Pay per wash laundry system

• US 6,356,881 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
• Original Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
• Inventors: Jawerth, Ragnar, Milch, Neal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jeanty, Romain
• Application Number:
  US09/534,086
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/381, 235/379, 705/41, 705/400, 705/1, 705/17, 705/39, 194/210, 194/9
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/20 for washing or drying articles, e.g. clothes, motor cars

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, an appliance is provided with a controller that stores “points” representing payments made towards the purchase or use of the appliance. Every time the appliance, for example, a washing machine, performs a cycle, a portion of the stored points are debited from a stored balance. The institution purchasing the washing machine thus pays for the machine over each wash cycle. When the balance of the stored points reaches zero, or is less than the number of points needed to perform a particular machine function, the machine becomes inoperable. In order for the institution to regain use of the machine additional points must be added to the stored point balance.

Claims

1. A laundry system for use in providing a plurality of laundry functions, the laundry system comprising:

a laundry machine executing the plurality of laundry functions of the laundry system, the laundry machine comprising;

a first input device;

random number generator;

machine code generator which generates a unique machine code based on a random number generated by said random number generator;

first output device which generates an output based on the machine code not previously contemplated but possible generated by said machine code generator;

first replenish code generator, coupled to said first input device, which generates a replenish code based on the machine code generated by said machine code generator and a payment amount or point count received by said first input device;

point balance register storing a current point value for the laundry machine;

compare unit which, upon detection of a valid replenish code input to said first input device, replenishes the point value stored in said point balance register in accordance with the payment amount or point count input to said input device; and

function enable unit, coupled to said point balance register,

detecting a requested one of the plurality of laundry functions provided by the laundry system based on requests for function input by said first input device, and determining whether said point balance register contains a sufficient point value balance to satisfy the point value cost of the requested function, wherein said function enable unit issues an enable signal for the requested function upon detection of a point value balance in said point balance register at least matching the corresponding point value cost for each requested function, said function enable unit reducing the point balance stored in said point balance register in accordance with the point value cost of each requested function upon issuing an enable signal;

a system operator authorizing operation of said laundry machine, the system operator comprising;

a second input device which receives a replica of the machine code generated by said machine code generator, and receives a point count or payment amount;

a second replenish code generator, coupled to said second input device, which generates a user replenish code based on the machine code replica and point count or payment amount input by said second input device; and

a second output device, coupled to said second replenish code generator, which outputs the user replenish code generated by said second replenish code generator for use in replenishment of point values stored in said laundry machine so as to enable execution of requested ones of the plurality of laundry functions by said laundry machine.

2. The laundry system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of laundry functions include hot water wash, cold water wash, hot air dry, cold air dry, drain, extraction, and chemical additives.

3. The laundry system as recited in claim 1, wherein the laundry machine further comprises a warning unit for issuing warning outputs;

wherein said function enable unit enables said warning unit upon detection that said point balance register has reached a preset balance, the preset balance including;

a zero point value balance;

or

a balance within a predetermined point value of a zero point value balance;

or

a balance less than the point cost value corresponding to the requested function.

4. The laundry system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first input device is a keypad located on the laundry machine, wherein the payment amount is represented by a point count, and wherein said first output device is a display located on the laundry machine.

5. The laundry system as recited in claim 1, wherein said system operator is a general purpose personal computer having a central processing unit and a program memory.

6. The laundry system as recited in claim 5, wherein said second input device is a keyboard of the personal computer, and said second output device is a display of the personal computer.

7. The laundry system as recited in claim 1, wherein a valid replenish code is identified by said compare unit when the replenish code generated by said first replenish code generator and a user replenish code input to said first input device are determined to meet predetermined criteria.

8. An equipment control method for use in performing a plurality of equipment functions, the method comprising the steps of:

generating an equipment code;

generating an authorization code;

comparing the generated authorization code with an input authorization code;

generating a point value update control signal when it is determined that the generated authorization code and the input authorization code meet predetermined criteria;

storing in a point balance storage unit a point value balance, wherein the stored point value balance in said point balance storage unit is updated in response to the point value update control signal;

detecting that the point value balance in the point balance storage unit at least meets a function cost point value; and

outputting function control signals activating selected ones of the plurality of equipment functions upon detection that the point value balance at least meets the function cost point value of the selected functions;

wherein the plurality of equipment functions are respectively associated with individual function cost point values, and wherein the method further comprises the step of detecting, for each selected one of the equipment functions, whether the associated individual function cost point value is met by the point value balance stored in the point balance storage unit.

9. The equipment control method as recited in claim 8, the method further comprising the step of issuing a warning signal indicating failure of the stored point value balance to meet the function cost point value for selected ones of said equipment functions.

10. A method of providing a plurality of laundry functions, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a random number;

(b) generating a unique machine code based on the random number generated in said generating step (a);

(c) generating an output based on the machine code generated by said generating step (b);

(d) generating a replenish code based on the machine code generated in said generating step (c) and a point request or input payment amount;

(e) storing a current point value in a point balance register;

(f) comparing the replenish code generated in said generating step (d) and an input user replenish code;

(g) replenishing the point value stored in said point balance register in accordance with the input point request or payment amount;

(h) detecting a requested one of the plurality of laundry functions based on input requests for function, and determining whether said point balance register contains a threshold point value balance at least equal to the point value cost for the requested function;

(i) enabling the requested function by issuing an enable signal upon detection of a point value balance in said point balance register at least matching the corresponding threshold for the requested function;

(j) reducing the stored point balance in accordance with the point value cost corresponding to the requested function upon issuance of the enable signal in said enabling step (i);

(k) receiving a replica of the machine code generated in said generating step (c), possibly accompanied by a point request or payment amount;

(l) generating a user replenish code based on the machine code replica and point request or payment amount received in said receiving step (k); and

(m) outputting the user replenish code generated in said generating step (l) for use with replenishment of point values stored in the point balance register so as to enable execution of requested ones of the plurality of laundry functions.