DK177709B1

DK177709B1 - System for communicating with a washing facility

Info

Publication number: DK177709B1
Application number: DK201270551A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Kim Secher Mogensen
Original assignee: Ninki Holding Aps
Priority date: 2012-09-10
Filing date: 2012-09-10
Publication date: 2014-03-31
Also published as: DE102013217854A1; DK201370496A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for selecting and communicating with a number of washing facilities connected to a central server (2). An application (4) configured to run on at least one mobile communication device (1) is used to select a desired washing program at a selected site via an Internet connection. The system verifies that the user is present at the site by determining the user position using geolo cation. The system uses a local access point or unique means located at the washing facility (3) to verify that the user is present at that site. An authorisation process may used to identify the user when activating the application {4). The application {4) may be configured to display the location of the washing facilities (3) and guide the user to the selected washing facility (3).

Description

i DK 177709 B1

System for communicating with a washing facility Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for selecting and communicating with a washing facility comprising a plurality of washing programs, wherein the system comprises 5 - at least one washing facility configured to carry out a washing process for a vehicle according to at least one washing program, wherein the washing facility is configured to communicate with at least one central server; and - the server comprises a data processing unit which is configured so that at least one user may communicate with the server via a mobile communication device comprising 10 at least one wireless communication module.

The present invention also relates to a method for selecting and communicating with a washing facility comprising a plurality of washing programs, wherein the method comprises the steps of 15 - at least one washing facility carries out a washing process for a vehicle according to at least one washing program, wherein a central server activates the washing facilities; and - a data processing unit in the server communicates with at least one mobile communication device of a user via a wireless connection.

20 Background of the Invention

Today, washing facilities for vehicles are widely used and are mainly located at manned or unmanned sites. The washing process typically requires the user to drive up to the site and then position the vehicle inside the washing facility. The user then has to get out of the car and use a terminal on-site to select the desired program and to make the 25 payment. After completion of the program, the user has to get into the car again and then drive the vehicle out of the washing facility. The user may slip on the wet surface and have an accident when getting in and out of the vehicle. Furthermore, this process is today tedious and requires the user to carry cash or an electronic credit card or wash card for payment.

DK 177709 B1 2

The use of smart phones and applications thereof is becoming more and more widely used for various purposes. The smart phones offer various platforms which may be used for carrying out payment and controlling different devices.

5 JP 2009-301073 A discloses a mobile phone comprising a car wash application which may be used to communicate via a wireless connection with a charging unit located at a car wash facility for selecting a desired washing program and payment method. An acceptance unit at the car wash facility receives the selected data via the wireless connection and then activates the car wash facility based on the selected data. The user 10 starts the application and sets up the payment process using the charging unit; the charging unit then transmits an updated menu and amount to the application. The user selects the washing program and the payment method which are then transmitted to the acceptance unit, which then starts the washing program. The wireless connection allows the user to be anywhere within the range of the particular unit which may lead to 15 some uncertainty about whether the user is in fact located at the site or not. The wireless connection is sometimes unstable which causes the mobile phone to loose the connection or prevents the mobile phone from connecting with the particular unit. The two separate units located at the site do not allow the user to communicate with other car washing facilities.

20 JP 2002-063648 A discloses a mobile phone capable of communicating with a control center in a car wash network via a wireless Internet connection which in turns communicates with a plurality of car wash facilities connected to the car wash network. The user connects to a web page at the control center via the Internet connection and 25 then enters an ID number of that particular car wash facility together with the license plate number. The control center verifies that the car is located at the selected site and displays the payment information to the user which then initialises the payment by entering a code or password. After verification, the control center starts the washing program. This configuration requires the user to enter the license plate number which is 30 compared to a picture of the car in order to confirm that the user is in fact present at the site. This confirmation process is necessary since the link to the webpage and the ID number of the car wash facility is displayed on the exterior of the car wash facility. Furthermore, the mobile phone requires an Internet connection to communicate with DK 177709 B1 3 the control center of the car wash network and requires the car wash to have, a camera and an image processing unit installed in order to verify that the user is at the selected site. This also requires the license plate to be positioned in view of the camera; otherwise the car wash will not start.

5 Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to provide means for accessing and selecting a washing facility independent of the actual connection to the data network.

An object of the invention is to provide means for verifying that the user is at the se-10 lected location.

An object of the invention is to provide an application for a mobile device from which a user may select a washing program.

15 An object of this invention is to provide means for locating and selecting a washing facility among different types of washing facilities.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple way to perform a payment for a wash at a washing facility.

20 Description of the Invention

An object of the invention is achieved by a system for selecting and communicating with a washing facility comprising a plurality of washing programs characterized in that - an application is configured to run on the mobile communication device through which the user may select a washing program at a specific washing facility; and 25 - the system is configured to verify that the user is present at the selected washing facil ity by determining the geolocation of the user.

This system allows the user to access the selected washing facility without using a local wireless connection or a terminal at the site. This allows the user to use a reliable and 30 stable mobile wireless connection instead of the local wireless connection. The application on the mobile communication device allows the user to use the telephone features to acquire a set of unique site identification data from that particular site. These site 4 DK 177709 B1 identification data are then analysed by the data processing unit on the server to verify or confirm that the user is present at the selected site. The site identification data may be geolocation data which are transmitted to the server and optionally generated at the site. The user may access a webpage, e g. located on the server, on which the user may 5 generate a user profile before downloading the application to the mobile phone. The user profile may be generated on the mobile phone when the application is activated for the first time, after which the user profile may be transmitted to the server. This also allows the user to perform a payment for the wash in a simple manner without having to interact with a terminal or to use the local wireless connection.

10

According to one embodiment of the invention, the washing facility comprises a wireless access point configured to communicate with the server, and wherein the application is configured to communicate with the access point via a first wireless connection.

15 This allows the user to transmit a request to the server via the application using a known source address, such as an Internet protocol address, to identify the site. The address allows the data processing unit to determine the position or location of the user by comparing the source address to a list of known addresses. The known addresses may be arranged in the database or a second database. Each of the known addresses is 20 associated with a particular washing facility, thereby allowing the data processing unit to verify that the user is at the selected position. Each washing facility may comprise a wireless hotspot or access point, such as a WIFI-module or a WLAN-module, which may be connected to the server via a wired or wireless Internet connection. The application may then use this wireless network to communicate with the server.

25

According to one embodiment of the invention, the washing facility comprises unique means for identifying that particular site, wherein the unique means are configured so that they may be transferred to the application, and wherein the application is configured to be connected to the server via a second wireless connection.

This allows the user to transmit a request to the server via the application using an unknown address, such as an Internet protocol address from a mobile data network provider. The unique means allows the data processing unit to identify the site using the 30 5 DK 177709 B1 telephone features, such as the camera, the microphone, the GPS, or the simply the keypad/touch screen. The server transmits a request to the user via the application asking for identification of the site. The user may then use the camera to capture an image of the site or to scan a code located at the site. An image processing module in the ap-5 plication or in the mobile phone, e g. a scanner or a reader, may be configured to process the image and extract the coded data (metadata). The data processing unit in the server then receives the coded data (metadata) and compares it to a reference database in order to confirm that the user is located at that site. The code may be configured as a QR-code, a barcode, a tag or another type of code comprising embedded metadata.

10 The time required for scanning or processing the code may be used to evaluate the quality of the code and thereby indicate if the code should be replaced or changed. Alternatively, the user may capture an image of the washing facility or a part thereof, and the embedded metadata in the image may be used to identify that particular site. The data processing unit may determine the user’s position or location using mobile phone 15 positioning, such as multilateration of radio signals, GPS positioning, triangulation of mobile network or another location-based service. The washing facility may comprise an audio generator configured to generate a unique sound or sound pattern which may be picked up by the microphone in the mobile phone. The stored sound or sound pattern may then be processed by an audio processing unit in the application (and then 20 transmitted to the server) or in the data processing unit at the server in order confirm that the user is at that site. The sound or sound pattern may be generated within a frequency band located inside or outside of the frequency band detectable by humans (about 20-20kHz). A unique site identification number displayed at the site may be entered into the application via the keypad/touch screen on the mobile phone and then 25 transmitted to the server. The server then compares it to the reference database in order to confirm that the user is at that site. A NFC-unit at the washing facility and in the mobile phone may be used to transfer the site identification number or code to the application which transmits it to the server. The number or code is then compared to the reference database in order to confirm that the user is at that site.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the unique means are configured as dynamic unique means which are configured to change their value at a predetermined event.

30 DK 177709 B1 6

This allows the unique means located in the washing facility to change their value so that the code or number may not be copied and used at other sites. The unique means may be configured to change its value at the end of a predetermined time interval or 5 each time the unique means has been used to confirm the position of the user. The unique site identification number may be displayed at a display inside the washing facility so that the risk of being copied is reduced. The audio generator may be configured to alter the unique sound or sound pattern so that a new sound or sound pattern is generated each time. The reference database is updated every time so that the data pro-10 cessing unit is able to confirm that the received unique means are the same as the one displayed or generated at that site.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the data processing unit comprises an authorization module configured to perform an authorization process of an account i 5 associated with the user.

This allows the data processing unit to determine the identity of the user making the request by comparing the identification number to a database located on or connected to the server. The database may comprise a list of known identification number or oth-20 er identification means each of which is associated to a user profile. The identification number may refer to a unique number of a mobile phone, i.e. an Android phone, associated with the user. This allows the data processing unit to retrieve the stored settings of the user, such as the account and or other information, such as credit card or bank information, regarding the preferred payment method. If the request comprises an un-25 known identification number, then the authorization module transmits a request to the user via the application asking the user to identify himself. The user may then enter a password and or a user name (or user number) both of which are compared to the user profiles stored in the database. The identification number may refer to the application, i.e. on an Apple phone, and may change every time the application or phone is updated.

30 The updated identification number may be stored in the user profile. An electrical key generator, a list of predetermined keys or a temporal key (e g. received via SMS or IM) may be used to identify the user where each key may only be used once. Alternatively, a digital signature may be used to identify the user. The user may enter infor- 7 DK 177709 B1 mation associated with an account belonging to the user, such as credit card or bank information. This allows the data processing unit to verify the identification of the user and to carry out the payment process.

5 According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the application is configured to communicate with a graphic user interface served by the server, wherein the graphic user interface is configured to display the washing programs at a particular washing facility from which the user may select a washing program.

10 This enables the application in a simple embodiment to direct the user to a graphic user interface (GUI) served by or on the server which is configured to run on and interact with a mobile phone. This allows the user to interact with the server via the mobile communication device instead of interacting with the application on the mobile communication device, where the application in turns communicates with the server and the 15 databases in order to retrieve the necessary data. Upon initialisation of the application, the application may be configured to connect with the server and communicate with the GUI. The GUI may be configured to display a number of different pages/menus configured to display various information to the user, such as a list of washing programs, a list of washing facilities, user settings (user profile), and the like. The user may use the 20 keypad or touch screen on the mobile phone to interact with the GUI. The application may be configured to communicate with a webpage, a remote desktop or another user interface on the server. This allows at least some of the functions of the application to carried out on the server instead of on the mobile phone, thus reducing the amount of free space and capacity needed to run the application on the mobile phone. New and or 25 updated functions may be quickly uploaded to the application via the server.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the application comprises a navigation module configured to guide the user to a selected washing facility and or to indicate the location of at least one washing facility.

This allows the user to locate a desired washing facility or the washing facility closest to the user. The application may be configured to display a list of washing facilities from which the user may select one. The application may be configured to display a 30 DK 177709 B1 8 map indicating the positions of washing facilities from which the user may select one. The location data and other relevant data of each washing facility may be stored in a database in the server. The navigation module may be configured to guide the user to the selected washing facility using a navigation technique, such as GPS. The navigation 5 module may use a navigation feature in the mobile phone to guide the user. The navigation module may be configured to display the locations on a map stored at the server or use a map feature, such as Goggle maps or the like, in the mobile phone to display the positions. The server may be connected to a network of washing facilities of different types, such as washing facilities from different companies. Thereby, allowing the 10 user to view all the washing facilities in the network. The application may be configured to apply one or more user selected filters to the displayed list or map.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the data processing unit is configured to retrieve status information from at least a selected washing facility.

T5

This allows the user to receive information about the status of a selected washing facility, i.e. whether it is currently being used or if it is reserved at a later time. The information may be displayed to the user as a simple text message or a graphic representation. The data processing unit at the server may be configured to transmit a request to 20 the washing facility and receive a corresponding answer indicating the status. The status information may be used to generate a set of statistic information to the manager of the system. The server may comprise a time table for each washing facility or a common time table for all the washing facilities. A booking module may be configured to access the time table and allow the user to reserve a desired time interval at a selected 25 site, e.g. from a known or unknown address, which is then stored in the table. When the user arrives at the selected site at the desired time, the user is requested to verify or confirm that he is present at the site, as described earlier. The booking module may be connected to and or communicate with the navigation module, so that the user may be guided to the selected site. The booking module and or navigation module may be con-30 figured to determine the position of the user at one or more predetermined time intervals before the reserved time interval and calculate the travelling time to the selected site. This allows the user to receive a message or notification in advance before the reserved time interval so that the user arrives at the site in time.

DK 177709 B1 9

According to one embodiment of the invention, the application is configured to display a current progress of the selected washing program.

5 This allows the user to view the status of the washing program where the status may be displayed as a text message and or a graphic representation. This enables the user to be informed of the progress of the washing program, particularly if he is moving about outside the washing area. This may reduce the idle time of the washing facility.

10 An object of the invention is achieved by a method for selecting and communicating with a washing facility comprising a plurality of washing programs characterized in that - the user selects a washing program at a specific washing facility using an application running on the mobile communication device; and - the system verifies that the user is present at the selected washing facility by determin-15 ing the geolocation of the user.

This allows the user to communicate with a washing facility without using a local wireless connection or a terminal at the site. The application allows the user to use a mobile data network or a wireless module in the mobile communication device, such as a mo-20 bile phone, to communicate with the server, e g. via an Internet connection. The use of an application on the mobile phone allows the user to remain in the car during the entire process, and eliminates the need for interacting with a terminal in the washing facility, particularly during the payment process. The user may access a webpage, e g. on the server, and generate a user profile indicating information about the preferred pay-25 ment method. The user profile may instead be generated when the user activates the application for the first time, after which the user profile may be transmitted to the server.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the user connects to a wireless net-30 work generated by a wireless access point at the washing facility or transmits unique means for identifying that particular site to the data processing unit in the server via the mobile communication device.

10 DK 177709 B1

This allows the system to verify that the user is present at the selected site, thereby preventing the user or a third person from activating the washing facility from another location. The wireless access point at the washing facility enables the data processing unit to verify that the user is present at the site, since the source address of the request 5 transmitted by the user is known to the server. If the user uses another access point, such as the mobile data network from the telephone provider or another Internet access point, the data processing unit transmits a request to the user, since the source address in the request is unknown. The user then uses the telephone features to acquire the unique identification means located at that site and then transmits these to the server.

10 The unique means are preferably located inside the washing facility in order to reduce the risk of the means being copied. Λ QR-code, a barcode or another code located at the site may be scanned or an image of at least a part of the washing facility may be captured using the camera in the mobile phone. An image processing module, such as a scanner or reader, may analyse the image and extract the code (metadata). The data s 15 processing unit then compares the received code or metadata with a database in order to confirm that the user is present at that site. One or more light sources in the form of LEDs may be arranged at the washing facility where the light sources may be configured to generate a particular light or light pattern. The camera on the mobile communication device may then be used to pick up the emitted light or light pattern! The image 20 processing module may then be used to analyse the image in order to extract the code or metadata. A unique sound or sound pattern may be picked up using the microphone in the mobile phone and analysed by an audio processing unit. The picked up sound or sound pattern may be transmitted to the data processing unit which then compares it to a database in order to confirm that the user is present at that site. A unique identifica-25 tion number displayed at the site may be transmitted to the data processing unit which then compares it to a database in order to confirm that the user is present at that site. The unique means may change their value according to a predetermined event, such as at the end of the time interval or after the unique means has been used to confirm the position of the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the data processing unit performs an authorisation process for identifying an account associated with the user.

30 DK 177709 B1 11

This allows the system to identify the user making the request which comprises an identification number of the user. If the received identification number matches one of the identification numbers stored in the user profiles in the database, the user is known to the system. If the received identification number does not match, then the data pro-5 cessing unit transmits a request to the user asking for identification. The user then has to transmit another type of information identifying the user. A user name/code and a password may be transmitted to and verified by the data processing unit. A digital signature may be used to identify the user. A key generated electronically, a predetermined key or a temporal key may be used to identify the user. The authorisation pro-10 cess may vary depending on the platform used in the mobile communication device. The user may transmit information regarding an account, such as a credit card or a bank account, belonging to the user. This allows the data processing unit to identify the user and to carry out the payment process. If the user cannot be identified or the information is incorrect, the request is rejected.

15

According to one embodiment of the invention, the data processing unit retrieves status information from at least a selected washing facility.

This allows the data processing unit to collect status information from the washing 20 facilities, such as in use or not in use, vehicles in line, out of service or other types of status information. The server may comprise a time table for each washing facility or a common time table for all which may be accessed by a booking module in the application. The status information may be shown as text messages or a graphic representation on the mobile phone. The collected status information may be used to generate a set of 25 statistic data for a manager of the system. The application may display the current progress of the selected washing program using a text message or a graphic representation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a navigation module in the application 30 guides the user to a selected washing facility and/or indicates the location of at least one washing facility.

DK 177709 B1 12

The navigation module allows the user to locate a desired washing facility or the nearest one. The location of the washing facilities may be displayed on a map or on a list which is adapted to be displayed on the mobile phone. This allows the user to find his preferred washing facility or a washing facility nearby. The navigation module may 5 guide the user to the selected washing facility using a navigation technique, such as GPS. The navigation module in the mobile phone may be used to guide the user to his destination. By combining the navigation module with the booking module, the application is able to determine the travelling time to the washing facility where the user has a reservation. This allows the system to generate a message or notification which is 10 transmitted to the user indicating when the user should leave in order to arrive at the washing facility in time for his reservation.

The above described application may in another embodiment be used to select and communicate with an electrical appliance, such as a washing machine, a dryer, a kitch-15 en appliance, an entertainment appliance or another appliance. The electrical appliance may comprise a wireless access point for connecting with the application on a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, via an Internet connection. The electrical appliance may instead comprise a wireless module configured to connect with the mobile communication device via a local wireless network, such as a personal or home 20 data network, in which the appliance is located. The wireless module may instead be configured to connect with a wireless communication module in the mobile communication device using Bluetooth, WIFI, NFC, IR or another wireless connection. The application may be configured to control the functions of the electrical appliance instead of the user interface on the electrical appliance. This allows the user interface of 25 the electrical appliance to be omitted and instead be configured as an application for a mobile communication device. As described above, the telephone features or the source address of the wireless access point may be used to identify the user so that a third person cannot activate the electrical appliance. The application may be configured to start/stop the appliance, start the appliance at a later time, select a desired program, 30 display the current status or progress of the appliance/program, or other relevant features. By omitting the user interface from the electrical appliance and instead using a wireless communication module, the size and the production costs may be reduced.

DK 177709 B1 13

Furthermore, the use of an application allows new functions of the electrical appliance to be added or an update of the correct functions.

The described method may be used for simple and easy payment for a service using the 5 mobile communication device in general, where the user’s position is determined using geolocation. This allows the payment process to be carried out when the position of the user has been verified using unique identification means located at the site. The unique means may be scanned, picked up or entered by using the features of the mobile communication device, such as the camera, the reader or scanner, the microphone or 10 the keypad/touch screen, e.g. ,thereby allowing the payment process to be carried out independent of the actual data network connection.

Description of the Drawings

The invention is described by example only and with reference to the drawings, where-in: 15

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary flowchart of the communication between the individual units in the system;

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary flowchart of the application configured for different platforms according to the invention; 20 Fig. 3 shows a first exemplary screenshot on a mobile communication device;

Fig. 4 shows a second exemplary screenshot on a mobile communication device;

Fig. 5 shows a third exemplary screenshot on a mobile communication device; and Fig. 6 shows a fourth exemplary screenshot on a mobile communication device.

25 In the following text, the figures will be described one by one and the different parts and positions seen in the figures will be numbered with the same numbers in the different figures. Not all parts and positions indicated in a specific figure will necessarily be discussed together with that figure.

Detailed Description of the Invention 30 Fig. .1 shows an exemplary flowchart of the communication between the individual units in the system according to the invention. The system comprises at least one mobile communication device 1 which may comprise at least one wireless communication 14 DK 177709 B1 module (not shown). The wireless communication module may be configured to connect with a mobile data network, e g. provided by a network provider. The mobile communication device may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet or another handheld communication device.

5

The mobile communication device 1 is configured to communicate with at least one central server 2 via a wireless data network using a wireless connection, e.g. a wireless Internet connection. The central server 2 may be configured to manage the communication between the mobile communication device 1 and a network of washing facilities 10 3 connected to the server 2. The washing facility 3 may comprise a number of elements (not shown) configured to carry out at least one washing process for a vehicle according to at least one washing program; The washing facility 3 may comprise one or more washing areas in which the elements may be arranged. The washing facility 3 may be a washing facility for cars, trucks, motorcycles or other vehicles. The server 2 may be 15 connected to the washing facilities 3 by a wired or wireless data network using an Internet connection or another wired or wireless connection. The further details of the washing facility 3 are known and will not be described in details.

An application 4 configured to run on the mobile communication device 1 may be 20 stored on the mobile communication device 1. The application 4 may be transferred directly to the mobile communication device 1 via the wireless connection in the mobile communication 1 or transferred to the mobile communication device 1 via an intermediate device (not shown), such as a computer or a memory stick. The central server 2 may comprise a webpage (not shown) which may be accessed from the mobile commu-25 nication device 1 or another Internet connection. A user may generate a user profile on the webpage which is then stored in a database on the server 2 or on a memory connected to the server 2. The user profile may comprise details about the preferred payment method or payment process, information identifying the user, such as user name/code and a password, or other relevant information.

The application 4 may be configured as a washing application configured to select and communicate with at least one of the washing facilities 3 via the server 2. The webpage may be used to set up the application 4 before installing it on the mobile communica- 30 DK 177709 B1 15 tion device. The set up (user profile) of the application 4 may be change at a later time via the mobile communication device 1 or the webpage on the server 2.

When the application 4 is activated, the application 4 may transmit a request 5 to the 5 central server 2 to request a washing facility 3 to perform a wash. The request 4 may comprise a source address and an identification number of the user (or the mobile communication device 1). The source address may be an Internet protocol address identifying the access point used to connect with the server 2. The identification number may be a unique number identifying the user or the mobile communication device 1.

10 A data processing unit on the server 2 may then analyse the source address and the identification number in order to determine the location or position of the user and that the user matches one of the user profiles.

If the data processing , unit verifies or confirms that the user is present at the selected 15 site and that the user has a user profile or that the account belongs to the user, the cen tral server 2 then transmits a request 6 to the selected washing facility 3. The washing facility 3 then returns a proper answer 7 to the request 6. The answer 7 may comprise status information, an indication of available washing programs at the washing facility 3, vehicles waiting in line or other relevant information.

20

The central server 2 may then transmit a list 8 of available washings programs to the application 4 in the mobile communication device 1. The user may then select a desired washing program 9 which is transmitted back to central server 2. The data processing unit then carries out the payment process 10 according the payment method indication 25 in the user profile. The payment process 10 may involve deducting an amount corresponding to the selected washing program from the user’s account. The payment process 10 may be carried out by a separate payment unit via a payment gateway 11 for security reasons where the payment unit receives the payment information from the server 2. Other types of payment may be used, such as credit card or bank card, elec-30 tronic money transfer or bank transfer. The payment unit may then return an identification number to the server 2 which may be used to identify the user. When the payment process 10 is completed, an end signal 13 is returned to the central server 2. If the DK 177709 B1 16 payment cannot be carried out, an error signal is returned which in turns is transmitted to the user.

The central server 2 then transmits a start signal 13 to the washing facility 3 which then 5 activates the selected washing program. The washing facility may transmit status information 14 about the current washing program back to the central server 2. The central server 2 may then relay 15 the status information to the user where the status information may be displayed as a test message or a graphic representation informing the user of the progress. After the washing is completed, the application 4 may be deac-10 tivated.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary flowchart of the application 4 configured for different platforms according to the invention. The application 4 is first activated 16 by the user manually activating the application 4 or it is activated automatically according to a pre-15 determined event. The application 4 may be started 16 when the mobile communication device 1 detects that it is within the range of a local access point located at the washing facility 3.

The application 4 then determines if a wireless connection, e g. an Internet connection, 20 to a wireless network is available or not. If a wireless connection is available 17, then the application 4 may use this connection to communicate with the server 2. If a wireless connection is not available 18, then the application 4 may request 19 the user to establish a wireless connection to a wireless network using one of the wireless modules in a first type of mobile communication device la. In a second type of mobile commu-25 nication device lb, the application 4 may request 20 that the user manually establishes a wireless connection to a wireless network using one of the wireless modules in the device lb. The application 4 may instead automatically search for a wireless connection. If more than one wireless connection is found 21, 22, then the user may select a desired connection. The application 4 may use the mobile data network 21 to com-30 municate with the server 2. The application 4 may instead use a local access point 22 at the washing facility 3 to communicate with the server 2. The mobile communication device lb may be set up to automatically use a specific wireless connection, e.g. the local access point 22, when running the application 4.

DK 177709 B1 17

The data processing unit in the server 2 may comprise an authorisation module (not shown) configured to authorise or identify the user. The authorisation module may compare the identification number received with the request to a database (not shown) 5 located on or connected to the server 2. The database may comprise a list of known identification numbers or other identification means, each of which is associated with a user profile. If the request comprises an unknown identification number, then the authorization module transmits a request to the user via the application 4 asking the user to identify himself. The received information is then compared to the information in the 10 user profiles in order to identify the user. Other authorisation processes may be used.

After establishing a wireless connection to the server 2, the application 4 determines if the source address transmitted with the request is known or not. The data processing unit in the sever 2 may compare the source address to a database with known source 15 addresses in order to determine the location or position of the user, e.g. via geolocation. If the source address is known 23, such as the address of the local wireless access point, the user is within the range of that access point which is located at a particular washing facility 3. If the source address is unknown 24, such as if the connection is made via a mobile data network, then the server 2 transmits a request to the user ask-20 ing him to confirm or verify that he is present at the selected site. Each washing facility 3 may comprise unique means for identifying that site which may be transmitted to the data processing unit in the sever 2. The unique means may be transferred to the mobile communication device 1 using the features in the device, such as the camera, the microphone or the keypad/touch screen. The unique means may be a QR-code, a barcode 25 or another code which may be scanned 24a and processed by an image processing unit (scanner or reader) in the application 4 or in the mobile communication device 1. The unique means may be a unique identification number which may be entered 24b into the application 4 via the keypad or touch screen in the mobile communication device 1. The code or metadata is then transmitted back to the server 2 and analysed by the data 30 processing unit to verify or confirm that the user is present at the selected site.

The server 2 then retrieves a list of washing programs from the selected washing facility 3 and transmits it to the mobile communication device 1. The application 4 then dis DK 177709 B1 18 plays 25 the list to the user. The washing programs may instead be displayed as a matrix.

The user then selects 26 a desired washing program which is transmitted to the server 5 2. The server 2 then transmits a control signal to the selected washing facility 3 indicat ing the selected washing program. The washing facility 3 then starts 27 the washing process.

Figs. 3-6 show a number of exemplary screenshots of the application 4 on the mobile 10 communication device 1. The mobile communication device 1 may comprise a screen 28 in the form of a touch screen The application 4 may comprise a number of different menus or screenshots wherein each menu/screenshot may be configured to match a specific function in the application.

15 Fig. 3 shows a first exemplary screenshot of a main menu comprising one or more touch areas 29, 30, 31 each of which represent a particular function in the application 4. Each of the touch areas 29, 30, 31 may direct the user to another menu, as shown in figs. 4-6. The main menu may comprise one or more smaller touch areas 32, 33 which may be configured to guide the user to more information about the application 4 or the 20 specific functions in the application 4. One of the smaller areas 32, 33 may be dedicated to exiting (logging of) the application 4. One of the areas 29, 30, 31 may be dedicated to directing the user to his user profile where he may update the information in his user profile, such as correct the preferred payment method or refill the account.

25 Fig. 4 shows a second exemplary screenshot of a menu indicating a list of washing programs at a selected washing facility 3. The menu may comprise a number of touch areas 34, 35, 36 each of which represents a particular washing program available at the selected washing facility 3. The touch areas 34, 35, 36 may represent a line in a matrix indicating further details about the washing programs. A part 37 of the menu and the 30 screen area may be decided to display information to the user, such as a text message or other relevant information. The part 37 may also be used to display commercials for various products, e g. products relating to the washing process.

DK 177709 B1 19

Fig. 5 shows a third exemplary screenshot of a menu indicating the selected washing program. The menu may comprise a number of touch areas 38, 39 each of which represent various options to the user. The user may accept the selected washing program by selecting one of the touch areas 38 which then transmits the selected program to the 5 server 2, as shown in fig. 1. The user may reject the selected washing program by selecting another one of the touch areas 39 which then returns the user to one of the previous menus, e g. the main menu or the menu indicating the list of washing programs.

A part 40 of the menu and the screen area may be dedicated to displaying information to the user, such as safety information or other relevant information. The part 40 may 10 also be used to display commercials for various products, e.g. products relating to the : washing process.

Fig. 6 shows a fourth exemplary screenshot of a menu indicating the status of the selected washing program. The menu may comprise one or more areas 41 dedicated to 15 display the status or progress of the washing program. The status or progress may be displayed as a graphic representation which is updated via the server 2. Another area 42 may be dedicated to display information relating to the washing process, such as the remaining time to completion of the washing process. A third area 43 may be dedicated to displaying a variety of information to the user. The part 43 may also be used to dis-20 play commercials for various products.

Claims

1. System til valg af og kommunikation med et vaskeanlæg, der omfatter et flertal af vaskeprogrammer, hvori systemet omfatter 5. mindst et vaskeanlæg (3) konfigureret til at udføre en vaskeproces for et køretøj iføl ge mindst et vaskeprogram, hvori vaskeanlægget (3) er konfigureret til at kommunikere med mindst en central server (2), - serveren (2) omfatter en databehandlingsenhed, som er konfigureret sådan, at mindst en bruger kan kommunikere med serveren via en mobilkommunikationsindretning (1), 10 der omfatter mindst et trådløst kommunikationsmodul, kendetegnet ved, at - en applikation (4) er indrettet til at køre på den mobile kommunikationsindretning (1), gennem hvilken brugeren kan vælge et vaskeprogram ved et specifikt vaskeanlæg (3), og ' ^ 15. systemet er konfigureret til at verificere, at brugeren er til stede ved det valgte vaske anlæg (3) ved bestemmelse af brugerens geografiske placering.A system for selecting and communicating with a washing system comprising a plurality of washing programs, wherein the system comprises 5. at least one washing system (3) configured to perform a washing process for a vehicle according to at least one washing program wherein the washing system (3) is configured to communicate with at least one central server (2), the server (2) comprises a data processing unit configured such that at least one user can communicate with the server via a mobile communication device (1), comprising at least one wireless communication module , characterized in that - an application (4) is adapted to run on the mobile communication device (1) through which the user can select a washing program at a specific washing system (3) and the system is configured to verify that the user is present at the selected washing facility (3) when determining the geographical location of the user.

2. System ifølge krav 1, hvori vaskeanlægget (3) omfatter et trådløst adgangspunkt, som er konfigureret til at kommunikere med serveren (2), og hvori applikationen (4) er 20 konfigureret til at kommunikere med adgangspunktet via en første trådløs forbindelse.The system of claim 1, wherein the washing system (3) comprises a wireless access point configured to communicate with the server (2) and wherein the application (4) is configured to communicate with the access point via a first wireless connection.

3. System ifølge krav 1 eller 2, hvori vaskeanlægget (3) omfatter særlige midler til at identificere det bestemte sted, hvori de særlige midler er konfigureret sådan, at de kan overføres til applikationen (4), og hvori applikationen (4) er konfigureret til at forbin- 25 des med serveren (2) via en anden trådløs forbindelse.A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the washing system (3) comprises special means for identifying the particular location in which the particular means are configured so that they can be transferred to the application (4) and wherein the application (4) is configured. to connect to the server (2) via another wireless connection.

4. System ifølge krav 3, hvori de særlige midler er konfigureret som dynamiske særlige midler, som er konfigureret til at ændre deres værdi ved en forudbestemt begivenhed.The system of claim 3, wherein the particular means are configured as dynamic special means configured to change their value at a predetermined event.

5. System ifølge ethvert af krav 1 til 4, hvori databehandlingsenheden omfatter et auto risationsmodul konfigureret til at udføre en autorisationsproces for eri konto tilknyttet brugeren. DK 177709 B1 21The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data processing unit comprises an automation module configured to perform an authorization process for an account associated with the user. DK 177709 B1 21

6. System ifølge ethvert af krav 1 til 5, hvori applikationen (4) er konfigureret til at kommunikere med en grafisk brugerflade betjent af serveren (2), hvori den grafiske brugerflade er konfigureret til at vise vaskeprogrammeme ved et bestemt vaskeanlæg 5 (3), på hvilket brugeren kan vælge et vaskeprogram.The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the application (4) is configured to communicate with a graphical user interface served by the server (2), wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display the wash programs at a particular washing system 5 (3). , on which the user can select a wash program.

7. System ifølge ethvert af krav 1 til 6, hvori applikationen (4) omfatter et navigationsmodul konfigureret til at lede brugeren til et valgt vaskeanlæg (3) og/eller til at angive placeringen af mindst et vaskeanlæg (3). 10The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the application (4) comprises a navigation module configured to guide the user to a selected washing system (3) and / or to indicate the location of at least one washing system (3). 10

8. System ifølge ethvert af de foregående krav, hvori databehandlingsenheden er konfigureret til at hente statusinformation fra mindst et udvalgt vaskeanlæg (3).A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit is configured to retrieve status information from at least one selected washing system (3).

9. System ifølge ethvert af de foregående krav, hvori applikationen (4) er konfigureret 15 til at vise et øjeblikkeligt forløb af det valgte vaskeprogram.A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application (4) is configured to show an instantaneous course of the selected washing program.

10. Fremgangsmåde til udvælgelse af og kommunikation med et vaskeanlæg, der omfatter et flertal af vaskeprogrammer, hvori fremgangsmåden omfatter trinene: - mindst et vaskeanlæg (3) udfører en vaskeproces for et køretøj ifølge mindst et va-20 skeprogram, hvori mindst en central server (2) aktiverer vaskeanlæggene (3), - en databehandlingsenhed i serveren (2) kommunikerer med mindst en mobilkommunikationsindretning (1) hos en bruger via en trådløs forbindelse, kendetegnet ved, at - brugeren vælger et vaskeprogram ved et specifikt vaskeanlæg (4) under brug af en 25 applikation (4), der kører på mobilkommunikationsindretningen (1), og - systemet verificerer, at brugeren er til stede ved det valgte vaskeanlæg (3) ved bestemmelse af brugerens geografiske placering.A method of selecting and communicating with a washing system comprising a plurality of washing programs, the method comprising the steps of: - at least one washing system (3) performing a washing process for a vehicle according to at least one washing program, wherein at least one central server (2) activates the washing systems (3), - a data processing unit in the server (2) communicates with at least one mobile communication device (1) of a user via a wireless connection, characterized in that - the user selects a washing program at a specific washing system (4) below using an application (4) running on the mobile communication device (1), and - the system verifies that the user is present at the selected washing facility (3) in determining the geographical location of the user.

11. Fremgangsmåde ifølge krav 10, hvori brugeren forbindes til et trådløst netværk 30 genereret af et trådløst adgangspunkt ved vaskeanlægget (4) eller sender særlige midler til at identificere det bestemte sted til databehandlingsenheden i serveren (2) via mobilkommunikationsindretningen (1). DK 177709 B1 22The method of claim 10, wherein the user is connected to a wireless network 30 generated by a wireless access point at the washer (4) or sends particular means to identify the particular location to the data processing unit in the server (2) via the mobile communication device (1). DK 177709 B1 22

12. Fremgangsmåde ifølge krav 10 eller 11, hvori databehandlingsenheden udfører en autorisationsproces for at identificere en konto tilknyttet brugeren.The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the data processing unit performs an authorization process to identify an account associated with the user.

13. Fremgangsmåde ifølge ethvert af krav 10 til 12, hvori databehandlingsenheden hen-5 ter statusinformation fra mindst et valgt vaskeanlæg (3).The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the data processing unit comprises status information from at least one selected washing system (3).

14. Fremgangsmåde ifølge ethvert af krav 10 til 13, hvori et navigationsmodul i applikationen leder brugeren til et valgt vaskeanlæg (3) og/eller angiver placeringen af mindst et vaskeanlæg (3).The method of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein a navigation module in the application directs the user to a selected washing system (3) and / or indicating the location of at least one washing system (3).