Abstract: Techniques are described controlling and managing machines to provide laundry services. A request may be received from a mobile device of a user, the request indicating that the mobile device is in proximity to a laundry machine such as a washer or dryer. In some cases, the request is sent by the mobile device based on detecting, at the mobile device, a wireless signal transmitted from the laundry machine. In some cases the request may include a code that identifies the laundry machine, the code being displayed by the machine and/or encoded in a scannable code displayed by the machine. In response to the request, a signal may be sent to activate the laundry machine and enable the user to use the laundry machine for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a cycle). In some cases, the activation signal is sent if the user's payment is successfully processed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 5, 2019
Assignee:
Laundry 2.0, LLC
Inventors:
Benjamin Todd Belveal, Dexter S. Weiss, William Justin Barbino, Charles Walden
Abstract: Techniques are described for providing access to and use of laundry machines that are managed and controlled in a laundry service. A transceiver of a mobile device may receive a beacon signal emitted from a laundry machine, the beacon signal identifying the laundry machine. Based on a received strength of the beacon signal the mobile device may determine that it is within a threshold distance of the laundry machine, and the mobile device may communicate a request for use of the laundry machine during a predetermined period of time (e.g., one or more cycles). In some cases, the mobile device may present a user interface that enables a user to request use of laundry machine(s), access information describing a status of laundry in laundry machine(s), request additional service(s), and so forth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 1, 2019
Assignee:
Laundry 2.0, LLC
Inventors:
Benjamin Todd Belveal, Dexter S. Weiss, William Justin Barbino, Charles Walden