CA2063211A1 - Public laundry facility management system - Google Patents
Public laundry facility management systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2063211A1 CA2063211A1 CA002063211A CA2063211A CA2063211A1 CA 2063211 A1 CA2063211 A1 CA 2063211A1 CA 002063211 A CA002063211 A CA 002063211A CA 2063211 A CA2063211 A CA 2063211A CA 2063211 A1 CA2063211 A1 CA 2063211A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- card
- account
- local controller
- central controller
- service
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
- G06Q20/105—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
- G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
- G06Q20/3437—Cards including a counter the counter having non-monetary units, e.g. trips
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0042—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for hiring of objects
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/20—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for washing or drying articles, e.g. clothes, motor cars
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/24—Pc safety
- G05B2219/24058—Remote testing, monitoring independent from normal control by pc
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/26—Pc applications
- G05B2219/2633—Washing, laundry
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Laundry facility management system comprises a laundry service device, controlled by an operating control; and a local controller connected to the service device and a central controller, connected together for the transfer of information between them. The local controller stores a current device rate, representing current cost of service provided by the connected service device, and reads a card indentifier provided on and uniquely identifying a presented service card Local controller request means derives from a read card identifier and from the current device rate an authorization request, and transmits it to the central controller. The central controller receives an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, and stores account balance signals for at least one account, each account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier. Account managing means responds to a received authorization request to update the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the authorization request by the current device rate value of the authorization request, and transmits an authorization message to the local controller. The local controller responds to a received authorization message to output a control signal on the control output to control the service device operating control to provide the requested service. The account managing means responds to a received account balance payment message to credit the stored account balance indeed by the particular card identifier by the payment value of the received account balance message.
Laundry facility management system comprises a laundry service device, controlled by an operating control; and a local controller connected to the service device and a central controller, connected together for the transfer of information between them. The local controller stores a current device rate, representing current cost of service provided by the connected service device, and reads a card indentifier provided on and uniquely identifying a presented service card Local controller request means derives from a read card identifier and from the current device rate an authorization request, and transmits it to the central controller. The central controller receives an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, and stores account balance signals for at least one account, each account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier. Account managing means responds to a received authorization request to update the account balance indexed by the card identifier of the authorization request by the current device rate value of the authorization request, and transmits an authorization message to the local controller. The local controller responds to a received authorization message to output a control signal on the control output to control the service device operating control to provide the requested service. The account managing means responds to a received account balance payment message to credit the stored account balance indeed by the particular card identifier by the payment value of the received account balance message.
Description
2 ~ ~ 3 2 ~
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FlJ~lLIC L~l)NDr;Y F~CIL:IrY MAN~GEME~IT SYSTEM
~)ACI~GROUND OF THE INVE-:NTION
This invention relates to the management of laundry facilitie~" particularly public laundry Facilities having a plurality of lal.lndly service clevices of various types, s~lch as washers and dryer-s.
The laundry service devices of public laundry facilities ~f this kind are typically activated by payment of coins, which are collected at each service device. The intending user of the facility must obt.~in a sufficient number of colns of the correct denornination, typically quarter dollarc;, to activate the mach.ines for a number of cycles of operation sufficient to meet his needs. It can be an inconvenience for the intend:ing user to accumulate and bring with him the necessary coins. Many public laundry facilities provirde bill changers, which accept currency bil15 and dispense coins for the convenience of the user.
There are seve~al disadvantages tr.~ th.is method of paying for the operation of the laundry service devices.
large number of coins must be stoc~ed in the bill changers, anri a large number of coins are accumulaterd at each service device~ This ties up nperating capital for the owner of the facility. In addition, the pree,ence of a large amount of ccll-rr.3ncy ancl co:in~i c)rl the prr.3mi~.es make~3 the facility a target for theft and vandalism. Further, the owner must employ a trustworthy pel-son to ma~e frequent collections oF
the accumulated coins and bills; and the tas~: of co~nting the coins is time consumirlg. For e~:ample, .it requires about four hollrs a week to manage t:he coinage in a fhcility having fifty '?J ~
~wp/cardspec ?
service devires. This increase:i the C05t of running the facil.ity and decreasc-!s 1:he prnfits~
Further, the use of coins, typically quarter clollars, limits the rate (c:ost per unit of operation) which cc-.~n be charged to m~ltiples of the coin. Thus an owner n,ust set his rate e~actly at a multiple of a quarter dollar: for r-~ample, ~l.CI~l or $1.~5. Smaller increments of rost cannot be charged to the customer. In competing with another facility in the neighborhood, an owner might wish to charge a price marginally lower than the prire at the other farility, but not reduced by so much as a quarter dollar per cycle. Such fle::ibility is not possible with coin operated facilities.
Similarly, because each service device is fitted with a mechanical cievice for accepting c~ins, if an owner wishes to change his prices, the mechanical devices must be removed and replaced. This is time consuming and e~:pensive, and cannot be done at frequent intervals. Thus, for e:~ample, it is not practical in such a facility to provide discounterJ rates for particular hQurs of the day or days of the wee~ n order to encourage u-3ers to use the fac-ility at off-hoLlrs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry service facility manayement systen, which does not require the stoc~ing of large numbers of: coins in bill changers~ which doF.s noct cl~:llec:t c:oir7s at the service devic:es or bills at the bi.ll chancJerE~, whirh does not req~ire collection and countirlq of colns, which permits fle~:ible setting of rates to any desired increment, and whirh permits flexible resetting of rates as often as desired.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laundry sr.~rvice fac:i.lity management system which 2 ~
~Jp/cardspec 3 can accumulate detaiJecl recor-dc; of such matters as use of each particular sel-vice devic:e, ~Jhich can be related to time or clay L~r to 1..~ (? C~ ol:her devil:et~ in l:he faci.lity. rln C)Wller of sLlch a facility is thereby r?nabled t:o conLlude~ for e~:ample, that particulal- devices are cGmparatively un-lsed, and from such information to optimize the physiral layollt of the facility or the particular mi)~ of service devices. The owner can also trac~ the operating history of any particLIlar device and accumulate information which is relevant to repairs, maintenance and replacement. Furthermore, the owner can Llse such information to structure his prices, providing discounts For use at times ~Jhen he finc1s his facility i5 lightly used.
SUMM~Y OF THE I~vENTION
~ ccording to the invention, a laundry facility management system romprises a laundry service device providinrJ lallnciry service, and controlled by an operating ~:ontl-r.)li a local r:ontrollel- conr-eL-ted to the laundl-y servire device; and a central controller. The local controller and central controller are connected together for the transfer of information between them.
The local controller comprises storage providing signals rep~et;entative of a cnl-rent device rate, representing the current cost of the laundry service provided by the connected service devire, ancl ful-ther compr-ises a card reader for reading a chrcl indentifier provided on and uniquely identifying a ser-vice card pr-esented t:o the card reader ~y an intending user of the service device. The local controller provides reqLIest means responsive to the L~ar-d reader for deriving from a read card identifier and from the stored current devire rate signals an aLIthori;~ation r-equest, and for f J
/wp/cardspec transmitting the a~lthor:i2ation reqoest to the central cDntroller.
The central controller comprises means for receiving an account balanr.-e payment message provitiing a partic~.ll;,r card identifier and a payment val~le~ and stora/~e provi~ing stored acco~lnt balance c;:ignals for at lea~it one account, each account being uniquely inde):ed t,y a particulal- card identifier. The rentr-al contrnller ful-ther comprises account managing means responsive to a received a~lthori~ation request for updating the stored accoLInt balance incle:~erl by the card identifier of the authrjri2atiorl reql..lest by the cu~rent device rate value of the authori~ation request, and for transmitting an a~lthori~ation messar~e to the local contro~.ler~
The local controller has a control OLItp~lt connected to the laundry service device operating control, and i5 responsive to a received a~lthori~ation message for outpLItting a control signal on the control OUtpllt to control the laundry service device operating control to provirie the req-lest laundry serv:ice~ The account man-79ing means i5 responsive to a received accDunt balance payment message for crediting the stored account balance inde::ed by the partic~llar card identifier by the payment val~le of the received account balance message.
In preferred emboriiments, the central controller storage fLIrther provides a dEvice rate srhedllle, and the central controller has means for transmitting to the local controller new device rate signals from the stored rievice rate schedule, for updating the stGreri current device rate.
In a preferred embodiment, the laundry Facility management system according to thE invention comprisEs a ~" ~ ?J ~ ~
/wp~cardspec plurality of laurldry service devices each prDviding la~ndry service, the la~.lndry service devices beinr3 of at least two type!3~ anrl each laundl-y service device bei.nrJ controlled by operating contrc~:Ls. The system further comprises a central contrDller, a serv:ice card di-spenser, and a sin,ilar pl~lrality of local control~.el-~, each connectc-~rl to a ].aundry service cievice. The plurcl:lity of local rontl-ol.:lel-s, the service card dispenser, and the central contro~ler ar-e connected together for the transfer nf information among then,.
Each local controller r_omprises storage providing signals representative of a local conto-oller comm~lnicatiGns address ~.tnique~y identi.fying the :local controllEr within the facility; c~.~rrent clevice rate representing the c~lrrent cost of the la~ndry service provided by the connected laundry service device; selected lang~lage~ ancl device type identifying thr.? type c~f the connected lanndry service device.
Local controller control oLItputs are connected to the laLIndry service device operating controls. for the OUtp~lt of control sir3nals to thr* opera-ting contro].s~ The local controller fLIrther comprises local controller di-.play n,eans, and display control means responsive to local contrGller storage for controlling the local contrGller display means to display in the lang~lage indicated by the selected language signal. a representat:ion of the cLIrrent rate to an intending Llser of the connecteci laLIndry service device. ~ loc:al controller card reader is provided for sensi.ng presence or absence of a serv:ice card and for reading a card identifier provided on and unic~uely iclentifying a .~ervice card presented to the local controller card reader by an intending u er of the connected la~lndry service device.
2 ~ c ~
/wp/cardspec Local contrr,ller author-i-aticr7 rE?ql..lest and transmitting means is responsive to the 1Dr-a1 controller card reader and t:o local cr.)ntrolJer r,t:r)rr..~Je fol dr.?riv:irir.~ Frnm a reac:l card identifier, from the ,tGrecl lor..al controllel- commonications address signals, anc:l from stored current device rate signals an. authori~atinn rE~quest~ and for transmittincJ the derived authori~ation request to the cc-ntral contrGller. The lr,cal controller f~.lrther compri~,es rate updating means For storing received new currEnt clevice rate i 9na1 5 i n the lGcal contrc,ller citorage. The local controller is responsive to receipt of a message from the central controller for transmitting an ark:nowledge message tG the central controller.
The card dispenser comprises a payment acceptor, storage~ and a carti reader. The card dispenser storage provides signals representative of a card dispenser comm~nications address ~IniquE?ly identiFying the card dispenser within the la~ndry facility. The rard dispenser card reader senses presence or absence of a service card and reads a carci identiFier provided on and uniquely identifying a service carcl presentE?d to the card dispenser card reader.
The card dispenser Further comprises a card dispenser clisplay, and di 5play control means responsive to the payment acceptor For controlling the carci dispenser display to di 5pl ay a represer)tation of the value oF the payment presented to the payment acceptor~
The card dispenser further comprises card supply means responsive to the payment acceptor and to absence of a service card in the card dispensr-r card reader for supplying a new service card to the dispenser card reader. Card dispenser account r-eq~est and transmitting means is responsive to the card dispenser card reader, to the payment acceptor, ancl to the card dispenser storage fc~r deriving from ~ 3.~ ~
.. .
/wp~cardspec 7 t:he card identifiEr re.~(i by the (iispenC.er card reader1 from the value of payment presentecl trJ the payment acceptor, and fl-om the card dispensel- communicationC; aclrire~s, e~n account req~lest lnc:luding an "olci/new" !;pecifi.er having one of two values, and for transmitting the derived account request to the central cnntrol.lel~
The card dispenser is responsive to rec:eipt of a mee;sage from the centrc.l contrrJller for- transniitting to the central controller e~n aclcnowleclge messagE.
The central contr-oller comprisrs clocl: input means for receiving a cloc:~ signal1 and non-volatile central controller storage. Centre~l contr-oller storaye provides signals representative of a device rate schedule for the laundry service devices of the facility, and an account balance for at least one account, each account being uniquely inde::ed by a particular card idenl:ifier. Central controller rate update means is responsive to a cloc~c signal received on the clock input means, to the stored device rate schedule, and to device type signals received from a local controller for transmitting to the lc-cal contr-oller new cul-rent device re~te valid for a current time perioc1.
Central contr-oller account mane~ging means is responsive to an account request received from the card dispenser providing an "old" value of the "olo/new" specifier for locating in central controller storage a corresponding stored account inde~:ed by the card identifier of the received account request, ancl for transn,itting tG the card dispenser an enable message including the value of the inde:~ed account balance incremented by the val~le of payment of the received account request. The acco~lnt managing means is responsive to an account request recelved from the card dispenser providing 2 ~ 2 ~ :~
/wp/c~rdspec Z
a "new" value of the "old/new" sprr~ifier for Establishinr3 in central contro].ler stc3r-age a crJrrespondir7g stored ac:cour,t inde~:ed by the card identifie.r of the received account reque6t, and for tr-ansniitting to the card djspenser an enable message includj.ng the value o4 payment of the recEived account request.
The account managing means is responsive to an authori-.~ation rr--?quest received tfr-om a local controller for locating in central controller storage a corresponding stored account inde~-r-~d by the card icientiFirr nf the received authori2ation reqL.~est, and for comparing the corresponding stored account balance with the device rate of the received authori~ation request, and is rt?spc!nsive to a positive result of such cornpariC;on for- tran-mittinc~ to the local controller an authori~ation message~
The account managing means i5 responsive to receipt ot an acknowledge message from the card dispenser for incrementing the value of a stored account balance bv an amount corresponding to the value of payment of the received account request, and :is responsive to receipt otf an ac~nowledge message from a local controller for decrementing the value of a stored account balance by an amount correspondirlg to the clevice rate of the recei.ved authori~ation request~
The local controller is responsive to receipt of an authori~ation message and to storr-?cd clevice type signal~ for outpLItting control c.ignals on the control outputs; the local controller display control mea.r,~ re~;ponsive to receipt oF
an authori~ation rnessage and to the se].ected language signals stored in local controller stor-age For corltrolling the local controller di~play tr.3 display a rr?F3rPsl?ntati.on ot thP curl-ent balance of the stcil-ed ac:rount :i.ncle~:c!ri by the car-d icientifier o-f the transmitter:l a~tl-)ori~atil-:in rr(.lL(f?st~
; 2 ~ ~ 3~ ~ ~
/wp/cardsper 9 The card dispenser card reader means i5 responsive to rer_eipt of an enablr* mes6age ror- releaslng a service ral-d from the dispenser; the card dispenser display contrDl means is responsivr? to receif~t of an enat)le message and to selected language signals stored in the card disr)enser- rjtorAge for controlling the card c~ispenser clisplay to disF)lay a representation of the current balance of the stored account inde:~ed by the card .iden1:ifier of the transmitted account request .
D~ JINGS
Fig. 1 schematically illu;trates the lay-out oF a public laundry facility in which the invention operates;
Fig. ~ shQws the e:terinr of the housing of the card dispenser of the inventionj Fig~ ~ shows a local controller, a central controller, and a card dispenser, connected togkther according to thr-.?
invention;
Fig. 4 shows particular portions of the local controller storage, the central rontroller storage, and the card dispenser storage accordirlrl to the invention;
Fig. 5 shows two views of a service card employed in the system of the :invr*n-tion;
Fig~ 6 shows the format r.~f messages and requests t:ransmitted among the local contrr.~llers, central controller, and card disF)enser of the .y;tem r.~F the invention;
Fig. 7 shows a put:)lic laurldry farility according to the invention providing communicatir)ns and management redundancy;
and Fig~ B shows ~n alternati.ve eml~Ddiment of the system of the invention~
2 ~t i~ 3~
/wp/cardspec lC) DESCRIFTION OF TI-IE PREFE~RED E~FIODI~ENT
Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to Fig.
1, a p~lblic la~lndry facility lC) provides a plurality of lal.lndry serv:lce devlrE~s r.ach prr)viding launtlry ~er-vice. In s~lch a facility there are typically several types oF service devices, multiple.t; of ëach type being provided. For e::ample, the facility shown in Fig. 1 pr-ovides two types Gf washing machines, Type ~ washers including device 12, which are standard washing mar:hines, and Type ~ washers including device 14, which are heavy-duty washing machines. In addition, the facility of Fig. 1 providE-s Type ~ dryel-s including dryer 16, which are large capacity dryers7 and Type dryers including dryer 18, which are of smaller capacity.
Other types of serv.Lce devices may be provided.
Facility 11:) provides a card dispenser 22. Referring now to Fig. 2, the hol..lsinq 23 of card dispen~.er 22 provides a bill acceptor slot 2h and a card reader slot 2a, a display 3l:
cand a DONE ~transaction terminatecl) b~lttGn -;2. Variouc;
printed and pictorial informatinn, not shown in the drawing, is provided on the e::terior of card dispenser 22 to instruct an intending user. ~ccording to this in-forrr,ation, to initiate various operations of rard d:ispenser 22, as ~Jill be e~cplained, a currency bi].l 34 may be inserted into bill acceptor slDt 26 or a previously dispensed service card 36, if the intending user has one, may be inserted into card reader slot 28.
~ card identifier uniql.lely identifies the service card on which it is provided. In prefe)-red embodiments, the card identifier is magnetically encGrled and carrir.?d r.~n a magnetir.
strip on card 36; in alternative embDdiments, the card 2 ~ 2 ~' ~
, /wp~cardspec il identifier may be provided by a bar code printerd on the card, or by a pattt?rn p~nched on the cal-d, or any othel- suitable mean3 which is ma(-hine-rr?adahle. Jn arltiition, the calrd identifier i.5 printed nrl the calrcl. ~efer~rinrl nc~w to F:ig. 5, both faces of the service card ~h r-mployed in the preferred embodiment of the lailndry facility managemel-t system of the invention are shown. On one side of card ~ is an indicator 38 showing which way to insert carcl 3h into card reader slot ~8i on the other side of card ~-h i5 is a magnetic strip 4t:).
~ card identifier is magnetically encocled and carrieri on strip 40~
~ eferring now to Fig. 3, card dispenser ~? provides a payment acceptor, which in the preferred embodiment is a bill acceptor 4?, connected to bill acceptor slot 2~. Card dispenser 2~ provides storage 44, which stores signals representing card dispenser device type (at 46), card tiispenser communications address ~at 4~), central controller communications addre6s ~at 53), selected language ~at ~
and a number of program modules ~at 5r~) to be ciescribed in more detail in connection with Fig. 4. The central controller communicatior)s addres may be provided by central controller 88 when the system is initiali~ed, or in any other convenient manner~ The card dispenser communications address and device type are riesirably provided by setting appropriate switches when the systen) is in;talled.
Card dispenser ~? further provides a processor 54 processor 54 operates according to the instruc:tions of program modules stor-e(i at 52 tc provide the functions and operations of the carci ciispen~er a5 deslribed herein. Card dispenser further prr)vides a card supply means 5~ ~ card dispenser card reader 58 is connt?cted to carci reacler slot ~8;
card reader 58 sen~es the prestnce or absence of a service J~
/wp/cardspec 12 card 36 in slot ~8, and reads the card irlentifier pravided on strip 4C) oF card ~6. Frocessor- 54, stol-age ~4, card s~pply means 56, bill acceptor 4r), card reader 5~, display -~C), and DO~E bc~tton ~2 are all connected together for the transfer of information among them. Card sL~pply means ~6 is connected to card reader 58 by a merhanical path 57 for the transport of a new card ~6 to card reader ~a~ the new card is then transported throL~gh mechanical path 59 to card reader slot 2a.
Service device 1~ (a Type ~ washer, as seen in Fig. 1) is physically operated by operating controls 6C). ~ local controller 62 is connected to service device lr~ Local controller h2 provides a processor 64, a card reader 6h connected to a card reacler slot: 6~, and a display 70.
FL~rther, local controller 62 provicles storage 74, providing signals representing local controller device type ~at 76), lc.~cal controller comm~lnications acJdress (at 7B), central controller communil:ations adcirLss (at ~), c~rrent device service rate (at ~2), anci program modules (at 84) to be riescribed in more detajl in connection with Fig~ 4. The central controller address may be provided by the central controller when the system is initiali 2 ed~ The lDcal cDntroller commL~nications address and local controller device type are desirably provided by setting appropriate switches when the system is installed. Processor 64 operates according to the instr~lctions of program modLIles stored at ~4 to provide the operations and f~lnctions of the local controller as cdescribed herein~ Card reader 66 senses the presence or absence of a card ~6 in slot 6B, and reacds the card identifier provided in strip 41:) on rard ~6. Frocessor 64, 6torage 7~, card reader 66, and display 7C) are connected together for the transfer of information among them~ Local controller 6~ is connected to .;ervice 2 ~ u~3 /wp/cardspec 13 device lr~ thrQugh a control output line 86, connected to device operating controls ~ ) for the output of cc)r)trol signals tD the Dperating cDntrols~
In alternat.ive embodiments, the card identifir?r may be input to 1DCal cDntroller 6r by entering it through a ~;eypad provided by local cDntroller 6 `, rather than by reading it from a card.
~ central controllr r is provided in facility 10, and is desirably housed in the card dispenser housing. ~If a second central controller i 5 provided, for red~lndancy in the system, it may be housed separately~) Central controller ~3f3 provides a processor 9l:), and 6torage 9~. StDrage 9~ prDvides signals representing a 6tQred accourlts databa~e (at 9~), a rate schedule 96 provicling variD~I~ rates for service by each service device in facility tl-), and program modules ~at 98) to be describeLi in more detail in what follows. Processor 9C) operates according to the inr;tructions of the program modules stored at 913 to provide the operations and functiGns of the central cDntroller describr-cl hr*reir,. The accoLInts databhse stored at 94 provides account balances fc,r established accounts, eac,h account beinr~ uniquely incle::ed by a card identifier provided on a previously dispensed card Qddresses of local controllers and of the card dispenser are stored at 99 for use in comrm~nications within the system.
keyF)acl lC)C) is provided for the input of commands and data to central controller ~3~. ~ disl drive lC)r? and a printer 104 are deL~irably proviriecl for logging and archival storage of varic)us informatiorl~ as ~ill be described.
clock input line 1~, is providecl, for receiving cloc~ signals from clock lC)P. Date information may be derived from the clock signals or otherwise jnput.
Processor 9C), storage 9r.?, ~ eypad ll:)l:), disk: drive lC)r?, printer lC)4, and cloc~. input 1~:)6 arr* connected together for the transfer of infDrmation among them.
2~i~3?,~ 1 -/wp/cardspec 1~
Card dispenc,er 2, central contrDller ~8, and1 for each service device in facility lC), a local controller h2, are r-onnected t~orJethl?r by IIE?l:WOr'l~ lin(.' lli:) Ic~r the trar7ciler- r-f information among them~ It wi]L be appreclated that a plurality of local controllErs 6-' are connected to line llC) but not shown in Fig. ~. Line llC) desirably provicies two signal conductors ~high and low) compl-ising a single channel, carrying bi-directional data usincJ RS--485 standard signal levls.
Referring now to Fig. 4, carcl rdispenser storage 44 prDvides prDgram modules 52, including communications handler llC), display manager 11~, bill acceptor manar3er 114, card reader and card supFIly manager llh, and account requee;t manager 12C). Centra] contl-oller storage 92 provides program modules 9?, including rommunications handler 1~2, log manager 124, master manager 1?5, database managel~ h, ~eypad manager 127, devices manarJer 1~, and ce~rd dispenser manager 1'`9.
Local controller storar~e 74 provides program modules 74, including communications handler 1~0, display manager 1~2, card reader mana(3el- 1~;4, contrc)l OUtpLIt manager 1~6, account request manager 1~8, and rate update manager 1~9.
Referring now to Fig. 6, messages and requests transmitted among the local controllers, central controller, and card dispenser bègin with a SOM (!3tart of message) Field and end with an EOM (end of message) field. ~ "from Acldress"
(address of the sendin9 device), a "to address" (address of the destination device), a "message type", and if necessary a variable amount of data are inr_luded in the message. Message type may be~ For e::ample, "account request new", "accoLInt request old", "enable", "acknowledge", and so forth as required. The sending and receiving of messages ancl requests are handled by the device processors, each operating V ~
/wp/cardspec l5 according to a communirations hal-dlel- program module.
colli~ion-detection--random-retlry protocol is employed.
Syr,t_m_o~eratlon~ In orrler to use the laurldry facility, an intending user must ohtain a service card.
service card is obtained from rard disp.enser `"~ in addition, a system user may rea(i the balance value associated ~ith a previously obtaineri card, or update the va]ue of a previously obtained card.
Bea_inr~_rurrent_b_lanc_. The user inserts a previously obtained service card 3b into slot ~l3. Card reader 58 senses the presence of the card, and reads the card identifier.
~ard dispenser procr?s;r,r 54, operating accorriing to account request manager module t2l:) and communications handler l~C), and responsive to card reader 5F3, to bill acceptor 42, and to addresses stored at 48 and 5~s~ derives frorr, the read card identifier an account request of the general form shown in Fig. h. The "mese;ar3e type" is ''arroLInt request old". The card identifier and a value of ~C)t:)C)Il are transmitted as data~ Processor 54 transmits the derived account request to central controller ~8.
Central controller pr-ocessor 9C), operating according to communications handler- 1?? and clatabase marlager l?~, and responsive to the account reqllest received from car-d dispenser 22 providing an "olri" value of the "old~ne~"
specifier, locates in the accounts riatabase stored at 94 a stored account, inriexed by the rarcl identifier of the received account request. ~Jhen the indexed account i5 located, processor 9r~ transmits an enable messar~e to card dispenser ?2. The enable message includes as data the value oF the balance of the inde~ed accoLInt. The account balance value will be incremented by "':) I:)C)"
c~ rJ .h ~.
/wp/cardspec J.6 Card liispenser ~, in response to the enable message, displays the balar1ce value~ Card di~,penser processor 54, Dperating according to di 5pl ay n)anager module ll~ and responsive to seler_ted langllage signals stored at 51:), contrQls display 31:) tG display a representation o~ the balance value~ Card dispen-3er ~ tranC~mits an ack:nQwledc3e message to central controller 9~ The user~ having read the display, terminates the tranc~action by pushing DONE button 3.
and removes his card~
If no account is locateri~ a non-enable message is transmitted to card dispenser 2~.
Ued_t_ncl_erev_ously obt__ned_card. Having inserted his card as described above, the user inserts a currency bill into bill acceptor slot ~6~ The value of the inserted bill is sensed by bill acceptur 4~. Card dispenser processor 54, operating accord:Lr\g to account req1..1est managel- moc1ule 171:) and communications handler 13C), anci responsive to card reader 58, to bill acceptor 4~, and t.o addresses stored at 4B and 53, derives from the read card identifier an account request of the general form shown in Fig. 6~ The "message type" is "account request old"~ The card identifier and value oF the inserted currency ~.ill are transmitted as data~ Processor 54 transmits the derived account request to central controller 88~
Central controller processor 9C), operating according tc database manager 1~6, and respunsive to the accoLInt request received from card dispenser 72 providing an "old" value of the "old~new" specifier, locates in the accounts c1atabase stored at 94 the stored account, incie~:ed by the carci identifier of the received account request~ When the inde~ed ~Ji~
/wp/car-dspec 17 account is located, pro(-essor- 9C~ transmit.s ~n en~ble message to card dispenser ~ ~. The enable message includes as data the value o~f the prev:ious balance ol: the inde::ed acco~nt incremented by the vall.le~ oF the in~erted bj.ll.
:.
Card dispenser ~?, in response to the enable message, displays the incremented balance. Carci dispenser processor 54, operating according to display manager module 11~ and responsive to selected language sigrlals skored at 5C~, controls di 5pl ay ~;0 to display a representation of the incremented halarlce value. Card dispenser ~ transmits an acknowledge n)essage to central controllrr 97.
In response to the acknol-Jledge message, central controller 9~ increments the incie::ed account by an amo~lnt corresponding to the value of p.ayn)ent of the acco~lnt request. Having read the incremented balance value, the user-terminates the transaction by pushing DONE button ;~ . Thesystem user removes his card, and his acco~lnt is incremented by the value of the bill he has inserted into the card dispenser.
Obt__n nr~_a_new__erv_c__card. The user inserts a currency bill as described above. Card reader 58 senses the absence of a card in card reader slot ~8. Card dispenser processor 54, operating accor ding to card reader and supply manager 116, control 5 card sLIpply means 5h to ca~lse a new card to be transported throuqh paths 5 and 59 to card reader slot :28~ Card reader 58 reads the card identifier. The value of the inser-ted bill is sensed by bill acceptor 4:~.
The card dispenser ther-eafter operates as described above for pdating a previously obtained card, e::cept that the account request message type is "accour)t request new . . .
~ J
/wp/cardspec la Central controller processor 9C), operating according to database manager 1~6, and responsive to the account request received from card dispenser ~ providing a "new" value of the "old/new" specifier, estabtishes in the accoLInts databasE
stored at 94 a storecl accoLInt~ inde::ed oy the card identifier of the received accollr)t reqnr.~st. When the incie:ted accour)t has been established, processor 9C) transmits an enable message to card dir,penser ?~:'. The er)able message includes as data the value oF the currency bill as specified by the account request. Thi 5 value will be the value of the account balance.
Card clispen~,er ~2, in response to the enable message, displays the accDunt balance. Card dispenser processor 54, operating according to display manager module 11~ and responsive to selected language signals stored at 50, controls display ~ to display a representation of the accoLInt balance val ue. Card rJispenser ~ transmits an acknowledge message to central controller 9~.
In response to the ac~nowledge message, central controller 9~ increments the nEwly established account by an amount corresponding to the value of payment of the account request. Having read the display, the user terminates the transaction by pushing D~NE button 32. The system user receives his new card~ and his accol.lnt is established with the val Lle of the hi:l.l he has insert-?cl into the card dispenser.
Obt_in_ng_l_l.lr)dry 5_rvi_es In operation, local controller processor 64 operating according to display manager module 1~:.'`, and responsive to selected lar)guage signals stored at 8C) and to current rate signals stored at 8?, controls display 70 to display in the selected language a . ~ _ . ~ _ . . _ _ ... . _ _ _ 2 ~i ~u 3 ~
,, ~wp/cardspec 19 representation of the current rate to an intending user of the connected servire device 1`. This rate display is the default display of thr? local cnntroller.
To obtain laur1dry services, an intending user presents his service card 36 to a local controller by inserting it into card reader slot 68. Card reader 66 senses the presence of card ~6, and reads the card identifier. Local controller processor b4 operating according to authori2ation request module l~B and communications handler module l~C), and responsive to card reader 66 and storage 74, derives from the read card identifier of card 36 in slot 68, from the address signals stored at 78 and ~S, and from current rate signals stored at 8~, an authori~ation request. Frocessor 6~
transmits the derived authorization request ovr-~r line llC) to central controller B8. The authori~ation request includes as data the card identifier and the current device rate.
Central controller processor 91 Dperating according to devices manager moclule 12f3, and responsive to the authori2atiQn request received from local controller 62, locates in the accounts database stored at 94 a stored account, inde~ed by the card identifier of the received authori2ation request. When the inde:ed account is located, processor 9C) transmits an authori~ation message of the general form shown in Fiy. 6 to local controller 62. The authori~ation message inc~udes a5 data the val~e of the previous balance of trhe inde::r?cl al(:r)unt decremente(l by the currerit rate of the authori~atiGn request.
Local controller 6?, in response to the authori:~ation message~ displays the decremented balance. Local controller processo~ 64, operating according to display manaqer module 1~ and responsive to elected ]anguage signals stored at nl:), /wp/cardspec ~0 contrDls display 7C) to disp]ay a representation of the decremented balance value. Iocal controller 6~ tranC;mits an acknowledge message to central controller B~. Operating according to OUtpL1t managE?r module 1-3~, and responsive to device type signals stored at 76, local controller processor 64 provides 011tpUt control cignals on line ~6, appropriate to the service device 1~. In response, controls 61:) operate to initiate operation of the service device.
In response to the aclnowledge message, central controller as decrements the inde::ed account by an amount correspondiny to the current rate for service by the device.
IF no acco11r)t inde::ed by the card identifier is found in the database, central contl-oller ~8 transmits a no authori2ation message.
If more than one unit oF service is desired by the user, he inserts his service card -;6 a number oF times L-orre5porldlr1~ wLI~ e nul11bt?1 ol urlits of SE?lViCE?. F:or e~:ample, if a dryer provides lC~-min1lte units of drying time, and the user wants 30 minute!; oF drying time~ he inserts his card three times. This is treated at three separ-ate transactions by the local col-trollel-, which send three sc~ccessive control signals to the dryer controls. The dryer keeps track of the number of cycles requeste1i in the same manner as dryers do which are equipped with coin operated controls.
Curr ct_r_te_ued_tlncgj~ New current rate information may be obtained by a request initiated by local controller 6~, or central controller ~ may poll the local controllers and thereafter send to each new current rate messages. Such updating of rates may be scheduled~ re~ponsive to cloc~
signals received on clock input line 11:16, or may be commanded /wp/cardspec 2l by sirJnals input to central contro]ler ~ on ~eypad lC)I:).
~rocessor 9C), operating according to devices manager module l?~ and communicatione; handler 12?, and responsive to the rate scheriule signals stored at 96, hanriles the communication of new device rates to the local controllers. In this manner device rates may be regularly varied with time of day, or clay of week, or irreg-1lar-ly varied to provide across the board price changes or special pron)Qtions.
Local controller processor 64, operating according to rate update manager l39, store~ at ~2 received new c~rrent rate signals, which are written over the old signals.
Lo99l-9-ang-er~ -9-ar-hivgg- eso_ds. Operating accordiny to log manager module 1~4, central controller processor 90 controls the reading and ~Jriting of a disk by dis1~ drive 1(12, and the operation of a printer lC)JI. The operation o-f these devices may be scheduled to occur regularly, responsive to a clocl~ signal recelved at lC)6, or may be commanded by commands input through keypad l1:~C). (The input of data or cummands thrQugh l~eyp d lC)C) is managed by processor 9/:) operating according to the l~eypad mamager- module 1~7~) Further-, a local controller processor 64, c)perating according to module 13~, responds to a confirmation from cdevice l6 that device 12 has in fact star~ted operation, to send a message to central controller ~f3 requesting it to lo9 an appropriate recor-d to a dis1 in disl drive tC)2 or to printer ll:)4. Any desired records of service device use, operating errors, and the lil.e may be o~tained in this manner by the operator of the laundry facility.
Alternative emt)odiment. In an alternative embocliment, ________________~_______ an intending user- need not physically present his service card to obtain service by a service device. An input means I~'J t~
/wp/cardspec ~
such as a keypad is provided on the local controller, permitting the user to input the carcl identifier, ~Jhich is then verified in the manner already described.
Route_oeerato_ ~gmbc)gimr?nt. In ~n alternative embodiment, a relatively small lallndry facility (for e~:ample, three washers and three dryers) i5 in~talled at an apartment building, a university dormitory, or other non-public location for the use of persons 5uch as residents or stucients having a right to be presr?nt at the lncation. A route operator is typically a laL~ndry machine distribL11:or- who installs and maintains the service devices of such small far:ilities in a large n~mber of locations.
To manage such facilities accorcling to the present invention, each service device of a facility i 5 connec:ted to a local controller h~ oF the l~ind already described and shown. ~ central controller 88 of the ~ind already described an(i shown is cnnnected to the loral controller- fc~r the transfer of information between them. Local controller and central controller operate as has t)een described to clerive and transmit authori7ation requests~ locate accounts in the accounts database, transmit authorj;ation me;sagee;, decrement accounts and output control signals to service devicees.
However, no card di~penser is located at the facility. Upon payment by an intencling user, service cards are supplied by the route operator, either directly, or indirectly through the landlord Dr other manacJement oF the premises on which the facility is located.
Central controller 88 in addition to the elements shown and described, provides in storage 9~ a facility identifier uniquely identifying the facility among those on the operator 5 roLlte ~ and is connected through a modem to a ~ i, i 3 2 1 ~
/wp/cardspec ~3 telephone line. ~ remote unit is al 50 connected to a telephone line. Central controller ~B at predetermined times dials up the remGte urlit~ identifyinq itself by the !~toreri facility identiFier, to upload current card balances (after decrements for service device operation) and records of service device usage. The remote unit d~wnloads changes to the rate schedule, new account information, and changes to account balances. Central controller Ra responcls to new account information and account balance changes to increment the storecl accounts and establish new accounts.
This management system has several advantages. ~lo money is kept nn the pr-emises of the racility, reducing the likelihood of theft and vandalism. The route operatGr does nDt need ta collect and count coins from each facility, keeping the coins of each facility separate from those of the others in order to pay a share to the owner of the premises.
Finally, as with the previously described public laundry facility, the intendir~g ~ser does not neecl to accumulate and bring with him a sufficient quantity of coins, and service rates can be fle::ibly altered as Frequently as clesired and to within as fine an increment as desired.
~ n additional feature is provided in this embodiment.
Central controller 4aa provides a voice chip 45l:l for synthesi~ing voice communications. Further, central controller 4B8 stores at 456 in storage 9~ status information of the ~ind descri~ed as logged to disk drive 1(:~ and printer 11)4. This information includes the facts that particular service devices are in operation. ~n intending user of the facility may cdial up central controller 4aa from his telephone. Processor 9~-), operating according to instructiGnC;
in communications handler 1~, derives from status information stored at 45h a me-;sage reporting which service devices are available to a usel~, identifying each by a /wp/cardspec ,~
machine number or other service device identiFier, and controls voice chip 45~:) to provide correspc)nriir)g al~dihle information. The intending user-, by means of his telephone Feypad, inputs the machine number identifying a particular service device amonrJ tho-~e not in use~ together with his card idr-?ntifier. Central controllel- ~B8 there~lporl transmits to local controller 6~ cf the identified service device a message reserving the clevice for a limited period of time;
that is, the local controller will not respond to the presentation of any other service card during that interval.
If the intending nser presents his own service oard to the local controller within the reserve period1 his accollnt i5 decremented by the current device rate tGgether with a reservation fee. If the intending ~Iser does not present his service card within the reserve period, at the e::piration of the reserve period central controller ~08 releases the service device. ~esponsive to the card identifier input over the telephone line, central controller ~8~ decrements the correspnding account balance stored at 9~ by a service fee.
fie_u__a_sy_and_.~,e_~_i_y_of_as_ol~l_t records. In managing a laundry r,ervice facility of the kind described hereinl it is highly desirable to maintain, 50 far as possible, the integrity of the account records and the operability of both service devices and card dispensers against s~lch ha~ards as component failure or theft. For this purpose, in preferred embodiments, redundancy of operation is provided.
Referring now to Fig. 7, two central controllers 88 and 188 are provided, with a card dispenser ?~, One of the central controllers is desirably housed with card dispenser 2~ the second central controller may be separately housed.
Four independent network lines 11~ lC), ~lC) and 41C) are /wp/cardspec ~5 provided~ each central controller heing connected to all four network lines. One Fourth oF the service devices of the Facility are connecterl (each thrnllgh i-ts local controller~ to any network line. Each networl line comprise- a channel. In a system providing 5uch redundc-~ncy7 communications addresses must include a channel speciFication7 and messages transmitted among the system elements must include a specification of the channel to be usecl. In such a systen" a physical breals in a network line results at most in one quarter of the service devices becoming inoperative by means of a servire card.
The module storage ~4 of each central controller provides a master manager program module 1~5 (Fig~ 4). This module inclulies initiali~ing routines, including a bidding routine by which a central controller contends to become the master in the system network. Only one of the two central controllers can be m-lster; the other functions as a backup.
During operation oF the system, each controller keeps track of errors; a critical nLImber of errors will caLIse a master central controller to disable itself a5 a master and assume back-llp status. This is detected by the other central controller, which is then forced to assume master status.
The detected errors are logged to disk and/or printer.
In a system providing rerlundancy, the accounts database is stored in cduplicate at the central controllers. Each central cDntroller s master program module 1 5 further provides instructions for updating the accounts databe~ses kept at all other central controllers, whenever an aCCOLlnt i 5 established or its balance incremented or- decremented at one central controller. This provides bac~-up capacity in case one central controller becomes inoperative.
s(~
FlJ~lLIC L~l)NDr;Y F~CIL:IrY MAN~GEME~IT SYSTEM
~)ACI~GROUND OF THE INVE-:NTION
This invention relates to the management of laundry facilitie~" particularly public laundry Facilities having a plurality of lal.lndly service clevices of various types, s~lch as washers and dryer-s.
The laundry service devices of public laundry facilities ~f this kind are typically activated by payment of coins, which are collected at each service device. The intending user of the facility must obt.~in a sufficient number of colns of the correct denornination, typically quarter dollarc;, to activate the mach.ines for a number of cycles of operation sufficient to meet his needs. It can be an inconvenience for the intend:ing user to accumulate and bring with him the necessary coins. Many public laundry facilities provirde bill changers, which accept currency bil15 and dispense coins for the convenience of the user.
There are seve~al disadvantages tr.~ th.is method of paying for the operation of the laundry service devices.
large number of coins must be stoc~ed in the bill changers, anri a large number of coins are accumulaterd at each service device~ This ties up nperating capital for the owner of the facility. In addition, the pree,ence of a large amount of ccll-rr.3ncy ancl co:in~i c)rl the prr.3mi~.es make~3 the facility a target for theft and vandalism. Further, the owner must employ a trustworthy pel-son to ma~e frequent collections oF
the accumulated coins and bills; and the tas~: of co~nting the coins is time consumirlg. For e~:ample, .it requires about four hollrs a week to manage t:he coinage in a fhcility having fifty '?J ~
~wp/cardspec ?
service devires. This increase:i the C05t of running the facil.ity and decreasc-!s 1:he prnfits~
Further, the use of coins, typically quarter clollars, limits the rate (c:ost per unit of operation) which cc-.~n be charged to m~ltiples of the coin. Thus an owner n,ust set his rate e~actly at a multiple of a quarter dollar: for r-~ample, ~l.CI~l or $1.~5. Smaller increments of rost cannot be charged to the customer. In competing with another facility in the neighborhood, an owner might wish to charge a price marginally lower than the prire at the other farility, but not reduced by so much as a quarter dollar per cycle. Such fle::ibility is not possible with coin operated facilities.
Similarly, because each service device is fitted with a mechanical cievice for accepting c~ins, if an owner wishes to change his prices, the mechanical devices must be removed and replaced. This is time consuming and e~:pensive, and cannot be done at frequent intervals. Thus, for e:~ample, it is not practical in such a facility to provide discounterJ rates for particular hQurs of the day or days of the wee~ n order to encourage u-3ers to use the fac-ility at off-hoLlrs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry service facility manayement systen, which does not require the stoc~ing of large numbers of: coins in bill changers~ which doF.s noct cl~:llec:t c:oir7s at the service devic:es or bills at the bi.ll chancJerE~, whirh does not req~ire collection and countirlq of colns, which permits fle~:ible setting of rates to any desired increment, and whirh permits flexible resetting of rates as often as desired.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laundry sr.~rvice fac:i.lity management system which 2 ~
~Jp/cardspec 3 can accumulate detaiJecl recor-dc; of such matters as use of each particular sel-vice devic:e, ~Jhich can be related to time or clay L~r to 1..~ (? C~ ol:her devil:et~ in l:he faci.lity. rln C)Wller of sLlch a facility is thereby r?nabled t:o conLlude~ for e~:ample, that particulal- devices are cGmparatively un-lsed, and from such information to optimize the physiral layollt of the facility or the particular mi)~ of service devices. The owner can also trac~ the operating history of any particLIlar device and accumulate information which is relevant to repairs, maintenance and replacement. Furthermore, the owner can Llse such information to structure his prices, providing discounts For use at times ~Jhen he finc1s his facility i5 lightly used.
SUMM~Y OF THE I~vENTION
~ ccording to the invention, a laundry facility management system romprises a laundry service device providinrJ lallnciry service, and controlled by an operating ~:ontl-r.)li a local r:ontrollel- conr-eL-ted to the laundl-y servire device; and a central controller. The local controller and central controller are connected together for the transfer of information between them.
The local controller comprises storage providing signals rep~et;entative of a cnl-rent device rate, representing the current cost of the laundry service provided by the connected service devire, ancl ful-ther compr-ises a card reader for reading a chrcl indentifier provided on and uniquely identifying a ser-vice card pr-esented t:o the card reader ~y an intending user of the service device. The local controller provides reqLIest means responsive to the L~ar-d reader for deriving from a read card identifier and from the stored current devire rate signals an aLIthori;~ation r-equest, and for f J
/wp/cardspec transmitting the a~lthor:i2ation reqoest to the central cDntroller.
The central controller comprises means for receiving an account balanr.-e payment message provitiing a partic~.ll;,r card identifier and a payment val~le~ and stora/~e provi~ing stored acco~lnt balance c;:ignals for at lea~it one account, each account being uniquely inde):ed t,y a particulal- card identifier. The rentr-al contrnller ful-ther comprises account managing means responsive to a received a~lthori~ation request for updating the stored accoLInt balance incle:~erl by the card identifier of the authrjri2atiorl reql..lest by the cu~rent device rate value of the authori~ation request, and for transmitting an a~lthori~ation messar~e to the local contro~.ler~
The local controller has a control OLItp~lt connected to the laundry service device operating control, and i5 responsive to a received a~lthori~ation message for outpLItting a control signal on the control OUtpllt to control the laundry service device operating control to provirie the req-lest laundry serv:ice~ The account man-79ing means i5 responsive to a received accDunt balance payment message for crediting the stored account balance inde::ed by the partic~llar card identifier by the payment val~le of the received account balance message.
In preferred emboriiments, the central controller storage fLIrther provides a dEvice rate srhedllle, and the central controller has means for transmitting to the local controller new device rate signals from the stored rievice rate schedule, for updating the stGreri current device rate.
In a preferred embodiment, the laundry Facility management system according to thE invention comprisEs a ~" ~ ?J ~ ~
/wp~cardspec plurality of laurldry service devices each prDviding la~ndry service, the la~.lndry service devices beinr3 of at least two type!3~ anrl each laundl-y service device bei.nrJ controlled by operating contrc~:Ls. The system further comprises a central contrDller, a serv:ice card di-spenser, and a sin,ilar pl~lrality of local control~.el-~, each connectc-~rl to a ].aundry service cievice. The plurcl:lity of local rontl-ol.:lel-s, the service card dispenser, and the central contro~ler ar-e connected together for the transfer nf information among then,.
Each local controller r_omprises storage providing signals representative of a local conto-oller comm~lnicatiGns address ~.tnique~y identi.fying the :local controllEr within the facility; c~.~rrent clevice rate representing the c~lrrent cost of the la~ndry service provided by the connected laundry service device; selected lang~lage~ ancl device type identifying thr.? type c~f the connected lanndry service device.
Local controller control oLItputs are connected to the laLIndry service device operating controls. for the OUtp~lt of control sir3nals to thr* opera-ting contro].s~ The local controller fLIrther comprises local controller di-.play n,eans, and display control means responsive to local contrGller storage for controlling the local contrGller display means to display in the lang~lage indicated by the selected language signal. a representat:ion of the cLIrrent rate to an intending Llser of the connecteci laLIndry service device. ~ loc:al controller card reader is provided for sensi.ng presence or absence of a serv:ice card and for reading a card identifier provided on and unic~uely iclentifying a .~ervice card presented to the local controller card reader by an intending u er of the connected la~lndry service device.
2 ~ c ~
/wp/cardspec Local contrr,ller author-i-aticr7 rE?ql..lest and transmitting means is responsive to the 1Dr-a1 controller card reader and t:o local cr.)ntrolJer r,t:r)rr..~Je fol dr.?riv:irir.~ Frnm a reac:l card identifier, from the ,tGrecl lor..al controllel- commonications address signals, anc:l from stored current device rate signals an. authori~atinn rE~quest~ and for transmittincJ the derived authori~ation request to the cc-ntral contrGller. The lr,cal controller f~.lrther compri~,es rate updating means For storing received new currEnt clevice rate i 9na1 5 i n the lGcal contrc,ller citorage. The local controller is responsive to receipt of a message from the central controller for transmitting an ark:nowledge message tG the central controller.
The card dispenser comprises a payment acceptor, storage~ and a carti reader. The card dispenser storage provides signals representative of a card dispenser comm~nications address ~IniquE?ly identiFying the card dispenser within the la~ndry facility. The rard dispenser card reader senses presence or absence of a service card and reads a carci identiFier provided on and uniquely identifying a service carcl presentE?d to the card dispenser card reader.
The card dispenser Further comprises a card dispenser clisplay, and di 5play control means responsive to the payment acceptor For controlling the carci dispenser display to di 5pl ay a represer)tation of the value oF the payment presented to the payment acceptor~
The card dispenser further comprises card supply means responsive to the payment acceptor and to absence of a service card in the card dispensr-r card reader for supplying a new service card to the dispenser card reader. Card dispenser account r-eq~est and transmitting means is responsive to the card dispenser card reader, to the payment acceptor, ancl to the card dispenser storage fc~r deriving from ~ 3.~ ~
.. .
/wp~cardspec 7 t:he card identifiEr re.~(i by the (iispenC.er card reader1 from the value of payment presentecl trJ the payment acceptor, and fl-om the card dispensel- communicationC; aclrire~s, e~n account req~lest lnc:luding an "olci/new" !;pecifi.er having one of two values, and for transmitting the derived account request to the central cnntrol.lel~
The card dispenser is responsive to rec:eipt of a mee;sage from the centrc.l contrrJller for- transniitting to the central controller e~n aclcnowleclge messagE.
The central contr-oller comprisrs clocl: input means for receiving a cloc:~ signal1 and non-volatile central controller storage. Centre~l contr-oller storaye provides signals representative of a device rate schedule for the laundry service devices of the facility, and an account balance for at least one account, each account being uniquely inde::ed by a particular card idenl:ifier. Central controller rate update means is responsive to a cloc~c signal received on the clock input means, to the stored device rate schedule, and to device type signals received from a local controller for transmitting to the lc-cal contr-oller new cul-rent device re~te valid for a current time perioc1.
Central contr-oller account mane~ging means is responsive to an account request received from the card dispenser providing an "old" value of the "olo/new" specifier for locating in central controller storage a corresponding stored account inde~:ed by the card identifier of the received account request, ancl for transn,itting tG the card dispenser an enable message including the value of the inde:~ed account balance incremented by the val~le of payment of the received account request. The acco~lnt managing means is responsive to an account request recelved from the card dispenser providing 2 ~ 2 ~ :~
/wp/c~rdspec Z
a "new" value of the "old/new" sprr~ifier for Establishinr3 in central contro].ler stc3r-age a crJrrespondir7g stored ac:cour,t inde~:ed by the card identifie.r of the received account reque6t, and for tr-ansniitting to the card djspenser an enable message includj.ng the value o4 payment of the recEived account request.
The account managing means is responsive to an authori-.~ation rr--?quest received tfr-om a local controller for locating in central controller storage a corresponding stored account inde~-r-~d by the card icientiFirr nf the received authori2ation reqL.~est, and for comparing the corresponding stored account balance with the device rate of the received authori~ation request, and is rt?spc!nsive to a positive result of such cornpariC;on for- tran-mittinc~ to the local controller an authori~ation message~
The account managing means i5 responsive to receipt ot an acknowledge message from the card dispenser for incrementing the value of a stored account balance bv an amount corresponding to the value of payment of the received account request, and :is responsive to receipt otf an ac~nowledge message from a local controller for decrementing the value of a stored account balance by an amount correspondirlg to the clevice rate of the recei.ved authori~ation request~
The local controller is responsive to receipt of an authori~ation message and to storr-?cd clevice type signal~ for outpLItting control c.ignals on the control outputs; the local controller display control mea.r,~ re~;ponsive to receipt oF
an authori~ation rnessage and to the se].ected language signals stored in local controller stor-age For corltrolling the local controller di~play tr.3 display a rr?F3rPsl?ntati.on ot thP curl-ent balance of the stcil-ed ac:rount :i.ncle~:c!ri by the car-d icientifier o-f the transmitter:l a~tl-)ori~atil-:in rr(.lL(f?st~
; 2 ~ ~ 3~ ~ ~
/wp/cardsper 9 The card dispenser card reader means i5 responsive to rer_eipt of an enablr* mes6age ror- releaslng a service ral-d from the dispenser; the card dispenser display contrDl means is responsivr? to receif~t of an enat)le message and to selected language signals stored in the card disr)enser- rjtorAge for controlling the card c~ispenser clisplay to disF)lay a representation of the current balance of the stored account inde:~ed by the card .iden1:ifier of the transmitted account request .
D~ JINGS
Fig. 1 schematically illu;trates the lay-out oF a public laundry facility in which the invention operates;
Fig. ~ shQws the e:terinr of the housing of the card dispenser of the inventionj Fig~ ~ shows a local controller, a central controller, and a card dispenser, connected togkther according to thr-.?
invention;
Fig. 4 shows particular portions of the local controller storage, the central rontroller storage, and the card dispenser storage accordirlrl to the invention;
Fig. 5 shows two views of a service card employed in the system of the :invr*n-tion;
Fig~ 6 shows the format r.~f messages and requests t:ransmitted among the local contrr.~llers, central controller, and card disF)enser of the .y;tem r.~F the invention;
Fig. 7 shows a put:)lic laurldry farility according to the invention providing communicatir)ns and management redundancy;
and Fig~ B shows ~n alternati.ve eml~Ddiment of the system of the invention~
2 ~t i~ 3~
/wp/cardspec lC) DESCRIFTION OF TI-IE PREFE~RED E~FIODI~ENT
Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to Fig.
1, a p~lblic la~lndry facility lC) provides a plurality of lal.lndry serv:lce devlrE~s r.ach prr)viding launtlry ~er-vice. In s~lch a facility there are typically several types oF service devices, multiple.t; of ëach type being provided. For e::ample, the facility shown in Fig. 1 pr-ovides two types Gf washing machines, Type ~ washers including device 12, which are standard washing mar:hines, and Type ~ washers including device 14, which are heavy-duty washing machines. In addition, the facility of Fig. 1 providE-s Type ~ dryel-s including dryer 16, which are large capacity dryers7 and Type dryers including dryer 18, which are of smaller capacity.
Other types of serv.Lce devices may be provided.
Facility 11:) provides a card dispenser 22. Referring now to Fig. 2, the hol..lsinq 23 of card dispen~.er 22 provides a bill acceptor slot 2h and a card reader slot 2a, a display 3l:
cand a DONE ~transaction terminatecl) b~lttGn -;2. Variouc;
printed and pictorial informatinn, not shown in the drawing, is provided on the e::terior of card dispenser 22 to instruct an intending user. ~ccording to this in-forrr,ation, to initiate various operations of rard d:ispenser 22, as ~Jill be e~cplained, a currency bi].l 34 may be inserted into bill acceptor slDt 26 or a previously dispensed service card 36, if the intending user has one, may be inserted into card reader slot 28.
~ card identifier uniql.lely identifies the service card on which it is provided. In prefe)-red embodiments, the card identifier is magnetically encGrled and carrir.?d r.~n a magnetir.
strip on card 36; in alternative embDdiments, the card 2 ~ 2 ~' ~
, /wp~cardspec il identifier may be provided by a bar code printerd on the card, or by a pattt?rn p~nched on the cal-d, or any othel- suitable mean3 which is ma(-hine-rr?adahle. Jn arltiition, the calrd identifier i.5 printed nrl the calrcl. ~efer~rinrl nc~w to F:ig. 5, both faces of the service card ~h r-mployed in the preferred embodiment of the lailndry facility managemel-t system of the invention are shown. On one side of card ~ is an indicator 38 showing which way to insert carcl 3h into card reader slot ~8i on the other side of card ~-h i5 is a magnetic strip 4t:).
~ card identifier is magnetically encocled and carrieri on strip 40~
~ eferring now to Fig. 3, card dispenser ~? provides a payment acceptor, which in the preferred embodiment is a bill acceptor 4?, connected to bill acceptor slot 2~. Card dispenser 2~ provides storage 44, which stores signals representing card dispenser device type (at 46), card tiispenser communications address ~at 4~), central controller communications addre6s ~at 53), selected language ~at ~
and a number of program modules ~at 5r~) to be ciescribed in more detail in connection with Fig. 4. The central controller communicatior)s addres may be provided by central controller 88 when the system is initiali~ed, or in any other convenient manner~ The card dispenser communications address and device type are riesirably provided by setting appropriate switches when the systen) is in;talled.
Card dispenser ~? further provides a processor 54 processor 54 operates according to the instruc:tions of program modules stor-e(i at 52 tc provide the functions and operations of the carci ciispen~er a5 deslribed herein. Card dispenser further prr)vides a card supply means 5~ ~ card dispenser card reader 58 is connt?cted to carci reacler slot ~8;
card reader 58 sen~es the prestnce or absence of a service J~
/wp/cardspec 12 card 36 in slot ~8, and reads the card irlentifier pravided on strip 4C) oF card ~6. Frocessor- 54, stol-age ~4, card s~pply means 56, bill acceptor 4r), card reader 5~, display -~C), and DO~E bc~tton ~2 are all connected together for the transfer of information among them. Card sL~pply means ~6 is connected to card reader 58 by a merhanical path 57 for the transport of a new card ~6 to card reader ~a~ the new card is then transported throL~gh mechanical path 59 to card reader slot 2a.
Service device 1~ (a Type ~ washer, as seen in Fig. 1) is physically operated by operating controls 6C). ~ local controller 62 is connected to service device lr~ Local controller h2 provides a processor 64, a card reader 6h connected to a card reacler slot: 6~, and a display 70.
FL~rther, local controller 62 provicles storage 74, providing signals representing local controller device type ~at 76), lc.~cal controller comm~lnications acJdress (at 7B), central controller communil:ations adcirLss (at ~), c~rrent device service rate (at ~2), anci program modules (at 84) to be riescribed in more detajl in connection with Fig~ 4. The central controller address may be provided by the central controller when the system is initiali 2 ed~ The lDcal cDntroller commL~nications address and local controller device type are desirably provided by setting appropriate switches when the system is installed. Processor 64 operates according to the instr~lctions of program modLIles stored at ~4 to provide the operations and f~lnctions of the local controller as cdescribed herein~ Card reader 66 senses the presence or absence of a card ~6 in slot 6B, and reacds the card identifier provided in strip 41:) on rard ~6. Frocessor 64, 6torage 7~, card reader 66, and display 7C) are connected together for the transfer of information among them~ Local controller 6~ is connected to .;ervice 2 ~ u~3 /wp/cardspec 13 device lr~ thrQugh a control output line 86, connected to device operating controls ~ ) for the output of cc)r)trol signals tD the Dperating cDntrols~
In alternat.ive embodiments, the card identifir?r may be input to 1DCal cDntroller 6r by entering it through a ~;eypad provided by local cDntroller 6 `, rather than by reading it from a card.
~ central controllr r is provided in facility 10, and is desirably housed in the card dispenser housing. ~If a second central controller i 5 provided, for red~lndancy in the system, it may be housed separately~) Central controller ~3f3 provides a processor 9l:), and 6torage 9~. StDrage 9~ prDvides signals representing a 6tQred accourlts databa~e (at 9~), a rate schedule 96 provicling variD~I~ rates for service by each service device in facility tl-), and program modules ~at 98) to be describeLi in more detail in what follows. Processor 9C) operates according to the inr;tructions of the program modules stored at 913 to provide the operations and functiGns of the central cDntroller describr-cl hr*reir,. The accoLInts databhse stored at 94 provides account balances fc,r established accounts, eac,h account beinr~ uniquely incle::ed by a card identifier provided on a previously dispensed card Qddresses of local controllers and of the card dispenser are stored at 99 for use in comrm~nications within the system.
keyF)acl lC)C) is provided for the input of commands and data to central controller ~3~. ~ disl drive lC)r? and a printer 104 are deL~irably proviriecl for logging and archival storage of varic)us informatiorl~ as ~ill be described.
clock input line 1~, is providecl, for receiving cloc~ signals from clock lC)P. Date information may be derived from the clock signals or otherwise jnput.
Processor 9C), storage 9r.?, ~ eypad ll:)l:), disk: drive lC)r?, printer lC)4, and cloc~. input 1~:)6 arr* connected together for the transfer of infDrmation among them.
2~i~3?,~ 1 -/wp/cardspec 1~
Card dispenc,er 2, central contrDller ~8, and1 for each service device in facility lC), a local controller h2, are r-onnected t~orJethl?r by IIE?l:WOr'l~ lin(.' lli:) Ic~r the trar7ciler- r-f information among them~ It wi]L be appreclated that a plurality of local controllErs 6-' are connected to line llC) but not shown in Fig. ~. Line llC) desirably provicies two signal conductors ~high and low) compl-ising a single channel, carrying bi-directional data usincJ RS--485 standard signal levls.
Referring now to Fig. 4, carcl rdispenser storage 44 prDvides prDgram modules 52, including communications handler llC), display manager 11~, bill acceptor manar3er 114, card reader and card supFIly manager llh, and account requee;t manager 12C). Centra] contl-oller storage 92 provides program modules 9?, including rommunications handler 1~2, log manager 124, master manager 1?5, database managel~ h, ~eypad manager 127, devices manarJer 1~, and ce~rd dispenser manager 1'`9.
Local controller storar~e 74 provides program modules 74, including communications handler 1~0, display manager 1~2, card reader mana(3el- 1~;4, contrc)l OUtpLIt manager 1~6, account request manager 1~8, and rate update manager 1~9.
Referring now to Fig. 6, messages and requests transmitted among the local controllers, central controller, and card dispenser bègin with a SOM (!3tart of message) Field and end with an EOM (end of message) field. ~ "from Acldress"
(address of the sendin9 device), a "to address" (address of the destination device), a "message type", and if necessary a variable amount of data are inr_luded in the message. Message type may be~ For e::ample, "account request new", "accoLInt request old", "enable", "acknowledge", and so forth as required. The sending and receiving of messages ancl requests are handled by the device processors, each operating V ~
/wp/cardspec l5 according to a communirations hal-dlel- program module.
colli~ion-detection--random-retlry protocol is employed.
Syr,t_m_o~eratlon~ In orrler to use the laurldry facility, an intending user must ohtain a service card.
service card is obtained from rard disp.enser `"~ in addition, a system user may rea(i the balance value associated ~ith a previously obtaineri card, or update the va]ue of a previously obtained card.
Bea_inr~_rurrent_b_lanc_. The user inserts a previously obtained service card 3b into slot ~l3. Card reader 58 senses the presence of the card, and reads the card identifier.
~ard dispenser procr?s;r,r 54, operating accorriing to account request manager module t2l:) and communications handler l~C), and responsive to card reader 5F3, to bill acceptor 42, and to addresses stored at 48 and 5~s~ derives frorr, the read card identifier an account request of the general form shown in Fig. h. The "mese;ar3e type" is ''arroLInt request old". The card identifier and a value of ~C)t:)C)Il are transmitted as data~ Processor 54 transmits the derived account request to central controller ~8.
Central controller pr-ocessor 9C), operating according to communications handler- 1?? and clatabase marlager l?~, and responsive to the account reqllest received from car-d dispenser 22 providing an "olri" value of the "old~ne~"
specifier, locates in the accounts riatabase stored at 94 a stored account, inriexed by the rarcl identifier of the received account request. ~Jhen the indexed account i5 located, processor 9r~ transmits an enable messar~e to card dispenser ?2. The enable message includes as data the value oF the balance of the inde~ed accoLInt. The account balance value will be incremented by "':) I:)C)"
c~ rJ .h ~.
/wp/cardspec J.6 Card liispenser ~, in response to the enable message, displays the balar1ce value~ Card di~,penser processor 54, Dperating according to di 5pl ay n)anager module ll~ and responsive to seler_ted langllage signals stored at 51:), contrQls display 31:) tG display a representation o~ the balance value~ Card dispen-3er ~ tranC~mits an ack:nQwledc3e message to central controller 9~ The user~ having read the display, terminates the tranc~action by pushing DONE button 3.
and removes his card~
If no account is locateri~ a non-enable message is transmitted to card dispenser 2~.
Ued_t_ncl_erev_ously obt__ned_card. Having inserted his card as described above, the user inserts a currency bill into bill acceptor slot ~6~ The value of the inserted bill is sensed by bill acceptur 4~. Card dispenser processor 54, operating accord:Lr\g to account req1..1est managel- moc1ule 171:) and communications handler 13C), anci responsive to card reader 58, to bill acceptor 4~, and t.o addresses stored at 4B and 53, derives from the read card identifier an account request of the general form shown in Fig. 6~ The "message type" is "account request old"~ The card identifier and value oF the inserted currency ~.ill are transmitted as data~ Processor 54 transmits the derived account request to central controller 88~
Central controller processor 9C), operating according tc database manager 1~6, and respunsive to the accoLInt request received from card dispenser 72 providing an "old" value of the "old~new" specifier, locates in the accounts c1atabase stored at 94 the stored account, incie~:ed by the carci identifier of the received account request~ When the inde~ed ~Ji~
/wp/car-dspec 17 account is located, pro(-essor- 9C~ transmit.s ~n en~ble message to card dispenser ~ ~. The enable message includes as data the value o~f the prev:ious balance ol: the inde::ed acco~nt incremented by the vall.le~ oF the in~erted bj.ll.
:.
Card dispenser ~?, in response to the enable message, displays the incremented balance. Carci dispenser processor 54, operating according to display manager module 11~ and responsive to selected language sigrlals skored at 5C~, controls di 5pl ay ~;0 to display a representation of the incremented halarlce value. Card dispenser ~ transmits an acknowledge n)essage to central controllrr 97.
In response to the acknol-Jledge message, central controller 9~ increments the incie::ed account by an amo~lnt corresponding to the value of p.ayn)ent of the acco~lnt request. Having read the incremented balance value, the user-terminates the transaction by pushing DONE button ;~ . Thesystem user removes his card, and his acco~lnt is incremented by the value of the bill he has inserted into the card dispenser.
Obt__n nr~_a_new__erv_c__card. The user inserts a currency bill as described above. Card reader 58 senses the absence of a card in card reader slot ~8. Card dispenser processor 54, operating accor ding to card reader and supply manager 116, control 5 card sLIpply means 5h to ca~lse a new card to be transported throuqh paths 5 and 59 to card reader slot :28~ Card reader 58 reads the card identifier. The value of the inser-ted bill is sensed by bill acceptor 4:~.
The card dispenser ther-eafter operates as described above for pdating a previously obtained card, e::cept that the account request message type is "accour)t request new . . .
~ J
/wp/cardspec la Central controller processor 9C), operating according to database manager 1~6, and responsive to the account request received from card dispenser ~ providing a "new" value of the "old/new" specifier, estabtishes in the accoLInts databasE
stored at 94 a storecl accoLInt~ inde::ed oy the card identifier of the received accollr)t reqnr.~st. When the incie:ted accour)t has been established, processor 9C) transmits an enable message to card dir,penser ?~:'. The er)able message includes as data the value oF the currency bill as specified by the account request. Thi 5 value will be the value of the account balance.
Card clispen~,er ~2, in response to the enable message, displays the accDunt balance. Card dispenser processor 54, operating according to display manager module 11~ and responsive to selected language signals stored at 50, controls display ~ to display a representation of the accoLInt balance val ue. Card rJispenser ~ transmits an acknowledge message to central controller 9~.
In response to the ac~nowledge message, central controller 9~ increments the nEwly established account by an amount corresponding to the value of payment of the account request. Having read the display, the user terminates the transaction by pushing D~NE button 32. The system user receives his new card~ and his accol.lnt is established with the val Lle of the hi:l.l he has insert-?cl into the card dispenser.
Obt_in_ng_l_l.lr)dry 5_rvi_es In operation, local controller processor 64 operating according to display manager module 1~:.'`, and responsive to selected lar)guage signals stored at 8C) and to current rate signals stored at 8?, controls display 70 to display in the selected language a . ~ _ . ~ _ . . _ _ ... . _ _ _ 2 ~i ~u 3 ~
,, ~wp/cardspec 19 representation of the current rate to an intending user of the connected servire device 1`. This rate display is the default display of thr? local cnntroller.
To obtain laur1dry services, an intending user presents his service card 36 to a local controller by inserting it into card reader slot 68. Card reader 66 senses the presence of card ~6, and reads the card identifier. Local controller processor b4 operating according to authori2ation request module l~B and communications handler module l~C), and responsive to card reader 66 and storage 74, derives from the read card identifier of card 36 in slot 68, from the address signals stored at 78 and ~S, and from current rate signals stored at 8~, an authori~ation request. Frocessor 6~
transmits the derived authorization request ovr-~r line llC) to central controller B8. The authori~ation request includes as data the card identifier and the current device rate.
Central controller processor 91 Dperating according to devices manager moclule 12f3, and responsive to the authori2atiQn request received from local controller 62, locates in the accounts database stored at 94 a stored account, inde~ed by the card identifier of the received authori2ation request. When the inde:ed account is located, processor 9C) transmits an authori~ation message of the general form shown in Fiy. 6 to local controller 62. The authori~ation message inc~udes a5 data the val~e of the previous balance of trhe inde::r?cl al(:r)unt decremente(l by the currerit rate of the authori~atiGn request.
Local controller 6?, in response to the authori:~ation message~ displays the decremented balance. Local controller processo~ 64, operating according to display manaqer module 1~ and responsive to elected ]anguage signals stored at nl:), /wp/cardspec ~0 contrDls display 7C) to disp]ay a representation of the decremented balance value. Iocal controller 6~ tranC;mits an acknowledge message to central controller B~. Operating according to OUtpL1t managE?r module 1-3~, and responsive to device type signals stored at 76, local controller processor 64 provides 011tpUt control cignals on line ~6, appropriate to the service device 1~. In response, controls 61:) operate to initiate operation of the service device.
In response to the aclnowledge message, central controller as decrements the inde::ed account by an amount correspondiny to the current rate for service by the device.
IF no acco11r)t inde::ed by the card identifier is found in the database, central contl-oller ~8 transmits a no authori2ation message.
If more than one unit oF service is desired by the user, he inserts his service card -;6 a number oF times L-orre5porldlr1~ wLI~ e nul11bt?1 ol urlits of SE?lViCE?. F:or e~:ample, if a dryer provides lC~-min1lte units of drying time, and the user wants 30 minute!; oF drying time~ he inserts his card three times. This is treated at three separ-ate transactions by the local col-trollel-, which send three sc~ccessive control signals to the dryer controls. The dryer keeps track of the number of cycles requeste1i in the same manner as dryers do which are equipped with coin operated controls.
Curr ct_r_te_ued_tlncgj~ New current rate information may be obtained by a request initiated by local controller 6~, or central controller ~ may poll the local controllers and thereafter send to each new current rate messages. Such updating of rates may be scheduled~ re~ponsive to cloc~
signals received on clock input line 11:16, or may be commanded /wp/cardspec 2l by sirJnals input to central contro]ler ~ on ~eypad lC)I:).
~rocessor 9C), operating according to devices manager module l?~ and communicatione; handler 12?, and responsive to the rate scheriule signals stored at 96, hanriles the communication of new device rates to the local controllers. In this manner device rates may be regularly varied with time of day, or clay of week, or irreg-1lar-ly varied to provide across the board price changes or special pron)Qtions.
Local controller processor 64, operating according to rate update manager l39, store~ at ~2 received new c~rrent rate signals, which are written over the old signals.
Lo99l-9-ang-er~ -9-ar-hivgg- eso_ds. Operating accordiny to log manager module 1~4, central controller processor 90 controls the reading and ~Jriting of a disk by dis1~ drive 1(12, and the operation of a printer lC)JI. The operation o-f these devices may be scheduled to occur regularly, responsive to a clocl~ signal recelved at lC)6, or may be commanded by commands input through keypad l1:~C). (The input of data or cummands thrQugh l~eyp d lC)C) is managed by processor 9/:) operating according to the l~eypad mamager- module 1~7~) Further-, a local controller processor 64, c)perating according to module 13~, responds to a confirmation from cdevice l6 that device 12 has in fact star~ted operation, to send a message to central controller ~f3 requesting it to lo9 an appropriate recor-d to a dis1 in disl drive tC)2 or to printer ll:)4. Any desired records of service device use, operating errors, and the lil.e may be o~tained in this manner by the operator of the laundry facility.
Alternative emt)odiment. In an alternative embocliment, ________________~_______ an intending user- need not physically present his service card to obtain service by a service device. An input means I~'J t~
/wp/cardspec ~
such as a keypad is provided on the local controller, permitting the user to input the carcl identifier, ~Jhich is then verified in the manner already described.
Route_oeerato_ ~gmbc)gimr?nt. In ~n alternative embodiment, a relatively small lallndry facility (for e~:ample, three washers and three dryers) i5 in~talled at an apartment building, a university dormitory, or other non-public location for the use of persons 5uch as residents or stucients having a right to be presr?nt at the lncation. A route operator is typically a laL~ndry machine distribL11:or- who installs and maintains the service devices of such small far:ilities in a large n~mber of locations.
To manage such facilities accorcling to the present invention, each service device of a facility i 5 connec:ted to a local controller h~ oF the l~ind already described and shown. ~ central controller 88 of the ~ind already described an(i shown is cnnnected to the loral controller- fc~r the transfer of information between them. Local controller and central controller operate as has t)een described to clerive and transmit authori7ation requests~ locate accounts in the accounts database, transmit authorj;ation me;sagee;, decrement accounts and output control signals to service devicees.
However, no card di~penser is located at the facility. Upon payment by an intencling user, service cards are supplied by the route operator, either directly, or indirectly through the landlord Dr other manacJement oF the premises on which the facility is located.
Central controller 88 in addition to the elements shown and described, provides in storage 9~ a facility identifier uniquely identifying the facility among those on the operator 5 roLlte ~ and is connected through a modem to a ~ i, i 3 2 1 ~
/wp/cardspec ~3 telephone line. ~ remote unit is al 50 connected to a telephone line. Central controller ~B at predetermined times dials up the remGte urlit~ identifyinq itself by the !~toreri facility identiFier, to upload current card balances (after decrements for service device operation) and records of service device usage. The remote unit d~wnloads changes to the rate schedule, new account information, and changes to account balances. Central controller Ra responcls to new account information and account balance changes to increment the storecl accounts and establish new accounts.
This management system has several advantages. ~lo money is kept nn the pr-emises of the racility, reducing the likelihood of theft and vandalism. The route operatGr does nDt need ta collect and count coins from each facility, keeping the coins of each facility separate from those of the others in order to pay a share to the owner of the premises.
Finally, as with the previously described public laundry facility, the intendir~g ~ser does not neecl to accumulate and bring with him a sufficient quantity of coins, and service rates can be fle::ibly altered as Frequently as clesired and to within as fine an increment as desired.
~ n additional feature is provided in this embodiment.
Central controller 4aa provides a voice chip 45l:l for synthesi~ing voice communications. Further, central controller 4B8 stores at 456 in storage 9~ status information of the ~ind descri~ed as logged to disk drive 1(:~ and printer 11)4. This information includes the facts that particular service devices are in operation. ~n intending user of the facility may cdial up central controller 4aa from his telephone. Processor 9~-), operating according to instructiGnC;
in communications handler 1~, derives from status information stored at 45h a me-;sage reporting which service devices are available to a usel~, identifying each by a /wp/cardspec ,~
machine number or other service device identiFier, and controls voice chip 45~:) to provide correspc)nriir)g al~dihle information. The intending user-, by means of his telephone Feypad, inputs the machine number identifying a particular service device amonrJ tho-~e not in use~ together with his card idr-?ntifier. Central controllel- ~B8 there~lporl transmits to local controller 6~ cf the identified service device a message reserving the clevice for a limited period of time;
that is, the local controller will not respond to the presentation of any other service card during that interval.
If the intending nser presents his own service oard to the local controller within the reserve period1 his accollnt i5 decremented by the current device rate tGgether with a reservation fee. If the intending ~Iser does not present his service card within the reserve period, at the e::piration of the reserve period central controller ~08 releases the service device. ~esponsive to the card identifier input over the telephone line, central controller ~8~ decrements the correspnding account balance stored at 9~ by a service fee.
fie_u__a_sy_and_.~,e_~_i_y_of_as_ol~l_t records. In managing a laundry r,ervice facility of the kind described hereinl it is highly desirable to maintain, 50 far as possible, the integrity of the account records and the operability of both service devices and card dispensers against s~lch ha~ards as component failure or theft. For this purpose, in preferred embodiments, redundancy of operation is provided.
Referring now to Fig. 7, two central controllers 88 and 188 are provided, with a card dispenser ?~, One of the central controllers is desirably housed with card dispenser 2~ the second central controller may be separately housed.
Four independent network lines 11~ lC), ~lC) and 41C) are /wp/cardspec ~5 provided~ each central controller heing connected to all four network lines. One Fourth oF the service devices of the Facility are connecterl (each thrnllgh i-ts local controller~ to any network line. Each networl line comprise- a channel. In a system providing 5uch redundc-~ncy7 communications addresses must include a channel speciFication7 and messages transmitted among the system elements must include a specification of the channel to be usecl. In such a systen" a physical breals in a network line results at most in one quarter of the service devices becoming inoperative by means of a servire card.
The module storage ~4 of each central controller provides a master manager program module 1~5 (Fig~ 4). This module inclulies initiali~ing routines, including a bidding routine by which a central controller contends to become the master in the system network. Only one of the two central controllers can be m-lster; the other functions as a backup.
During operation oF the system, each controller keeps track of errors; a critical nLImber of errors will caLIse a master central controller to disable itself a5 a master and assume back-llp status. This is detected by the other central controller, which is then forced to assume master status.
The detected errors are logged to disk and/or printer.
In a system providing rerlundancy, the accounts database is stored in cduplicate at the central controllers. Each central cDntroller s master program module 1 5 further provides instructions for updating the accounts databe~ses kept at all other central controllers, whenever an aCCOLlnt i 5 established or its balance incremented or- decremented at one central controller. This provides bac~-up capacity in case one central controller becomes inoperative.
Claims (19)
1. Laundry facility management system comprising a plurality of laundry service devices each providing laundry service, said laundry service devices being of at least two types, each said laundry service device being controlled by operating controls, a similar plurality of local controllers, each connected to a said laundry service device, a central controller, and a service card dispenser, said plurality of local controllers, said service card dispenser, and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information among them, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of local controller communications address uniquely identifying said local controller within said facility, current device rate representing the current cost of the laundry service provided by said connected laundry service device, selected language, and device type specifying the type of said connected laundry service device, control output connected to said laundry service device operating controls for the output of control signals to said operating controls, local controller display means, display control means responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, claims page a local controller card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, authorization request and transmitting means responsive to said local controller card reader and to said local controller storage storage for deriving from a read said card identifier, from the stored said local controller communications address signals, and from stored said current device rate signals an authorization request, and for transmitting the derived said authorization request to said central controller, rate updating means for storing received new current device rate in said local controller storage, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a message from said central controller for transmitting an acknowledge message to said central controller, said card dispenser comprising a payment acceptor storage providing signals representative of a card dispenser communications address uniquely identifying said card dispenser within said laundry facility, a card dispenser card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card dispenser card reader, and a card dispenser display, display control means responsive to said payment acceptor for controlling said card dispenser display to display a representation of the value of the payment presented to said payment acceptor, claims page card supply means responsive to said payment acceptor and to absence of a service card in said card dispenser card reader for supplying a new service card to said dispenser card reader, and account request and transmitting means responsive to said card dispenser card reader, to said payment acceptor, and to said card dispenser storage for deriving from the card identifier read by said dispenser card reader, from the value of payment presented to said payment acceptor, and from said card dispenser communications address, an account request including an "old/new" specifier having one of two values, and for transmitting the derived said account request to said central controller, said card dispenser being responsive to receipt of a message from said central controller for transmitting to said central controller an acknowledge message, said central controller comprising clock input means for receiving a clock signal, non-volatile central controller storage providing signals representative of device rate schedule for said laundry service devices of said facility, account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and rate update means responsive to a clock signal received on said clock input means, to stored said device rate schedule, and to device type signals received from a said local controller for transmitting to said local controller new current device rate valid for a current time period, account managing means responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser providing claims page an "old" value of said "old/new" specifier for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message including the value of said indexed account balance incremented hy the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser providing a "new" value of said "old/new" specifier for establishing in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message including the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to a said authorization request recreived from a said local controller for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored account indexed by the card identifier of the received said authorization request, and for comparing said corresponding stored account balance with the device rate of said received authorization request, and responsive to a positive result of such comparison for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said account managing means being responsive to receipt of an acknowledge message from said card dispenser for incrementing the value of a said stored account balance by an amount corresponding to the value of payment of said received account request, said account managing means being responsive to receipt of an acknowledge signal from a said local controller for decrementing the value of a said stored account balance by an amount corresponding to the device rate of said received authorization request, claims page said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message and to stored said device type signals for outputting control signals on said control outputs, said local controller display control means being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message and to said selected language signals stored in said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request, said card dispenser card reader means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message for releasing a service card from said dispenser, said card dispenser display control means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message and to said selected language signals stored in said card dispenser storage for controlling said card dispenser display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said account request.
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2. Laundry facility management system comprising a laundry service device providing laundry service, and controlled by an operating control, a local controller connected to said laundry service device, and a central controller, said local controller and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information between them, said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate, representing the current unit cost of the laundry service provided by the connected said laundry service device, a card leader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card reader by an intending user of said laundry service device, request means responsive to said card reader for deriving from a read said card identifier and from stored said current device rate signals an authorization request and for transmitting said authorization request to said central controller, said central controller comprising means for receiving an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, storage providing signals representative of stored account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and account managing means responsive to a received said authorization request for updating said stored account balance indexed by the card identifier of said authorization claims page request by the current device rate value of said authorization request, and for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said local controller having a control output connected to said laundry service device operating control, and being responsive to a received said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output to control said laundry service device operating control to provide the requested laundry service, said account managing means being responsive to a received said account balance payment message for crediting said stored account balance indexed by said particular card identifier by the payment value of said received account balance payment message.
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3. The system of claim 2, further providing a modem for connection to a telephone line, said modem being connected to said central controller, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, and device rate schedule, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting to said local controller new device rate signals from the stored device rate schedule, for updating the stored current device rate, means for transmitting over the telephone line a schedule update request providing said stored facility identifier, for receiving over the telephone line a schedule update message providing a new device rate schedule for said facility, and for updating said stored device rate schedule signals corresponding with said received new device rate schedule signals.
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4. The system of claim 2, further providing a modem for connection to a telephone line, said modem being connected to said central controller, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting over the telephone line an account update request, and for receiving over the telephone line a said account balance payment message.
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5. Laundry facility management system comprising a laundry service device providing laundry service, and controlled by an operating control, a local controller connected to said laundry service device, and a central controller, said local controller and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information between them, said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate, representing the current unit cost of the laundry service provided by said laundry service device, a card reader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card reader by an intending user of said laundry service device, request means responsive to said card reader for deriving from a read said card identifier and from stored said current device rate signals an authorization request and for transmitting said authorization request to said central controller, said central controller comprising means for receiving an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifer and a payment value, storage providing signals representative of stored account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a card identifier, and account managing means responsive to a received account balance payment message for incrementing said stored account balance indexed by said particular card identifier by the value of said payment value, claims page said account managing means being responsive to a received said authorization request for comparing said stored account balance indexed by the card identifier of said authorization request with the current device rate of the authorization request, and responsive to a positive result of such comparison for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, and for decrementing said stored account balance value by the device rate value, said local controller having a control output connected to said laundry service device operating control, and being responsive to a received said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output to control said laundry service device operating control to provide the requested laundry service.
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6. The system of claim 5, further providing a modem for connection to a telephone line, said modem being connected to said central controller, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, and device rate schedule, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting to said local controller new device rate signals from the stored device rate schedule, for updating the stored current device rate, means for transmitting over the telephone line a schedule update request providing said stored facility indentifier, for receiving over the telephone line a schedule update massage providing a new device rate schedule for said facility, and for updating said stored device rate schedule signals corresponding with said received new device rate schedule signals.
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7. The system of claim 5, further providing a modem for connection to a telephone line, said modem being connected to said central controller, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting over the telephone line an account update request, and for receiving over the telephone line a said account balance payment message.
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8. Laundry facility management system comprising a plurality of laundry service devices each providing laundry service, each said laundry service device being controlled by an operating control, a similar plurality of local controllers each connected to a said laundry service device, a central controller, and a service card dispenser, said plurality of local controllers, said service card dispenser, and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information among them, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate representing the current unit cost of the laundry service provided by said connected laundry service device, a control output connected to said operating control of the connected said laundry service device for the output of a control signal to said operating control, a local controller card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by ;an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, and authorization request and transmitting means responsive to said local controller card reader and to said local controller storage for deriving from a read said card identifier and from stored said current device rate an authorization request, and for transmitting the derived said authorization request to said central controller, said card dispenser comprising a payment acceptor claims page a card dispenser card reader for sensing presence or absence of a service card and for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card dispenser card reader, account request and transmitting means responsive to said card dispenser card reader, to said payment acceptor, and to said card dispenser storage, for deriving from the card identifier read by said dispenser card reader, and from the value of payment presented to said payment acceptor an account request, and for transmitting the derived said account tequest to said central controller, said central controller comprising non-volatile central controller storage providing signals representative of device rate schedule for said laundry service devices of said facility, account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a card identifier, and rate update means responsive to stored said device rate schedule signals for transmitting to a said local controller new current device rate, account managing means responsive to a said account request received from said card dispenser for incrementing, by the value of payment of said received account request, the value of a said stored account balance indexed by the card identifier of said received account request, and for transmitting to said card dispenser an enable message, said account managing means being responsive to a said authorization request received from a said local controller for decrementing, by the value of the device rate of said received authorization request, the value of a said stored account balance indexed by the card identifier of said claims page received authorization request, and for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output, said card dispenser card reader means being responsive to receipt of a said enable message for releasing a service card from said dispenser.
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9. The management system of claim 8, said laundry service devices being of at least two types, each said local controller storage further providing signals representative of device type specifying the type of said connected laundry service device, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message and to stored said device type signals for outputting said control signal on said control output.
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10. The management system of claim 9, in which said local controller storage providing said signals representative of device type comprise settable switches.
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11. The management system of claim 9, said central controller rate update means being responsive to a clock signal received on said clock input means, to stored said device rate schedule signals, and to device type signals received from a said local controller for transmitting to said local controller new current device rate valid for a current time period.
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12. The management system of claim 8, further comprising card supply means responsive to said payment acceptor, and to absence of a service card in said card dispenser card reader for supplying a new service card to said dispenser card reader.
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13. The management system of claim 8, each said local controller further comprising display means, display control means responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, said local controller display control means being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for controlling said local controller display to display a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request.
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14. The management system of claim 13, said local controller storage further providing signals representative of selected language, said local controller display control means being further responsive to said local controller storage for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of said current rate to an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, and for controlling said local controller display means to display in the language indicated by said selected language signals a representation of the current balance of said stored account indexed by the card identifier of the transmitted said authorization request.
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15. The management system of claim 14, in which said local controller storage providing said signals representative of selected language comprises settable switches.
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16. The management system of claim 8, each said local controller storage further providing signals representative of local controller communications address uniquely identifying said local controller within said facility, said card dispenser storage providing signals representative of a card dispenser communications address uniquely identifying said card dispenser within said laundry facility, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a central controller communications address uniquely identifying said central controller within said facility, said local controller authorization request and transmitting means being further responsive to said local controller storage for deriving from a read said card identifier, from the stored said local controller communications address signals, and from stored said current device rate signals an authorization request, and for transmitting the derived said authorization request to said central controller, said card dispenser account request and transmitting means being further responsive to said card dispenser storage for deriving from the card identifier read by said card dispenser card reader, from the value of payment presented to said payment. acceptor, and from said card dispenser communications address, an account request, and for transmitting the derived said account request to said central controller.
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17. Retail service facility management system comprising a retail service device providing a service, and controlled by an operating control, a local controller connected to said retail service device, a central controller, said local controller and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information between them, said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate, representing the current unit cost of the service provided by the connected said retail service device, a card reader for reading a card identifier provided on an uniquely identifying a service card presented to said card reader by an intending user of said retail service device, request means responsive to said card reader for deriving from a read said card identifier and from stored said current device rate signals an authorization request and for transmitting said authorization request to said central controller, said central controller comprising means for receiving an account balance payment message providing a particular card identifier and a payment value, storage providing stored account balance data for at least one account each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, and claims page account managing means responsive to A received said authorization request for updating said stored account balance data indexed by the card identifier of said authorization request by the current device rate value of said authorization request, and for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said local controller having a control output connected to said retail service device operating control, and being responsive to a received said authorization message for outputting a control signal on said control output to control said alundry service device operating control to provide the requested service, said account managing means being responsive to a received said account balance payment message for crediting said stored account balance indexed by said particular card identifier by the payment value of said received account balance payment message.
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18. The system of claim 17, further providing a modem for connection to a telephone line, said modem beign connected to said central controller, said central controller storage further providing signals representative of a facility identifier uniquely identifying said facility, and device rate schedule, said central controller further comprising means for transmitting to said local controller new device rate signals from the stored device rate schedule, for updating the stored current device rate, means for transmitting over the telephone line a schedule update request providign said stored facility identifier, for receiving over the telephone line a schedule update message providing a new device rate schedule for said facility, and for updating said stored device rate schedule signals corresponding with said received new devicd rate schedule signals.
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19. Laundry facility management system comprising a plurality of laundry service devices each providing laundry service, each said laundry service device being controlled by an operating control, a similar plurality of local controllers, each connected to a said laundry service device, and a central controller, said plurality of local controllers and said central controller being connected together for the transfer of information among them, each said local controller comprising storage providing signals representative of current device rate representing the current cost of the laundry service provided by said connected laundry service device, control output connected to said laundry service device operating control for the output of a control signal to said operating control, a local controller card reader for reading a card identifier provided on and uniquely identifying a service card presented to said local controller card reader by an intending user of the connected said laundry service device, authorization request and transmitting means responsive to said local controller card reader and to said local controller storage for deriving from a read said card identifier and from stored said current device rate signals an authorization request and for transmitting the derived said authorization request to said central controller, claims page said central controller comprising voice synthesizing means, a modem for connection to a telephone line, clock input means for receiving a clock signal, central controller storage providing signals representative of an account balance for at least one account, each said account being uniquely indexed by a particular card identifier, availability status of said service devices, and account managing means responsive to a said authorization request received from a said local controller for locating in said central controller storage a corresponding stored said account balance indexed by the card identifier of the received said authorization request, and for comparing said corresponding stored account balance with the device rate of said received authorization request, and responsive to a positive result of such comparison for transmitting to said local controller an authorization message, said local controller being responsive to receipt of a said authorization message for outputting control signal on said control output, said central controller providing voice message means responsive to an inquiry message received through said modem and responsive to said central controller storage for deriving from said availability status signals an availability message proving available service device identifiers, and for controlling said voice synthesizer to transmit through said modem a voice message representative of said availability message, claims page said central controller providing reservation means responsive to a reservation request received through said modem providing a particular available service device identifier and a card identifier for transmitting to said local controller connected to said service device identified by said particular available service device identifier a reservation message providing said card identifier, said local controller being responsive to a received said reservation message for thereafter during a predefined time interval responding solely to the card identifier of said reversation message for deriving a said authorization request.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/671,252 | 1991-03-18 | ||
| US07/671,252 US5225977A (en) | 1991-03-18 | 1991-03-18 | Card payment system for service dispensing devices |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2063211A1 true CA2063211A1 (en) | 1992-09-19 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002063211A Abandoned CA2063211A1 (en) | 1991-03-18 | 1992-03-17 | Public laundry facility management system |
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| US (1) | US5225977A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0505137A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2063211A1 (en) |
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| JP4986852B2 (en) * | 2004-07-15 | 2012-07-25 | マスターカード インターナシヨナル インコーポレーテツド | Method and system for using bitmaps to deliver contactless payment card transaction variables |
| US7711639B2 (en) | 2005-01-12 | 2010-05-04 | Visa International | Pre-funding system and method |
| EP1717652A1 (en) * | 2005-04-26 | 2006-11-02 | Keycom S.A. | Management system for collective laundries |
| US20070256036A1 (en) * | 2006-04-28 | 2007-11-01 | Johnson Eric S | User interface having integer and fraction display |
| US20090055281A1 (en) * | 2007-08-20 | 2009-02-26 | Usa Technologies, Inc. | Processing systems and methods for vending transactions |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| US3705384A (en) * | 1971-08-10 | 1972-12-05 | Eric C Wahlberg | Business transaction apparatus |
| US3931497A (en) * | 1973-10-19 | 1976-01-06 | Docutel Corporation | Automated fuel dispenser |
| US4249648A (en) * | 1978-04-27 | 1981-02-10 | Keene Corporation | Token identifying system |
| USRE32115F1 (en) * | 1980-07-11 | 1997-08-12 | Lawrence B Lockwood | Self-service terminal |
| US4370550A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1983-01-25 | Service Distributors, Inc. | Dual read-record head for magnetic card machine actuator |
| US4575622A (en) * | 1983-07-29 | 1986-03-11 | Esac, Inc. | Electronic access control system for coin-operated games and like selectively accessible devices |
| DK581783D0 (en) * | 1983-12-16 | 1983-12-16 | Apm Vaskeriteknik Service Aps | WASHER INSTALL CONTROL SYSTEM |
| US4598810A (en) * | 1984-04-17 | 1986-07-08 | Abm Industries, Inc. | Apparatus and method for vending and accepting return of re-usable articles |
| US4567359A (en) * | 1984-05-24 | 1986-01-28 | Lockwood Lawrence B | Automatic information, goods and services dispensing system |
| DE3431113A1 (en) * | 1984-08-24 | 1986-03-06 | Schulte-Schlagbaum Ag, 5620 Velbert | USER CONTROL SYSTEM |
| JPS61286996A (en) * | 1985-02-15 | 1986-12-17 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Vending equipment |
| US4831242A (en) * | 1985-09-12 | 1989-05-16 | Bally Manufacturing Corporation | Control system for health club facilities and equipment |
| JPS6282496A (en) * | 1985-10-05 | 1987-04-15 | サンデン株式会社 | Self-service store apparatus |
| US4778983A (en) * | 1985-10-12 | 1988-10-18 | Sanden Corporation | Automatic vending machine |
| US4814592A (en) * | 1986-05-29 | 1989-03-21 | Videomat Associates | Apparatus and method for storing and retrieving articles |
| US4905813A (en) * | 1986-06-26 | 1990-03-06 | Xcp, Incorporated | Escrow credit controllers and method of operation thereof |
| US4900903A (en) * | 1986-11-26 | 1990-02-13 | Wright Technologies, L.P. | Automated transaction system with insertable cards for transferring account data |
| US4731575A (en) * | 1986-12-08 | 1988-03-15 | Sloan Joseph W | Prepayment metering system using encoded purchase cards |
| JPS63245784A (en) * | 1987-04-01 | 1988-10-12 | Omron Tateisi Electronics Co | Terminal equipment for card identification |
| US4795892A (en) * | 1987-12-09 | 1989-01-03 | Cic Systems, Inc. | Pre-paid commodity system |
| GB8918401D0 (en) * | 1989-08-11 | 1989-09-20 | Bleep 2000 Limited | Customer service system |
| US5038022A (en) * | 1989-12-19 | 1991-08-06 | Lucero James L | Apparatus and method for providing credit for operating a gaming machine |
-
1991
- 1991-03-18 US US07/671,252 patent/US5225977A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1992
- 1992-03-17 CA CA002063211A patent/CA2063211A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-03-17 EP EP19920302270 patent/EP0505137A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5225977A (en) | 1993-07-06 |
| EP0505137A3 (en) | 1993-04-21 |
| EP0505137A2 (en) | 1992-09-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |