METHOD AND SERVICE FOR LINKING AND SYNCHRONIZING WASHING SUBSCRIPTIONS WITH RFID TECHNOLOGY

• US 20080277466A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xpressystems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Xpressystems Incorporated
• Inventors: Force, Anthony Dean, Koehnen, Shawn Michael, Dohm, Brian Nichols
• Application Number:
  US12/118,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20080277466A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of providing washing services as in claim 1, further comprising:

associating the first identifier with a first record in the local database if the record of the first identifier does not exist in the local database.

3. The method of providing washing services as in claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting the first record associated with the first identifier to a host database.

4. The method of providing washing services as in claim 3, further comprising:

synchronizing subscription data and respective first identifiers of a plurality of first records stored in the host database with one or more records in a local database of others of the one or more washing facilities.

5. The method of providing washing services as in claim 4, further comprising;

authorizing washing services in accordance with subscription data at the others of the one or more washing facilities.

6. The method of providing washing services as in claim 1, wherein the first identifier comprises an RFID tag and a barcode, the barcode associating the RFID tag with the subscription data.

7. The method of providing washing services as in claim 6, wherein the RFID tag is mounted on a vehicle to be washed in the one or more washing facilities.

8. The method of providing washing services as in claim 6, wherein the first identifier comprises a smartcard.

9. A method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services, comprising:

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.

10. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 9, wherein the mobile identification device is one selected from the group consisting of:

a radiofrequency tag, a smartcard, an identification card, a financial services card, a license plate tag, a piece of paper.

11. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 9, further comprising:

copying the stored records to a host database in a host server in communication with a plurality of washing facilities comprising the local washing facility.

12. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 11, further comprising:

copying the stored records to the plurality of washing facilities.

13. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 12, further comprising:

synchronizing the stored records among the plurality of washing facilities and the host database.

14. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 13, further comprising:

updating the use records of each mobile identification card to obtain washing services at the plurality of washing facilities in accordance with its linked subscription.

15. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 14, further comprising:

updating the subscription linked to each mobile identification card based on the updated use records to determine the validity of the subscription.

16. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 13, further comprising:

synchronizing the plurality of subscriptions with updated washing services.

17. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 13, further comprising:

logging use of washing services provided at each of the washing facilities and storing a log of the use in the host database.

18. The method of maintaining a plurality of subscriptions for washing services of claim 10, wherein the host server presents a plurality of web-based user interfaces for interacting with a plurality of washing service applications on the host server, the washing service applications comprising one or more of the following:

providing 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;

adding and deleting subscriptions to washing services;

monitoring use of subscriptions;

billing a customer responsible for each subscription based on use of the subscription;

changing washing services;

monitoring a plurality of operation logs stored on the host server of the plurality of washing facilities; and

monitoring a plurality of subscription logs stored on the host server of the plurality of washing facilities.

19. A computer program product to synchronize and link a plurality of washing subscriptions, comprising:

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.

20. A computer program product comprising:

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.