JP6263299B1 - Gas container replacement system, replacement program thereof, replacement device thereof and replacement method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to increase the accuracy of estimation of the remaining amount of gas, such as the usage pattern, increase / decrease change, and trend of the gas usage, to avoid running out of gas, and to replace the gas container with the minimum remaining amount of gas. Meter reading data representing the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas obtained in a predetermined period from the replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container (18-1) among a single or a plurality of gas containers (18). A data acquisition unit (8) for acquiring a trend data representing a trend of the gas use amount or the gas remaining amount from the meter reading data, determining a meter reading timing from the next time on the trend data, and the meter reading timing Alternatively, a processing unit (12) that determines a gas container replacement date according to the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas acquired at the replacement timing. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a gas container replacement technique, for example, specifying a replacement date for an LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) container.

The LPG is loaded into a gas container such as a cylinder or cylinder and delivered to the user's eaves or the like. A plurality of gas containers including a supply system and a standby system are usually installed according to the amount of gas consumption. The gas container is exchanged by a delivery company before the gas runs out.
Regarding the management of the remaining amount of gas in the gas container, the gas consumption facility uses the gas consumption detected by the flow rate measuring means arranged in the gas supply path between the gas container and the gas consumption facility and the gas remaining amount in the gas container. It is known to calculate and display the remaining time that can be consumed (Patent Document 1).
Regarding delivery prediction of gas containers, it is known to predict the occurrence date of gas outage using a safety factor master and calculate the expected delivery date considering delivery efficiency and out-of-gassing risk (Patent Document 2).

Receiving gas meter guideline data for the gas container delivery date, updating the amount of gas remaining based on the gas consumption from the previous guideline date to the next guideline date, In accordance with the estimated daily gas usage based on the rate of change in daily gas usage over a period of time, the updated residual gas amount is reduced to predict the future residual gas amount. It is known that the date when the remaining amount becomes a predetermined date is determined as the delivery date (Patent Document 3). In addition, the amount of gas used is obtained from multiple meter reading data of the gas meter, the remaining amount of gas is updated, and the updated amount of remaining gas is reduced based on the change in the amount of gas used by comparing the past amount of gas used in the gas container. It is known that a future gas remaining amount is predicted, and a date when the predicted gas remaining amount becomes a predetermined value is determined as a delivery date of the gas container (Patent Document 4).

JP, 2006-075366, A Japanese Patent No. 5802225 Japanese Patent No. 5570552 Japanese Patent No. 5570553

By the way, even if the amount of gas used is measured with a gas meter, if the amount of gas used exceeds the amount of gas remaining in the gas container, the gas will run out. If the safety factor is increased in order to avoid running out of gas, a gas container with a large remaining amount is replaced, and there is a problem that the number of deliveries is increased and the burden on the delivery company and the delivery cost are increased.
In the method of calculating and displaying the remaining time that can be consumed from the gas consumption detected in the gas supply path of the gas consuming equipment and the remaining amount of filling of the gas container (Patent Document 1), even if the remaining time display can be used, the out of gas is avoided. Has a problem that it is necessary to set a high safety factor.

Calculate the master capacity from the gas capacity and the number of gas containers installed, calculate the usage from the difference in the guideline data for a certain period, determine the safety factor based on the master capacity and the usage, and the master capacity. In the calculation method (patent document 2) of calculating the estimated delivery date by multiplying the safety rate by multiplying the safety rate by the prediction of the out-of-gas date from the previous delivery date and the used amount, it is determined based on the master capacity and the used amount. The delivery date varies depending on the safety factor, and it cannot be said that the delivery date has been optimized. In order to avoid running out of gas, there is a problem that a gas container with a large remaining amount must be collected.
Regarding the delivery date of the gas container, the remaining amount of gas is updated based on the gas usage from the previous guide date to the next guide date of the gas meter. In accordance with the gas usage per day predicted based on the rate of change in gas usage, the updated gas remaining amount is reduced to predict the future gas remaining amount. In the method of determining the delivery date (Patent Document 3), there is a problem that the delivery date varies greatly depending on the prediction result of the remaining gas amount.

The amount of gas used is obtained from multiple meter readings of the gas meter, and the remaining amount of gas is updated. By comparing the past amount of gas used in the gas container, the updated amount of remaining gas is reduced based on changes in the amount of gas used. Even in the method of predicting the remaining amount of gas and determining the date when the remaining amount of gas becomes a predetermined value (patent document 4), the remaining amount of gas is predicted according to the change in the amount of gas used. There is a problem that the delivery date varies greatly depending on the prediction result.
In this way, delivery management that only predicts the estimated delivery date and delivery date from the index calculated from past data may cause insufficient gas consumption, resulting in running out of gas, which may inconvenience the user. is there.
In addition, when meter reading dates are set at regular intervals of about one month, the remaining amount of gas in the gas container to be replaced increases on the delivery date set using indicators such as safety factor and safety date, and the number of deliveries increases. There is also a problem of increasing the burden on the delivery company and the delivery cost.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to increase the accuracy of estimation of the remaining amount of gas, such as the usage pattern of gas usage, increase / decrease change, tendency, etc. to avoid running out of gas, and replace the gas container with the minimum remaining amount of gas. There is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas container replacement system of the present invention, use of a gas obtained from a replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers within a predetermined period. A data acquisition unit that acquires meter reading data representing an amount or a gas remaining amount, and trend data representing a change amount of the gas usage amount or the gas remaining amount in a certain period from the meter reading data, and from the trend data on and after the next time of determining the meter-reading timing, and a processing unit for determining the next replacement time of the gas container according on the detected needle timing or gas consumption or gas level acquired in exchange timing.
The gas container replacement system further includes a storage unit that stores the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval, and the processing unit includes the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading. The interval data may be stored or updated to dynamically change the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval.
In the gas container exchange system, further wherein an information presentation unit that presents the gas container replacement date determined on the basis of the next replacement timing, the gas consumption or the gas level of the gas container, the next replacement period The threshold value for determining the gas container replacement date is set based on the above, and when the gas usage is equal to or greater than the threshold value or the gas remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing unit outputs the next time The gas presentation date based on the exchange timing may be presented to the information presentation unit.
In the gas container replacement system, the meter reading interval may be narrowed as the gas container nears running out of gas to increase the acquisition density of the meter reading data.
In the gas container replacement system, the gas container includes a first gas container and a second gas container, and when the first gas container is out of gas, the gas is used in the second gas container. A plurality of gas containers can be switched to

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas container replacement program of the present invention, a gas container replacement program to be executed by a computer, the replacement of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers. A function of acquiring meter reading data representing gas usage or remaining gas amount obtained in a predetermined period from timing or meter reading timing, and trend data representing change in the gas usage or remaining gas amount in a certain period from the meter reading data create and determines a subsequent meter reading timing next from the trend data, a function of determining the next replacement time of the gas container according on the detected needle timing or gas consumption or gas level acquired by the exchange timing Is realized by the computer.
In the gas container replacement program, a threshold value for determining a gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is further set in the gas usage amount or the remaining gas amount of the gas container, when threshold or more or the gas level is below the threshold value may include a function of presenting the information presentation unit to determine the gas container replacement date based on the next exchange timing.
The gas container replacement program may further include a function of storing or updating the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing, and the meter reading interval acquired at the meter reading timing in a storage unit.
The gas container replacement program may further include a function of increasing the acquisition density of the meter reading data by narrowing the meter reading interval as the gas container nears running out of gas.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas container replacement device of the present invention, gas use obtained from a replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers within a predetermined period of time. Receives meter reading data from a data acquisition unit that acquires meter reading data representing an amount or a gas remaining amount, creates trend data representing the amount of gas used or the amount of change in the gas remaining amount over a certain period from the meter reading data, A processing unit for determining a next meter reading timing from the data and determining a next replacement timing of the gas container according to the meter reading value acquired at the meter reading timing or the replacement timing, the meter reading data, the trend data, and the meter reading timing or a storage unit for storing the meter reading interval, the next replacement time of the gas container, And a presenting information presentation unit.
In the gas container replacement device, a threshold value for determining a gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is set in a gas usage amount or a gas remaining amount of the gas container, and the gas usage amount is the threshold value. When the gas remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, the information presenting unit may present the gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing output by the processing unit.
In the gas container replacement device, the meter reading interval may be narrowed as the gas container nears to run out of gas, thereby increasing the acquisition density of the meter reading data.
In the gas container exchanging apparatus, the gas container includes a first gas container and a second gas container, and when the gas runs out in the first gas container, the use of gas is the second gas container. A plurality of gas containers can be switched to

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas container replacement method of the present invention, the data acquisition unit has a predetermined period from a replacement timing or a meter reading timing of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers. A step of obtaining meter reading data representing the amount of gas used or the amount of gas obtained, and a processing unit creates trend data representing the amount of gas used or the amount of change in the amount of gas remaining over a predetermined period from the meter reading data, determine the subsequent meter reading timing next from the trend data, and determining the next replacement time of the gas container according on the detected needle timing or gas consumption or gas level acquired in exchange timing.
In the gas container replacement method, the processing unit further includes a step of storing or updating the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval in the storage unit, the trend data, the meter reading timing or the The meter reading interval may be changed dynamically.
In the gas container replacement method, a threshold value for determining a gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is further set in the gas usage amount or the remaining gas amount of the gas container, When the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value or the gas remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, the information presenting unit may be configured to present the gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing output by the processing unit.
The gas container replacement method may further include a step of increasing the acquisition density of the meter reading data by narrowing the meter reading interval as the gas container nears out of gas.
In the gas container replacement method, the gas container includes a first gas container and a second gas container, and when the first gas container is out of gas, the gas is used in the second gas container. A step to be switched may be included.

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) It is possible to improve the accuracy of estimation of trends such as the amount of gas used in the gas container and the change in the remaining amount of gas.
(2) The gas container replacement timing can be optimized according to trends in gas consumption and residual gas.
(3) It is possible to avoid running out of gas, minimize the amount of gas remaining when replacing the gas container, and improve the efficiency of gas container delivery.

(4) It is possible to improve the planning of gas container replacement and gas container delivery depending on human skill based on the intuition and experience of the gas container delivery person.
(5) The data processing of the pointer data can be performed on the gas meter side installed on the user side, data communication can be executed at a predetermined timing, the data communication traffic load can be reduced, and the gas meter side can be saved in power.
(6) It can absorb uncertain factors such as seasonal fluctuations in gas usage and temperature changes, and can improve the accuracy of estimation of gas container replacement dates.
(7) Even without constantly collecting meter reading data, the accuracy of the gas container replacement date can be improved by transmitting and receiving a small amount of meter reading data. For example, the battery life of battery-powered gas meters or data transmission equipment can be extended. This can improve the reliability of the system.
(8) Even if a significant change in gas demand occurs between meter reading timings, gas container replacement can be speeded up without causing gas exhaustion, and convenient gas container replacement management can be realized.

It is a figure which shows the gas container exchange system which concerns on one embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of gas container replacement | exchange. 1 is a diagram illustrating a gas container replacement system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of gas container replacement | exchange. It is a flowchart which shows the process procedure 1 of gas container replacement | exchange. It is a flowchart which shows the process procedure 2 of gas container replacement | exchange. It is a figure which shows transition of a gas remaining amount, and data processing. It is a figure which shows a gas container exchange data table. It is a figure which shows transition of the gas remaining amount and data processing which concern on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows a gas container exchange data table. It is a figure which shows the gas container exchange system which concerns on Example 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gas container replacement system according to Embodiment 4. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a gas container replacement system according to Embodiment 5.

[One embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a gas container replacement system according to an embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gas container exchange system 2 includes a measurement unit 6 and a data acquisition unit 8 of a gas meter 4 on the user side. A processing unit 12, a storage unit 14, and an information presentation unit 16 are provided.
The gas meter 4 is installed in a gas supply path 22 that connects the gas container 18 and the gas device 20. The gas container 18 includes two systems, for example, a gas container 18-1 and a gas container 18-2, which are a supply system and a standby system. The gas container 18-1 is for normal gas supply, and the gas container 18-2 is for countermeasures against gas exhaustion. That is, when the gas container 18-1 runs out of gas, the switch 24 switches the gas supply source from the gas container 18-1 to the standby gas container 18-2, and the gas container 18-2 switches to the gas equipment. The gas is supplied to 20. The gas device 20 includes a plurality of gas devices 20-1 and 20-2 such as a gas appliance and a hot water supply device.

The measuring unit 6 measures the gas G flowing from the gas container 18 to the gas device 20 and outputs meter reading data S including a meter reading value. For the meter reading data S, either the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 18 may be used. The meter reading value of the measuring unit 6 represents the gas flow rate, and the remaining gas amount represents the remaining gas amount in the gas container 18. When the total amount of the gas container 18 is “100” and the meter reading value changes from, for example, an initial meter reading value = 40 to “42”, the remaining gas amount changes from “100” to “98”.
This remaining gas amount can be expressed by equation (1).
Remaining gas amount = total amount of container-(meter reading-initial meter reading) (1)
From equation (1)
Gas remaining amount = 100− (42−40) = 98 (2)
It becomes.
The meter reading data S includes the meter reading value of the flow rate of the gas flowing from the gas container 18 to the gas device 20, the output pulse of the load survey and the gas meter 4, the data indicating the gas usage and the remaining amount of gas as well as the meter reading value, the gas usage amount and the gas. Any of the in-container pressures representing the remaining amount may be used, or two or more may be combined. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate the explanation, the meter reading data S will be used for explanation.
The data acquisition unit 8 acquires the meter reading data S from the measurement unit 6 and outputs it to the communication unit 26-1. The data acquisition unit 8 is configured by a computer, for example. The data acquisition unit 8 and the communication unit 26-1 may be configured separately from the gas meter 4 and may be connected to the measurement unit 6 wirelessly or by wire, but may be built in the casing of the gas meter 4 and integrated with the gas meter 4.
The data processing of the data acquisition unit 8 and the communication unit 26-1 includes a. Acquisition of meter reading data S at the container replacement timing or meter reading timing, b. Sending meter-reading data S, c. Processing such as transmission of meter reading data S by the communication unit 26-1 is included. The container replacement timing represents the meter reading timing at the time of gas container replacement.

The processing unit 12 performs processing from acquisition of the meter reading data S based on the meter reading timing to identification of the replacement date of the gas container 18 through data communication between the communication unit 26-1 and the communication unit 26-2. The processing unit 12 is configured by a computer such as a management server. The data processing of the processing unit 12 includes d. Reception of meter reading data S at the meter reading timing, e. Storage of meter reading data S, f. Creation of trend data TD, g. Determination and storage of meter reading timing and gas container 18 replacement timing, h. The determination and presentation of the replacement date of the gas container 18 are included.
Thus, the data processing of the gas container replacement system 2 includes the following processing.

a. Acquisition of meter reading data S:
The data acquisition unit 8 acquires meter reading data S at the gas container replacement timing CH or meter reading timing ST.
b. Sending of meter reading data S The data acquisition unit 8 sends the meter reading data S to the communication unit 26-1 at the gas container replacement timing CH or the meter reading timing ST.
c. Transmission of meter-reading data S Meter-reading data S is transmitted from the communication unit 26-1 to the communication unit 26-2 on the management center side. In this case, the meter reading data S may be received from the communication unit 26-1 to the communication unit 26-2. This data transmission / reception may be either wired or wireless.

d. Receiving meter reading data S:
The communication unit 26-2 receives the meter reading data S transmitted from the communication unit 26-1, and provides the meter reading data S to the processing unit 12.
e. Storage of meter reading data S:
The processing unit 12 stores the meter reading data S acquired from the data acquisition unit 8 in the storage unit 14.
f. Creating trend data TD:
The processing unit 12 uses the acquired meter reading data S to create trend data TD representing the trend of gas use or the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 18. This trend data TD includes the meter reading timing and meter reading interval of the meter reading data S, and is used to determine the next meter reading timing and the replacement timing of the gas container 18.

g. Determination and storage of meter reading timing and gas container 18 replacement timing:
The processing unit 12 grasps the trend from the trend data TD, determines the meter reading timing of the meter reading data S and the gas exhaustion of the gas container 18, determines the meter reading timing ST and the replacement timing CH of the gas container 18 from the next time, and the storage unit 14 Remember me.
h. Determination and presentation of gas container 18 replacement date:
When out of gas is predicted from the trend grasped from the trend data TD, that is, when the processing unit 12 outputs the replacement timing of the gas container 18, the information presenting unit 16 uses the gas container 18 as replacement information of the gas container 18. Present the exchange date. This information presentation may be any form such as image information on the screen, print medium output from the printer, screen display of the communication terminal, etc., as long as the information can be recognized by the delivery person.

<Processing procedure for meter reading data>
FIG. 2 shows a procedure for processing meter reading data according to one embodiment. For example, the processing unit 12 determines whether it is the replacement timing CH of the gas container 18 or the meter reading timing ST as an opportunity to acquire the meter reading data (S101). The exchange timing of the meter reading data S represents the timing of the first meter reading date by gas container exchange, and the meter reading timing ST is timing data created from the trend data TD. If it is not exchange timing CH or meter-reading timing ST (NO in S101), it will be in a standby state until any of these arrives.
If it is the replacement timing CH or the meter reading timing ST (YES in S101), the meter reading data S is acquired from the measuring unit 6 (S102), and it is determined whether it is time to present container replacement information (S103).

If it is not time to present the container replacement information (NO in S103), the processing unit 12 stores the meter reading data S acquired from the measuring unit 6 in the storage unit 14, or the meter reading data S in the storage unit 14 is stored. Update is performed (S104).
The processing unit 12 creates trend data TD from the acquired meter reading data S (S105). This trend data TD shows the tendency of the user to use the gas in the gas container 18, and specifically represents the transition of the gas flow rate or the remaining amount of gas from the time of replacement of the gas container 18 to the next time of replacement.
The processing unit 12 determines the subsequent meter reading timing ST from the trend data TD (S106), returns to S101, and performs the processing of S101 and S102.
After the acquisition of the meter reading timing ST (S102), if it is time to present the container replacement information (YES in S103), the replacement information of the gas container 18 is presented (S107), and this process ends.

<Effect of one embodiment>
According to one embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Using the meter reading data S acquired from the measuring unit 6 continuously or discontinuously by the processing unit 12 connected to the measuring unit 6 of the gas meter 4, the usage pattern, increase / decrease change, trend, etc. of the gas usage It is possible to create trend data TD representing the trend of That is, the trend information of the gas usage is obtained on the gas meter 4 side.
(2) From the trend data TD, it is possible to grasp the trend of gas usage or remaining gas.

(3) The next meter reading timing ST can be generated in accordance with the trend calculated from the trend data TD.
(4) The estimation accuracy of the remaining amount of gas can be improved from the trend data TD, the prediction accuracy at the time of gas exhaustion and gas replacement can be increased, and the efficiency of gas container replacement can be increased by reducing the number of gas container replacements. .
(5) A gas container with a small amount of gas can be replaced, reducing the burden on the delivery person.
(6) As shown in FIG. 2, if the container replacement time is presented prior to the storage or updating of the meter reading data S, the container replacement time will be presented and unnecessary when the container replacement time has arrived. Data storage and updating can be omitted.

<Gas container replacement system 2>
FIG. 3 shows a gas container replacement system 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are given to the common parts with FIG.
The gas container exchange system 2 includes a gas container exchange device 30. The gas container exchange device 30 includes a management server 32, a communication unit 26-2, and an information presentation unit 16. The management server 32 is an example of the processing unit 12 described above, and is configured by a computer. The management server 32 includes a communication unit 26-3, a processor 34, a clock generation unit 36, an input / output unit (I / O) 38, and storage units 14-1 and 14-2 as the storage unit 14 described above.

The storage unit 14-1 is used for recording an OS (Operating System), a gas container replacement program, and the like. As the storage unit 14-1, a hard disk device may be used in addition to a storage element such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and a RAM (Random-Access Memory). Programs such as the processing program for the OS and meter reading data S are stored in the ROM and EEPROM. The RAM is used as an information processing area for acquiring and storing meter reading data S, creating and storing trend data TD, indexing trends, sending or transmitting meter reading data S and trend data TD, and the like.
The storage unit 14-2 constitutes an external storage unit with respect to the storage unit 14-1. As the storage unit 14-2, a hard disk device may be used in addition to the semiconductor storage elements such as the ROM and EEPROM described above. In the storage unit 14-2, a database for storing variation data such as meter reading data S and trend data TD is constructed, and the variation data can be stored and updated. For example, a gas container replacement data table 46-1 (FIG. 8) is stored in the storage unit 14-2.

The communication unit 26-2 is used for data communication with the communication unit 26-1, and is used for transmission / reception of data related to meter reading data such as meter reading data S and trend data TD. On the other hand, the communication unit 26-3 is controlled by the processor 34 and used for transmission / reception of data related to output data of the management server 32. The communication unit 26-3 is used for wireless transmission and reception with, for example, an information communication terminal 44 that is an example of the information presentation unit 16.
The processor 34 executes the OS in the storage unit 14-1 and executes a gas container replacement program and the like. By executing this gas container replacement program, the functions of information processing d, e, f, g, and h are executed by the computer as well as the information processing a, b, and c of the data acquisition unit 8 and the communication unit 26-1. Realized.

The clock generation unit 36 generates a clock signal having a constant period. This clock signal is used for reference signals such as meter reading timing ST, meter reading data S acquisition, generation, transmission, transmission, creation of trend data TD, and presentation of gas container replacement timing. The I / O 38 is used for gas container replacement timing, gas container replacement date output, and the like.
The information presentation unit 16 includes a display unit 40, a printer 42, and an information communication terminal 44. The display unit 40 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and information such as a gas container replacement date is presented. The printer 42 is used for form output, which is an example of information presentation such as a gas container replacement date. The information communication terminal 44 is a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, and can receive information presentation such as a gas container replacement date from the communication unit 26-3 and display this information presentation on the screen.

<Gas container replacement processing sequence>
In this gas container exchange system 2, as shown in FIG. 4, data processing is executed by a gas container exchange process sequence.
The data acquisition unit 8 side receives the meter reading data S from the measuring unit 6 at the replacement timing CH or the meter reading timing ST of the gas container 18 by receiving the gas container replacement timing CH or the meter reading timing ST from the management server 32 (S201). Acquisition (S202), transmission of meter reading data S to the management server 32 (S203), etc. are executed.
The management server 32 acquires the meter reading data S from the data acquiring unit 8 (S204), creates the trend data TD (S205), determines the meter reading timing ST (S206), and transmits the meter reading timing ST to the data acquiring unit 8 ( S207), the gas container replacement date is determined according to the trend (S208), and the replacement information of the gas container 18 is presented (S209).

<Gas container replacement procedure 1>
FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure 1 from the gas container replacement to the next gas container replacement.
In this processing procedure, one piece (for example, the gas used in the first-use gas container 18-1), two pieces (for example, the gas used in the first-use gas container 18-1 to the gas in the spare gas container 18-2). Any of (cut) can be assumed.
In this processing procedure, tn: acquisition date and time of meter reading data S, n: number of times of reading of meter reading data S, N: threshold value of the number of times of reading of meter reading data S, T, T ′: meter reading interval, K: prediction from trend The date and time when one or both of the gas containers 18-1 and 18-2 are cut out, L: a threshold value of the remaining amount of gas in the gas containers 18-1 and 18-2.
In this processing procedure, for example, the gas container 18 is replaced (S301), and immediately after this, n ← 1 is set (S302). Acquisition of the nth meter reading data Sn is executed at time tn (S303).

It is determined whether the number n of acquisitions of meter-reading data S is greater than or equal to a threshold value N (n ≧ N) (S304). If n ≧ N is not satisfied (NO in S304), t (n + 1) ← tn + T (for example, T = 24 hours) is incremented to n ← (n + 1) (S305), and the processing of S303 to S304 is continued.
If n ≧ N (YES in S304), the trend is grasped from the meter reading data S1, S2,... Sn, and K is calculated from the trend (S306).
Update to t (n + 1) ← tn + T ′, n ← (n + 1) (S307). The date and time of the updated tn is always before K. The meter reading interval T ′ is, for example, as shown in equation (3):
T ′ = (K−tn) / 2 (3)
It may be determined from

The nth meter reading data Sn is acquired at time tn (S308). The remaining amount of gas represented by the meter reading data Sn is compared with the threshold value L of the remaining gas amount, and it is determined whether it is equal to or less than the remaining threshold value L (Sn ≦ L) (S309).
If it is not Sn <= L (NO of S309), the process of S306-S309 will be continued and acquisition of meter-reading data S and the grasp of a trend will be repeated.
If the remaining gas amount reaches the threshold value L or less (Sn ≦ L) (YES in S309), the replacement information of the gas container 18 is presented (S310), and this process is terminated.

In this processing procedure, the meter reading timing ST may be periodically performed by specifying the meter reading interval T, but is not limited to this, and a specific meter reading date / time is set and the meter reading timing for each meter reading date / time is set. May be set.
Regarding the processing of S301 to S304, when a trend already exists, S301 to S304 may be omitted.
Since K is an example of the gas exhaustion timing, tn and K may be set on the gas container exchange device 30 side, or may be set by a local station such as a relay station through autonomous processing.

<Threshold L>
The threshold L is a reference for determining the gas exhaustion timing and the like, and is a comparison reference value for comparison with the meter reading data S. Since the meter reading data S may be either a gas usage amount or a gas remaining amount, the threshold value L is a value that varies depending on the gas usage amount or the gas remaining amount. In the first embodiment, the threshold value of the remaining gas amount is used as the threshold value L as an example.
This threshold value L may be set from the relationship of the above-described equation (1). In this case, since the amount of gas used in the gas container 18 having a finite volume is assumed, if the amount of gas used increases, the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 18 decreases. There is an increase / decrease relationship. In other words, since the gas container replacement date is determined by the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas, the gas replacement amount is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold for the amount of gas used, whereas the gas replacement date is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold for the remaining amount of gas The gas exchange date will be determined.
This threshold value L may be either a fixed value or a fluctuation value. As a result of the simulation, a threshold value may be selected from a plurality of values assuming a trend of gas use at the delivery destination, and the magnitude of the threshold value L is stepped according to the trend of the gas use amount and the remaining gas amount. May be changed.

<Processing procedure 2 for meter reading data>
FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure 2 based on data processing. This processing procedure 2 is an example of a gas container replacement program or a processing method thereof, and shows a processing that embodies the processing procedure 1.
In this process procedure 2, it is determined whether or not the gas container 18 is to be replaced (S401), and the standby state is maintained until the gas container 18 is replaced. If the gas container 18 is replaced (YES in S401), data initialization is performed (S402). In this example, the management server 32 acquires meter reading data S from the data acquisition unit 8 during a certain period T1-2 from time t1 to time t2 (S403).

As determination of whether it is time to present the container replacement information, it is determined whether the meter reading data S is equal to or less than the threshold value L of the remaining gas amount (Sn ≦ L) (S404).
If Sn> L (NO in S404), the acquired meter reading data S is stored in the storage unit 14, or the meter reading data S is updated (S405). The management server 32 creates trend data TD using the meter reading data S (S406).
The management server 32 determines the meter reading timing ST and the gas exhaustion timing from the trend data TD (S407). The meter reading timing ST and the gas exhaustion timing are generated, the existing data in the storage unit 14-2 is updated (S408), and the process returns to S404.
Then, it is determined whether the meter reading data Sn is equal to or less than the threshold value L (Sn ≦ L) (S404). If Sn ≦ L (YES in S404), the predicted replacement date of the gas container 18 is presented ( In step S409, this process ends.

<Collecting and processing meter reading data>
FIG. 7 shows data processing for the transition of the remaining amount of gas, acquisition of meter reading data S, trend data TD, meter reading interval T, and meter reading timing ST. This data processing conforms to the processing procedure shown in FIG.
In FIG. 7, A indicates a gas remaining amount line LC indicating the gas remaining amount G, B indicates trend data TD, C indicates a meter reading interval T, and D indicates meter reading timing signals St1 to St7 indicating meter reading timing ST. The gas remaining amount line LC is shown as a straight line showing a gradual decrease tendency as an example, but becomes a curve due to the gradual decrease tendency.
In the management server 32, as shown in FIG. 7A, from the time point t1 to the time point t8, a plurality of meter reading data S1, S2, S3,. The time point t1 is the meter reading timing at the replacement timing of the gas container 18, that is, corresponds to the first meter reading date of the gas container 18. The gas remaining amount G gradually decreases from the maximum gas remaining amount Gmax at the time point t1 according to the gas usage, the minimum gas remaining amount Gmin at the time point t7 when the gas container 18 is replaced, and the time point t8 is the time point when the gas runs out. The remaining amount G0 = 0.

As a result of the acquisition of the meter reading data S, as shown in FIG. 7B, the management server 32 displays a plurality of trends as the trend data representing the trend of the gas usage or the remaining amount of gas from the acquired meter reading data S as time passes. Data TD1, TD2, TD3,... TD7 are created. Trend data TD1 is created from meter reading data S for a certain period from time t1 to t2, trend data TD2 is created from meter reading data S for a certain period from time t2 to t3, and trend data TD3 is created from a certain period from time t3 to t4. It is created from the meter reading data S, and similarly, trend data TD4, TD5, TD6, TD7 are created.
As shown in FIG. 7C, the management server 32 generates meter reading intervals T1-2, T2-3,... T6-7, which are data collection periods. T1-2 is the initial meter reading interval (t1 ≦ T1-2 <t2) in a certain period from the time point t1, which is the first meter reading date, and T2-3 is the meter reading interval from the time point t2 (t2 ≦ T2-3 <t3). ), T3-4 is the meter reading interval from time t3 (t3 ≦ T3-4 <t4), T4-5 is the meter reading interval from time t4 (t4 ≦ T4-5 <t5), and T5-6 is from time t5. The meter reading interval (t5 ≦ T5-6 <t6), and T6-7 is the meter reading interval from time t6 (t6 ≦ T6-7 <t7).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, metering timing signals St1, St2, St3,... St7 for acquiring metering data S are generated in the management server 32. That is, the meter reading timing signal St1 corresponds to the meter reading timing on the first meter reading date. The trend data TD requires, for example, meter reading data S obtained at a plurality of meter reading timings. As an example, in FIG. 7D, trend data TD2 is created from the meter reading data S1 and S2 at the meter reading timings t1 and t2, and the meter reading timing t3 is generated using the trend data TD2. Similarly, trend data TD3 is generated from the meter reading data S2 and S3 at the meter reading timings t2 and t3, and the meter reading timing t4 is generated using the trend data TD. Such processing is repeated until the trend data TD7 is created. The meter reading timing t2 may be set using an appropriate initial value or a past trend, and the trend data TD1 is set from an initial value or past meter reading data.
In this example, the trend obtained from the meter reading data S obtained from the latest meter reading data S is used, but the meter reading timing t may be calculated by adding the latest trend to the past trend. For each timing signal St in FIG. 7D, as an example, H represents a high level section and L represents a low level section. However, these may be reversed.

<Gas container replacement data table 46-1>
FIG. 8 shows an example of the first gas container replacement data table 46-1 created by the data processing shown in FIG. This gas container replacement data table 46-1 is an example of a meter reading database. The gas container replacement data table 46-1 stores a time point t, meter reading data S, trend data TD, meter reading timing ST and replacement timing CH. The meter reading timing ST includes a meter reading interval T and timing signals St1, St2,... St7.
The meter reading intervals T2-3, T3-4, T4-5, T5-6, T6-7 are corrected and updated at every meter reading timing ST by grasping the trend obtained from the trend data TD. As a result, the replacement timing CH indicating the replacement date of the gas container 18 is optimized based on the meter reading interval and the meter reading timing signal St determined with the trend corresponding to the transition of the remaining gas amount.

<Effect of Example 1>
According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the previous gas container replacement, indicators such as safety factor and safety date set based on past data were used, whereas in Example 1, a predetermined period from the gas container replacement timing and meter reading timing was used. Ascertain the gas usage trend from the meter reading data acquired in step 1, determine the next replacement timing and meter reading timing, or determine the gas container replacement date, and increase or decrease the meter reading interval of the meter reading timing according to the trend, thus avoiding running out of gas At the same time, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the replacement timing of the gas container with a small remaining amount of gas.
(2) Gas container replacement frequency and delivery frequency can be reduced, and gas container replacement efficiency can be increased while avoiding gas exhaustion.

(3) Since trend data is created from meter reading data to grasp the trend of gas usage and gas remaining amount in the gas container 18, in addition to meter reading values, meter reading data includes alarm information, load surveys, gas meter pulse values, etc. Use the data that shows the gas usage and remaining amount of gas, alarm information, the data that shows the pressure in the container that shows the gas usage and the remaining amount of gas, or a combination of two or more of these as well as the meter reading value. The degree of freedom for grasping the trend of meter reading data can be increased.
(4) The meter reading timing and meter reading interval are dynamically changed according to the trend grasped from the meter reading data, that is, the trend data, so the meter reading data in real time of the gas usage and the remaining amount of gas can be obtained. In the period immediately before 18-1 running out of gas (one piece), or in the period immediately before running out of gas in both gas containers 18-1, 18-2, the meter reading interval S of the meter reading data S is narrowed to reduce the meter reading density. As a result, the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount of gas is improved, and after using the gas until the timing just before the gas runs out, it is possible to replace the gas container in a timely manner and reduce the remaining amount of gas when replacing the gas container. be able to.

(5) In the gas exchange system 2 according to the first embodiment, the gas meter 4 is provided with a communication function, and the meter reading data S is acquired together with the setting of the meter reading timing ST wirelessly with the gas container changing device 30 for efficient Gas container replacement can be realized, and unexpected situations such as running out of gas can be avoided.
(6) Since the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 18 to be replaced can be suppressed, the replacement efficiency of the gas container can be improved and the replacement cost of the gas container can be reduced.
(7) Gas container replacement information can be displayed not only on the screen of the display unit 40 and form printing by the printer 42, but also on the information communication terminal 44, and timely response to emergencies such as trend changes during delivery. It can be carried out.
(8) Absorbs fluctuation factors due to seasonal increase and decrease of gas use and temperature change, and can improve the accuracy of meter reading timing, meter reading interval, gas exhaustion timing, and gas container replacement date.
(9) Since it is possible to prevent the user from running out of gas, the frequency of delivery can be reduced, and the usage status of the spare gas container can be accurately grasped, so the number of spare gas containers 18-2 can be reduced, and the number of spare gas containers can be reduced. The gas used on the gas container 18-2 side can be used until immediately before the gas runs out, and the reliability of gas container replacement can be improved.
(10) Since the judgment is made by comparing the meter reading data S and the threshold value L in judging the gas exhaustion timing, it is possible to appropriately determine the gas exhaustion. In this case, since the meter reading interval T and the meter reading timing ST are adjusted according to the trend, it is possible to avoid an unexpected situation where the gas runs out even if the threshold value L is set to a fixed value.
Note that the threshold value L may be adjusted to a value corresponding to the remaining gas amount or gas usage amount in the past gas container replacement.

The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in the gas container replacement system 2 (FIG. 3). The gas container 18-1 runs out of gas (one piece) to the gas container 18-2 runs out of gas. The case where the gas container 18 is replaced in units of up to a cut is shown.
Also in the third embodiment, since the same gas container replacement system 2 as that of the first embodiment can be used, the description of the gas container replacement system 2 is omitted.

<Changes in gas remaining amount and meter reading data processing>
FIG. 9 shows the transition of the remaining amount of gas from one piece to both pieces and meter reading data processing. 9A shows gas remaining lines LC1 and LC2. The remaining line LC1 is a transition of the remaining gas amount in the gas container 18-1, and the remaining line LC2 is the gas supply after the gas container 18-1 is out of gas. It is transition of the gas residual amount by the side of the gas container 18-2 at the time of switching to the gas container 18-2. S11, S12... S18 are meter reading data S of the gas container 18-1, and S21, S22... S27 are meter reading data S of the gas container 18-2.
B of FIG. 9 shows trend data TD, TD11, TD12,... TD18 are trend data representing the trend obtained from the meter reading data S of the gas container 18-1, and TD21, TD22,. It is the trend data showing the trend calculated | required from the meter-reading data S of 18-2.

C in FIG. 9 indicates the meter reading interval T, corresponding to the time points t11 to t18 / t21 to t27, and the meter reading intervals T11-12, T12-13... T17-18 / 21, T21-22, T22-23,. -T26-27 is set.
FIG. 9D shows meter reading timing signals St11, St12... St18 / 21, St22.
As in the first embodiment, the data in the third embodiment is updated based on the grasp of the trend after obtaining the trend data TD.

<Gas container replacement data table 46-2>
FIG. 10 shows an example of the second gas container replacement data table 46-2 created by the data processing shown in FIG. This gas container replacement data table 46-2 is an example of a meter reading database. The gas container replacement data table 46-2 stores a time point t, meter reading data S, trend data TD, meter reading timing ST and replacement timing CH. The meter reading timing ST includes a meter reading interval T and timing signals St11, St12... St17, St18 / 21, St22, St23.
The meter reading intervals T11-12, T12-13... T17-18 / 21 are corrected and updated at every meter reading timing ST by grasping the trend obtained from the trend data TD11, TD12. Similarly, the meter reading intervals T18 / 21-22, T22-23... T26-27 are corrected and updated at each meter reading timing ST by grasping the trend obtained from the trend data TD18 / 21, TD22. As a result, the replacement timing CH representing the replacement date of the gas containers 18-1 and 18-2 is optimized based on the meter reading interval T and the meter reading timing signal St determined by the trend corresponding to the transition of the remaining gas amount.

<Effect of Example 2>
According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
(2) In the second embodiment, after the gas container 18-1 runs out of gas, the replacement date of the gas container 18 is extended until the gas container 18-2 runs out of gas. Also in the third embodiment, it is possible to use the gas up to the stage where the remaining amount of gas is small by grasping the trend of the meter reading data S, and the gas container can be efficiently exchanged.
(3) Since replacement of at least two gas containers 18 is performed by one replacement, the efficiency of replacement of gas containers can be improved.

(4) According to the second embodiment, the period from the start of use of the gas container 18-2 to the gas exhaustion is used by using this gas exhaustion as one trend, instead of overlooking the gas container 18-1. Can be managed as the replacement period of the gas container 18, and the efficiency of the gas container replacement can be improved. In that case, if the gas remaining amount in the gas container 18-2 is, for example, one half or more, only the gas container 18-1 is to be replaced, and the gas container 18-1 side is removed from the gas out of the gas container 18-2. As a spare system, after the gas container 18-2 has run out of gas, the period from the start of use of the gas container 18-1 to the end of gas can be managed as the replacement period of the gas container 18, etc. In addition, an efficient exchange system that can avoid running out of gas can be constructed.

FIG. 11 shows a gas container replacement system according to the third embodiment. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, direct communication is performed between the communication units 26-1 and 26-2. In the third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a relay station 48 is provided to perform data communication. The relay station 48 includes a storage unit 14-3, stores the meter reading data S in the storage unit 14-3, and the processing unit 12 acquires the meter reading data S in response to an instruction from the gas container exchange device 30. Good.
In FIG. 11, the configuration of the gas container replacement device 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 3), and the description thereof is omitted.

<Effect of Example 3>
According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The meter reading data S and the like can be taken into the gas container exchange device 30 from the data acquisition unit 8 via the relay station 48, and the reliability of data exchange can be improved.
(2) If the relay station 48 includes the storage unit 14-3 for storing the meter reading data S and the like, a data logger that stores and stores the meter reading data S from the data acquisition unit 8 in the storage unit 14-3 is configured. can do.

<Processing procedure for meter reading data>
FIG. 12 shows a processing procedure of the gas container replacement system 2 according to the fourth embodiment. In Example 1, the meter reading data S and the threshold value L are compared before the next meter reading timing ST is determined. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, a process for making the determination of the next meter reading timing ST precede is executed.
In this processing procedure, as shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether it is the replacement timing CH of the gas container 18 or the meter reading timing ST (S501). If it is not exchange timing CH or meter-reading timing ST (NO in S501), it will be in a standby state until any of these arrives.
If it is the exchange timing CH or meter reading timing ST (YES in S501), the meter reading data S is acquired from the data acquiring unit 8 (S502), and the meter reading data S is stored in the storage unit 14 or the meter reading data S in the storage unit 14 Is updated (S503).

The processing unit 12 creates trend data TD from the acquired meter reading data S (S504). This trend data TD indicates the tendency of the user to use the gas in the gas container 18, and specifically represents the transition of the gas flow rate from the time of replacement of the gas container 18 to the next replacement time.
The processing unit 12 determines the next meter reading timing ST from the trend data TD (S505), and determines whether it is time to present the container replacement information (S506).
If it is not time to present the container replacement information, the process returns to S501 with the current meter reading timing ST, the processes of S501 to S506 are repeated, and S506 is reached.
If it is time to present the container replacement information (YES in S506), the replacement information of the gas container 18 is presented (S507), and this process ends.

<Effect of Example 4>
Also by the processing procedure of the fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 13 shows a processing procedure of the gas container replacement system 2 according to the fifth embodiment. In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 2, it is determined immediately after the acquisition (S102) of the meter reading data S (S103), but it is not limited to this.
In the processing procedure of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, immediately after the determination of the replacement timing CH of the gas container 18 or the meter reading timing ST (S601) and the acquisition of the meter reading data S (S602), 14 or the update of the meter reading data S in the storage unit 14 (S603), and then the determination of the timing for presenting the container replacement information (S604), if it is not the timing for presenting the container replacement information (S604) NO), creation of trend data TD (S605), and determination of next meter reading timing ST (S606) are executed. If it is time to present container replacement information (YES in S604), presentation of gas container replacement information (S607) is executed. Thus, it is good also as a process which stores the meter-reading data S in the memory | storage part 14, or updates the meter-reading data S before judgment of the presentation time of container replacement information.

<Effect of Example 5>
According to such a processing procedure, storage and update of the meter reading data S is preceded before the determination of the container replacement time, so that data can be stored and updated regardless of the arrival of the container replacement time, and data storage Sexuality is enhanced.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) In the first to fifth embodiments, the meter reading data S is continuously or discontinuously acquired from the measuring unit 6 by the data acquiring unit 8, and the meter reading data S is sent to the gas container exchange device 30 at the meter reading timing and meter reading interval. It is good also as a structure to take in.
(2) Regarding the estimation judgment of the gas container replacement date, the meter reading timing predicted from the gas remaining amount and the gas exhaustion timing due to the gas remaining amount in the gas container 18 are calculated, and the arrival time of these two timings is ahead of time The process of estimating the gas container replacement date when the gas exhaustion timing is early may be used.
(3) Regarding the determination of the gas container replacement date, the gas container replacement date may be determined in consideration of the time required from the replacement timing of the gas container to the replacement. By adding the time required for gas container replacement, it is possible to avoid an unexpected situation such as the occurrence of gas exhaustion in the time required for replacement, to allow the delivery person's delivery time to be increased, and to improve the reliability of the replacement work.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

The gas container replacement system according to the present invention improves the efficiency of gas container delivery and gas container replacement while avoiding unexpected situations such as gas exhaustion in LPG delivery in units of gas containers, etc. It can be reduced and it is beneficial.

2 Gas container exchange system 4 Gas meter 6 Measurement unit 8 Data acquisition unit 10, 30 Gas container exchange device 12 Processing unit 14, 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 Storage unit 16 Information presentation unit 18, 18-1, 18 -2 gas container 20, 20-1, 20-2 gas equipment 22 gas supply path 24 switch 26-1, 26-2, 26-3 communication unit 32 management server 34 processor 36 clock generation unit 38 I / O
40 Display Unit 42 Printer 44 Information Communication Terminal 46-1 and 46-2 Gas Container Replacement Data Table 48 Relay Station

Claims (18)

A data acquisition unit that acquires meter reading data representing the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas obtained in a predetermined period from the replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers;
Trend data representing the amount of gas used or the amount of change in the remaining amount of gas in a certain period is created from the meter reading data, and the next meter reading timing is determined from the trend data and acquired at the meter reading timing or the replacement timing. a processing unit for determining the next replacement time of the gas container according to the gas consumption or the remaining gas amount,
A gas container exchange system comprising: Furthermore, the storage unit for storing the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing or the meter reading interval,
The processing unit stores or updates the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing or the meter reading interval,
The gas container replacement system according to claim 1, wherein the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval is dynamically changed. Furthermore, an information presentation unit for presenting a gas container replacement date determined based on the next replacement timing ,
A threshold value for determining the gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is set in the gas usage amount or the gas remaining amount of the gas container, and the gas usage amount is greater than or equal to the threshold value or the gas remaining amount. The gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing output by the processing unit is caused to be presented to the information presenting unit when the value is less than or equal to the threshold value. The gas container replacement system described.   The gas container replacement system according to claim 2, wherein the meter reading interval is narrowed to increase the acquisition density of the meter reading data as the gas container nears running out of gas.   The gas container includes a first gas container and a second gas container, and a plurality of gas containers whose use of gas is switched to the second gas container when the first gas container is out of gas. The gas container exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gas container exchange system is a gas container exchange system. A gas container replacement program to be executed by a computer,
A function of acquiring meter reading data representing the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas obtained in a predetermined period from the replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers;
Trend data representing the amount of gas used or the amount of change in the remaining amount of gas in a certain period is created from the meter reading data, and the next meter reading timing is determined from the trend data and acquired at the meter reading timing or the replacement timing. a function of determining the next replacement time of the gas container according to the gas consumption or the remaining gas amount,
A gas container replacement program for realizing the above by the computer. Further, a threshold value for determining a gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is set in the gas usage amount or the gas remaining amount of the gas container, and the gas usage amount is equal to or more than the threshold value or the gas remaining amount. when the amount is the threshold or less, the determining the gas container replacement date based on the next exchange timing, characterized in that it comprises a function of presenting the information presentation unit, the gas according to claim 6 Container change program.   Furthermore, the said meter-reading data acquired at the said meter-reading timing, the said trend data, the said meter-reading timing, and the function to store or update in a memory | storage part are included, The function to store or update the said is included. Gas container replacement program.   The gas container replacement program according to claim 8, further comprising a function of increasing the acquisition density of the meter reading data by narrowing the meter reading interval as the gas container nears running out of gas. Receiving meter-reading data from a data acquisition unit that acquires meter-reading data representing the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas obtained in a predetermined period from the replacement timing or meter-reading timing of at least one gas container among a single or a plurality of gas containers, Trend data representing the amount of gas used or the amount of change in the remaining amount of gas in a certain period is created from the meter reading data, the meter reading timing is determined from the trend data on and after the next time, and acquired at the meter reading timing or the replacement timing. A processing unit for determining the next replacement timing of the gas container according to the meter reading value;
A storage unit for storing the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval;
An information presentation unit for presenting the next replacement timing of the gas container;
A gas container exchange device comprising: A threshold value for determining a gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is set in the gas usage amount or the gas remaining amount of the gas container, and the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value or the gas remaining amount is 11. The gas container replacement according to claim 10, wherein when the value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the information presenting unit is caused to present the gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing output by the processing unit. apparatus.   The gas container exchange device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the meter reading interval is narrowed to increase the acquisition density of the meter reading data as the gas container nears running out of gas.   The gas container includes a first gas container and a second gas container, and a plurality of gas containers whose use of gas is switched to the second gas container when the first gas container is out of gas. The gas container exchange device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the gas container exchange device is a gas container exchange device. A step of acquiring meter reading data representing the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas obtained in a predetermined period from the replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container among the single or plural gas containers;
The processing unit creates trend data representing the amount of change in the gas usage or the remaining amount of gas over a certain period from the meter reading data, determines the next meter reading timing from the trend data, the meter reading timing or the replacement timing determining a next exchange timing of the gas container in according to the obtained gas consumption or the remaining gas amount,
A gas container replacement method comprising:   Further, the processing unit includes a step of storing or updating the meter reading data, the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval in the storage unit, and dynamically stores the trend data, the meter reading timing, or the meter reading interval. The gas container replacement method according to claim 14, wherein the gas container is changed. Further, a threshold value for determining a gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing is set in the gas usage amount or the gas remaining amount of the gas container, and the gas usage amount is equal to or more than the threshold value or the gas remaining amount. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of causing the information presenting unit to present the gas container replacement date based on the next replacement timing output by the processing unit when the amount is equal to or less than the threshold value. Item 16. The gas container replacement method according to Item 15.   The gas container replacement method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of increasing the acquisition density of the meter reading data by narrowing the meter reading interval as the gas container nears running out of gas.   The gas container includes a first gas container and a second gas container, and includes a step of switching the use of the gas to the second gas container when the first gas container is out of gas. The gas container replacement method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the gas container replacement method is characterized.

Images