipment 20 starts operating, the server 30 performs an in-operation process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4-2 and an operation end process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, as in the first embodiment. , and error processing whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG .

The server 30 sequentially transmits to the administrator terminal 52 the results of each command, each process, and the billing process in the drive start process, in-drive process, drive end process, and error process of the drive command output control. Thereby, the manager can recognize the operating status and sales of the laundry equipment 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 20 to 27. The third embodiment is characterized in that transmission from the mobile terminal is performed by the user's button operation (touching the screen), and that fee payment is performed by credit card.
Note that the hardware of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the second embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

<Action of the third embodiment>
FIG. 20 is a front view showing a user terminal that has read an identification code in the third embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a front view of a user terminal that has read an identification code in the third embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a front view of a user terminal that has received a driving course signal in the third embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal in the third embodiment.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a flowchart of operation start processing in the third embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the procedure of billing processing in the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a user terminal that has received a charge signal.
FIG. 26 is a front view of a user terminal that has received an insufficient balance signal in the third embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a front view showing a user terminal that has read an identification code in the third embodiment.

When using the laundry equipment 20 of the laundry store 10 for the first time, the user accesses the homepage of the laundry store 10 at home or within the laundry store 10, and downloads dedicated application software (hereinafter referred to as the dedicated application) compatible with the self-laundry system 1. is downloaded to the user terminal 51.

Next, the user performs user registration using the user terminal 51. User registration involves registering name, address, mobile phone number, and payment information (credit card information) in the server 30.

When a user who visits laundry store 10 wants to dry clothes, laundry equipment 20 is selected according to the type and amount of clothes to be dried. Next, the user connects to the Internet using the user terminal 51, starts a dedicated application, and reads the identification code 21 of the laundry equipment 20 using the built-in camera.

On the user terminal 51 that has read the identification code 21, as shown in FIG. Please” message 111 and a “YES” button 112 are displayed on the screen 51a.

When the user touches the "YES" button 112, the user terminal 51 transmits an identification signal Si corresponding to the user terminal 51 and the laundry equipment 20. The identification signal Si is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60 via the wireless LAN 40.

When the identification signal Si is input, the server 30 executes a drive start process in drive command output control whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Note that the processing from step S201 to step S213 in the flowchart of FIG. 24 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S13 in the flowchart of FIG. 4-1 described above, and the processing of step S219 in the flowchart of FIG. Since this is the same as step S19 in the flowchart of FIG. 4-1, the explanation will be omitted.
Further, the process during operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 4-2 above, the process for ending driving is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and the error process is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 above. Therefore, descriptions of these will also be omitted.
25 is the same as the explanation of FIG. 18 mentioned above, FIG. 26 is the same as the explanation of FIG. 19 mentioned above, and FIG. 27 is the same as the explanation of FIG. 20 mentioned above, so the explanation of these will also be omitted.

When the user finishes checking the usage fee and selecting the "lock lid" button 76 and the "opaque window" button 77, the user touches the "start driving" button 78. A driving request signal Sd is transmitted from the user terminal 51 on which the "start driving" button 78 is touched. The driving request signal Sd is input to the server 30 via the Internet 60.

When the server 30 receives the recognition signal + driving request signal Sd in step S214, it determines in step S215 whether or not the received recognition signal and the recognition information transmitted in step S3 match, and if they match, the server 30 performs step S216. An operation start command is output to the laundry equipment 20. The laundry equipment 20 to which the operation start command has been input starts operating in the operation mode selected by the user. On the other hand, if they do not match, recognition signal error processing is performed in step S219. In this recognition error signal processing, a message is displayed on the screen 51a of the user terminal 51 saying, "The recognition signals do not match. Please start over from the beginning." The user who confirms this message will have to restart the operation from the beginning.

After outputting the operation start command in step S216, the server 30 performs billing processing in step S217. The billing process is performed by communicating with the credit card company via the Internet 60 based on the above-mentioned payment information.
When the billing in step S217 is completed, the process advances to step S118 during driving, and the driving start process ends.

When the laundry equipment 20 starts operating, the server 30 performs an in-operation process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4-2 and an operation end process whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, as in the first embodiment. , and error processing whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG .

The server 30 sequentially transmits to the administrator terminal 52 the results of each command, each process, and the billing process in the drive start process, in-drive process, drive end process, and error process of the drive command output control. Thereby, the manager can recognize the operating status and sales of the laundry equipment 20 in the laundry store 10 in real time.

Although the description of specific embodiments has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, in the first and third embodiments, charging is performed using a credit card, but charging may be performed using a prepaid card, a debit card, a mobile phone usage fee, or the like. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, charging is performed using a prepaid card, but charging may also be performed using a credit card, debit card, mobile phone usage fee, or the like. Further, points may be given each time the laundry equipment is used, and the points may be applied to a portion of the usage fee. Alternatively, the user may be able to connect to the Internet at home, launch a dedicated application, and check availability information on laundry equipment.
In addition, the specific configuration of the self-laundry system, the specific procedure of operation command output control, etc. can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Other inventions described in this embodiment]
Communication is performed between a user's mobile terminal and a plurality of laundry devices installed in a laundry store, each having at least a drying function and each having a unique identification code, and depending on the communication result, the above-mentioned A self-laundry system comprising a control device for controlling the operation of laundry equipment, wherein the control device outputs an operation command to the laundry equipment linked to the mobile terminal based on an operation request signal from the mobile terminal. A self-laundry system comprising: an operation command output means.

A self-laundry system in which communication between the mobile terminal and the control device is performed via the Internet.

A self-laundry system in which a wireless LAN for connecting the mobile terminal to the Internet is installed at the laundry store.

A laundry device installed in a laundry store and having at least a drying function, the laundry device including a locking means for locking a lid of a drying tank, and the locking means having a strike plate attached to the lid. , an electromagnetic locking section having a built-in electromagnet attached to the laundry equipment, and the locking means causes the strike plate and the electromagnetic locking section to attract each other in response to a locking command, and causes the strike plate and the electromagnetic locking section to attract each other in accordance with an unlocking command. Laundry equipment that is designed to detach from the electromagnetic lock. By doing so, it is possible to securely lock the lid using the attraction force of the electromagnet.

A laundry device, wherein a shielding member for shielding magnetic force is provided on at least a user side surface of the strike plate. By doing so, leakage of magnetic force to the user side can be reduced.

A laundry device, wherein the electromagnetic lock section is provided with a shield member for shielding magnetic force. By doing so, leakage of magnetic force to the user side can be reduced.

The self-laundry system of the present invention can be effectively used in self-laundries installed in cities.

1 Self-laundry system 10 Laundry store 20 Laundry equipment 21 Identification code 22 Glass window 23 Lid 24a One-time password 25 Receiver 30 Server 40 Wireless LAN
42 Error information 51 User terminal 51a Screen 52 Administrator terminal 60 Internet

Claims (6)

Laundry equipment installed in a laundry store and having at least a drying function;
A self-laundry system comprising a control device that communicates with a user's mobile terminal and controls the operation of the laundry equipment according to the communication result,
The laundry equipment has a locking means for locking the lid,
The control device includes:
lock command means for outputting a lid lock command to the laundry equipment into which a user is putting clothes based on a lid lock request signal from the mobile terminal;
an unlock command means for outputting a lid unlock command to the laundry equipment into which the user is putting clothes, based on a lid unlock request signal from the mobile terminal;
A self-laundry system featuring: The self-laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the lock command means outputs the lid lock command to the laundry equipment even when the laundry equipment is in operation. 3. The self-laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the unlock command means outputs the lid unlock command to the laundry equipment even when the laundry equipment is in operation. The self-laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laundry equipment temporarily suspends operation when receiving the lid unlock command during operation. The locking means attaches a strike plate to the lid, and attaches an electromagnetic locking part having a built-in electromagnet to the laundry equipment,
The strike plate and the electromagnetic lock part are caused to attract each other by receiving the lock command, and the strike plate and the electromagnetic lock part are released from the attraction by receiving the unlock command. The self-laundry system according to any one of items 1 to 4. The laundry equipment has a glass window that can be switched between transparent and opaque,
The control device switches the glass window to opaque based on a window opacity request from the mobile terminal.
Self-laundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

Images