“APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AUTOMATIC ACCESS

TO THE TOILET FACILITIES OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS”

* * * * *

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern an apparatus and a method for accessing the toilet facilities of commercial establishments in any location, in which there is a commercial establishment integrated in a network or adhering to a convention, which allows the use of its own toilet facilities to third-party customers and possibly also to third-party non-customers, said apparatus and method allowing to identify the closest establishment for those who need it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The difficulty is known of finding a commercial establishment that has a toilet facility available in any location not habitually frequented, when it becomes necessary.

It is also known that commercial establishments, for example bars, restaurants and hotels, incur non-negligible management and maintenance costs to allow access to their toilet facilities to customers, tourists, passers-by or, in general, to anyone who needs them. These expenses may consist, in addition to the costs of water and electricity, of constant cleaning and maintenance work, in addition to the disturbance caused to waiters who do not therefore pay attention to customers.

It is also known that, for these reasons, not all traders are willing to admit access to toilet facilities to any person who needs them.

The person who is in a non-habitual place therefore needs to identify not only commercial premises or establishments that allow access to toilet facilities, but also commercial premises or establishments that are at a distance that is consistent and compatible with his/her needs at that time.

Regarding the availability of access, it is usual, if not sometimes even required, that a drink is bought in the commercial establishment, connected to access to the toilet facilities.

However, it is known that very often the toilet is used without the drink being bought.

In particular, especially in cases where the need is extremely serious, or the person is very late for an appointment or has to respect a non-modifiable time, or if the establishment is particularly crowded, it is at least difficult to buy the drink, before or after using the facilities.

Once their urgency or need has been satisfied, the person may for these and similar reasons be obliged to leave the establishment as quickly as possible, without buying the drink.

The loss of consumption therefore brings a commercial disadvantage and an economic loss to the commercial establishment.

It is also known that some commercial establishments apply a device to control access to the toilet facilities, which consists in locking the toilet and keeping the key in a place that cannot be reached by customers and available only on request, supplied if appropriate by the trader to the user or customer.

At each request, an operator of the commercial establishment is however forced to interrupt the activity he/she is performing in order to provide the key to the customer.

Furthermore, when the key is handed over or returned, it is up to the operator to ask the customer to pay for a drink, causing inconvenience to both the operator and the customer.

Another disadvantage of this system is that the presence of a commercial operator is required when the key is handed over or returned, thus preventing him/her from carrying out more profitable activities.

This causes economic losses for the commercial establishment and the dissatisfaction of other customers waiting to be served.

Another disadvantage of known solutions is that the traditional key can be a vehicle for the transmission of viruses, germs and bacteria between customers and between the operators of the commercial establishment, which is a particularly important aspect in cases of widespread epidemics or pandemics, for example the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, which require rigorous control in this regard.

Therefore, various requests arise, that is, on the one hand the need to find a commercial establishment that has the availability of access to the toilet facility, and on the other hand to ensure that the establishment suffers as little damage as possible. A first purpose of the invention is therefore to provide an apparatus and a method suitable for finding a commercial establishment in which it is possible to access the toilet, which is possibly at a distance useful for those who have this need.

Another purpose is to put the trader in the condition of not having economic damage from the service provided.

Another problem that the invention solves is that it is possible, for the user, to make a payment, associated with the use of the toilet, which however can also be used to buy a drink.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method which allow to reduce the access times to the toilet facilities of commercial establishments.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which allows automatic access to the toilet facilities of a commercial establishment, limiting the risks of transmission of viruses, germs and bacteria connected to said access.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, embodiments described here concern a method, system and connected apparatus for finding and locating commercial establishments in any location whatsoever where there is at least one toilet facility that uses the inventive idea of the present invention.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention also concerns an apparatus for allowing autonomous access to the toilet facilities as above.

Hereafter, with the term apparatus we mean at least an assembly that comprises at least a mobile device, a locking device and a central unit.

According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus is configured to find the user and locate the commercial establishments that provide toilet facilities that are available for use within a certain distance from the user’s location.

In one embodiment, this distance can be extended or restricted by the user, according to his/her needs, by means of a specific interaction with the mobile device as above.

Advantageously, in this way, the user can refine the search for toilet facilities in line with his/her needs and means of transport.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus can be configured to indicate whether the commercial establishment makes the service available or if this availability is temporarily or permanently suspended.

In some embodiments, the apparatus can also comprise enabling means, preferably of the electronic type, associated with a respective commercial establishment. In particular, the enabling means can be configured to enable a user to open or unlock the toilet facilities of a commercial establishment, possibly after supplying, displaying or showing a suitable proof of purchase, or receipt, issued by the specific commercial establishment and supplied by the user or customer. Advantageously, in these embodiments, the enabling means are configured to enable the provision, as a consequence of the presence of a proof of purchase, or receipt, and of the interaction with the mobile device, of a signal or electronic information able to act as a digital key that is stored, at least temporarily, by the user’s or customer’s mobile device. The latter, therefore, can unlock the locking device of the toilet facility by transmitting or communicating the digital key present in his/her mobile device, in particular by making the mobile device interact with the locking device as above, in its proximity or from a relative distance.

In addition, the apparatus object of the invention is configured to allow the user to access the selected toilet facility autonomously.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus can also be configured to enable a user to gain this access autonomously.

In accordance with other embodiments, the apparatus can also provide to associate each opening of the toilet facility door with a payment. Preferably, if provided, the payment is completed before the opening or unlocking; alternatively, the payment can be completed after the opening or unlocking.

The present invention can also provide a possible simultaneous provision of a corresponding, or connected, voucher that can be spent in the same commercial establishment or at another business or commercial activity, for example affiliated, this voucher for example can be used within a certain period of time.

Here and in the present description, the term “voucher” is understood as any document, physical or virtual, which is issued as equating to a certain sum and which gives the right to receive a corresponding service or quantity of goods, and can be configured as an actual voucher, preferably a purchase voucher, or a coupon, a token, a card, a certificate, a redemption slip, a receipt, or similar and comparable documents.

In another embodiment, the apparatus can be configured to communicate with a debit and/or credit system for the preparation of a payment, intended as a debit or credit to the commercial establishment.

This debit and/or credit system can comprise a bank, or more than one bank or a similar banking institution, or other debit/credit means such as a credit or debit card, or similar and comparable cards and/or the system manager.

In one embodiment, this payment, possibly once a minimum sum has been deducted in favor of the manager of the debit and/or credit system, is in favor of the commercial establishment.

In these embodiments, advantageously, with each opening step there is obtained an automatic economic return for the commercial establishment and/or also for the manager of the debit and/or credit system.

Advantageously, the apparatus described here can allow access to toilet facilities without the owner’s intervention. In this way, waiting times for access are drastically reduced and the operator of the commercial establishment is relieved of the tasks connected to the delivery and receipt of the key.

Another advantage is that this opening step does not require the assistance of the operator of the commercial establishment, who can therefore devote him/herself to more fruitful tasks.

According to one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to display the possible voucher as above or, in general, credit information, on interfacing means associated with the mobile device as above.

Advantageously, the user can show or supply any such voucher to the operator of the commercial establishment or other business or commercial activity, for example affiliated, and request a corresponding good or service.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for the cancellation of the possible voucher, either automatically after a certain period of time or manually by an operator of the commercial establishment or other business or commercial activity, for example upon the delivery of a good or service.

In one embodiment, the apparatus can also gather and provide the user with feedback information on the commercial establishments, such as, but not limited to, an assessment of the cleanliness of their toilet facilities or more.

In accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus described here also comprises means for signaling or detecting the presence of a user inside a toilet facility associated therewith, which are configured to signal whether such toilet facility is occupied to at least one mobile device, in particular a mobile device of another user, and to provide a signal on the basis of which to prevent the unlocking, by another user, of the locking device associated with said toilet facility.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention also concerns a method to manage the automatic access to the toilet facilities of commercial establishments, able to be used by means of the apparatus according to the invention, which provides to find, localize and manage access to the toilet facilities of commercial establishments in any location whatsoever where there is at least one toilet facility that uses the inventive idea of the present invention.

In accordance with some embodiments, the method described here provides to signal or detect the presence of a user inside a toilet facility associated therewith, thus providing to prevent the unlocking, by another user, of the locking device associated with said toilet facility and to signal to at least one mobile device, in particular associated with another user, whether said toilet facility is busy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 schematically shows a mobile device able to be used in the embodiments described here; - figs. 2 and 9 schematically show a mobile device which displays information relating to the method according to embodiments described here;

- figs. 3, 4 and 10 show situations in which the apparatus according to embodiments described here is used; - figs. 5, 6 and 7 schematically show the steps of some embodiments of the method described here;

- fig. 8 schematically shows a detail of a locking device according to some embodiments described here.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

The attached drawings are used to describe embodiments of an apparatus 10 and a method 300 to allow to find, locate and access the toilet facilities of commercial establishments in any location whatsoever and in the proximity of those in need.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises a mobile device 11, a locking device 12 and a central unit 13.

The device 10 can interact with a user who uses it by means of the mobile device 11.

The mobile device 11 can communicate with the locking device 12 and with the central unit 13.

The central unit 13 can be, for example, a computer server system which can comprise a central processing unit, or CPU, an electronic memory, possibly an electronic data base and auxiliary circuits (or I/O). For example, the CPU can be any form of computer processor used in the IT field for the localization and management of accesses and payments. The memory can be connected to the CPU and can be one of those commercially available, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, mass memory or any other form of digital archive, local or remote. The software instructions and data can be for example encoded and stored in the memory to command the CPU. The auxiliary circuits can also be connected to the CPU to assist the processor in a conventional manner. The auxiliary circuits can include for example at least one of: cache circuits, feed circuits, clock circuits, input/output circuits, subsystems and suchlike. A central unit-readable or computer server system-readable program (or computer instructions) can determine which tasks can be done in accordance with the method according to the present description. In some embodiments, the program is a central unit- readable or computer server system-readable software. The central unit or the computer server system includes a code to generate and store information and data introduced or generated during the course of the method according to the present description.

In one embodiment, the central unit 13 can be configured to store and manage tiie information, to communicate with the commercial establishments, with the mobile devices 11, with the locking devices 12 as well as possibly with a debit and credit system 25, if provided.

The debit and/or credit system 25 can comprise a bank, a banking institution, that is more than one bank or similar, and/or other debit means and/or the system manager.

The mobile device 11 can be configured as an electronic communication device, preferably portable, such as a mobile phone with data connection capabilities, possible GPS geo-location or suchlike and preferably a graphic interface, for example a smartphone, or a tablet, or as any equivalent device whatsoever. According to some embodiments, the mobile device 11, shown schematically in fig. 1, comprises, in a coordinated manner and with the capacity to relate to each other, one or more of the following components: a processing unit 18, means for interfacing 21 with the user, communication means 15.

Furthermore, the mobile device 11 can comprise: a geo-location unit 19, detectors 16 and storage means 20.

The mobile device 11 also comprises a software application stored in the storage means 20 and able to be run by the processing unit 18.

The processing unit 18 can be able to communicate with all the components of the mobile device 11 and can be suitable to run at least one software application.

According to some embodiments, the communication means 15 can be of the Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency (RFID or NFC) and/or wireless (Wi-Fi) type, or any other known type whatsoever, furthermore they can be suitable to interface with EDGE, 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G+, 4G++, 5G cellular technology, or similar and/or comparable data communication technologies.

According to some embodiments, the storage means 20 can be configured as off-line memories, for example ROM, RAM, Flash memories or suchlike.

According to other embodiments, the storage means 20 can be configured as on-line memories, for example memories that exploit cloud technology.

In some embodiments, the detectors 16 can be configured as optical or optoelectronic sensors or devices, such as cameras or video cameras, in particular able to recognize and capture barcodes, QR codes or other types of graphic coding, or as audio detector sensors, microphones or yet another type of detectors.

According to some embodiments, the interfacing means 21 can be touchscreen displays, thus allowing the interaction between a user and the mobile device 11. Alternatively, they can be configured as keypads, buttons and suchlike, or combinations thereof.

The software application can be configured to display a geographic map on the interfacing means 21, for example as shown in fig. 2.

The device 10 can be configured to find the user and locate the commercial establishments that provide toilet facilities that are available for use within a certain distance from the location where the user is located. The mobile device 11 can be configured to determine its own geographical position, and consequently that of the user who uses it, by means of the geo location unit 19.

The mobile device 11 can cooperate with the central unit 13 to determine which are the commercial establishments that allow access to their toilet facilities within a certain distance from the user.

In one embodiment, the distance within which to determine which commercial establishments allow access to their toilet facilities is fixed.

In one variant, the mobile device 11 is configured so as to allow the user to modify the distance within which to determine which commercial establishments allow access to their toilet facilities. For example, a graphic interface can be provided in which the user enters, for example, a numerical value corresponding to the maximum distance that is acceptable to him/her, or acts by means of a key to decrease and/or increase this value, or other known forms.

By way of example, this distance can be less than or equal to 2 km or 1 km, or preferably less than or equal to 500 meters, or other distances.

According to some embodiments, the mobile device 11 is configured to show the geographical position of the commercial establishments that allow access to their toilet facilities on the map.

According to one variant, this display can indicate the conditions of the service or other related information such as, for example, but not limited to, the price for the service of using the toilet facility and/or whether or not it is provided to offer a voucher, a purchase voucher, a coupon, a token, a card, a certificate, a redemption slip, a receipt or suchlike, which can be spent or used in the commercial establishment or in another business or commercial activity, or if it is provided that the voucher possibly made available can be used immediately or within a certain period of time, or if it is provided that access to the toilet facility is conditional on the user or customer providing proof of purchase, or a receipt, associated with the specific commercial establishment.

If provided, the offer of a voucher can depend, for example, but not limited to, on the type of commercial establishment, which can be the same one in which the toilet facility is present, or another business or commercial activity, or on the availability of personnel in the business or commercial activity, for example at the time use of the toilet facility is required or at the time use of the voucher is required, if this is a later and different time.

The price for the service of using the toilet facility can be higher if it is provided to offer the voucher and it can be lower if this is not provided, or alternatively it can be the same in both cases. Alternatively, the use of the toilet facility is conditional on a purchase made previously in the commercial establishment, as a result of which a proof of purchase, or receipt, is given which is to be provided in order to enable access to the toilet facility.

In one embodiment, the mobile device 11 is configured to show on the interfacing means 21 a list comprising the commercial establishments that allow access to their toilet facilities, for example ordered in relation to their distance from the user.

The apparatus 10 can also be configured to indicate whether, for the commercial establishment, there is the availability to allow access to the toilet facilities or if this is temporarily or permanently suspended.

For example, apparatus 10 can indicate whether the toilet facility is temporarily busy, or if it is out of order.

The locking device 12 is able to selectively allow or not allow the opening of any access whatsoever to a toilet facility, for example a door 14 or similar closing element or access barrier.

The locking device 12 can be configured as an automatic lock, an electronic lock, an automatic electronic lock, or a smart lock, or as a device able to move a door, rotatable or sliding, or a turnstile or any device whatsoever that manages access to a space.

According to some embodiments, the door 14 is the entrance to a space used as a toilet facility.

According to some embodiments, the locking device 12 comprises recognition means 23, at least one locking mechanism 24 and a control and management unit

22.

According to one embodiment, the control and management unit 22 of the locking device 12 is configured to communicate with the locking mechanism 24 and/or with the recognition means 23.

In possible embodiments, the locking mechanism 24 autonomously and automatically has a locked condition and an unlocked condition.

The locking mechanism 24 is able to pass from one condition to another, in a selective and conditional manner, in order to allow access to the toilet facilities in the unlocked configuration and to prevent it in the locked configuration, favorably as a consequence of an interaction, either direct or indirect, with the mobile device 11.

For example, in the locked configuration the locking mechanism 24 is able to not allow, that is, to prevent, the opening of the door 14, while in the unlocked configuration it is able to allow the opening of the door 14.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 24 can switch from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration by means of a manual drive located inside the toilet facility, for example this can be provided as a manual safety measure in case of emergency conditions, maintenance or other.

According to some embodiments, the recognition means 23 of the locking device 12 can be communication means, for example wireless, of the Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency (RFID or NFC), Wi-Fi type. Alternatively, they can be configured as labels or displays showing or displaying bar codes or QR codes or any other type of graphic coding whatsoever.

For example, if the recognition means 23 are wireless communication means, they can comprise a gateway that can communicate with a modem.

According to some embodiments, schematically shown in figs. 3 and 4, the apparatus 10 can also comprise enabling means 26 associated with a respective commercial establishment.

In some variants, the enabling means 26 can favorably be of the electronic type and possibly with the capacity to communicate and interact at least with the mobile device 11.

In particular, the enabling means 26 can be configured to interact with the mobile device 11 to enable it to unlock the locking device 12 (fig. 3).

This interaction, favorably, is aimed at enabling the supply of a digital key to the mobile device 11, after having verified that the user or customer is in possession of a proof of purchase, or receipt, issued by or associated with the specific commercial establishment. The digital key can, for example, be supplied directly by the enabling means 26, if these are configured for this purpose, or generated by the mobile device 11 or by the central unit 13. In the latter case, there can be provided an appropriate communication of the central unit 13 both with the enabling means 26, if these are configured for this purpose, and also with the mobile device 11, or only with the mobile device 11. In any case, this digital key, suitably stored in the mobile device 11, is then used by the mobile device 11, advantageously by means of the software application as above, to interact with the unlocking device 12 in order to use and access the specific toilet facility.

In possible embodiments, the enabling means 26 can be configured to interact, in wireless mode, with the communication means 15 of the mobile device 11.

Additionally, or alternatively, the enabling means 26 can comprise, or be suitable to generate, supply and/or display a graphic coding. In these cases, the interaction can consist in scanning the enabling means 26, in particular the graphic coding supplied or presented by them, by means of the mobile device 11.

By way of example, the graphic coding as above can comprise a QR code, a barcode or similar and comparable codes.

In some embodiments, the enabling means 26 can be displayed or made available to a user by an operator of the commercial establishment.

By way of example, an operator of the commercial establishment can display or make available the enabling means 26 upon presentation by the user of a receipt, or a proof of purchase in general.

The enabling means 26 can be associated with the cash desk of a commercial establishment.

In possible embodiments, the enabling means 26 can be configured to autonomously recognize the proof of purchase presented by the user, before activating the interaction with the mobile device 11.

In other variants, the enabling means 26 can be supplied directly on a receipt or proof of purchase, or in general on a document the issue of which is linked to a purchase in the commercial establishment. For example, a graphic coding, for example a QR code, can be printed directly on a receipt or proof of purchase that can be scanned autonomously by a user by means of the mobile device 11 and thus act as enabling means 26, supplying the necessary digital key to the mobile device 11, either by means of interaction of the central unit 13 with the software application of the mobile device 11 itself, or by means of direct generation by the software application. In other words, the acquisition by the mobile device 11 of the graphic coding present on the proof of purchase, or receipt, that acts as enabling means 26, triggers a specific function of the software application present there which either directly generates the digital key or communicates with the central unit 13, which in response conveniently supplies the digital key which is stored on the mobile device 11 itself.

Advantageously, these embodiments may not require the intervention of an operator of the commercial establishment, or in any case they significantly reduce the burden of intervention thereby.

The software application ran by the processing unit 18 of the mobile device 11 can be configured to enable the mobile device 11 for the unlocking as above, once the interaction has taken place. In particular, the software application can be configured to create a digital key suitable to unlock the locking device 12 or to receive this digital key from the central unit 13.

In other variants, the enabling means 26 can be configured to transmit to the mobile device 11 a digital key suitable to unlock the locking device 12. This digital key can be generated by the enabling means 26 themselves, or received from the central unit 13 suitably interrogated.

In a possible embodiment, the mobile device 11 is configured to transmit information to the locking device 12. In particular, the communication means 15 of the mobile device 11 can be configured to receive and/or transmit information to the recognition means 23 of the locking device 12 and/or to the control and management unit 22.

In another embodiment, the mobile device 11 is configured to receive and/or transmit information to the control and management unit 22 by means of the communication means 15 and the central unit 13.

In possible embodiments, the communications between the mobile device 11 and the locking device 12 are able to associate the mobile device 11 with the locking device 12 and/or to verify whether the user is enabled to unlock the locking device 12.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the communications as above can be able to command the unlocking of the locking device 12. For example, the mobile device 11 can be configured to transmit the digital key to the locking device 12.

The apparatus 10 can therefore be configured to allow the user to access the selected toilet facility autonomously.

Advantageously, in this way a user can autonomously access the toilet facilities, unlocking the locking device 12 by transmitting the digital key by means of the mobile device 11.

The apparatus 10, in some variants, can also comprise means for signaling or detecting the possible presence of a user inside the toilet facility associated therewith. The signaling or detection means are configured at least to signal to the central unit 13 and/or to the mobile device 11 of a user who tries to unlock the locking device 12 associated with the toilet facility as above whether the latter is busy, in order to prevent the locking device 12 from being unlocked.

The signaling means can comprise a manual drive mean 28 integrated in the locking device 12 and disposed facing toward the inside of the toilet facility (fig. 8). By way of example only, the manual drive mean 28 can be configured as a physical user interface, for example a button, or a lever, a knob, a wheel, a mobile selector or cursor, a ferrule, a button or several buttons or a switch. Once the manual drive mean 28 has been activated, the locking device 12 can signal that the toilet facility is momentarily busy, thus preventing other users from unlocking it. The signaling as above can occur by means of the communication means of the locking device 12 which can be short range, for example Bluetooth, infrared, radio frequency (RFID or NFC), and/or long range, for example Wi-Fi. In fact, in one variant it can be provided that the locking device 12 communicates to the mobile device 11 of a user who tries to unlock it that the associated toilet facility is busy.

Alternatively, in another variant, it can be provided that the locking device 12 communicates to the central unit 13 that the toilet facility is busy. Therefore, the latter can communicate to the mobile devices 11 connected to it that the toilet facility as above is busy. In another variant, it can be provided that it is the mobile device 11 of the user occupying the toilet facility that communicates to the central unit 13 that the toilet facility that he/she has accessed is busy. Therefore, as described above, the central unit 13 can communicate that the toilet facility is busy to the mobile devices 11 connected to it. Alternatively, or in addition, the signaling or detection means can comprise a presence sensor 29 disposed inside a toilet facility (fig. 10). The presence sensor 29 can be configured to detect the presence of a user inside the toilet facility. Consequently, the presence sensor 29 can provide a signal indicative of this status. For example, the presence sensor 29 can be configured to communicate the presence of a user inside the toilet facility to the locking device 12 associated with the toilet facility in which they are disposed. Therefore, the locking device 12 can communicate that the toilet facility is busy to another mobile device 11 or to the central unit 13, as described above. Alternatively, the presence sensor 29 can be configured to communicate the presence of a user inside the toilet facility to the central unit 13. Then, the central unit 13 can communicate that the associated toilet facility is busy to the mobile devices 11 connected to it.

In these cases, the software application run by the mobile device 11 of a user who tries to unlock the locking device 12 associated with the toilet facility where the signaling means have been activated can display, by means of interfacing means 21, a message that communicates that the toilet facility is busy (fig. 9) and prevent the locking device 12 from being unlocked.

In some other variants, the apparatus 10 can be configured to associate each opening of the door of the toilet facility, by means of the mobile device 11, with a payment with a possible, contextual, provision of a corresponding, or connected, voucher which can be used in the same commercial establishment or in another business or commercial activity, said voucher being able to be used within a given period of time.

In these embodiments, the apparatus 10 can communicate with the debit and/or credit system 25, in order to arrange a payment.

In particular, the mobile device 11 can be configured to communicate with a customer account, associated with the mobile device 11, in order to transmit a payment, a debit or similar order. This communication can occur by means of the central unit 13.

In one embodiment, this payment, having possibly deducted and credited a minimum sum in favor of the system manager, is in favor of the commercial establishment.

For example, the mobile device 11 can communicate to a customer account to transfer a sum of money to the account of the commercial establishment and/or to an account of the system manager.

In particular, this sum of money can be credited to the account of the commercial establishment and possibly a part of this sum can be credited to the account of the system manager or to another entity.

The customer account as above can be associated with the mobile device 11 and can be configured as a bank account, a credit or debit card or similar, or it can be configured as a subscription or as an advance payment or any other debit system whatsoever.

The account of the commercial establishment as above can be associated with the locking device 12 and can be configured as a bank account, a credit or debit card or similar, or any other credit system whatsoever.

The account of the system manager as above can be associated with the locking devices 12 and can be configured as a bank account, a credit or debit card or similar, or any other credit system whatsoever.

In some embodiments, the debit and/or credit system 25 is configured to transmit a correct payment feedback to the mobile device 11.

The software application can be configured to issue a voucher that can be spent in the commercial establishment or in another business or commercial activity, at the same time as receiving the correct payment feedback.

For example, if the commercial establishment is a bar, it can be possible to receive a voucher for a beverage and/or meal to be spent at the bar, or in another business or commercial activity. In the event the commercial establishment is a hotel, the software application can just give the option of using the toilet facility, depending on the availability of a bar inside the hotel or depending on the opening hours of the bar of the hotel, or it can give the option of using the voucher in another business or commercial activity.

In one embodiment, the software application can allow the user to choose whether to pay only for the use of the toilet facility or, with a possible surcharge, to obtain said voucher.

In possible embodiments, the executed software application as above is configured to display the voucher on the interfacing means 21.

This voucher can take on the meaning of a credit, held by the user, toward the commercial establishment, whether it is the same commercial establishment or another business or commercial activity.

In particular, in the presence of this voucher an operator of the commercial establishment, or of another business or commercial activity, can serve the user a specific beverage and/or meal, or a product or service.

In a possible embodiment, the mobile device 11 can be configured to cancel a voucher by means of an interaction of the operator of the commercial establishment, or of another business or commercial activity, with the mobile device 11, or automatically, for example after a predefined period of time.

The device 10 can also gather and supply the user with information on the commercial establishments, such as an assessment of the cleanliness of their toilet facilities or more.

In particular, the software application can interact with the user through the interfacing means 21, questioning him/her and saving the information received in the storage means 20.

In another embodiment, the mobile device 11 is configured to transmit the information received to the central unit 13.

In some variants, the apparatus 10 also comprises a universal key, in particular a physical key, possibly an electronic or mechanical key or a combination thereof, favorably able to be driven manually, which allows to unlock the locking device 12 without using the mobile device 11.

This universal key can be an electronic key able to communicate with the recognition devices 23 of the locking device 12, or it can be a mechanical key able to cooperate with the locking mechanism 24.

Embodiments described here also concern a method 300 for the automatic access to the toilet facilities of commercial establishments, comprising a localization step 70 followed by an authorization step 30 and by an opening step

40.

In possible embodiments, the method can also comprise an enabling step 90 which can precede the authorization step 30.

In possible variants, the method can comprise a payment step 50, which follows the localization 70 and authorization 30 steps.

If provided, the payment step 50 is preferentially carried out before the opening step 40.

Alternatively, the payment step 50 can be carried out after the opening step 40. In accordance with some embodiments, the method 300 can also comprise a step of making available a possible voucher 60, preferably after the payment step 50.

The localization step 70 can provide to determine the geographical position 71 of the user and of the commercial establishments that allow access to their toilet facilities within a certain distance, in the proximity of the user.

This localization step 70 can also provide to display 72 the position on a map of the commercial establishments that allow access to their toilet facilities.

In the localization step 70 as above, it is also possible to display other information, for example if the availability to allow access to the toilet facility is temporarily or permanently suspended, or the assessment of the cleanliness of the service or more.

In one embodiment, the localization step 70 can provide to communicate to the user the prices for the use of the toilet facilities of the commercial establishments displayed.

The method 300 can also provide to communicate to the user whether or not the commercial establishment provides, at the time of payment, the simultaneous provision of a voucher.

In one embodiment, if the commercial establishment provides to make available the voucher at the time of payment, the method 300 can provide the possibility, not described in the drawings, for the user to choose whether to pay only for the use of the toilet facility or also to receive the voucher, with a possible surcharge.

During the enabling step 90, there can be provided an approach movement 91 during which the user can move the mobile device 11 close to the enabling means 26 in order to obtain a reciprocal interaction.

In some embodiments, the approach movement 91 can occur after the user exhibits a receipt, or a proof of purchase in general, which involves, as a consequence of the interaction between the enabling means 26 and the mobile device 11, the issuing of a digital key which is stored on the mobile device 11 and used, in turn, for the interaction with the locking device 12. In this case, therefore, it can be understood that the payment step 50 as above, is a step in which the client or user makes a purchase at the specific commercial establishment and receives a proof of purchase, or receipt.

According to other embodiments of the method 300, shown by way of example in figs. 6 and 7, the approach movement step 91 can be of the decisionmaking type. In these cases, the user can decide whether to move the mobile device 11 close to the enabling means 26 and make them interact, or whether to go directly toward the toilet facilities. In these embodiments, the payment step 50 can also be provided.

Following the approach movement 91, there can be provided an interaction 92 between the mobile device 11 and the enabling means 26.

In some embodiments, the interaction 92 can occur be means of communication of the wireless type, for example via Bluetooth.

In other embodiments, the interaction 92 can occur by means of a recognition, or scan, of graphic codings by means of the mobile device 11.

Following the interaction 92, it is provided to enable 93 the mobile device 11 to unlock the locking device 12. For example, the enabling 93 can contemplate the transmission of a digital key to the mobile device 11 for the purpose of unlocking the locking device 12.

According to one embodiment, during the authorization step 30 it is provided to move 31 the mobile device 11 close to the locking device 12. Subsequently, the authorization step 30 provides a recognition 32 of the locking device 12 by the mobile device 11, or vice versa. The recognition 32, in a preferential embodiment, can occur by means of wireless communication, for example via Bluetooth.

The recognition 32 can provide the transmission of a digital key to the locking device 12.

Following the recognition 32, in possible embodiments, there can be provided a possible verification 33.

The possible verification 33 can establish whether the user is enabled to unlock the locking device 12. For example, the user may not be enabled following the activation of the signaling or detection means 28, 29, that is, because the toilet facility is already occupied by another user, or because the enabling step 90 was not successful.

According to one embodiment, the central unit 13 can communicate to the mobile device 11 the authorization to unlock the locking device 12.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 11 communicates with the locking device 12 to request the unlocking, and the unlocking is then activated.

According to an alternative embodiment, the central unit 13 can instead communicate directly with the locking device 12 to request the unlocking. Following the authorization 30, the method can provide an opening step 40. The opening step 40 provides a mechanical unlocking 41 of the locking device 12.

The mechanical unlocking 41 can provide to automatically move the locking mechanism 24 from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration.

Advantageously, in this way, a user can autonomously access the toilet facilities by unlocking the locking device 12 by means of the mobile device 11.

In some embodiments, the method 300 can provide a step of evaluating 80 or assessing the service received, such as for example the state of the toilet facility or the courtesy of the operator.

In particular, in this step the user interacts 81 with the software application expressing his/her opinion.

This interaction is able to produce feedback information that will be processed by the processing unit 18, recorded 82 in the storage means and possibly transmitted to the central unit 13.

In this way, it is possible to generate statistics on the quality of the service. According to some embodiments, the payment step 50 can for example be provided if a user decides to go directly to the toilet facilities of the commercial establishment, without proceeding with the interaction 92 with the enabling means 26 (figs. 6 and 7).

The payment step 50 implies that a payment request is made.

According to one embodiment, the unlocking of the locking device 12, and therefore access to the toilet facility (opening step 40), can occur after a payment request has been made and the payment has been made (payment step 50).

In a preferential embodiment, it is the mobile device 11 that, following the recognition 32, can communicate with the central unit 13 to request the payment. As a further example, according to an alternative embodiment, it is the locking device 12 that, following the recognition 32, can communicate with the central unit 13 to request the payment

In some embodiments, the central unit 13 can, following the payment request, communicate with the debit and/or credit system 25 in order to send a payment order.

In accordance with another embodiment, first the locking device 12 is unlocked, and then the access to the toilet facility is performed (opening step 40), after which the payment request is made, and the payment is completed (payment step 50). For example, in this case, the central unit 13 can communicate with the debit and/or credit system 25 in order to send a payment order following the unlocking of the locking device 12.

The payment step 50 can provide to transmit 51 a debit order to a customer account.

According to some embodiments, a transfer 52 of a sum of money follows the payment communication 51.

According to some embodiments, this transfer 52 can be in favor of an account of the commercial establishment and/or an account of the system manager.

In particular, another embodiment provides that one part of this sum of money is credited to the account of the commercial establishment, and one part is credited to the account of the system manager.

In some embodiments, the payment step 50 also comprises a payment feedback step 53 in which the customer account transmits a confirmation of payment completed to the software application.

In some embodiments, the method 300 provides a possible step of making available the voucher 60 at the end of the payment step 50, so that it can be used.

In particular, the step of making available the voucher 60 can provide the display 61 of a voucher.

An operator of the business, or of another business or commercial activity, in the presence of this voucher can serve the user a corresponding beverage and/or meal, or can supply a product or provide a service.

According to some embodiments, the step of making available the voucher 60 can also contain a cancellation 62 of the voucher. The cancellation 62 of the voucher can occur by means of a voluntary interaction of an operator of the commercial establishment, or other business or commercial activity, with the software application, for example by means of the interfacing means 21.

In particular, the operator of the commercial establishment, or other business or commercial activity, intervenes to cancel the voucher when the user decides to spend it in the same commercial establishment, or other business or commercial activity.

Furthermore, the cancellation 62 of the voucher can occur automatically and autonomously after a predetermined period of time.

In fact, in the even the user does not wish, or cannot, spend the voucher, the cancellation 62 can occur without the need for the intervention of an operator of the commercial establishment.

In some embodiments, after the payment step 50, the method 300 can provide the evaluation step 80.

In other embodiments, the evaluation step 80 can be provided at the end of the step of making available the voucher 60.

Embodiments of the method in accordance with the present description can be included in a program for computers that can be stored in a computer-readable mean that includes the instructions that, once performed by the apparatus 10, determine the execution of the method discussed here.

In particular, elements according to the present invention can be given as machine-readable means to store the instructions which can be carried out by the machine. The machine-readable means can include, without being limited to, floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROM, optical-magnetic disks, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, optical or magnetic cards, propagation means or other types of machine-readable means suitable to store electronic information. For example, the present invention can be downloaded as a computer program that can be transferred from a remote computer (for example a server) to a requesting computer (for example a client), by means of data signals produced with carrier waves or other propagation means, via a communication connection (for example a modem or a network connection).

The program as above can comprise one or more source codes possibly executed by one or more components of the apparatus 10, from the mobile device 11, the locking device 12, the central unit 13 and the enabling means 26. For example, the program as above can comprise the software application.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and to the method 300 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus 10 and method 300, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.