JP2006219149A - Filling station system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filling station system capable of controlling oil supplying and calculating charges of the oil supplying of different services by one set of POS even for oil supplying systems in which service systems, embodiments for controlling the oil supplying and the charges for the oil supplying are different each other. <P>SOLUTION: A filling station (GS), having an oil supplying island (20) with a full service system in which an operator performs an oil supplying operation, and an oil supplying island (30) with a self-service system in which a customer performs the oil supplying operation, is equipped with oil supplying apparatuses (200 and 300) installed on respective oil supplying islands (20 and 30), an input/output controlling apparatus (310) connected with the oil supplying apparatuses (200 and 300), an oil supplying controlling means (340) controlling driving of the oil supplying apparatuses (200 and 300), and the POS (10) calculating the charges of the oil supplying. The POS (10) drives the oil supplying apparatuses (200 and 300) by the oil supplying controlling means (340) based on outputs from the input/output controlling apparatus (310) of the respective oil supplying apparatuses (200 and 300). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas station system that allows a customer to select a self-service method or a full-service method, or to select automatically.

In recent years, the labor saving of workers has been promoted, and accordingly, cost reduction, self-service type oil supply equipment that provides fuel oil to customers at low cost while maintaining profit, and oil supply work such as oil supply work and window cleaning by workers A full-service fueling device that performs service work other than the above is known.
In addition, depending on the refueling station, each refueling device is arranged for each island to efficiently advance the refueling operation, thereby obtaining customer needs.
However, if the service method is different, there is an inconvenience that it cannot be managed by one POS because the mode of the fuel supply control, the fuel charge, etc. are different.

The inventor has provided a fueling device that can freely select a service method according to a customer's request (see Patent Document 1).
This refueling device has the convenience that a service method can be freely selected according to the customer's wishes, but it is not configured to control a plurality of refueling devices with different service methods simultaneously with one POS. , It is not possible to cope with the problem.
Further, the present inventor provides an oil supply device that can set an upper limit of the cost associated with the service of the worker related to the oil supply work and can supply the oil at a low cost for a customer who supplies a large amount of a certain amount or more (Patent Document 2). reference). However, the above-described problem is not solved even in such a fueling device.
JP 2001-206498 A JP 2001-341800 A

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and even in a fueling system having a different service system, a different fueling control method, a different fueling fee, etc. The purpose is to provide a gas station system that enables the calculation of fueling fees.

  The filling station system according to the present invention includes a filling station GS including a full-service filling island 20 where a worker performs a filling work and a self-service filling island 30 where a customer performs a filling work. , 30, an oil supply device 200, 300, an input / output control device 310 connected to the oil supply device 200, 300, an oil supply control means 340 for controlling the drive of the oil supply devices 200, 300, and an oil charge POS 10 for calculation, and the POS 10 drives the fuel supply devices 200 and 300 by the fuel supply control means 340 based on the output from the input / output control device 310 of each of the fuel supply devices 200 and 300. It has become.

  The oil supply control means 340 is configured to perform an oil supply control via the POS 10 with an output from the input / output control device 310 connected to the self-service type oil supply device 300.

Here, it is preferable that the refueling control unit 340 is provided with a manual refueling permission unit (for example, a manual mode switch) that allows the customer to manually refuel.
Further, the oil supply control means 340 is configured to set an upper limit on the discharge amount so that the oil does not overflow from the oil supply port by an operation of a customer who receives self-service, and stops the oil supply when the upper limit is reached. It is preferable. Or it is preferable that the oil supply control means 340 sets an upper limit to the oil supply time and / or the oil supply amount depending on the oil type.

  The POS 10 has a refueling fee calculation means 11, and the refueling control means 340 determines whether the output is from the input / output control device 310 connected to the full-service or self-service refueling device 200 or 300. The refueling fee calculation means 11 is configured to operate.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a plurality of refueling apparatuses having different service methods and different refueling control methods and refueling fee systems can be controlled and managed by one POS.
Therefore, when a different POS is prepared by a dedicated self-service or full-service refueling device, or a POS is prepared for each refueling device, the equipment can be greatly reduced and labor can be saved.

  In addition, the refueling control means is configured to set an upper limit on the discharge amount so that the oil does not overflow from the refueling port by the operation of the customer who receives self-service, and when the upper limit is reached, control is performed to stop the refueling Alternatively, depending on the oil type, an upper limit is set for the oiling time and / or the amount of oiling, and if the upper limit is reached, control is performed so that the oiling is stopped.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 1, a gas station system indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1 is an office 110 in which a POS 10 is installed in a site 100 of a gas station GS, and in the illustrated example, a full-service oiling island where a worker performs a fueling operation. 20 is provided in one place, and two self-service oiling islands 30 are provided by the customer.

  The full-service fueling island 20 is provided with two fueling devices 200 adjacent to each other back to back in a known manner. The full-service oiling island 20 is preferably provided near the office.

  The two self-service oiling islands 30 are similarly provided with two fueling devices 300 adjacent to each other back to back.

FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of a gas station system 1 that implements the present invention.
The gas station system 1 includes a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 1) fueling devices 200 provided in a full service type oil supply island 20 (see FIG. 1) and a self-service type oil supply island 30 (see FIG. 1). A plurality of (four in the example of FIG. 1) fueling devices 300 provided are provided, and each of the fueling devices 200 and 300 is connected to the POS 10 installed in the office 110 (see FIG. 1) by a communication line L. .

  The self-service type oil supply device 30 of the oil supply island 30 includes an input / output control device 310 as data control means, a fuel supply control device 340 including a discharge amount control means 342 and a display control means 344, and a full service / self service. Service method selection means for selecting either, for example, a service method selection switch 320, and a service method indicator (hereinafter referred to as a service method indicator lamp) 330 that displays the selected service are provided. .

  The full-service-type refueling island 20 dedicated to full-service is illustrated with a detailed configuration omitted in FIG. 2, but a selection switch for selecting at least the service method with respect to the self-service-type refueling device 300. 320 and the service display lamp 330 for displaying the selected service are omitted.

  The POS 10 includes a fueling fee calculation unit 11 and a fueling mechanism selection unit 12. The fueling fee calculation unit 11 calculates the self-service and full-service fueling fees separately, and the fueling mechanism selection unit 12 calculates the received data. It is configured to check whether or not the start fueling apparatuses 200 and 300 have a problem, and when there is a problem, the other fueling apparatuses are guided.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the self-service type oil supply apparatus 300 is further demonstrated including the apparatus (oil supply system) which concerns on oil supply.

  The oil supply system is provided with an oil supply pipe 2 extending from a tank for storing an oil type (not shown) such as regular gasoline, and the terminal of the oil supply pipe 2 is connected to a hose connection device 7 of an oil supply hose 9 having an oil supply nozzle 9N. ing.

An oil supply pump 4 driven by a pump driving motor 3 is interposed in the oil supply pipe 2, and a hose connection device 7 from the oil supply pump 4 side is provided in an area between the oil supply pump 4 and the hose connection device 7. A flow meter 5 (for example, a flow rate pulse transmitter) and a control valve 6 are interposed toward the side.
In addition, although the illustrated oil supply pipe 2 shows only the oil supply pipe of regular gasoline, it also has an oil supply system for high-octane gasoline and light oil.

  The oil supply device 300 includes an input / output control device 310 that is a data control means for inputting an oil type and an amount of oil to be supplied or outputting an oil supply fee as a receipt, and a service method, that is, a full service method or a self service. A service method selection switch 320 for selecting whether it is a method, a service method display lamp 330 for displaying the selected service method, and a fuel supply control device for controlling the start and stop of fueling, the display of the selected service, and the like 340. The input / output control device 310 and the fuel supply control device 340 are connected to the POS 10 installed in the office 110 via the communication line L.

  The fuel supply control device 340 is electrically connected to the service method selection switch 320 and the service method display lamp 330, and when the service method selection switch 320 is pressed, the service method display lamp 330 corresponding to the switch 320 pressed through the fuel supply device 340. Is configured to light up.

  Here, although not shown, the oil supply control means 340 can also be provided with a manual oil supply permission means (for example, a manual mode switch) that allows the customer to manually supply oil.

Also, a nozzle hook 19 is provided above the hose connecting device 7, and when the oil supply nozzle 9N is hooked on the nozzle hook for storage, a nozzle lock portion that automatically detects that the nozzle 9N has been hooked. 19a is provided. In addition, a nozzle switch 8 is provided in the vicinity of the nozzle hook 19 so that the nozzle switch 8 is turned off when being pushed by a part of the nozzle 9N and turned on when the nozzle 9N is separated. The fuel supply control device 340 is electrically connected.
Further, the fuel supply control device 340 is also electrically connected to the flow meter 5 and the control valve 6, and controls the opening and closing of the control valve 6 by a control method described later. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 9L indicates a nozzle lever of the nozzle 9N.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the input / output control device 310 includes an oil type selection switch 311 for selecting an oil type, for example, regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, light oil, etc., an oil supply amount to be supplied, and an individual customer ID number. A keyboard 312 for inputting information, a card reader 313 for reading the information of the refueling card, a display unit 314 for displaying the amount of refueling, a refueling fee, a unit price, a fee, etc., and a printer for printing the refueling data and discharging it as a receipt 315.

  The POS 10 is based on the information from the input / output control device 310 of each of the oil supply devices 200 and 300, and via the oil supply control means 340, the oil supply system of the oil supply devices 200 and 300 (the drive of the pump drive motor 3, the control valve 6). The opening / closing operation etc.) is controlled.

  Here, the refueling control means 340 is configured to perform the refueling control by the output from the data input / output device 310 connected to the self-service refueling device 300.

  Next, based on FIG.5 and FIG.6, with reference also to FIG.1, FIG.3, FIG.4, the aspect of the control regarding the fuel supply in the self-service type fuel supply apparatus 300 and a charge calculation is demonstrated.

First, if the service method is input (YES in ST1), the fuel supply control device 340 subsequently determines which one of self service / full service has been selected (ST2).
If the self-service method is selected, the process proceeds to step ST3, and if the full-service method is selected, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST3, after the self-service lamp of the display lamp 330 is turned on, if the oil type and the amount of oil supply are input (YES in ST4), the process proceeds to step ST7.

  When full service is selected in step ST2, the full service lamp of the display lamp 330 is turned on in step ST5, and if the oil type and the amount of oil supply are input (YES in ST6), the process proceeds to step ST7.

  In step ST7, the selected (input) oil type and the amount of oil supply are displayed on the display unit 314 (see FIG. 4), and the oil type and the oil supply amount as the setting data are displayed on the office via the communication line L (see FIG. 2). The data is output to the POS in 110 (ST8).

    5 will be described later, and FIG. 6 will be described next. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control related to the fuel supply control and the calculation of the fuel charge in the POS 10, and is a control flow that flows in parallel behind the main flow shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the control in the POS 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fuel supply mechanism selection means 12 of the POS 10 checks whether or not the setting data has been received in step ST21. If it has been received (YES in ST21), the process proceeds to the next step ST22, and the input fueling device 300 is connected to, for example, a safety device. It is determined whether there is any problem such as above or failure. If there is no problem (YES in ST22), the process proceeds to step ST23, and a nozzle lock release signal is started to the fueling device 300.

  On the other hand, if there is a problem, the process proceeds to step ST24, where guidance such as movement to another refueling device 300 is given to the customer by a known means (for example, a sound generating device), and then control by the refueling device 300 is performed. Let it finish.

  Returning to the main flowchart of FIG. 5 again, in step ST9, the fuel supply control device 340 waits until it receives a nozzle unlock signal from the POS 10 (YES in ST9). The lock of the nozzle lock portion 19a of the nozzle is released (ST10).

  In the next step ST11, when the oil supply nozzle 9N of the selected oil type is removed from the nozzle hook and the nozzle switch 8 is turned on (YES in ST11), the process proceeds to step ST12, and the numerical value on the display unit 314 is returned to 0 (zero). The oil pump driving motor 3 is turned ON.

  Then, the oil can be supplied by pulling the nozzle lever 9L, and in the next step ST13, the oil supply control device 340 detects the flow rate supplied by the flow meter 5 and the numerical value of the detected state is input to the input / output control device 310. It is displayed on the display unit 314.

  In step ST14, the lubrication control device 320 detects whether the preset amount has been reached in the case of preset lubrication, or whether the tank has been filled in the case of full tank lubrication by a known means. If reached (YES in ST14), the process proceeds to step ST15.

  In step ST15, when a customer or a worker puts the fuel supply nozzle 9N on the nozzle hook 19 and the nozzle switch 8 is turned OFF (YES in ST15), the process proceeds to step ST16, where the motor 3 is turned off (or the control valve 6 is closed). The service method display lamp 330 and the oil type display lamp (not shown) (or the oil type selection switch 311 lamp) are turned off, and the nozzle lock portion 19a is locked.

  During the steps ST10 to ST16 (main flow control), the POS 10 performs the following control. That is, in step ST25 of FIG. 6, it waits until refueling data is input to POS 10, and if it is input (YES in ST25), it is determined whether it is self service or full service in step ST26.

  If it is self-service, charge calculation is started at the self-service conversion rate (ST27), and then the process proceeds to step ST28. If it is a full service, charge calculation is started at the conversion rate of the full service (ST28), and then the process proceeds to step ST29.

  In step ST29, it is checked whether or not the nozzle lock signal has been received from the fuel supply control device 340 of the fuel supply device 300. If the nozzle lock signal has been received, that is, if the fuel supply has ended (YES in ST29), the charge is calculated. The result is temporarily stored in a predetermined database (ST30), and then the result is transmitted to the fueling device 300 (ST31). The control at the POS 10 ends here.

  Returning to the main flow (FIG. 5) again, fee settlement data from the POS 10 is received in step ST17, the data is printed by the printer 315 of the input / output control device 310, issued as a slip (ST17), and all controls are performed. To complete.

Here, although not explicitly shown in the control flowchart, the oil supply control unit 340 sets an upper limit on the discharge amount so that the oil does not overflow from the oil supply port by the operation of the customer who receives self-service, and when the upper limit value is reached, It is preferable to be configured to control refueling to stop. Alternatively, it is preferable to control the oil supply time and / or the oil supply amount so that the oil supply is stopped when the upper limit value is reached depending on the oil type.
These controls are preferably performed in step ST14 of the flowchart of FIG.

According to the first embodiment described above, two systems having different fuel control methods and fuel charge systems, that is, a self-service system and a full-service system, can be controlled and managed by a single POS.
Therefore, different POSs are prepared for the self-service dedicated fueling device and the full-service dedicated fueling device, or POS is prepared for each fueling device, which leads to significant facility reduction and labor saving.

  Further, the oil supply control means 340 has an upper limit on the discharge amount so that the oil does not overflow from the oil supply port by the operation of the customer who receives the self-service, and when the upper limit is reached, control is performed to stop the oil supply. More safety can be ensured by configuring or by setting an upper limit on the oiling time and / or the amount of oiling depending on the oil type, and controlling the oiling to stop when the upper limit is reached.

  In the first embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the operation method of the fueling device is posted on, for example, a caution plate (caution note) or the like for customers who are new to self-service or unfamiliar customers. However, with the posting of such an operation method, it takes time for the customer to read and judge the posting, which may cause the customer to feel unnecessary irritation.

The second embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is an embodiment in which when a customer approaches the self-service fueling apparatus 300, this is detected and the fueling method is guided by voice.
Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIG. 7, the input / output control device 310A of the fueling device, with respect to the input / output control device 310 of the first embodiment, an infrared sensor 316 that detects that a person (customer) is approaching the fueling device, and a voice A speaker 317 serving as a generating unit, and a voice guide control device 318 for guiding a refueling operation method to the person via the speaker 317 when the infrared sensor 316 detects the person are provided.
The other configuration of the input / output control device 310A is the same as that of the input / output control device 310 of the first embodiment of FIG.

  Based on FIG. 8, the oil supply control method of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, the voice guide control device 318 of the data input / output device 310A checks whether or not the customer is in the vicinity of the fueling device 300A by an infrared sensor (ST41), and if the customer is in the vicinity of the fueling device 300A (ST41). YES), the speaker 317 guides the input of the service method, for example, “please press the self-service or full-service switch” (ST42).

  In the next step ST43, it is determined whether or not a service method has been input after a predetermined time has elapsed. If it has already been input (YES in ST43), the process proceeds to step ST44 and the service method must still be input. If (NO in ST42), the process returns to step ST42 and repeats step ST42 and subsequent steps.

  In step ST44, it is determined whether self-service or full-service is selected, and if it is self-service, the self-service lamp of the display lamp 330 is turned on in step ST45, and then the speaker 317 speaks “Oil type and Please input the amount of oil supply "by the guide (ST46), then check whether the oil type and the amount of oil supply have been input (ST47), and proceed to step ST48.

  On the other hand, in the case of full service, after the full service lamp of the display lamp 330 is turned on in step ST49, the process waits until the oil type and the amount of oil are input (ST50). YES) Proceed to step ST48.

  Since step ST48 and subsequent steps are the same as the control of the first embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6), description of the subsequent control will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the data input / output device 310A provides voice guidance regarding the refueling operation, so that even a customer who receives self-service for the first time or an unfamiliar customer can smoothly perform the refueling operation. You can win trust. Even at the filling station side, workers can immerse themselves in their own work without extra work.

  It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example, and is not a description to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

The layout which showed the schematic layout of the gas station which implemented this invention. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the gas station system which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the oil supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a layout view showing a detailed configuration of an input / output control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows the aspect of the whole oil supply control. The flowchart which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows the aspect of the fuel supply and charge calculation control in POS. The arrangement figure showing the detailed composition of the input-output control device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention and shows the aspect of the whole oil supply control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas station system 2 ... Oil supply pipe 3 ... Pump drive motor 4 ... Oil supply pump 5 ... Flow meter 6 ... Control valve 7 ... Oil supply hose connection device 8 ...・ Nozzle switch 9 ... refueling hose 9N ... refueling nozzle 10 ... POS
11 ... Refueling fee calculation means 20 ... Full self-service island 30 ... Self-service island 200, 300 ... Refueling device 310 ... Data control means / input / output control device 311 ... Oil type selection Switch 312 ... Keyboard 313 ... Card reader 314 ... Display unit 315 ... Printer 320 ... Service method selection means / Service method selection switch 330 ... Service method display means / Service method display lamp 340 ... Lubrication control device 342 ... Discharge amount control means 344 ... Display control means

Claims (3)

  In a fueling station having a full-service oiling island where a worker performs a fueling operation and a self-service oiling island where a customer performs a fueling operation, a fueling device installed in each of the fueling islands, and the fueling device An input / output control device connected thereto, an oil supply control means for performing drive control of the oil supply device, and a POS for calculating an oil charge, wherein the POS is based on an output from the input / output control device of each of the oil supply devices. And a fueling station system for driving the fueling device with the fueling control means.   2. The filling station system according to claim 1, wherein the fueling control means is configured to perform fueling control via a POS with an output from an input / output control device connected to a self-service type fueling device.   The POS has a refueling fee calculation means, and the refueling control means judges whether the output is from an input / output control device connected to a full service type or a self service type refueling device, and The gas station system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, which is configured to operate the calculation means.

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