Back to results
US 2009/0276272 A1Published application
Automated Tanning System
OwnerTracy Hughesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-service tanning system and method allows salon owners to offer tanning customization in order to meet the personal needs of various customers and to meet the various FDA regulations associated with each state. The present invention allows salon owners to customize each tanning customer session to prevent over exposure for new patrons, while allowing patrons who are already tanning to tan at a more progressive rate. In addition to tanning customization, the present invention offers built-in safety features, payment options, and networkability.
Claims19
1:
- A method of providing a customer with a tanning session in accordance with a regulated tanning interval schedule, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a tanning system having at least a first, second, and third tanning level corresponding with a first, second, and third tanning bed, wherein the first tanning level has a lower tanning intensity than the second tanning level and the second tanning level has a lower tanning intensity than the third level;
- (b) identifying the customer;
- (c) identifying whether the customer used the first, second, or third tanning level during a previous tanning session;
- and
- (d) initiating the tanning session in accordance with the regulated tanning interval schedule establishing that the customer be permitted to use:
- (i) the first tanning level but not the second and third tanning level if the customer did not use the first, second, or third tanning level during the previous tanning session;
- (ii) the first or second tanning level but not the third tanning level if the customer used the first tanning level during the previous tanning session;
- (iii) the first, second, and third tanning level if the customer used the second tanning level during the previous tanning session;
- and
- (iv) the first, second, and third tanning level if the customer used the third tanning level during the previous tanning session.
8 more elements
2:
- The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity is a duration of time of a tanning session associated with the first and second tanning bed, a strength of the bulbs associated with the first and second tanning beds, or a combination thereof.
3:
- The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of determining that if the customer uses the first, second, or third tanning level within a predetermined time after the previous tanning session, then not permitting the customer to use the first, second, and third tanning level.
4:
- The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined time is 24 hours or 48 hours.
5:
- The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of overriding the regulated tanning interval schedule by an operator of the tanning system if the customer establishes that the previous tanning session occurred at a location remote from that where the first, second, and third tanning bed are located.
6:
- The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of indicating to the customer when the customer is permitted to use the first, second, and third tanning level based upon a determination of when the predetermined time will have elapsed.
7:
- The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of determining that if the previous tanning session occurred more than a predetermined time prior to the tanning session to be initiated, automatically decreasing a customer-selectable duration of time associated with the tanning session.
8:
- The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined time is at least one month.
9:
- The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of indicating to the customer if the first, second, or third tanning levels are available to the customer.
10:
- The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the customer is performed by reading customer identification information from an identification card scanned by the customer.
11:
- A system for providing a customer with a tanning session in accordance with a regulated tanning interval schedule, the system comprising:
- (a) a first, second, and third tanning bed;
- (b) a tanning management system connected to the first, second, and third tanning bed;
- and
- (c) a kiosk connected to the tanning management system for providing, starting and stopping instructions to the first, second, and third tanning beds, wherein at least a first, second, and third tanning level correspond with the first, second, and third tanning bed, wherein the first tanning level has a lower tanning intensity than the second tanning level and the second tanning level has a lower tanning intensity than the third level, wherein the kiosk comprises:
- (i) means for identifying a customer and identifying whether the customer used the first, second, or third tanning level during a previous tanning session;
- and
- (ii) means for displaying a user interface to the customer and receiving input therefrom;
- (iii) means for processing a form of payment provided by the customer to cover the cost associated with the tanning session;
- and
- (iv) means for initiating the tanning session in accordance with the regulated tanning interval schedule establishing that the customer be permitted to use:
- (1) the first tanning level but not the second and third tanning level if the customer did not use the first, second, or third tanning level during the previous tanning session;
- (2) the first or second tanning level but not the third tanning level if the customer used the first tanning level during the previous tanning session;
- (3) the first, second, and third tanning level if the customer used the second tanning level during the previous tanning session;
- and
- (4) the first, second, and third tanning level if the customer used the third tanning level during the previous tanning session.
13 more elements
12:
- The system of claim 11, further comprising means for dispensing a coupon after the system has determined that the customer has paid for a predetermined amount of tanning sessions using the system or has spent a predetermined amount of money via the system.
13:
- The system of claim 11, wherein the means for displaying a user interface to the customer is configured to display advertising.
14:
- An automated self-service tanning system comprising a kiosk for interfacing with a tanning management system connected to at least one tanning bed, the system configured to:
- (a) identify a customer by receiving identifying input from the customer;
- (b) process a form of payment provided by the customer to cover the cost associated with a tanning time for the at least one tanning bed to be used by the customer;
- and
- (c) initiate a tanning session for the customer on the at least one tanning bed in accordance with a regulated tanning interval schedule, wherein the regulated tanning interval schedule is comprised of a plurality of progressive tan levels of increasing tanning intensity, wherein the tanning session for the customer is automatically limited to a tan level exactly one level greater than the tan level associated with a previous tanning session of the customer.
2 more elements
15:
- The system of claim 14, wherein the intensity is a duration of time of a tanning session associated with the at least one tanning bed, a strength of the bulbs associated with the at least one tanning bed, or a combination thereof.
16:
- The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured to not initiate the tanning session upon a determination that the tanning session is within a predetermined time after the previous tanning session.
17:
- The method of claim 2, wherein the system is configured to override the regulated tanning interval schedule by an operator of the kiosk if the customer establishes that the previous tanning session occurred at a location remote from that where the at least one bed is located.
18:
- The method of claim 16, wherein the system is configured to indicate to the customer when the customer is permitted to use the at least one bed based upon a determination of when the predetermined time will have elapsed.
19:
- The method of claim 15, wherein the system is configured to automatically decrease a customer-selectable duration of time associated with the tanning session if the previous tanning session occurred more than a predetermined time prior to the tanning session to be initiated.