METHOD AND SERVICE FOR LINKING AND SYNCHRONIZING WASHING SUBSCRIPTIONS WITH RFID TECHNOLOGY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of providing washing services, comprising:
- establishing a subscription for washing services to be provided at one or more washing facilities;
linking the subscription with a first identifier;
reading subscription data associated with the first identifier;
determining that a record of the first identifier exists in a local database at the one or more washing facilities; and
authorizing washing services in accordance with the subscription.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and service and computer program product to link and synchronize subscriptions to be used at multiple washing facilities. RFID technology is used in the method and service to keep track of active subscriptions and the types and prices of washing services that are available to the subscriber. In one embodiment, subscription and RFID tag information stored at the local washing facilities are linked together and stored in a host server. The host server will periodically synchronize data between all connected washing facilities so there is consistency as to the subscriptions, active RFID tags, and types and prices of washing services.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing washing services, comprising:
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establishing a subscription for washing services to be provided at one or more washing facilities; linking the subscription with a first identifier; reading subscription data associated with the first identifier; determining that a record of the first identifier exists in a local database at the one or more washing facilities; and authorizing washing services in accordance with the subscription. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services, comprising:
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issuing a plurality of mobile identification devices having data therein; linking a subscription of washing services to a respective one of the plurality of mobile identification device; storing a linked record of each linked subscription and its respective mobile identification device at a local washing facility; and storing a use record of each use of the mobile identification device to obtain washing services at the local washing facility. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program product to synchronize and link a plurality of washing subscriptions, comprising:
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a computer-readable medium; and program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of an issuance component for issuing a plurality of mobile identification devices having data therein; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a linking component to link a subscription of washing services to a respective one of the plurality of mobile identification device; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a storage component to store a linked record of each linked subscription and its respective mobile identification device at a local washing facility and a use record of each use of the mobile identification device to obtain washing services at the local washing facility; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a transfer component to copy the stored records to a host database in a host server in communication with a plurality of washing facilities comprising the local washing facility and to the plurality of washing facilities; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a synchronization component to synchronize the stored records among the plurality of washing facilities and the host database; and program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a usage monitoring component to update the use records of each mobile identification card to obtain washing services at the plurality of washing facilities in accordance with its linked subscription and to update the subscription linked to each mobile identification card based on the updated use records to determine the validity of the subscription.
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20. A computer program product comprising:
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a computer-readable medium; and program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium to provide a plurality of services to a plurality of washing facilities, further comprising; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of at least one communications component to create communications among the plurality of washing facilities; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a synchronization component to synchronize a plurality of subscriptions for washing services with updates of washing services offered at the washing facilities; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a logging component to log use of washing services provided at each of the washing facilities and store a log of the use in a database; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a web-based interface whereby the plurality of washing facilities have access to a plurality of service applications having program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of one or more of the following; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a web-based user interface at each of the plurality of washing facilities for transmitting events relating to operations of the respective washing facility to the host server; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a subscription component to add, delete and monitor use of subscriptions to washing services; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of an accounts receivable component to bill a customer responsible for each subscription based on use of the subscription; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium to reprogram washing services available at each of the washing facilities; program instructions residing in the computer-readable medium of a logging component to store a plurality of subscription logs reflecting use of and data for each subscription and a plurality of operational logs of a plurality of operational event of each of the plurality of washing facilities.
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Specification