Computer control and management system for laundry installation
First Claim
1. A method of modifying a laundry machine for computer controlled operation comprising:
- providing one or more laundry machines, each laundry machine having a power source connection and a cycle active circuit;
providing a programmable personal computer having a display and a user interface;
providing a laundry system controller connected to the personal computer, the controller having output ports to control power delivery to each of the one or more laundry machines through the power source connection of each machine, the controller further comprising a sensor system connected to a sensor connector for each laundry machine; and
connecting a sensor connector to each of the one or more laundry machines at the cycle active circuit of each of the one or more laundry machines.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a computer-automated laundry management system which is designed to improve access, control operation, record activities, and monitor multiple laundry machines in a facility. The automated system provides a user interface, an account manager, and a local machine controller. The invention can be retrofitted to domestic and commercial laundry machines (washers and dryers) with simple modification of the laundry machines. The system also uses a modem to provide remote functions such as notifying customers when the laundry service is completed as well as remote monitoring and accounting. The invention emphasizes software control to provide a highly flexible, feature-rich, and an easily adaptable functionality at a significantly lower cost than hardware-centered implementations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of modifying a laundry machine for computer controlled operation comprising:
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providing one or more laundry machines, each laundry machine having a power source connection and a cycle active circuit; providing a programmable personal computer having a display and a user interface; providing a laundry system controller connected to the personal computer, the controller having output ports to control power delivery to each of the one or more laundry machines through the power source connection of each machine, the controller further comprising a sensor system connected to a sensor connector for each laundry machine; and connecting a sensor connector to each of the one or more laundry machines at the cycle active circuit of each of the one or more laundry machines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer controlled laundry system comprising:
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a plurality of laundry machines, each laundry machine having a power source connection and a cycle active circuit; a personal computer having a display, a user interface, and a memory that stores user information, the computer further comprising a programmable software control system; a laundry system controller connected to the personal computer, the controller having output ports to control power delivery to each of the plurality of laundry machines through the power source connection of each machine, the controller further comprising a sensor system connected to a sensor connector for each laundry machine such that a sensor connector is connected to each of the plurality of laundry machines at the cycle active circuit of each laundry machine. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling a computer operated laundry system comprising:
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providing a programmable personal computer having a display, a user interface and a modem that connects the computer to a remote location; providing a laundry machine having a power source connection and a control circuit; providing a controller connected to the personal computer, the controller being connected to the laundry machine such that the controller actuates delivery of electrical power to the laundry machine; programming the computer with user account, auditing and billing software; actuating use of the laundry system with the user interface to identify a user and record event data; actuating the laundry machine; monitoring laundry machine operation with the controller; and remotely updating user account data stored in a memory in the computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification