JP6364571B1 - Gas supply management system, gas supply management method, information transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

A gas supply management system, a gas supply management method, and an information transmission device capable of efficiently performing operations such as metering, security, and delivery of LP gas and reducing the cost and labor associated with introduction. I will provide a. The gas supply management system 10 includes an information transmission unit 11, a collection unit 31, and a management unit 13. The information transmission unit 11 is connected to gas meters 21 provided in the gas containers 20 of a plurality of supply destination facilities U, respectively. Then, the information from the gas meter 21 is acquired and transmitted to the collecting means 31, the collecting means 31 collects the information transmitted from the information transmitting means 11, and the management means 13 is based on the information. The usage amount calculation means 137 calculates the gas usage amount for each gas container 20, and the delivery prediction means 138 predicts the scheduled delivery date of the gas container 20 for each supply destination facility U. [Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply system, a gas supply method, and an information transmission device for efficiently performing meter reading and delivery of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas.

  Conventionally, as a method of concentrating the metering of the amount of LP gas used at multiple supply facilities and monitoring the gas usage state, a communication transmission unit (NCU) is connected to a gas meter, and a communication line is connected. There is known a system that detects a remaining amount of gas in an LP gas cylinder and collects a charge by connecting to a centralized management apparatus via the terminal (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, city gas companies will develop a gas smart meter system that performs safety monitoring, remote shut-off operation, and automatic meter reading using a smart meter that can be connected to a new communication interface (U-bus) capable of high-speed packet communication. Has also been done.

JP 2008-117247 A

  However, there are various problems in the above system at present, and the spread as a gas supply system that efficiently performs metering and delivery of the amount of LP gas used has not progressed. As one of the problems, a drive power source of a communication device (for example, the above-mentioned transmission device or device such as a gas smart meter) for automatically acquiring information from the LP gas meter and transmitting the information to the management device is used. Electrical work to ensure and connection work with the communication device or communication line is essential, and the cost is compared with the labor cost for periodic manual inspection (eg once a month). Can be expensive. In addition, at present, there are many cases where it is necessary to rely on the communication infrastructure on the LP gas customer (contractor) side, and construction and settings are required each time the communication technology changes. There is also a problem that the labor is increased.

  In addition, even a gas smart meter system that has been developed for city gas is difficult to use as it is due to circumstances peculiar to LP gas meters that are different from city gas meters. Specifically, (1) The LP gas meter does not have a power source for uploading information to the network. (2) The location of the LP gas meter is within a predetermined range (region) when viewed by each LP gas company. Even if there is, it is scattered without being crowded, and it is difficult to relate information between LP gas meters. (3) The owner of the LP gas meter (LP gas supplier) is in a predetermined range (region), for example. Even if it is a customer, there may be differences, and there is a problem such as the lack of an external infrastructure to realize communication for comprehensively acquiring information of a predetermined range (region) or all customers. It is not progressing.

  Furthermore, there is a situation peculiar to LP gas companies as a factor that the above-described gas supply system for efficiently performing meter reading and delivery of LP gas is not widespread. Specifically, if the LP gas supplier is different, meter reading by another meter reader is required even if it is a neighbor, and meter reading work becomes inefficient. Even if the meter reading can be automated, delivery of the gas container (gas cylinder) is indispensable, and even if it is a neighbor, delivery (exchange) is not possible if the delivery person of the gas container is different. In addition, currently, the LP gas meter is read monthly (acquisition of the guideline value), and the usage accuracy is low, so that consumers cannot use LP gas. Exchange must be performed in the presence of a fresh gas. Thus, it is inefficient from the viewpoint of delivery. Even if a new LP gas meter such as a smart meter is developed, the expiration date of the LP gas meter is 10 years from the date of manufacture, and it depends on the management resources and business scale of the LP gas company. In some cases, investment in LP gas meters is reluctant, and it is difficult to replace LP gas meters in a batch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can efficiently perform operations such as meter reading, security, and delivery, and can reduce costs and labor related to introduction, a gas supply management system, and gas supply management It is an object to provide a method and an information transmission apparatus.

The present invention is a gas supply management system comprising an information transmission means, a collection means, a management means, a storage means, and a network to which these are connected , wherein the information transmission means includes a plurality of supply destination facilities. Each of the gas meters corresponding to the gas containers is connected to acquire information from the gas meter and transmit it to the collecting means. The collecting means is a base station or a terminal connected to the base station, and is transmitted from the information transmitting means. The storage means stores the information collected by the collection means, and the management means is configured to obtain the information from the storage means via a network, and means has a use amount calculating means, and the delivery prediction means, wherein the use amount calculating unit is an unit that calculates and outputs the gas amount for each of the gas container on the basis of the information The delivery predicting means is a can be calculated daily predicted usage at a future date, a means for predicting the delivery date of the gas container for each of the supply destination facility, the delivery predicting means , Based on the reference gas usage in a predetermined period in the past, a unit predicted usage change amount that is an increase or decrease in usage from the previous day on the day to be predicted is calculated, and the number of days until the day to be predicted is calculated Calculating the predicted usage change amount on the day to be predicted by accumulating the unit predicted usage change amount, and calculating the predicted usage amount based on the predicted usage change amount;
This is a gas supply management system.

Further, the present invention is a gas supply management system comprising information transmission means , collection means, and management means , wherein the information transmission means is connected to gas meters corresponding to gas containers at a plurality of supply destination facilities, respectively. The information acquired from the gas meter is acquired and transmitted to the collecting means, and the collecting means is a terminal capable of mobile communication for collecting the information transmitted from the information transmitting means. An information transmission request is transmitted to the information transmission means at an arbitrary timing for a predetermined period, and the information transmission means periodically receives the information transmission request from the terminal, and the information transmission request is received based on the information transmission request. To the terminal, the terminal receives the information transmitted from the information transmitting means and transmits the information to the managing means. The managing means includes a usage amount calculating means, a delivery schedule Means for obtaining the information collected by the collecting means via a network, and based on the information, calculating and outputting a gas usage amount for each gas container by the usage amount calculating means, A gas supply management system , wherein a delivery prediction unit predicts a scheduled delivery date of the gas container for each of the supply destination facilities .

In addition, the present invention is a terminal that acquires information from the gas meter by an information transmission unit connected to a gas meter corresponding to a gas container of a plurality of supply destination facilities, and connects to the base station or the base station via a network. Transmitting to the collection means; storing the information collected by the collection means in the storage means via the network; and managing means obtaining the information from the storage means, and based on the information, The step of calculating and outputting the amount of gas used for each gas container and the management means predict the next delivery date of the gas container for each supply destination facility based on the information, and schedule the delivery Identifying the supply facility to be delivered based on a date, and a gas supply management method comprising: calculating the amount of gas used Based on the reference gas usage in a predetermined period in the past, a unit predicted usage change amount that is an increase or decrease in usage from the previous day on the day to be predicted is calculated, and the unit for the number of days until the day to be predicted A gas supply characterized in that the predicted usage change amount is accumulated by calculating the predicted usage change amount on the day to be predicted, and the daily predicted usage amount on a future date is calculated based on the predicted usage change amount. It is a management method.

Further, according to the present invention , the collection means, which is a terminal capable of mobile communication , transmits information over a predetermined period at an arbitrary timing to the information transmission means connected to the gas meters corresponding to the gas containers of a plurality of supply destination facilities. Transmitting a request; and the information transmitting means periodically receives the information transmission request from the terminal, acquires information from the gas meter based on the information transmission request, and transmits the information to the terminal. A step of acquiring, via a network, the information acquired by the collecting unit, a step of calculating and outputting a gas usage amount for each gas container based on the information, Predicting the next scheduled delivery date of the gas container for each destination facility based on the information, and before delivering based on the forecasted scheduled delivery date And a step of identifying a supply destination facilities, a gas supply management method characterized by.
Moreover, this invention is a program characterized by making a computer perform the gas supply management method as described above.
Further, the present invention is an information transmission device constituting the information transmission means in the gas supply management system described above, wherein the replaceable battery, a connection part connected to an external terminal of the gas meter, and the gas meter An information transmission apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the information from a communication unit; and a communication unit that is capable of transmitting the information to the collection unit via the network.

  According to the present invention, a gas supply management system, a gas supply management method, and information transmission that can efficiently perform operations such as meter reading, security, and delivery and can reduce costs and labor related to introduction can be reduced. An apparatus can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram showing typically the composition of the gas supply management system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining the information transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) The schematic which shows typically the structure of an information transmitter, (b) The block diagram which shows the structure of an information transmitter, (c) It is a block diagram which shows the function of an information transmitter. It is a figure explaining the portable terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) The block diagram which shows the structure of a portable terminal, (b) The block diagram which shows the function of a portable terminal. It is a figure explaining the management apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) The block diagram which shows the structure of a management apparatus, (b) The block diagram which shows the function of a management apparatus, (c) Information of management apparatus It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of management of. . It is the schematic explaining the prediction method of the scheduled delivery date by the delivery prediction means which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the prediction method of the delivery route by the delivery prediction means concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows processing of an information transmitter, a personal digital assistant, and a management device in a gas supply management system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the geographic information display means which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of (a) usage-amount data which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (b) It is a figure which shows an example of delivery prediction data. It is a schematic diagram showing typically the composition of the gas supply management system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the management apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) The schematic diagram which shows typically the structure of a management apparatus, (b) The block diagram which shows the function of a management apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the process in the delivery management means and portable terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the threshold value which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the calculation formula used with the prediction calculation process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the prediction calculation process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the prediction calculation process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
<Overall configuration>
Hereinafter, the gas supply management system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the gas supply management system 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information transmission unit 11 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information transmission unit 11, and FIG. 2C is a block diagram showing a function of the information transmission unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas supply management system 10 displays information from the LP gas meters 21 respectively provided in a plurality of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas supply destination facilities U at a frequency higher than monthly (for example, in one month). By collecting at a frequency that is higher (more frequent) than once a week or once a week, LP gas meter reading, security, delivery, etc. are performed efficiently. Information transmitting means (information transmitting device) 11 that connects and acquires information from each LP gas meter 21, and a plurality of portable terminals 12 that are communicably connected to information transmitting device 11 via network (communication line) NW1 And a management means (management device) 13 connected to the network NW1, and a provider server device 14 connected to the management device 13 via the network NW2. Here, the supply facility U is, for example, an LP gas installation facility provided in or near the site of a residential facility (a detached house, an apartment house, an office, etc.) of an LP gas contractor. This is where the gas is installed.

  The network NW1 to which the portable terminal 12, the information transmission device 11, and the management device 13 are connected is, for example, a wireless mobile communication network (including a base station) or a wireless data communication network using a wireless LAN system such as WiFi (registered trademark). A wireless data communication network based on a short-range wireless communication standard (a wireless PAN system such as Bluetooth (registered trademark)), a wireless MAN system such as WiMAX (registered trademark), a wireless data communication network based on a wireless WAN system, etc. The network NW2 to which the device 13 and the provider server device 14 are connected is a communication line constructed by, for example, a LAN, the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a gateway, or the like. The network NW2 only needs to be a line that can communicate with each other, and the form of communication may be wired or wireless.

<Information transmission means>
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (a), the information transmitting apparatus 11 is connected to LP gas meters 21 corresponding to the gas containers (gas cylinders) 20 arranged in a plurality of LP gas supply destination facilities U, It is a device that acquires information from the LP gas meter 21 (hereinafter referred to as gas meter information) and transmits it to the portable terminal 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, the information transmission device 11 is attached to, for example, an LP gas supply pipe 25, and is connected to an external terminal 22 of each LP gas meter 21 via a wired connection means 23. A connection unit 111 to be connected, an acquisition unit 112 that acquires and stores gas meter information of each LP gas meter 21, a communication unit 113 for performing wireless communication with the portable terminal 12 via the network NW, and a battery 114 And a control unit 115 for controlling various components, a memory 116, and the like.

  Here, the “gas meter information” refers to a unique number (for example, a production number) that can identify each LP gas meter 21 (gas cylinder 20), a guideline value indicating the amount of gas used for each gas cylinder 20 in a predetermined period, and security information. (Information for monitoring the pressure of each gas cylinder 20 and detecting gas leakage and the like) and information including at least the acquisition date (meter reading date) of these pieces of information.

  The information transmission device 11 uses a built-in battery (a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium ion battery) that can be exchanged together with the LP gas meter) 114 as a power source, and controls the entire information transmission device 11 stored in the memory 116 by the control unit 115. Processing for executing various software programs for realizing the operation, processing for transferring control signals and data, and the like are performed.

  The memory 116 stores a software program for performing an information transmission process, and the information transmission apparatus 11 executes the information transmission process by executing the program. As a result of this information transmission processing, the information transmission apparatus 11 includes an information transmission request receiving unit 117 that receives an information transmission request from the portable terminal 12, and an individual information transmission unit 118 that transmits gas meter information for each LP gas meter to the portable terminal 12. (C) in FIG.

  The information transmission request receiving means (information transmission request receiving process) 117 receives the information transmission request from the portable terminal 12 periodically (for example, once every 30 seconds) via the communication unit 113. That is, for example, in the information transmission apparatus 11, the standby mode in which the information transmission request reception unit 117 does not function and the reception mode in which the information transmission request reception unit 11 functions periodically switch automatically. That is, the information transmission request receiving unit 11 functions periodically. Further, the individual information transmission means (individual information transmission processing) 118 acquires the gas meter information from the LP gas meter 21 via the connection unit 111 when the information transmission request reception means 117 receives the information transmission request, or Gas meter information that is periodically acquired in advance and stored in the memory 116 or the like is transmitted (wireless transmission) to the mobile terminal 12 via the network NW.

<Mobile device>
The mobile terminal 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 12, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the function of the mobile terminal 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the portable terminal 12 is a terminal device carried by a meter reader (meter meter) of the LP gas meter 21, a deliverer of the gas cylinder 20, or a person in charge of the LP gas supply source, or the gas cylinder 20 Is a terminal device attached to a delivery vehicle or the like capable of mobile communication, receives and collects gas meter information transmitted from the information transmitting device 11, and transmits the gas meter information to the management device 13 via the network NW1. (Upload). The mobile terminal 12 is preferably a conventionally known smartphone, tablet terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., but can also be realized by a notebook computer, a handy terminal (dedicated terminal) capable of mobile communication, a mobile phone, etc. can do. Here, “supplier” of LP gas refers to LP gas contractors (consumers) such as LP gas companies, branches of each LP gas company, filling stations, distribution centers, retailers, etc. It is a general term for those who supply LP gas.

  The portable terminal 12 includes a CPU (control unit) 120, a display unit (display unit, display) 121, an input unit 122, a memory 123, a communication unit 124, and the like. The input means 122 is a general term for means for inputting information such as characters, images, and voices to the mobile terminal 12, and includes, for example, a keyboard (touch panel) for inputting characters, a camera that captures an object and inputs (stores) it as an image, A microphone for inputting (storing) audio.

  The CPU 120 performs processing for executing various software programs (application programs), operating systems (OS), etc. for realizing the operation of the entire mobile terminal 13 stored in the memory 123, and data necessary for executing the programs. And processing for storing the file and the like in the memory 123 and the like.

  The communication unit 124 communicates with the information transmission apparatus 11 and the management apparatus 13 via the network NW1.

  The memory 123 stores a software program (application program) for performing information collection processing and the like, and the portable terminal 12 executes information collection processing by executing the program. This information collection process includes a geographic information display process, an information transmission request process, and an information acceptance transmission process, whereby the portable terminal 12 can receive the geographic information display means 127, the information transmission request means 128, and the information acceptance transmission means. The function as 129 or the like is realized ((b) in the figure).

  The geographic information display means (geographic information display processing) 127 is an application program that implements a so-called mapping system that displays at least the position information of the gas cylinder 20 (and gas pipes) on the electronic map (processing executed thereby). It is. An electronic map within a predetermined range (distance) centered on the position of the mobile terminal 12 and the same supplier (for example, an LP gas company (or its branch or retailer) etc. are present by the geographical information display means 127. )) Possessed (consumer who has contracted with the same gas company), the position information of the gas cylinder 20 can be grasped. Specifically, when the mobile terminal 12 is present at a certain information acquisition point (meter reading point), the geographic information display means 127 causes a predetermined range from the information acquisition point (for example, a radius of about 200 m to 300 m centering on the information acquisition point). And the position of the gas cylinder 20 (LP gas meter 21) as the metering target of the same supply source existing within the range can be displayed on the display means 121 of the portable terminal 12.

  The information transmission request means (information transmission request processing) 128 is a period longer than a predetermined period (in this example, the reception cycle of the information transmission request reception means 117 (30 seconds in this example)) with respect to the information transmission apparatus 11 (for example, 1 )), The information transmission request is transmitted, the gas meter information transmitted from the information transmission device 11 is received, and the location information of the gas cylinder 20 (supplier facility) is associated with the management device 13. The gas meter information is transmitted.

  That is, when an information transmission request is transmitted to the information transmitting apparatus 11 at an information acquisition point where the information transmission request unit 128 of the mobile terminal 12 is present, the geographic information display unit 127 displays an electronic map within the predetermined range from the information acquisition point and the range within that range. The position of the gas cylinder 20 (LP gas meter 21) that is the target of meter reading from the same supply source is displayed on the display means 121 of the portable terminal 12. Then, the information transmission device 11 connected to all the LP gas meters 21 displayed on the display unit 121 transmits the gas meter information to the portable terminal 12. And the portable terminal 12 links | relates the positional information on the LP gas meter 21 used as the object with the geographic information display means 127, and the received gas meter information, and transmits (uploads) it to the management apparatus 13 via the network NW1. In addition, when the gas meter information of the same LP gas meter 21 is transmitted from the portable terminal 12 on the same day, the information of the management device 13 is overwritten (updated) with the latest gas meter information.

  At this time, there is a case where the gas meter information cannot be received even though the portable terminal 12 has transmitted the information transmission request due to the deterioration of the communication status. Therefore, the geographic information display unit 127 is configured to be able to display on the display unit 121 whether or not the acquisition of the gas meter information for each target LP gas meter 21 is successful. Thereby, the carry person of the portable terminal 12 can grasp | ascertain the position of the LP gas meter 21 in which acquisition of gas meter information failed.

  When there is an LP gas meter 21 in which acquisition of gas meter information has failed, the person carrying the portable terminal 12 transmits an information transmission request again by moving from the information acquisition point as necessary to reacquire the gas meter information. Try.

  When the gas meter information cannot be acquired based on the information transmission request, the person carrying the portable terminal 12 acquires the gas meter information by the information reception / transmission means (information reception / transmission process) 129. The information acceptance / transmission means 129 is an application program for accepting an input of gas meter information by a person (user) of the portable terminal 12 and transmitting the gas meter information to the management device 13.

  The information reception / transmission means (information reception / transmission process) 129 displays, for example, position information (a map, an address, etc.) of the LP gas meter 21 for which gas meter information could not be acquired on the display means 121 of the portable terminal 12. Based on the position information, the user of the mobile terminal 12 goes to the location of the LP gas meter 21 where the gas meter information could not be acquired. For example, the user of the mobile terminal 12 photographs the LP gas meter 21 with the camera (input means 122) of the mobile terminal 12 The image data is input to the acceptance transmission means 129. The information reception / transmission means 129 character-recognizes the unique number of the LP gas meter 21, a guideline value indicating the amount of gas used, and security information from the input image data of the LP gas meter 21, and displays the character information and geographic information. The position information acquired from the means 127 is linked and stored in the memory 123 of the portable terminal 12 as gas meter information together with the acquisition date (meter reading date) of the gas meter information. Alternatively, the information reception / transmission unit 129 inputs character information such as a unique number of the LP gas meter 21, a guideline value indicating the amount of gas used, and security information by operating the touch panel (input unit 122) of the portable terminal 12 of the carry person. Is stored in the memory 123 of the portable terminal 12 as gas meter information. Then, the information reception / transmission means 129 associates the gas meter information with the position information of the LP gas meter 21 acquired from the geographical information display means 127, and together with the acquisition date (the meter reading date) of the gas meter information, the network NW1 (for example, a wireless mobile object) The data is transmitted (uploaded) to the management apparatus 13 via a communication line or a wireless LAN.

  For example, when there is a member that shields radio waves around the information transmission device 11, the gas meter information cannot be acquired by the mobile terminal 12. This problem also occurs in the smart meter. In the present embodiment, even when the portable terminal 12 cannot acquire the gas meter information by wireless communication with the information transmission device 11, the gas meter information is acquired by the auxiliary information reception / transmission means 129, and the management device 13 receives the gas meter information. Information can be sent. Further, when the information reception / transmission means 129 is configured to acquire the gas meter information from the image data of the LP gas meter 21 photographed by the camera of the portable terminal 12, evidence of meter reading execution can be left.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by connecting the information transmission device 11 including the battery (rechargeable battery) 114 and including the communication unit 113 that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 12 to the existing LP gas meter 21, The gas meter information of the LP gas meter 21 can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 12 and transmitted from the mobile terminal 12 to the management device 13 in real time. By doing in this way, gas meter information can be automatically acquired when needed using the existing LP gas meter 11 which does not have a permanent communication power supply. In addition, the mobile terminal 12 transmits an information transmission request for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute) at an arbitrary timing, and the information transmission apparatus 11 performs an information transmission request process for receiving the information transmission request from the mobile terminal 12. By performing it periodically (for example, once every 30 seconds), power consumption of the information transmitting apparatus 11 can be minimized.

<Management means>
The management means 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management means 13, FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the function of the management means 13, and FIG. 2C is managed by the management apparatus 13. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of information (gas meter management information).

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the management device 13 is connected to the mobile terminal 12 via a network NW1 such as a mobile communication line, and connects the operator server 14 to a network NW2 such as the Internet or a dedicated line. For example, a server device (or a personal computer (PC)) is connected via the CPU 130, ROM 131, RAM 132, storage means (storage device) 133, input means 134, display means 135, communication means 136, and the like.

  The CPU 130 executes various software programs (application programs), operating systems (OS), and the like for realizing the operation of the entire management apparatus 13 stored in the ROM 131, the storage device 133, and the like, and executes the programs. Processing for storing necessary data, files, and the like in the RAM 132, the storage device 133, and the like is performed.

  The storage device 133 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like, and can be realized by, for example, a hard disk (HDD). The input unit 134 can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, or the like. The display unit 135 displays, for example, a response output in response to an input from the input unit 134, and can be realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display, or the like.

  When the software program stored in the ROM 131 or the like is read into the work area of the RAM 132 and executed by the CPU 130, the management device 13 executes a gas supply management process. This gas supply management process includes a usage amount calculation process, a delivery prediction process, a geographic information display process, and the like, whereby the management apparatus 13 uses the usage amount calculation means 137, the delivery prediction means 138, and the geographic information display means. The function 139 is realized ((b) in the figure). The software program may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. Further, a database is provided in the storage device 133, and the gas meter information and the positional information of the LP gas meter 21 are stored in association with each other.

  The communication unit 136 communicates with the mobile terminal 12 via the network NW1, and also communicates with the provider server device 14 via the network NW2.

  The provider (supplier) server device 14 is a known server device, and has the same CPU, ROM, RAM, storage means, input means, display means, communication means (all not shown) and the like as the management device 13. The storage means has information that can be accessed only by a specific operator (who has a specific authority) (for example, personal information of a contractor (consumer) of the LP gas meter 21 (LP gas), etc.) ) Is stored.

  That is, in this embodiment, the gas meter management information is stored in the database of the management device 13. As an example, the gas meter management information includes gas meter information (and positional information of the LP gas meter 21) as shown in FIG. 5C, while personal information of a contractor (consumer) of the LP gas meter 21 is included. Absent. The personal information of the LP gas contractor (consumer) corresponds to the gas meter information of the management device 13 by acquiring it from the server device 14 for business operators as necessary (for example, by a delivery prediction means 138 described later). Attached. In other words, the portable terminal 13 carried by the meter reader or the delivery person is configured so that personal information of the LP gas contractor cannot be held (stored or displayed).

  In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the portable terminal 13 is configured so that the personal information of the LP gas contractor cannot be stored (stored or displayed), and is associated with the position information in the management device 13. The personal information of the contractor (consumer) of the LP gas meter 21 may be held.

  Further, when the portable terminal 12 cannot acquire the gas meter information (when it is necessary to acquire the gas meter information by the information reception / transmission means 129 of the portable terminal 12), only the target LP gas meter 21 has the contract. The person name or the like may be acquired from the management apparatus 13 or may be acquired from the business server apparatus 14 via the management apparatus 13 and temporarily displayed.

  The management device 13 manages only information related to a single supply source (for example, each LP gas company, a branch of each LP gas company, a filling station, a delivery center, a retailer, etc.) as the gas meter management information. The information regarding a some supply source may be managed for every supply source. When the management device 13 manages information on a plurality of suppliers for each supplier, a plurality of the management devices 13 shown in FIG. 1 may be provided for each supplier, One or a plurality of management devices 13 may manage information regarding a plurality of suppliers for each supplier. In addition, when the management device 13 manages information on a plurality of suppliers for each supplier, the operator server device 14 is contracted by each operator (who has specific authority). One or more are provided so that only the information of the person can be accessed.

  FIG. 4C is an example of gas meter management information held by one management apparatus 13 and shows an example in which information on a plurality of supply sources (for example, LP gas companies) is managed for each supply source. FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the management device 13 has a gas meter management information in which a unique number of LP gas held by each supply source is associated with each of a plurality of supply sources (for example, LP gas companies). (Database) is held (information other than the unique number may be included). Each supplier is identified by a supplier identification number. On the other hand, the server 14 (14A, 14B, 14C...) For the provider (supplier) is provided, for example, for each LP gas company (or other supply source such as a branch). Holds personal information only for contractors contracted by business operators (only in-house contractors).

  When there is a request from each business server 14 (14A, 14B, 14C...), The management device 13 downloads the LP gas unique number associated with the supplier identification number of the business operator. Thereby, each LP gas company can acquire the unique number of LP gas only for its own contractor. Then, each LP gas company acquires personal information corresponding to each unique number from its own company server device 14 based on the acquired unique number.

  Specifically, for example, when there is a request from the operator server 14A owned by the LP gas operator A (supplier identification number “ID01”), the management device 13 uses the supplier identification number “ID01” as a key. The download of the specific numbers (in this example, “0001” to “0004”) of the corresponding plurality of LP gases is permitted to the business server 14A. The LP gas company A can acquire the unique number of the LP gas only for its own contractor, and acquires personal information corresponding to each unique number from its own company server device 14A based on the unique number.

  Similarly, when there is a request from the operator server 14B held by the LP gas operator B (supplier identification number “ID02”), the unique numbers of the corresponding LP gases using the supplier identification number “ID02” as a key (In this example, “0005”, “0006”...) Is downloaded to the business server 14B, and the business server owned by the LP gas business C (supplier identification number “ID03”). When there is a request from 14C, the provider server downloads the corresponding unique numbers (in this example, “00010”, “0011”...) Of a plurality of LP gases using the supplier identification number “ID03” as a key. Allow for 14C. The LP gas company B acquires personal information corresponding to each unique number from its own company server device 14B, and the LP gas company C receives personal information corresponding to each unique number from its company server device 14C. To get.

  In this way, information of a plurality of suppliers can be managed in a lump in the management apparatus 13, and even when managed in a lump, the contractor's personal information is managed for each supplier. be able to.

  In this example, only one management device 13 is shown, but the information of the supply source identification number and the unique number having the configuration shown in FIG.

  The geographic information display means (geographic information display process) 139 is the same (common) mapping system (process executed thereby) as the geographic information display means 127 of the portable terminal 12.

  The used amount calculating means (used amount calculating process) 137 is based on the gas used amount (guideline value) of the gas meter information received from the portable terminal 12 and the gas meter management information shown in FIG. The amount of gas used (guideline value) and the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 are calculated and stored in the storage means 133 for each LP gas meter 21. An example of data managed (generated or used) by the usage calculation means (usage calculation processing) 137 will be described later (see FIG. 9). The supplier notifies the output result (the meter reading result) to the consumer.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, since the meter reading of the LP gas meter is performed without visiting each supply destination facility (each household), it is difficult for the consumer to grasp the presence or absence of meter reading. Therefore, when the supplier has registered the e-mail address of the consumer in advance and the meter is read (when the gas meter information is received from the portable terminal 12 on the information reception date, or from the usage calculation means 137 of the management device 13). When the meter reading result is output), the execution of meter reading is notified by e-mail. In addition, a portal site for each consumer is prepared in the management device 13 and the like, and a meter reading result and a bill for the usage amount are presented on the portal site. Traditionally, meter readers visit each supply facility (each household) and notify the meter reading results by posting, or centrally manage the meter reading results and mail the meter reading result and bills for the amount used. However, by notifying the meter reading result and presenting the bill for the usage amount on the portal site for each consumer, it is possible to greatly reduce the costs associated with the meter reading result notification and the issuance of the bill. In the portal site, a change in the past usage amount for each user or a future usage amount prediction based on the past usage amount may be performed. In addition, a meter reading result notification and a bill for the amount used may be mailed to the applicant.

  The delivery prediction means (delivery prediction processing) 138 is based on the usage amount of the gas cylinder 20 and the gas meter management information shown in FIG. 4C, and the supply source (LP gas operator, branch, filling station, delivery center, retailer, etc.) ) To predict the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder 20 and the optimal delivery route. An example of data managed (generated or used) by the delivery prediction means (delivery prediction process) 138 will be described later (see FIG. 9).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for predicting a scheduled delivery date by the delivery predicting means 138. The delivery predicting means 138 receives an input of a delivery date (actual delivery date, previous delivery date) of the gas cylinder 20 for each supply destination facility U, and stores the delivery date (previous delivery date). It memorize | stores in 133 (1). And, for example, based on the usage amount of the same month in the past for each supply destination facility U, the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 is a predetermined amount (for example, when the total amount of the two gas cylinders 20 is 100%, (For example, a date two months after the previous delivery date) is set as a provisional next delivery date and stored in the storage means 133 (2). Thereafter, a plurality of (for example, twice) information reception dates are set between the previous delivery date and the provisional next delivery date (3). This information reception date is the reception date of the gas meter information transmitted from the portable terminal 12, and from the portable terminal 12, the gas meter information (including the guide value of the gas usage amount) is transmitted to the management device 13 in real time after meter reading. Therefore, it is a meter reading date by the portable terminal 12. The delivery prediction unit 138 sets a date after a predetermined period (for example, one week) from the previous delivery date as the first information reception date, and the predetermined period (for example, one week) has elapsed from the first information reception date. The later date is set as the second information reception date.

  Then, when the meter reading is performed on the first information reception date and the gas meter information transmitted from the portable terminal 12 is received, the remaining amount of gas in the target gas cylinder 20 is calculated by the usage amount calculation unit 137, and the previous delivery Based on the amount of decrease from the remaining gas amount (100%) in the day, the predicted day when the remaining gas amount in the gas cylinder 20 becomes a predetermined amount (approximately 20% of the total gas amount) is predicted again (4) Then, the provisional next delivery date is reset to update the provisional next delivery date in the storage means 133 (5).

  If the meter reading is performed on the second information reception date and the gas meter information transmitted from the portable terminal 12 is received, the remaining amount of gas in the target gas cylinder 20 is calculated by the usage amount calculating means 137, and the first In accordance with the amount of decrease from the remaining amount of gas on the information reception date, the predicted day when the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 becomes a predetermined amount (approximately 20% of the remaining amount of gas) is predicted again (6) Then, the next delivery date is determined, and the provisional next delivery date stored in the storage means 133 is updated (7). Hereinafter, the determined next delivery date in FIG. 5 (7) may be referred to as “next delivery date (determined)”. The next delivery date (determination) is not changed in principle, but may be changed (advanced or advanced) depending on circumstances (8), which will be described later.

  In this example, the case where the information reception date is set twice between the previous delivery date and the provisional next delivery date has been described as an example. However, the information reception date may be set twice or more (for example, 2 to 5 times). Etc.). In other words, the information reception date can be arbitrarily set, and the accuracy of prediction is higher when the period of the plurality of information reception dates is shorter (the information reception date is set more frequently). Further, for example, when the gas meter information is acquired (unscheduled) by the portable terminal 12 on a date other than the set information reception date (for example, after the meter reading of another LP gas meter 21 is performed, the gas meter of the unscheduled LP gas meter 21) For example, when the information can also be acquired), the delivery prediction unit 138 accepts the input of unscheduled gas meter information at any time. Based on the latest received gas meter information, the provisional next delivery date is updated as needed.

  Further, even when the information reception date is set a plurality of times, the remaining gas amount calculated based on the gas meter information acquired on the first information reception date is already less than a predetermined amount (for example, about 20% or less of the whole). In such a case, for example, one week later is determined as the next delivery date, and the second and subsequent information reception dates are not processed.

  When the next delivery date is determined for each supply destination facility U in this way, the delivery predicting means 138 sets the same next delivery date as a first condition (grouping condition), and supplies a plurality of supply destinations. Facilities are grouped and an optimal delivery route is predicted for each group.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of delivery route prediction by the delivery predicting means 138.

  The delivery predicting means 138 performs a first grouping process based on the above grouping condition (that the same next delivery date is set) to group a plurality of supply destination facilities.

  Here, the next delivery date is, for example, the last date predicted after a predetermined amount (for example, 20% of the total) that does not become exhausted without remaining gas remaining in the gas cylinder 20 (after that) Is the delivery deadline date when there is a risk of a shortage of gas remaining.

  Further, the delivery predicting means 138 uses a special situation as the second condition (grouping special condition) to change the group (second grouping process, group change process) for the supply destination facility U belonging to a certain group. )It can be performed. For example, the group is changed based on the first condition (grouping condition) by changing (updating) the next delivery date (the next delivery date in FIG. 5 (7)) that has already been determined. It can be changed by performing one grouping process.

  For example, since the next delivery date is later than the next delivery date of group A, even for a supply destination facility U that does not belong to the same group A, for example, delivery efficiency, gas remaining amount, etc. (delivery priority) In consideration of special circumstances (grouping special conditions), it may be desirable to include them in the determined group A. In such a case, the delivery predicting means 138 uses the next delivery date determined in FIG. 5 (7) for the supply destination facility U based on the special grouping condition (second grouping condition). The next delivery date is changed by advancing the date (carrying forward) (FIG. 5 (8)). Then, the delivery predicting means 138 performs the first grouping process to include the supply destination facility U in the group A, and determines the most efficient delivery route in the group A.

  In addition, since there is a limit to the number of gas cylinders that can be loaded on one delivery vehicle, if there are many supply destination facilities U belonging to a certain group (for example, group A) delivered on the same day, supply with one delivery vehicle. The original BC and the supply destination facility U in the group A are reciprocated several times or delivered to one group A by a plurality of delivery vehicles. In this case, for the supply destination facility U in the group A, the most efficient delivery route in the case of making a round trip to and from the supply source BC with one delivery vehicle is determined. Alternatively, for the supply destination facility U in the group A, the most efficient delivery route for each delivery vehicle when delivering by a plurality of delivery vehicles is determined. In any case, the supply destination facility U grouped in the first grouping process is preferentially delivered.

  In other words, based on the special grouping condition (second grouping condition), for example, if the group A includes a supply destination facility Ud whose next delivery date is advanced, even if the delivery route becomes somewhat inefficient, The delivery facilities Ua, Ub... Of the original group A are preferentially delivered, and when the gas cylinders 20 are left, they are delivered to the supply facility Ud brought forward. When it is certain that there is room in the gas cylinder 20 that can be loaded before delivery, the most efficient delivery route including the forwarded supply facility Ud may be determined, or the forwarded supply may be determined. In the case where the delivery of a plurality of times (multiple units) becomes inefficient due to the existence of the facility Ud, the most efficient delivery route is determined for the supply facility Ud without advancing the next delivery date. It may be.

  A specific description will be given with reference to FIG. In this example, by the first grouping process of the delivery predicting means 138, the next delivery date (denoted as “K” in FIG. 6) is assigned to the group A on October 1 as the supply destination facilities Ua, Ub,. Supply facility Uc, Ud ... in group B on October 2 ... Supply facility Ue, Uf ... in group C on October 3 ... Supply facility in group J on October 10 Assume that Ug, Uh... Are grouped.

  The delivery prediction unit 138 performs a second grouping process based on the second condition as necessary. That is, based on the second condition, for example, when it is desirable to include the supply destination facility Ud of the group B, the supply destination facility Ue of the group C, and the supply destination facility Ug of the group J in the group A, the supply destination facilities Ud, Ue , Ug's next delivery date (determination) is changed to October 1 which is the next delivery date (determination) of group A (FIG. 5 (8)), and the first grouping process is performed again. Accordingly, the supply destination facilities Ud, Ue, Ug belong to the group A, and the gas cylinder 20 is delivered on October 1. That is, if the second condition is met, even if the scheduled delivery date (decision) is the supply destination facility Ug on October 10, the gas cylinder 20 is delivered on October 1 by 9 days. .

  In this example, the second grouping process is a process of changing the next delivery date (determination) based on the second condition (grouping special condition) and regrouping (first grouping process). However, the process is not limited to this example as long as the determined group can be changed based on the second condition. For example, group information for each supply destination facility may be registered in a database or the like, and the information may be updated each time based on the second condition.

  In the present embodiment, the first condition (grouping condition) is “the next delivery date (determination) is the same”, but the second condition (grouping special condition) is for each supplier BC. Can be set arbitrarily. For example, conditions for changing the priority of delivery, such as the number of supply destination facilities U included in a given range, the (average) distance between neighboring supply destination facilities U, the mixture of business establishments and general households, etc. In many cases, the situation differs depending on the supplier BC. Therefore, the second condition can be arbitrarily set for each supplier BC, and can be changed as appropriate according to changes in circumstances. Thereby, the delivery prediction according to the circumstances of the supplier BC becomes possible.

  FIG. 6B shows that the second condition is “a short distance from the delivery destination facility to be delivered” and “determine the advance period of the next delivery date according to the distance (a maximum of 3 days)”. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example in the case of performing delivery prediction as.

  Specifically, the distance is classified into, for example, “near”, “medium”, and “far”, and the distance from the supply destination facility Ua belonging to a certain group is “near” but belongs to another group. When there is a supply destination facility Ub, the next delivery date of the supply destination facility Ub is advanced up to three days ago and can be delivered on the same day as the supply destination facility Ua ("Near / -3" in FIG. 6B). ). Similarly, when there is a supply destination facility Ub whose distance from the supply destination facility Ua is “medium”, the next delivery date of the supply destination facility Ub is advanced up to two days in advance (in FIG. 6B, “medium” In the case where there is a supply destination facility Ub whose distance from the supply destination facility Ua is “far”, the next delivery date of the supply destination facility Ub is advanced up to one day in advance (FIG. 6). (B) is expressed as “far / −1”) and can be delivered on the same day as the supply destination facility Ua. That is, in this example, the maximum number of days ahead is increased in the near case, and the group can be changed by giving priority to the delivery efficiency over the remaining gas amount. In other words, “near / −3”, “middle / −2”, and “far / −1” indicate the strength of the possibility of group change, and the closer the distance, the stronger the possibility of group change.

  In FIG. 5B, for convenience of explanation, “near” when a plurality of neighboring supply destination facilities U are connected by a single solid line (for example, supply destination facilities U1 and U2, supply destination facilities U1 and U4), “Medium” when two solid lines are connected (for example, supply facility U1 and U7), for example, “distant” when connected by three or more solid lines (for example, supply facility U1 and U10). In addition, even when the lines are connected by a single solid line, if the distance is as long as “middle” or “far”, a broken line (for example, supply facilities U1 and U9) The distance is classified as “medium” or “far.” It should be noted that the distance means not the straight distance on the map, but the distance on the actual route that the delivery vehicle can travel.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, there is a supply destination facility U1 to U10 in which a certain supply BC is responsible for delivery of the gas cylinder 20, and the next delivery date (determination) of the supply destination facilities U1 to U4 is October 1. The next delivery date (determination) of the supply destination facility U9 is October 2, the next delivery date (determination) of the supply destination facilities U5 and U10 is October 3, and the next delivery date (determination) of the supply destination facility U8 is October. On the 4th, it is assumed that the next delivery date (determination) of the supply destination facilities U6 and U7 is October 5.

  In this case, as indicated by a one-dot chain line, the first grouping process is performed in such a manner that the supply destination facilities U1 to U4 are group A, the supply destination facility U9 is group B, the supply destination facilities U5 and U10 are group C, and the supply destination facilities U8 is classified as group D, and the supply destination facilities U6 and U7 are classified as group E.

  Here, as for the supply destination facility U9, only one delivery is performed on October 2, and it is far from the supply source BC, so that it is not wasteful to change to another group and deliver. Therefore, the second grouping process is performed based on the second condition. In this example, if the distance to the neighboring supply destination facility is “medium” (broken line) according to the second condition, the next delivery date can be advanced two days before, so the delivery predicting means 138 will use the next time for the supply destination facility U9. The delivery date (decision) is changed to October 1 and set to group A again.

  Further, the delivery predicting means 138 determines a route (a route that can be moved along the solid line (or broken line) without waste) that can deliver all of the supply destination facilities U belonging to the group A without waste. The route of the delivery destination facility U9 is changed so that delivery is performed next to the supply destination facility U1 or U4.

  In addition, since the delivery destination facility U8 is delivered only at one location on October 4, and is far from the supply source BC, it is less wasteful to deliver by changing to another group. Therefore, the second grouping process is performed based on the second condition. In this case, for example, since the distance to the supply destination facility U5 via the supply destination facility U7 is “medium” (solid line 2 text), the next delivery date of the supply destination facility U8 is advanced by one day, and October 3 The date may be changed and delivered on the same day as the supply destination facility U5. Alternatively, the distance from the supply destination facility U7 to the supply destination facility U8 is “near”, but the distance from the supply destination facility U6 to the supply destination facility U7 is “medium” (two solid lines or broken lines). The next delivery date of the supply destination facility U7 may be advanced one day, changed to October 4, and delivered on the same day as the supply destination facility U8.

  Further, the delivery predicting unit 138 determines a route (a route that can move without waste along a solid line (or broken line)) that can deliver all of the supply destination facilities U belonging to the group C or the group E without waste.

  In addition, since the total number of gas cylinders 20 in each group exceeds the number of gas cylinders 20 that can be loaded on one delivery vehicle, if multiple (multiple) delivery is required, as described above, the first The most efficient delivery route is determined after the supply destination facilities U grouped by the grouping process (the next delivery date is not advanced) are delivered preferentially (reliably).

  In this way, it is possible to flexibly and efficiently predict delivery routes. Further, the battery 114 of the information transmission device 11 can be appropriately replaced when the gas cylinder 20 is delivered.

  Note that the second grouping process is a process that is performed as necessary. If there is no problem in the efficiency of delivery, it is not always necessary to change the group. Further, when a special situation occurs until the next supply date (conditions are changed as necessary), the group change process (second grouping process) may be performed a plurality of times.

  Further, the delivery predicting means 138 of the present embodiment, even if the next delivery date (decision) is different for the supply destination facility U whose delivery efficiency deteriorates only by grouping only by the next delivery date (decision), The group can be changed, and the above example is merely an example for specifically explaining the group change. That is, the delivery predicting means 138 groups a plurality of supply destination facilities U according to the next delivery date (first condition), and according to special circumstances (second condition) that can be arbitrarily set for each supply source BC. The configuration is not limited to the above example as long as the group can be changed.

<Flow of gas supply management system (gas supply management method)>
Next, the flow (gas supply management method) of the gas supply management system 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing processing of the information transmission device 11, the portable terminal 12 and the management device 13 in the gas supply management system 10, and FIG. 8 is an example of display by the geographic information display means 127 of the portable terminal 12. FIG.

  First, a meter reader (meter meter) of the LP gas meter 21 carries the portable terminal 12 on a preset meter reading day and goes to a predetermined information acquisition point. The person carrying the mobile terminal 12 may be a delivery person of the gas cylinder 20 or an LP gas company. The meter reading date is the information acquisition date (in the above example, the first information reception date and the second information reception date) set by the delivery prediction unit 138 of the management device 13. Further, the information acquisition point is a gas cylinder 20 (LP gas meter 21) supplied by as many LP gas supply companies as possible within a predetermined range centered on the information acquisition point (for example, within a radius of 200 m to 300 m). It is a predetermined point so as to exist as a meter reading target (so that gas meter information can be acquired). Information on the information acquisition points is stored in the storage device 133 of the management device 13 for each predetermined area.

  The meter reader operates the portable terminal 12 at the information acquisition point and performs an information transmission request process. That is, an information transmission request is transmitted to the information transmission apparatus 11 at an arbitrary timing for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute) (1). The information transmission device 11 connected to the gas cylinder 20 (LP gas meter 21) to be metered performs information transmission processing. In the information transmission process, the standby mode in which the information transmission request reception process is not performed and the reception mode in which the information transmission request reception process is performed are automatically switched periodically. In other words, in the information transmission request reception process, the information transmission request reception process is executed periodically (for example, once every 30 seconds) by the timer interruption of the control unit 115, and the portable terminal 12 transmits by the communication unit 136. An information transmission request is received (2). The information transmission device 11 determines whether or not an information transmission request has been received, and when an information transmission request is received, performs an individual information transmission process. In the individual information transmission process, the acquisition unit 112 of the information transmission apparatus 11 acquires gas meter information from the LP gas meter 21 (3), stores it in a predetermined memory 116, and sends an information transmission request via the communication unit 113 and the network NW. Gas meter information is transmitted (wireless transmission) to the transmitted portable terminal 12 (4). On the other hand, when the information transmission request is not received, the individual information transmission process is not performed and the information transmission process is terminated.

  After the execution of the information transmission request process, the meter reader confirms whether or not all the gas meter information of the LP gas meter 21 in the target range has been successfully acquired by the geographic information display means 127 (5). As described above, the geographic information display means 127 is configured to be able to display on the display means 121 whether or not the gas meter information has been successfully acquired for each LP gas meter 21 as a target.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), when the positions of the LP gas meters 21 are displayed as squares on the electronic map displayed by the display means 121, all the displayed LP gas meters 21 are displayed. Is the acquisition target of gas meter information. The image of the mobile terminal 12 at the center of the circle is the information acquisition point. Then, based on the information transmission request transmitted from the portable terminal 12, when the gas meter information of the LP gas meter 21 is transmitted from the information transmitting device 11 and the portable terminal 12 has successfully received the information, for example, FIG. As shown, an arrow from the LP gas meter 21 toward the information acquisition point is displayed. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 12 fails to receive the information, no arrow is displayed from the LP gas meter 21. Thereby, the carry person of the portable terminal 12 can grasp | ascertain the position of the LP gas meter 21 in which acquisition of gas meter information failed.

  Returning to FIG. 7 again, the meter reader associates the gas meter information, which has been successfully acquired, with the positional information of the LP gas meter 21 and manages it via the network NW (for example, a wireless mobile communication line). Transmit (upload) to the device 13 (6). On the other hand, when there is an LP gas meter 21 that has failed to acquire L gas meter information that has failed to acquire gas meter information, it moves to the vicinity of the LP gas meter 21 and performs information transmission request processing again (7). If the acquisition of the gas meter information further fails, the meter reader acquires the gas meter information by the information reception / transmission means 129 of the portable terminal 12 (8). That is, the meter reader goes to the LP gas meter 21 that has failed to acquire the gas meter information, captures the gas meter information of the LP gas meter 21 with the camera of the portable terminal 12, and stores the image data (or stores the gas meter information of the portable terminal 12). Input from the input means 122). The information reception / transmission means 129 character-recognizes the unique number of the LP gas meter 21, a guideline value indicating the amount of gas used, security information, and the like from the stored image data, and obtains the information from the character information and geographic information display means 127. The position information is linked and stored in the acquisition unit 112 of the portable terminal 12 as gas meter information. Alternatively, the information reception / transmission unit 129 inputs character information such as a unique number of the LP gas meter 21, a guideline value indicating the amount of gas used, and security information by operating the touch panel (input unit 122) of the portable terminal 12 of the carry person. Is associated with the position information acquired from the geographic information display means 127 and stored in the acquisition unit 112 of the portable terminal 12 as gas meter information. Then, the information reception / transmission means 129 associates the gas meter information with the position information of the LP gas meter 21 acquired from the geographical information display means 127, and manages the management apparatus 13 via the network NW (for example, a wireless mobile communication line). Send (upload) to (9)

  The management device 13 associates the gas meter information transmitted from the portable terminal 12 with the position information of the LP gas meter 21 and stores the information in the storage device (database) 133. The gas meter information includes a unique number that can identify the LP gas meter 21, and the management device 13 uses the unique number as a key for each LP gas meter 21 to calculate a usage amount (10) or a delivery prediction process ( Various processes relating to gas supply such as 11) can be executed.

  In the usage amount calculation process, the gas usage amount (guideline value) of the gas meter information received from the mobile terminal 12 is accumulated for a predetermined period (for example, one month, two months, two years, three years, etc.) The amount of gas used for each gas cylinder 20 and the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 during the period are calculated and stored in the storage means 133 for each LP gas meter 21.

  When the meter reading is performed (when the meter reading is received from the portable terminal 12 on the information receiving date or when the meter reading result is output from the usage amount calculating means 137 of the managing device 13), Notify by email. In addition, the results of meter reading and invoices for the amount used are presented on the portal site for each consumer.

  In the delivery prediction process, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the management device 13 receives an input of a delivery date (actual delivery date, previous delivery date) of the gas cylinder 20 for each supply destination facility U, The delivery date (previous delivery date) is stored in the storage means 133. Then, based on the amount of use in the same month for each supply destination facility U, the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 is a predetermined amount (for example, when the total amount of the two gas cylinders 20 is 100%, the total 20 A date (for example, a date two months after the previous delivery date) predicted to become approximately% gas remaining) is set as a temporary next delivery date and stored in the storage means 133. Thereafter, a plurality of (for example, twice) information reception dates are set between the previous delivery date and the provisional next delivery date.

  In the delivery prediction process, when the management device 13 receives the gas meter information transmitted from the portable terminal 12 on the first information reception day, the remaining gas amount in the target gas cylinder 20 is calculated by the usage amount calculation process. Based on the decrease from the remaining gas amount (100%) on the previous delivery date, the estimated date when the remaining gas amount in the gas cylinder 20 becomes a predetermined amount (approximately 20% of the total gas amount) The next delivery date is reset and the provisional next delivery date in the storage unit 133 is updated.

  In the delivery prediction process, for example, when the management device 13 receives the gas meter information transmitted from the portable terminal 12 on the second information reception day on the first information reception day, the target gas cylinder is processed by the usage amount calculation process. The amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinder 20 is calculated according to the amount of decrease from the amount of gas remaining on the first information reception date, and the amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinder 20 is a predetermined amount (about 20% of the total amount of gas remaining). The predicted delivery date is determined as the next delivery date, and the provisional next delivery date stored in the storage unit 133 is updated.

  Further, in the delivery prediction process, when the next delivery date is determined for each supply destination facility U, the first grouping process (and the second grouping process if necessary) is performed, and within a certain range (region) The geographical information display means 139 is used to determine a route that can be efficiently delivered in the shortest time for a plurality of supply destination facilities U that are set to have the same next delivery date.

  Based on the delivery route determined in this way, the delivery person of the gas cylinder 20 goes to the target supply facility U on the next delivery date and replaces the gas cylinder 20.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a unique gas supply management system that matches the supply form of the LP gas business can be provided at low cost.

  Currently, an electric power company is developing an efficient management system using a smart meter. Smart meters in the electricity business have a power supply, and the installation locations of smart meters are dense in a relatively small area, so information is relayed between smart meters by wireless communication, and information is transferred from the relay base to the network. Can be uploaded. Alternatively, a method of uploading information to a network using an existing power transmission line infrastructure called Power Line Communication (PLC) can also be adopted.

  In contrast, LP gas meters in the LP gas business do not have a power source, and the installation locations of the LP gas meter are scattered within a predetermined range, so the same system as the smart meter in the electric business is introduced. Difficult to do.

  Under such circumstances, LP gas companies also collect information from LPP gas meters via electric utility smart meters and upload them to the network or use a centralized monitoring system that has been used in the past. A method of uploading to the network using the network infrastructure of the network is being studied. In addition, development of a meter having a communication function (U bus) is also being conducted for LP gas meters.

  However, lump sum replacement of LP gas meters is enormous, and each LP gas meter company is reluctant to invest in it, and even if the meter reading and security information management can be automated, replacement and delivery of the gas cylinder 20 A logistics network for is essential.

  According to the present invention, in accordance with the actual situation of the supply form of the LP gas business, the LP gas meter 21 is added to the existing LP gas meter 21 by adding the information transmission device 11 including the communication unit 113 that performs wireless communication with the battery 114. Since the gas meter information is transmitted to the portable terminal 12, the existing LP gas meter 21 can be used effectively, and construction costs and equipment installation / replacement costs can be suppressed.

  In addition, since a mobile communication network is used for communication between the information transmission device 11, the mobile terminal 12, and the management device 13, a system can be constructed that does not depend on the communication infrastructure of another person such as a power company.

  Further, in principle, since the gas meter information of the LP gas meters 21 of a plurality of supply destination facilities U can be acquired at the information acquisition point, the meter reading work by the individual visit of the meter reader is unnecessary, and the labor cost can be greatly reduced. Further, since the efficiency of meter reading can be improved, it is possible to increase the number of meter readings in a predetermined period, and the remaining gas can be increased by increasing the number of meter readings (for example, two to three times in January or five to six times in January). The prediction accuracy of quantity and next delivery date can be improved. For example, in the past, in order to avoid the fact that the gas could not be supplied to the consumer itself, the remaining amount of gas was delivered and exchanged at about 50% of the total gas cylinder 20 at one supply destination facility U. Accordingly, for example, delivery and replacement can be performed when the remaining gas amount is about 20% of the entire gas cylinder 20, so that the delivery efficiency can be greatly improved and the cost of delivery of the gas cylinder 20 can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the efficiency of operations such as meter reading, security, and delivery can be reduced, and thus the supply and management costs can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to continuously provide cheap and safe energy to general consumers. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the gas supply management system 10 is constructed by a single management device 13 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the functions of the management device 13 described above are provided in a plurality of ways. These functions may be realized by being distributed to apparatuses (server apparatus, PC, etc.).

  9 shows an example of data managed by the management apparatus 13 (delivery prediction means 138 and usage amount calculation means 137) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9A shows management (use and generation) by the usage amount calculation means 137. FIG. 5B is an example of data managed (used or generated) by the delivery predicting means 138.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the usage amount calculating means (usage amount calculating process) 137 includes, for example, a unique number (meter No.) of the LP gas meter 21, a usage amount (guideline value) for each LP gas meter 21, and the LP gas meter 21. Usage data including location information, date of acquisition (meter reading date), security information, and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the delivery prediction means (delivery prediction process) 138 includes, for example, a unique number (meter No) of the LP gas meter 21, a usage amount (guideline value) for each LP gas meter 21, a customer code, The delivery prediction data including the customer name, information on the gas cylinder 20 (installation container information), and delivery destination information (information including at least the next delivery date and the optimum delivery route (or position information) for each LP gas meter 21) are managed.

  The usage amount calculation means (use amount calculation processing) 137 and the delivery prediction means (delivery prediction processing) 138 function independently, and the usage amount data shown in FIG. The prediction data may be managed independently, or the distribution prediction means (delivery prediction processing) 138 and the usage amount calculation means (use amount calculation processing) 137 are distributed and functioned in a plurality of management devices 13 to deliver the data. The prediction data and the usage amount data may be managed independently.

  Further, the gas meter management information (data shown in FIG. 4C) of the management device 13 may be managed independently.

  Furthermore, various types of data managed (generated and used) by the management device 13 (for example, gas meter management information shown in FIG. 4C), and delivery prediction data generated (managed) by the delivery prediction means (delivery prediction processing) 138 The usage amount calculation means (usage amount calculation data generated (managed) by the usage amount calculation process) 137) may be used in a system using a smart meter such as gas or electricity.

Second Embodiment
Next, referring to FIG. 10 to FIG. 16, as another embodiment of the gas supply management system 10 according to the present invention, the present invention is made using a power saving (low power) and wide area (long distance) wireless communication technology. A specific example of realizing the gas supply management system 10 according to the embodiment will be described. “Power-saving (low-power) and wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication technology” means low power consumption and communication over a wider area than WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. Wireless communication technology that enables long-distance communication). Examples of the communication method (communication standard) include LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) and LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network). Hereinafter, a gas supply management system 10 using LPWA will be described as an example as a power-saving (low-power) and wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication technology.

  The gas supply management system 10 using LPWA is mainly used in acquiring (collecting) information (gas meter information) from the information transmission device 11 (as part or all of the network NW1 of the first embodiment), for example, LPWA. A network (communication line) NW3 configured by technology, that is, an LPWA network is used.

  Hereinafter, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and different parts from the first embodiment will be mainly described. However, the gas supply management system 10 of the second embodiment has the configuration and functions described below. In addition, it may have the same configuration and function as the gas supply management system 10 described in the first embodiment, and may be configured to execute various processes in parallel or switching as appropriate.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a gas supply management system 10 using LPWA. As shown in FIG. 10, the gas supply management system 10 using LPWA includes an LP gas meter 21, an information transmission device 11, a management device 13, an information collection unit 31, a storage unit (storage device) 30, The mobile terminal 12 includes networks NW1 and NW3 to which they are connected.

  The information transmission device 11 (and the LP gas meter 21) has a configuration corresponding to the LPWA network (communication line) NW3. That is, the information transmission device 11 is connected to each LP gas meter 21 as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2), or is incorporated in each LP gas meter 21 and acquires gas meter information from each LP gas meter 21. For example, the communication unit 113 of the information transmission device 11 can be connected to the network NW3, and is configured to transmit gas meter information to the collection unit 31 on the network NW3.

  Here, the network NW3 is, for example, an LPWA network that uses a communication band (920 MHz band) that does not require a license, thereby enabling low-cost, low power consumption, wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication. Here, a case where the network (communication line) NW3 is an LPWA network will be described as an example. However, if the network NW3 is a communication network (communication line) capable of at least wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication, It is not limited to the LPWA network. By using LPWA, the information transmitting apparatus 11 can be driven with low power consumption, and the battery 114 built in the information transmitting apparatus 11 can be used for several years, for example, with two dry batteries.

  In the present embodiment, the network NW1 is a generic term for wired and / or wireless communication lines, and includes a network (LPWA network) NW3.

  The collection means (collection apparatus) 31 is a means for connecting to the network NW3 and collecting gas meter information transmitted by the information transmission apparatus 11, for example, a radio base station compatible with LPWA communication, or the radio base station It is a fixed terminal connected by wire (or wireless). The collection means 31 may be a wireless base station for LPWA communication and / or mobile communication, or may be a mobile communication terminal connected to the wireless base station.

  The gas meter information transmitted by the information transmission device 11 is collected by the collection device 31 and transmitted to the storage device 30 via the network NW1 to which the collection device 31 is connected.

  The storage device 30 is a device that is connected to the network NW1 and stores various information including gas meter information, application programs, and the like. For example, the storage device 30 is a server (cloud server) provided in a cloud environment.

  The management device 13 is connected to the network NW1 and acquires gas meter information and the like stored in the storage device 30 via the network NW1. In this example, at least a part of the functions of the management device 13 is stored in the storage device 30 as an application program, and is configured to be used in the management device 13 by the cloud computing system.

  Further, the management device 13 is connected to the provider server device 14 as in the first embodiment. For example, the management device 13 and the provider server device 14 may be connected via the network NW2 illustrated in FIG. 1 or may be connected via the network NW1 (NW3). Further, data such as personal information of the LP gas contractor and the function of the server device 14 for the business may be stored in the storage device 30 and used in the management device 13 by the cloud computing system.

  The information transmission device 11 is externally attached or built in the LP gas meter 21, acquires the gas meter information of the LP gas meter 21 at an arbitrary timing or a predetermined timing, and transmits the gas meter information to the collection device 31 via the network NW3. The collection device 31 stores and accumulates the acquired gas meter information in the storage device 30 via the network NW1. The management device 13 acquires the gas meter information stored in the storage device 30 via the network NW1 at an arbitrary timing or a predetermined timing.

  As described above, in the gas supply management system 10 using the LPWA of the present embodiment, information transmission is performed regardless of the meter reading operation of the meter reader (for example, the reception / collection processing of the gas meter information by the portable terminal 12 of the first embodiment). The management device 13 can automatically acquire the gas meter information transmitted by the device 11 remotely. Thereby, the management apparatus 13 can grasp | ascertain the gas meter information containing gas consumption frequently. Here, frequent means that the frequency is higher (higher) than monthly, for example, grasping at a frequency higher than the frequency such as once a month or once a week. Specifically, in the present embodiment, for example, gas meter information can be acquired daily and the amount of gas used can be grasped. As a result, the management device 13 utilizes the acquired gas meter information for monthly meter reading work in the LP gas sales business, and performs daily usage calculation processing and delivery prediction processing to improve the efficiency of LP gas delivery work. Take advantage of. Specifically, an optimal delivery date and an efficient (optimum) delivery route (delivery route) are predicted for delivering the gas cylinders 20, and the number of gas cylinders 20 loaded on a plurality of delivery vehicles is instructed. Perform the process automatically.

  The mobile terminal 12 is a terminal capable of mobile communication, for example, as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), and the management device 13, the storage device 30 and information via the radio base station 31 of the network NW1 (NW3). Information including gas meter information can be transmitted / received to / from the transmission device 11 and the like. Further, the display unit 121 is configured to display geographic information and the like.

  In the second embodiment, for example, the portable terminal 12 can be carried by a delivery person of the gas cylinder 20 or attached to a delivery vehicle of the gas cylinder 20, and information between at least the management device 13 and / or the storage device 30 can be obtained. As long as it is possible to transmit / receive That is, in the second embodiment, the gas meter information acquired by the information transmission device 11 is automatically stored in the storage device 30, and therefore the mobile terminal 12 may not be configured to be able to acquire and collect the gas meter information. However, similarly to the first embodiment, the gas meter information acquired by the information transmission device 11 may be appropriately acquired and collected by the mobile terminal 12.

  Information relating to delivery predicted by the management device 13 (delivery destination (supply destination facility U, the same applies hereinafter), delivery route, or information relating to delivery status, etc.) is transmitted to the mobile terminal 12 and can be displayed on the display means 121. ing. The mobile terminal 12 accepts registration (update) of the delivery schedule, delivery destination, delivery route, delivery status information, security check information, etc. of the delivery person, and these information is stored in the management device 13 and / or the storage device 30. Can be sent. In addition, reading of characters and image information, barcode scanning, display (and output) of delivery slips, and the like are possible.

  For example, the delivery person of the gas cylinder 20 registers his / her attendance schedule or the like in the management device 13 in advance via the portable terminal 12, and registers / confirms / corrects (transmission / reception) information on the delivery destination, delivery route, and delivery status. Etc.

<Management device>
An example of the management device 13 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the management apparatus 13, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of the management apparatus 13. As shown in FIG. The detailed description of the same configurations and functions as those of the first embodiment is omitted, but as already described, the management device 13 of the second embodiment has a configuration and functions described below. The configuration / function described in the embodiment may be included, and may be configured to execute various processes in parallel or switching as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the management device 13 is connected to a storage device (for example, a cloud server) 30 via a network NW1 such as the Internet, and is connected to the mobile terminal 12 and a network NW1 such as a mobile communication line. (Or network NW3), for example, a server device (or personal computer (PC)) connected to the provider server device 14 via a network NW2 such as the Internet or a dedicated line, and includes a CPU 130, a ROM 131, A RAM 132, a storage unit (storage device) 133, an input unit 134, a display unit 135, a communication unit 136, and the like are included.

  The communication unit 136 communicates with the mobile terminal 12 and the storage device 30 via the network NW1, and communicates with the provider server device 14 via the network NW2, for example. The configurations of the CPU 130, ROM 131, RAM 132, storage means (storage device) 133, input means 134, and display means 135 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the management apparatus 13 includes a basic processing unit 55 and a delivery management unit 50. The delivery management unit 50 includes, for example, a usage calculation unit 137, a delivery prediction unit 138, and a geographic information display unit. 139 and the like.

  The management device 13 reads the software program stored in the ROM 131 or the like into the work area of the RAM 132 and executes the software program by the CPU 130, thereby executing the gas supply management process. This gas supply management process includes a basic process and a usage calculation process, a delivery prediction process, a geographic information display process, and the like as a delivery management process. The functions of (usage calculation unit 137, delivery prediction unit 138, geographic information display unit 139) are realized.

  In this example, the basic processing means 55 and the delivery management means 50 (application programs for realizing these functions) are stored in the storage device 30 and used in the management device 13 by the cloud computing system. . However, the basic processing means 55 and the delivery management means 50 (application programs for realizing these functions) may be stored in the storage means of the management apparatus 13 (storage means connected to the management apparatus 13). .

  Core processing means (main processing) 55 is mainly based on gas meter information, security management processing that reflects inspection information on a monthly basis (monthly), delivery management (inventory management) processing that reflects inventory, customer information, etc. It performs database update processing and other known core business processing.

  The delivery management means (delivery management process) 50 obtains gas meter information at a high frequency (for example, once a month or higher than once a week), predicts the usage amount in the future date, and based on this The scheduled delivery date and the optimal delivery route of the gas cylinder 20 are predicted, the delivery route is displayed on the display unit 135 of the management device 13 together with the geographical information, and the delivery route is transmitted to the portable terminal 12.

  Based on the gas usage (guideline value) of the gas meter information acquired from the storage device 30 and the gas meter management information shown in FIG. The actual amount of gas used (guideline value) and the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 are calculated and stored and stored in the storage unit 133 or the storage device 30 for each LP gas meter 21.

  The delivery prediction means (delivery prediction processing) 138 is based on the gas meter information acquired from the storage device 30 (the usage amount of the gas cylinder 20) and the gas meter management information shown in FIG. The estimated delivery date of the gas cylinder 20 and the optimal delivery route are predicted for each of the filling station, the delivery center, the retailer, and the like.

  Although details will be described later, specifically, the delivery prediction means (delivery prediction processing) 138 calculates a daily predicted usage amount (daily predicted usage amount) in a future date. This daily predicted usage is calculated so as to increase or decrease as the number of days elapses, for example, by calculating the unit predicted usage change amount for each day based on the reference gas usage in the past predetermined period. .

  Then, the delivery predicting means (delivery prediction processing) 138 calculates a predicted value (gas remaining amount predicted value) of the daily gas remaining amount in the future date in the gas cylinder 20 based on the calculated daily predicted usage amount. The estimated delivery date is determined by predicting the date when the gas remaining amount prediction value is reduced to a predetermined amount.

  Further, the delivery predicting means (delivery predicting process) 138 predicts an optimal delivery route based on the determined scheduled delivery date, displays the delivery route on the display means 135 of the management device 13, and delivers the gas cylinder 20. To the portable terminal 12 possessed by the person.

  Next, processing (delivery management processing) in the delivery management means 50 in the gas supply management system 10 (gas supply management method) of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a block diagram showing an example of the flow of processing mainly in the delivery management means 50 in the management device 13 and the processing in the mobile terminal 12.

  In the delivery management means (delivery management process) 50, for example, a usage / delivery prediction process and a delivery route determination process are performed. The usage / delivery prediction process includes, for example, a gas meter information acquisition process S01, a usage calculation process S02 (137), a delivery prediction process S03 (138), and a delivery information registration process S09. In the delivery prediction process S03, for example, a predicted usage calculation process S04, a prediction calculation process S05, a limit date calculation process S06, a delivery plan data creation process S07, a delivery target extraction process S08, and the like are performed.

  Further, the delivery route determination process includes, for example, a calendar registration process S21, a delivery information determination process S23 (daily vehicle dispatch rotation speed determination process S25, same day delivery target extraction process S27, and delivery vehicle specific delivery determination process S29), and a delivery route display. Processing S31 etc. are performed.

  In the portable terminal 12, a shift registration process S11, a person-by-person delivery location extraction process S13, a delivery registration process S15, a delivery completion registration process S17, and the like are performed.

  The gas meter information acquisition process S01 of the delivery management means (delivery management process) 50 acquires the gas meter information stored in the storage device 30. In this embodiment, by using the network NW3 (LPWA network), it is more frequent than before (for example, monthly (once a month) or weekly (1 The management device 13 can automatically acquire the gas meter information from the information transmission device 11 at a frequency higher than a frequency such as once a week). Specifically, the management device 13 (delivery management means 50) is targeted at a pace of once every two to three days, more preferably once a day, or at a frequency shorter than that. The gas meter information of each gas cylinder 20 can be acquired automatically. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which the management device 13 (delivery management means 50) acquires the gas meter information stored in the storage device 30 once a day (daily).

  In the gas meter information acquisition process S01, an LP gas contractor (hereinafter referred to as "daily information acquisition target person") from which gas meter information is acquired every day (daily) is extracted. Using the supplier identification number and the LP gas unique number (for example, LP gas meter manufacturing number) as a key, the personal information of each daily information acquisition target held in the business server device 14 is linked. Then, the supply source identification number, the LP gas unique number, the acquired gas meter information, the date, personal information, and the like are prepared as input data for each person who acquires the daily information.

  In addition, in the calendar registration process S21 of the delivery route confirmation process, registration of the number of operating vehicles for each vehicle type of the delivery vehicle by the person in charge (delivery manager) of the LP gas supply source is accepted. The delivery manager registers in advance the number of vehicles that can be operated on a daily basis for each vehicle type of delivery vehicle with different loading capacity of the gas cylinders 20.

  Here, the portable terminal 12 is a terminal device capable of mobile communication that is carried (carried) by the delivery person of the gas cylinder 20. In the shift registration process S11, the portable terminal 12 receives the shift registration of the delivery person and transmits the information to the management device 13 (the delivery management means 50). The shift is information including, for example, the work schedule of the delivery person for the latest seven days, the available working hours, and the like.

  The usage amount calculation process S02 (137) uses the LP gas unique number (which may include a supply source identification number; the same applies hereinafter) as a key for each management person 13 (or storage device 30) for each person who acquires the daily information. ), The previous gas meter information stored in the previous gas meter information and the gas usage (guideline value) included in the previous gasmeter information and the gas usage (guideline value) included in the gasmeter information acquired this time. The amount of gas used since the acquisition of the gas meter information, the amount of change in the amount of gas used, the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 and the like are calculated.

  In the conventional delivery prediction of LP gas, gas meter information (guideline value) is acquired monthly or a cycle close to it, and there is a problem that the error is large. However, in this embodiment, for example, gas meter information in a daily cycle. Therefore, it is possible to grasp daily usage (change), not monthly usage (change), and to accurately predict delivery.

  The delivery prediction process S03 (138) performs an estimated usage amount calculation process S04, a prediction calculation process S05, a limit date calculation process S06, and a delivery plan data creation process S07 based on the indicated rotational speed and the acquired gas meter information, and LP gas The daily estimated usage amount for each contractor, the limit date on which delivery (exchange) can be suspended, delivery plan data, and the like are output. Here, the designated rotational speed is, for example, the rotational speed of delivery per day by a single delivery vehicle serving as a reference for each season. For example, a predetermined number (for example, twice or three times) is set in advance in the delivery prediction unit 138 according to the season or the like, and can be changed as appropriate. The gas meter information includes gas meter information acquired by the meter reader at the time of meter reading and gas meter information at the time of delivery acquired by the delivery person in addition to the gas meter information automatically acquired from the storage device 30 by the management device 13 on a daily basis. It is.

  In the predicted usage calculation process S04, whether or not the remaining gas amount for each of the daily information acquisition targets obtained in the usage calculation process S02 has reached the prediction start threshold (prediction start residual gas rate) (below the prediction start threshold). Or not). Then, for a daily information acquisition target person who satisfies a predetermined condition in addition to being less than the prediction start threshold value, the prediction calculation process S05 is executed for each target person to calculate the daily predicted usage amount in the future date. Details of the daily predicted usage calculation process (prediction calculation process S05) will be described later.

  Here, the threshold value used in the delivery prediction process S03 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the delivery prediction process S03, for example, a prediction start threshold (prediction start residual gas rate), a gas remaining amount threshold (residual gas rate), and a delivery limit threshold (limit rate) are set. These threshold values are, for example, the ratio of the remaining gas amount to the total amount of the gas cylinder 20.

  The prediction start threshold is a determination condition for starting the prediction calculation process S05, and the prediction calculation process S05 is started when the actual remaining gas amount in the gas cylinder 20 falls below the prediction start threshold. In this example, the prediction start threshold is 15%.

  The remaining gas threshold value (residual gas rate) is a threshold value for giving priority to the gas cylinder 20 to be replaced when creating delivery plan data described later. The predicted daily usage and gas remaining amount for the future date are predicted by the prediction calculation process S05, and when the predicted gas remaining amount (gas remaining amount predicted value) falls below the gas remaining amount threshold, To do. In this example, the gas remaining amount threshold is 10%.

  The delivery limit threshold (limit rate) is a threshold for determining a delivery limit date to be described later. Predicted daily usage and gas remaining amount in the future date is predicted by the prediction calculation process S05, and if the predicted remaining gas amount (remaining gas predicted value) falls below the delivery limit threshold, the date a few days before is delivered The limit date. In this example, the delivery limit threshold is 5%.

  As a result, the gas cylinder 20 whose gas remaining amount prediction value is between the gas remaining amount threshold value and the delivery limit threshold value becomes the gas cylinder 20 to be delivered (replaced). For example, there is no problem when the number of gas cylinders 20 to be delivered is large, but the delivery becomes inefficient when the number of gas cylinders 20 to be delivered is small. In such a case, the gas remaining amount threshold value is appropriately increased (for example, 15%), and the number of gas cylinders 20 to be delivered is increased.

  These thresholds are set (adjusted as appropriate) for each contractor according to the past usage situation of each LP gas contractor, regardless of whether or not the person is a daily information acquisition target. .

  Referring to FIG. 12 again, in the predicted use amount calculation process S04, gas meter information is separately acquired for LP gas contractors other than the daily information acquisition target person. For example, for LP gas contractors in areas where the network NW3 (LPWA network) cannot be used, for example, meter reading using the portable terminal 12 of the first embodiment, meter reading work by a meter reader or a delivery person of the gas cylinder 20 etc. Therefore, gas meter information is appropriately acquired at the time of meter reading or at the time of delivery of the gas cylinder 20, and managed (for example, using another management system). In the predicted usage calculation process S04, gas meter information is acquired (from another management system or the like) for LP gas contractors other than the daily information acquisition target person, and the gas usage included in the previous gas meter information is acquired. (Guideline value) and the amount of gas used (Guideline value) included in the gas meter information acquired this time, calculate the amount of gas used since the previous acquisition of gas meter information, the amount of change in gas usage, the remaining amount of gas, etc. . Then, the prediction calculation process S05 is executed for each LP gas contractor other than the daily information acquisition target person, and the daily predicted usage amount in the future date is calculated.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the daily information acquisition target person and the LP gas contractor other than the information acquisition target person, both of them will be collectively referred to as “LP gas contractor”.

  The limit date calculation process S06 is based on the predicted daily usage amount in the future date calculated in the predicted usage amount calculation process S04, and the predicted value of the remaining gas amount in the future date (predicted residual gas value). And the date when the gas remaining amount prediction value reaches a predetermined delivery limit threshold is predicted. The delivery limit threshold (limit rate) is, for example, a value lower (smaller) than the gas remaining amount threshold (see FIG. 13), and exceeds the limit for deferring delivery (the delivery / exchange must be performed immediately). Value. Then, a date that is advanced by a predetermined number of days (2 to several days) from the date that reaches the delivery limit threshold is calculated as the delivery limit date. Hereinafter, the number of days (2 days to several days) to be advanced is referred to as “limit days”.

  The details of the limit date calculation process S06 will be described later. The gas remaining amount threshold value, the delivery limit threshold value, and the limit days are set according to the LP gas contractor (supplier facility U, gas cylinder 20) according to the gas usage status and the like. ) Is set for each.

  In the delivery plan data creation process S07, information (for example, the gas cylinder 20 (supply destination facility U) regarding the supply destination facility U that satisfies the designated rotational speed and whose delivery limit date comes within a predetermined period (for example, within the last seven days) is reached. Information including location information (geographical information, address, etc.), information including delivery date limit, unique number of gas cylinder 20, etc.), the designated rotational speed, and the location information of the delivery destination facility U that delivers the highest priority And the address, the location information of the supply destination facility U as a spare delivery destination, the address, the delivery priority for each supply destination facility U, the unique number of the gas cylinder 20 and the like are output as delivery plan data.

  The priority is determined based on the remaining gas threshold and the prediction start threshold. As an example, when the gas remaining amount prediction value falls below the gas remaining amount threshold value, the supply destination facility U (gas cylinder 20) is the target of the highest priority delivery destination. In addition, when the gas remaining amount prediction value falls below the prediction start threshold value, the supply destination facility U (gas cylinder 20) is set as the target of the preliminary delivery destination. The spare delivery destination has a lower priority than the highest-priority delivery destination, and is a delivery destination prepared as a spare to advance the delivery limit date for efficient delivery when an optimum delivery route is derived later.

  In this embodiment, the amount of gas used (change amount) can be acquired in the daily cycle, and the daily predicted usage amount and the daily gas remaining amount prediction value can be calculated. Very close to the limit and can be predicted accurately. For example, the delivery limit date is calculated as a date two days before the estimated amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinder 20 is 5% or less of the total (the estimated amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinder 20 is within 2 days. It is possible to obtain a day that will be 5% or less. As a result, the delivery efficiency can be significantly improved as compared with the conventional case where the delivery (exchange) is performed by predicting the day when the remaining amount of gas is, for example, 50%.

  The delivery target extraction process S08 is performed within a predetermined period (for example, based on the delivery limit date calculated in the limit date calculation process S06, the delivery plan data created in the delivery plan data creation process S07 (priorities included therein), and the like. The gas cylinder 20 (supplier facility U) corresponding to the LP gas contractor for which the delivery limit date has arrived and the delivery operation has not been completed is extracted as a delivery target within the last seven days, and if necessary Thus, for example, a plurality of supply destination facilities U are grouped according to a predetermined condition such as a priority order or a limit date that is the same date (or a date close to the same date). Then, the location information (delivery target location information) of the grouped supply destination facility U (supply destination facility group) and information on the supply destination facility group (for example, information including gas meter information and daily predicted usage amount) The data is transmitted to the delivery route determination process (delivery information determination process S23) as part of the delivery plan data.

  In the delivery information determination process S23, based on the delivery plan data, the number of revolutions that can be delivered on the current day, etc., the daily delivery speed determination process S25, the same day delivery object extraction process S27, the delivery decision process S29 for each delivery vehicle, and the like are performed. The optimal delivery route, optimal load capacity, etc. are determined for each vehicle and output as a delivery instruction.

  The daily vehicle rotation speed determination process S25 is executed as necessary, and accepts input (correction) such as a shift of the delivery person, the number of operation of the delivery car and the rotation speed, and the distribution target extracted in the delivery target extraction process S08. Re-group (including extraction) the destination facility group. For example, the daily dispatch speed determination process S25 includes an information correction process S26, and when the delivery person suddenly takes a break or the working hours are changed, or the delivery car is operated according to the weather condition. If the number of units or the number of delivery revolutions (indicated revolutions) is unreasonable, various information such as the shift of the delivery person, the number of units in operation, and the deliverable number of revolutions as a revised value of the designated number of revolutions (re-registration) ). Based on the corrected information, the supply destination facility group extracted in the delivery target extraction process S08 is regrouped, and the delivery vehicle (operating number) for delivery and the rotation speed of delivery for each delivery vehicle are revised. (adjust.

  The same day delivery target extraction process S27 includes information on the supply destination facility group included in the shift table and delivery plan data registered in the shift registration process S11, and information corrected in the daily vehicle delivery speed determination process S25 (delivery speed that can be delivered). Etc.), the supply destination facility group to be delivered extracted in the delivery object extraction processing S08, or the delivery destination facility group to be delivered (re-grouped (extracted) in the daily vehicle rotation speed determination processing S25) From this, a plurality of supply destination facilities U including the supply destination facilities U for which exchange (delivery) on the day is essential are extracted as a group to be delivered on that day (current day delivery supply destination facility group). In the same day delivery supply destination facility group, for example, a supply destination facility U whose delivery limit date is that day, and a plurality of supply destination facilities U (for example, delivery within the last three days) that can be efficiently delivered based on these. Supply destination facilities U, etc. for which the limit date is reached. In addition, when the number of the supply destination facilities U belonging to the same day delivery supply destination facility group is small and the delivery becomes inefficient by itself, it is not the supply destination facility U for which exchange (delivery) on the day is indispensable. In addition, for example, the supply destination facility U (the supply destination facility U distributed to the preliminary delivery destination) whose delivery limit date comes within a few days ahead (for example, within the last seven days) is included in the supply destination facility group on that day. Extraction is performed under conditions such as (conditions that can be changed according to the situation).

  The delivery decision processing S29 for each delivery vehicle further groups (sorts) the delivery destination facilities U included in the delivery delivery destination facility group on the same day according to the loaded amount of delivery vehicles (trucks) in operation, and supplies each delivery vehicle. The destination facility U, the optimum delivery route, the optimum loading capacity, etc. are determined and output as a delivery instruction.

  Each delivery person completes delivery to the supply destination facility U to be delivered, and registers that fact from the mobile terminal 12 (delivery completion registration process S17 described later), and then becomes the next delivery target from the mobile terminal 12. Information about the supply destination facility U can be acquired. In the person-by-person delivery location extraction process S13 of each mobile terminal 12, for example, a delivery target acquisition button or the like is displayed on the display means 121 of the mobile terminal 12, for example. Then, in response to the button operation, among the delivery destination facility groups on the day (further grouped according to the loading capacity of delivery vehicles (trucks)), the delivery destination facility U to be delivered on the day is further set for each delivery person. The extracted information about the supply destination facility U to be delivered that day is transmitted from the management device 13 to the portable terminal 12 as list data.

  Further, even after the person-in-charge delivery location extraction process S13, the daily dispatch speed determination process S25 can be executed. In this case, for some reason, the delivery person cannot go to the delivery destination facility U for delivery on the day that he / she is responsible for, but the delivery destination facility U for delivery on the day that remains after the delivery location extraction process S13 for each person in charge If they remain, grouping can be performed again based on the information on the remaining supply destination facilities U.

  Here, a specific example of an optimum delivery route and an optimum loading capacity determination method in the delivery information determination process S23 (daily vehicle delivery rotation speed determination process S25, same day delivery target extraction process S27, delivery vehicle specific delivery determination process S29) Will be described.

  First, the person in charge (delivery manager) of the LP gas supply source inputs the number of revolutions that can be delivered on that day (correction of the designated revolution number) in the information correction process S26. For example, assuming that delivery is performed three times per day with five delivery vehicles, 15 (= 5 × 3) rotations are the deliverable rotation speeds. In addition, the shift of deliverers and the number of units in operation will be corrected as necessary.

  In the delivery information determination process S23, a predetermined condition is set based on the delivery plan data, and a combination of a delivery vehicle (vehicle type) and a delivery route is extracted for each load amount. For the extraction, for example, a business rule management system (Business Rule Management System) that manages and executes business rules by a predetermined engine for executing business rules is used. In this case, as a rule (business rule), for example, an area to be delivered in the same delivery time, a supply destination facility U (delivery person shift within the last few days (for example, 3 days) is considered, If the holiday continues or the delivery is not in time due to winter, etc., it will be put forward.), Priority within the area to be delivered to the same delivery times (delivery in close order, etc.), delivery time (maximum value) , Distance / capacity of gas cylinder (loading capacity), installation mode of gas cylinders for each supply facility U (for example, installation modes such as combinations of two gas cylinders 20 having different capacities, combinations of three of the same capacity, etc.) Set. In addition, for example, when only the supply destination facility U (the highest priority delivery destination) that is to be delivered (the delivery limit date arrives) within the last few days (for example, 3 days), the delivery becomes inefficient. In addition, by adjusting the conditions such that the delivery destination facility U (preliminary delivery destination) whose delivery limit date is reached is further increased by several days (for example, within the last 7 days), the optimum loading is performed. The combination of delivery vehicles (optimum loading capacity) by quantity and optimum delivery routes is extracted.

  When the extracted combination is less than the initially settable delivery speed, delivery is performed at a lower speed, and when the delivery speed exceeds the delivery speed, delivery is possible taking into account other situations. The rotation speed is reset, and the optimum loading capacity (delivery vehicle) and the optimum delivery route are extracted again. The optimum delivery route is extracted by using an existing delivery plan system (optimum route extraction system) or the like that can derive an optimum route via each piece of location information by inputting a plurality of pieces of location information.

  Then, in the delivery route display process S31, the optimum loading capacity (delivery vehicle) and the optimum delivery route extracted in the above process are possessed by the portable terminal 12 and / or the delivery manager possessed by each deliverer. The data is transmitted to the mobile terminal 12 and displayed on the display unit 121 of the mobile terminal 12.

  In addition, the place of the slip issued when the gas cylinder 20 is delivered / exchanged may be different for each LP gas contractor (supplier facility U). Accordingly, the management device 13 also holds information specific to each LP gas contractor (supply destination facility U) including the information, and displays information related to the delivery destination facility U to be delivered on the portable terminal 12 of the delivery person. Information specific to each LP gas contractor (supplier facility U) is also displayed.

  The display of the optimal delivery route on the mobile terminal 12 is linked with a known navigation system. When the delivery to a certain supply destination facility U is completed, the navigation system sequentially performs navigation to the next supply destination facility U according to the optimum delivery route.

  The delivery person goes to the supply destination facility U and performs an exchange operation of the designated gas cylinder 20. At that time, it is confirmed that the content displayed on the display means 121 of the portable terminal 12 matches the information of the supply destination facility U (LP gas contractor) at the exchange place, and the gas cylinder 20 to be collected and the gas cylinder 20 to be arranged are arranged. All the unique barcodes are read, the pointer value of the gas meter 21 is obtained visually, and input to the mobile terminal 12. In addition, when there is a new addition / change of specific information for each LP gas contractor (supplier facility U), information on the addition / change is input. In the delivery completion registration process S17 of the portable terminal 12, the input of the guideline value, the information specific to the collected gas cylinder 20 and the information specific to each LP gas contractor (supplier facility U) is received as delivery data, and the management device 13 to send. Further, the information regarding the supply destination facility U for which the delivery has been completed is deleted from the portable terminal 12. The delivery person repeats the above operation for all supply destination facilities U on that day.

  In the delivery information registration process S09 of the management device 13, the delivery data transmitted from each portable terminal 12 is acquired, and the information held in the management device 13 is updated for each supply destination facility U (LP gas contractor). Do.

  Moreover, in the management apparatus 13, it adjusts suitably according to the use condition of air conditioning, whether it is bulk storage tank supply, whether the supply destination facility U is a housing complex, whether or not a water heater is used, etc. Do.

  For example, regarding the usage status of air conditioning, it is possible to extract LP gas contractors (supplier facilities U) whose usage tends to increase rapidly by using summer cooling equipment and winter heating equipment. To be able to issue a delivery slip.

  Further, when the supply destination facility U is medium pressure supply, the actual usage is different from the meter guideline, so the actual usage is calculated by setting the conversion rate.

  Further, in the case of bulk storage tank supply, since it cannot be delivered by a normal delivery vehicle (truck), the prediction calculation process S05 is performed, but the delivery is instructed to be delivered by a bulk vehicle.

  In addition, in the case of apartments, there are cases where the total of the guideline values used in all rooms can be acquired as gas meter information, and there are cases where only a gas meter is provided for each room and the guideline values can be acquired only for each room. is there. In the latter case, the calculation value S05 is executed after adding the pointer values of the gas meters in the associated rooms.

  In addition, the LP gas contractor (supplier facility U) where the water heater is installed can be extracted, and management is performed when the amount of use increases in winter.

  In addition to the above, the delivery management means 50 may be a conventionally known gas supply (delivery) such as a monthly process for gas supply (delivery) management, a management process for delivery results, a form issuing process, a security check information management process, etc. Various management processes are executed.

<Daily forecast usage calculation method>
In the delivery prediction processing S03 (predicted usage calculation processing S04 (prediction calculation processing S05) and limit date calculation processing S06), daily prediction is performed based on the indicated rotational speed, the gas usage (guideline value) included in the gas meter information, and the like. The usage amount, delivery limit date, and delivery plan data can be extracted. The guideline value is not limited to the data automatically acquired from the storage device 30 by the management device 13, but also includes the guideline value actually acquired by the meter reader or the delivery person in the vicinity of the supply destination facility U or in the vicinity thereof.

  Specifically, the delivery predicting means 138 (delivery forecasting process S03) calculates the daily forecast usage amount in the future date. At this time, the delivery prediction means 138 calculates the daily predicted usage amount so as to increase or decrease with the passage of days. For example, in winter, the daily forecast usage is calculated so as to increase every day from the beginning of the month to the end of the month, and in summer, the daily forecast usage is calculated so as to decrease from the beginning of the month to the end of the month. Therefore, the delivery prediction means 138 calculates a unit predicted usage change amount (increase or decrease amount per day) for each day based on the reference gas usage amount in the past predetermined period, and based on the unit predicted usage change amount. To calculate the daily forecast usage. The reference gas usage amount in this case is, for example, a reference value that is a set value based on the actual usage amount in a predetermined period in the past at the same time period as the prediction period or the trend of the gas usage in the annual period at the same time period as the prediction period. The amount of gas used is individually set based on the usage trend of LP gas contractors.

  And the delivery prediction means 138 (delivery prediction process S03) calculates the daily gas residual amount (gas residual amount predicted value) in the future date in the gas cylinder 20 based on the calculated daily predicted usage amount, The estimated date of delivery is determined by predicting the date when the gas remaining amount prediction value is reduced to a predetermined amount.

<Specific example of prediction calculation processing>
Hereinafter, an example of the prediction calculation process S05 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a table showing an example of a calculation formula used in the prediction calculation process.

In the prediction calculation process S05, for example, a difference occurs between the gas usage amount (previous guideline value) of the gas meter information acquired last time and the gas usage amount (current guideline value) of the gas meter information acquired this time, and the current guideline value This is performed for the gas cylinder 20 (supply destination facility U) in which the actual gas remaining amount based on is less than the prediction start threshold.
(1) When the gas consumption (actual amount) of the same period of the previous year is used as the reference gas usage (1-1) Whether the subscriber is a LP gas contractor other than the daily information acquisition target, or the daily information acquisition target If the accumulated date of past gas meter information (guideline value) is less than 1 year and 2 months

  The daily predicted usage amount of the current month prediction date (M month X day) several days after the date (M month D day) when the gas meter information is acquired is calculated, for example, by the following method.

  First, the unit predicted usage change amount (increase or decrease amount from the previous day) per day is calculated from the difference (change amount) in the monthly usage amount (actual amount) in the same period of the previous year, and the prediction date is included The number of days from the beginning of the month is integrated to calculate the predicted usage change amount (Equation 1) on the predicted date.

      Predicted usage change amount on the predicted day = (difference between the previous month's current month (current month) usage and the previous month's previous month usage) / (sum of days from the first day of the current month to the last day) x the number of days from the beginning of the month to the predicted date X (Equation 1 )

  Next, the average daily usage for the previous month is calculated from the base usage for the previous month. The base usage for the previous month is the total usage for the previous month. The average usage per day for the current month of the previous year (this is called “base usage forecast (average)”) is added to the forecasted usage change calculated in (Equation 1), based on the previous month. Calculate the usage forecast amount (formula 2) for the current month forecast day.

      Predicted usage of the current month's predicted date = previous month's previous year's usage (for one month) / number of days in the current month + predicted usage change for the predicted date

  Furthermore, by dividing the previous month's previous month's usage and this year's previous month's change (increase or decrease) by the number of months in this month, the average value of the previous year's previous month's usage and this year's previous month's usage per day this month ( Equation 3) is calculated.

      Average value of the amount of change in the previous month's previous month's usage and this month's previous month's usage per day this month (previous year → this year's variation (average)) = (previous month's usage and this month's previous month's usage) / number of months in this month Formula 3)

  The average value of the current day's forecasted amount calculated by (Equation 2) and the previous month's previous month's usage calculated by (Equation 3) and the amount of change in this month's previous month's usage per day this month (previous year → this year's change) The amount (average) is added together to calculate the daily forecasted usage amount (Formula 4) of the current month forecast day.

Daily forecasted usage of the current month's forecast date = Forecasted usage of the current month's forecast date + Average value of the change in the previous month's usage and previous year's usage for the current month (Formula 4)
(1-2) If you are a daily information acquisition target and the accumulated date of past gas meter information (guideline values) is more than 1 year and 2 months

  In this case, since the management device 13 acquires the gas meter information on a daily basis (automatically), the prediction calculation process S05 is performed on a daily basis from the day when the gas meter information is acquired.

  The daily predicted usage amount after X days on the day when the gas meter information is acquired (M month D day Y) is calculated by the following method.

  First, in this case, the sum of the usage from 30 days to 60 days before, starting from M / D on year Y, is the previous usage of this year, and the usage from 30 days to 60 days before the same month the year before, on M / D, Y The sum of the amounts is the previous year's previous usage amount, and the sum of the usage amounts from the same month last year on the month D of Y year to 30 days ago is the previous year's current usage amount. Then, the previous year's usage this year is read as the previous month's usage, the previous year's previous usage is read as the previous year's usage, the previous year's current usage is read as the previous year's (this month) usage, and the above (Formula 1) to (Formula 4) Use to calculate.

      Predicted change in usage on the forecast date = (Difference between current usage in the previous year and previous usage in the previous year) / (sum of days from the first day of the current month to the last day) x number of days from the acquisition date of the gas meter to the forecast date X (formula 1)

      Predicted usage of the current day of the month = previous usage of previous year / 30 days + predicted usage change of the predicted date (Formula 2)

      Average value per day of the previous year's previous usage and this year's previous usage change (previous year → this year's change (average)) = (previous year's previous usage and this year's previous usage) / 30 days (Formula 3)

Daily forecasted usage of the current month forecasted date = Forecasted usage of the current month forecasted date + Average value per day of the previous year's usage and the previous year's usage change (Equation 4)
(2) When using a coefficient (usage or rate of change from the reference month) indicating the tendency of gas usage in each year registered in advance as the reference gas usage per month

  The daily predicted usage amount of the current month prediction date (M month X day) several days after the date (M month D day) when the gas meter information is acquired is calculated by the following method.

  In this case, the previous year's previous usage is read as the previous month's coefficient, and the previous year's current usage is read as the previous year's this month (current month) coefficient, and calculated using the above (Formula 1) to (Formula 4).

      Predicted change in use on the predicted day = (Difference between the previous month's current month coefficient and the previous month's previous month coefficient) / (sum of days from the first day of the current month to the last day) x number of days from the beginning of the month to the predicted date X (Formula 1)

      Predicted amount of use on the current day's forecast date = previous month's previous month coefficient / number of days in the current month + expected amount of change in the forecast date (Formula 2)

      Average value per day of change in the previous month's previous month coefficient and this year's previous month's usage (previous year → change this year (average)) = (previous month's previous month coefficient and change in previous year's usage) / 30 days (Formula 3)

      Daily forecasted usage of the current month's forecast date = Forecasted usage of the current month's forecast date + Average value per day of the change in the previous month's previous month coefficient and this year's previous month's usage

  In the prediction calculation process S05, the above (1) is given priority over the above (2), but the previous month's previous month's usage (previous year's previous usage, previous year's previous month coefficient) and previous year's usage (the previous year's current usage, previous year's this month) When there is no coefficient, the above (2) is used.

  <Limit date calculation processing>

  Next, the limit date calculation process S06 will be described.

  In the limit date calculation process S06, the above-mentioned prediction calculation process S05 calculates the total predicted usage after the date when the gas meter information was most recently acquired based on the daily predicted usage after the date when the gas meter information was acquired most recently. .

  Further, based on the guide value of the gas meter information, the actual remaining amount of gas (remaining gas amount) at the time of obtaining the gas meter information is calculated. The remaining amount of gas is a value obtained by subtracting the total amount of gas used every month after delivery (exchange) from the gas capacity at delivery (exchange). Then, the total predicted usage amount is subtracted from the actual gas remaining amount for each day, and the gas remaining amount predicted value for each day after the date when the gas meter information was most recently acquired is calculated.

  Then, the most recent date for which the gas remaining amount prediction value falls below the delivery limit threshold (limit rate) is specified, and the date before the limit number of days (for example, 3 days) is determined as the delivery limit date.

The delivery limit threshold and the limit number of days are values that are individually set in advance depending on the usage status of each LP gas contractor (supplier facility U).
(Concrete example)

  With reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, for example, a case where the prediction calculation process S05 is executed on November 15, 2017 (gas meter information is acquired) will be specifically described. In the following, it is an LP gas contractor other than the above-mentioned (1-1) daily information acquisition target person or a daily information acquisition target person, and the accumulated date of past gas meter information (guideline value) is The case of less than one year and two months will be described. However, in the case of (1-2) daily information acquisition target and the accumulated date of past gas meter information (guideline value) is more than one year and two months, Even if the coefficient (usage or change rate of usage from the reference month) indicating the tendency of gas usage in each year registered in advance as the above (2) is used as the reference gas usage, the same applies. is there.

  FIG. 15A is an example of actual usage (actual values) from September to November of the previous year (2016). The base usage for each month is the total usage for the previous month. FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram of the predicted usage change amount and the daily predicted usage amount calculated by (Equation 1). FIG. 11C is a daily forecast usage table for November 2017 calculated by the forecast calculation process S05. FIG. 16A is a graph conceptually showing the daily predicted usage. FIG. 16B is a limit date calculation table based on FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the previous month's usage (October 2016) is 20 cubic meters, and the previous month's usage (November 2016) is 29 cubic meters. The previous month's usage (October 2017) is assumed to be 25 cubic meters. The sum of the days from the first day of the current month (November 2017) to the last day (30th) is 465 days, and the number of days from the beginning of the predicted day) X is 15 days.

  In this case, the predicted usage change amount on the prediction date is 0.29 cubic m (= (29 cubic m−20 cubic m) / 465 days × 15 days) according to (Equation 1).

  Here, in (Equation 1), the difference (change) between the previous month's usage this month and the previous month's usage shown in dot hatching in the same figure (b) is the sum of the days from the first day to the last day of the current month. Is excluded. As a result, the unit predicted usage change amount per day of the current month is calculated as indicated by hatched hatching in FIG. By adding the unit predicted use change amount for the number of days from the beginning of the month (for example, 15 days), the predicted use change amount on the prediction date (November 15) is obtained.

  As shown in the November 15 column of FIG. 10C, the predicted usage amount of the current month is 0.96 cubic m (= 20 cubic m / 30 days + 0. 29 cubic meters), and the average value of the amount of change in the previous month's previous month's usage and this year's previous month's usage per day this month (previous year → this year's variation (average)) is 0.17 cubic m (from Equation 3) = (25 cubic m-20 cubic m) / 30 days). As a result, the predicted daily usage amount on the predicted date of the current month (November 15, 2017) is 1.13 cubic m (= 0.96 cubic m + 0.17 cubic m) from (Equation 4).

  The calculations of (Expression 1) to (Expression 4) are performed for November 1 to November 30, 2017, respectively. As a result, the daily forecast usage table for November 2017 shown in FIG.

  In the case of (1-1) and (2) above, the daily forecast usage table shown in (c) of the figure is created once a month (for example, daily forecast for the next month at the end of the month). Create a usage table). In the case of (1-2), a daily predicted usage table for one month is created (updated) on a daily basis (daily).

  With reference to FIG. 16 (a), according to the present embodiment, the predicted usage amount of the current month calculated by (Equation 2) (the total usage amount of the previous month of the previous year is averaged by the number of days in the current month), Predicted usage change amount (Equation 1) calculated to increase or decrease every day, plus the average value per day of this month (Equation 3) of the previous month's previous month's usage and this month's previous month's usage Then, the daily forecast usage is calculated.

  On the other hand, the broken line in FIG. 9A is a comparative example, and the average amount of change is obtained by dividing the past month's usage (actual amount) by the number of months, and the average value of the change is used as a reference. It is the result of the prediction method added to the base usage amount of the current month (forecast date).

  The amount of gas used actually increases or decreases from day to day according to seasonal changes. That is, if the amount of change is averaged as shown by the broken line in FIG. 9A, for example, the estimated date of delivery is calculated at the end of the month, and the gas may be deficient before the gas cylinder 20 is replaced. Becomes higher.

  According to the present embodiment, since the predicted usage change amount is calculated so as to increase or decrease from day to day (in the figure (a), increase), for example, when the scheduled delivery date is calculated at the end of the month. Even if it exists, it becomes easy to follow the actual situation, and it is possible to avoid the risk of gas shortage before replacing the gas cylinder 20.

  Also, in addition to the predicted usage change amount, the average change amount per day (previous year → change this year (average)) of the previous year's previous year's usage amount and this year's previous usage change amount is also added. Quantity prediction is possible.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 16B, in the limit date calculation process S06, a limit date calculation table is created based on the predicted usage change amount.

  In this example, based on the gas meter information acquired on November 15, 2017, values from that day (November 16, 2017 to November 30, 2017) are obtained. The contents of the gas meter information (actual value) acquired on November 15, 2017 are as follows: the remaining amount of gas is 15 cubic meters, and the capacity of the gas cylinder 20 of the supply destination facility U is 100 cubic meters (50 kg × 2) in total. It is assumed that the delivery limit threshold is set to 5% and the limit days are set to 3 days.

  As shown in the figure, based on the daily predicted usage after November 16, the total predicted usage after November 16 (1.14 cubic m on 16th, 2.31 on 17th (≈1). , 14 + 1.16) cubic m...) And subtracting the total amount used every day from the actual remaining gas amount (15 cubic m) (13.86 on the 16th (= 15-1.14)) Cubic m, 17th is 12.69 (= 15-2.31) cubic m ...), the estimated remaining gas amount on each day after November 16, and the total number of gas cylinders 20 in the supply facility U The ratio of the estimated remaining gas amount to the capacity is calculated.

  Then, the most recent date (November 24 in this example) where the ratio of the gas remaining amount prediction value to the total capacity of the gas cylinder 20 in the supply destination facility U falls below the delivery limit threshold (limit rate) is specified, and from that date Also, the date (November 21 in this example) before the limit number of days (3 days) is determined as the limit date of delivery.

  Although the delivery prediction process has been described with a specific example, the delivery prediction process of the present embodiment is not limited to the above example. That is, gas meter information is acquired more frequently than once a week (for example, daily), daily forecast usage is calculated so that it increases or decreases every day, and LP gas contractors are informed of gas shortages, etc. If it is possible to calculate the delivery limit date when the estimated amount of gas remaining is as low as possible without causing a risk, and predict the optimal delivery route for each person in charge of delivery (delivery person) and delivery vehicle Good.

  As described above, in the gas supply management system 10 using the LPWA of the present embodiment, the management device 13 (delivery management means 50) can automatically acquire the gas meter information remotely at an arbitrary timing. Thereby, the management apparatus 13 (delivery management means 50) can grasp | ascertain gas meter information on a daily basis (at any time), and can utilize this for efficiency improvement of LP gas delivery work. Specifically, an optimal delivery date and an efficient delivery route for delivering the gas cylinder 20 are predicted, and a process until the number of gas cylinders 20 loaded on a plurality of delivery vehicles is instructed automatically is performed. As a result, in the past, the meter reading work of meter readers and the delivery of LP gas, which had strong elements depending on the delivery of gas cylinders, did not require the inherited know-how, and the LP gas delivery work was always efficient. Is possible.

  Further, by using LPWA, it is possible to cover a wide area user (supply destination facility U of the gas cylinder 20) with low cost and low power consumption.

  The gas meter information may be collected by the mobile terminal 12 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, in addition to automatic acquisition by the management device 13 (delivery management means 50). For example, the mobile terminal 12 receives and collects the gas meter information transmitted from the information transmission device 11, and transmits (uploads) the gas meter information to the management device 13 via the network NW1 (or network NW3). Good (see FIG. 1). As a result, in areas where the gas meter information cannot be acquired by the network NW3 (LPWA network), the meter reader has the portable terminal 12 as described in the first embodiment, goes to the area to be metered, and displays the gas meter information. Can be collected.

  Further, part or all of each device (hardware) constituting the gas supply management system 10 may be replaced with software that realizes a function equivalent to that of the device (hardware).

  Further, the gas supply management system 10 and the like of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 Gas Supply Management System 11 Information Transmitting Means (Information Transmitting Device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Mobile terminal 13 Management apparatus 14 Server apparatus 20 for business operators Gas cylinder 21 Gas meter 22 External terminal 23 Connection means 25 Gas supply pipe 50 Delivery management means 111 Connection part 112 Acquisition part 113 Communication part 114 Battery 115 Control part 116 Memory 117 Information transmission request Reception means 118 Individual information transmission means 121 Display means 122 Input means 123 Memory 124 Communication means 127 Geographic information display means 128 Information transmission request means 129 Information reception / transmission means 133 Storage means (storage device)
134 Input means 135 Output means 136 Communication means 137 Usage amount calculation means 138 Delivery prediction means 139 Geographic information display means NW Network NW1 Network NW2 Network NW3 Network

Claims (33)

A gas supply management system comprising information transmission means, collection means, management means , storage means, and a network to which these are connected ,
The information transmitting means is connected to each gas meter corresponding to a gas container of a plurality of supply destination facilities, acquires information from the gas meter, and transmits the information to the collecting means.
The collection means is a base station or a terminal connected to the base station , collects the information transmitted from the information transmission means,
The storage means stores the information collected by the collection means,
The management means is configured to acquire the information from the storage means via a network,
The management means includes a usage amount calculation means and a delivery prediction means,
The usage calculation means is a means for calculating and outputting a gas usage for each gas container based on the information ,
The delivery predicting means is a means capable of calculating a predicted daily usage amount in a future date, and predicting a scheduled delivery date of the gas container for each supply destination facility ,
The delivery prediction means includes
Based on the reference gas usage in the past specified period, calculate the unit predicted usage change amount that is the amount of increase or decrease in usage from the previous day on the day to be predicted,
Calculating the predicted usage change amount on the day to be predicted by accumulating the unit predicted usage change amount for the number of days until the day to be predicted, and calculating the predicted usage amount based on the predicted usage change amount;
A gas supply management system characterized by that. The delivery prediction means calculates the predicted usage amount for each day by adding the average daily predicted usage amount as a reference and the predicted usage change amount.
The gas supply management system according to claim 1. The delivery prediction means calculates the predicted usage amount so as to increase or decrease with the passage of days;
The gas supply management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The reference gas usage amount is a past usage amount,
The gas supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The reference gas use amount is a set value based on a trend of gas use amount in an ordinary year.
Gas supply management system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. The delivery predicting means predicts a daily gas remaining amount in a future date in the gas container based on the predicted usage, and predicts a date when the gas remaining amount is reduced to a predetermined amount. Determine the expected delivery date,
The gas supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The predetermined amount is an amount greater than zero;
The gas supply management system according to claim 6. A gas supply management system comprising an information transmission means, a collection means, and a management means,
The information transmitting means is connected to each gas meter corresponding to a gas container of a plurality of supply destination facilities, acquires information from the gas meter, and transmits the information to the collecting means.
The collection means is a terminal capable of mobile communication for collecting the information transmitted from the information transmission means,
The terminal transmits an information transmission request for a predetermined period at an arbitrary timing to the information transmission unit ,
The information transmission means periodically receives the information transmission request from the terminal, transmits the information to the terminal based on the information transmission request,
The terminal receives the information transmitted from the information transmission unit, transmits the information to the management unit,
The management unit includes a usage amount calculation unit and a delivery prediction unit, and acquires the information collected by the collection unit via a network,
Based on the information, the usage calculation means calculates and outputs the gas usage for each gas container,
Predicting the scheduled delivery date of the gas container for each of the destination facilities by the delivery prediction means ;
A gas supply management system characterized by that . The delivery prediction means includes
Receiving an input of a delivery date of the gas container for each of the supply destination facilities and storing the delivery date in a storage means;
Set an information reception date for accepting input of the information transmitted from the terminal after a predetermined period from the delivery date,
When the input of the information is received on the information reception date, the remaining amount of gas in the gas container is calculated based on the information, and the next delivery is predicted by predicting the number of days until the remaining amount of gas is reduced to a predetermined amount. Determine the expected date of the day,
The gas supply management system according to claim 8. The terminal includes display means for displaying success or failure of acquisition of the information for each target gas meter.
The gas supply management system according to claim 8 or 9 , characterized by the above. The terminal includes an information reception / transmission unit that receives an input of the information by a user of the terminal and transmits the information to a previous management terminal.
The gas supply management system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein The management means collects the information more frequently than monthly;
The gas supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein The management means identifies and outputs the supply destination facility to be delivered based on the predicted delivery date predicted.
The gas supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein The delivery prediction means predicts an optimal delivery route based on the scheduled delivery date;
Gas supply management system according to any of claims 13 claim 1, wherein the. Equipped with mobile communication terminals,
The management means transmits the delivery route to the mobile communication terminal.
The gas supply management system according to claim 14. The delivery prediction means includes
Determining a route that can be delivered by a shortest route for a plurality of the supply destination facilities in a predetermined range including at least the plurality of supply destination facilities having the same scheduled delivery date;
Gas supply management system according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that. The information is information including a unique number that can identify the gas meter, and a guideline value and safety information indicating a gas usage amount for each gas container.
Gas supply management system according to any of claims 16 claim 1, wherein the. The information transmitting means includes a battery.
The gas supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein A step of acquiring information from the gas meter by information transmitting means connected to gas meters corresponding to gas containers of a plurality of supply destination facilities, and transmitting the information to a collecting means which is a base station or a terminal connected to the base station via a network. When,
Storing the information collected by the collection means in a storage means via the network;
A management unit that obtains the information from the storage unit, and calculates and outputs the amount of gas used for each gas container based on the information;
The management means predicting a next scheduled delivery date of the gas container for each of the supply destination facilities based on the information, and identifying the supply destination facility to be delivered based on the scheduled delivery date; A gas supply management method comprising:
In the step of calculating the amount of gas used,
Based on the reference gas usage in the past specified period, calculate the unit predicted usage change amount that is the amount of increase or decrease in usage from the previous day on the day to be predicted,
Calculate the predicted usage change on the day to be predicted by accumulating the unit predicted usage change for the number of days until the day to be predicted,
Calculate daily predicted usage on a future date based on the predicted usage change amount,
The gas supply management method characterized by the above-mentioned . Calculate the predicted usage by adding the average daily usage forecast amount per day and the predicted usage change amount for each day.
The gas supply management method according to claim 19 . Calculate the predicted usage so that it increases or decreases with the passage of days,
The gas supply management method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein The reference gas usage amount is a past usage amount,
The gas supply management method according to any one of claims 19 to 21 , wherein the gas supply management method is provided. The reference gas use amount is a set value based on a trend of gas use amount in an ordinary year.
Gas supply management method according to any one of claims 21 claim 19, characterized in that. Based on the predicted usage amount, the gas remaining amount by day in the future date in the gas container is predicted, and the date on which the remaining gas amount is reduced to a predetermined amount is predicted to determine the scheduled delivery date. To
The gas supply management method according to any one of claims 19 to 23 , wherein: The predetermined amount is an amount greater than zero;
The gas supply management method according to claim 24 , wherein: A collecting unit, which is a terminal capable of mobile communication, transmitting an information transmission request for a predetermined period at an arbitrary timing to an information transmitting unit respectively connected to a gas meter corresponding to a gas container of a plurality of supply destination facilities; ,
The information transmission means periodically receiving the information transmission request from the terminal, acquiring information from the gas meter based on the information transmission request, and transmitting the information to the terminal;
Management means
Obtaining the information collected by the collecting means via a network;
Based on the information, calculating and outputting the amount of gas used for each gas container;
Based on the information, predicting the next delivery date of the gas container for each of the destination facilities;
Identifying the destination facility to be delivered based on the predicted scheduled delivery date;
Having
The gas supply management method characterized by the above-mentioned . Set an information reception date for receiving input of the information transmitted from the terminal after a predetermined period from the delivery date of the gas container for each supply facility,
Calculating the remaining amount of gas in the gas container based on the information input on the information reception date, and determining the scheduled date by predicting the number of days until the remaining amount of gas is reduced to a predetermined amount;
The gas supply management method according to claim 26 . Collecting the information more frequently than monthly;
The gas supply management method according to any one of claims 19 to 27 , wherein: Predicting an optimal delivery route based on the scheduled date,
The gas supply management method according to any one of claims 19 to 28, wherein: Transmitting the delivery route predicted by the management means to a mobile communication terminal;
30. The gas supply management method according to claim 29 . Determining a route that can be delivered by the shortest route for a plurality of the supply destination facilities in a predetermined range including at least the plurality of supply destination facilities having the same scheduled date;
The gas supply management method according to any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein the gas supply management method is provided. A program for causing a computer to execute the gas supply management method according to any one of claims 19 to 31. An information transmission device constituting the information transmission means in the gas supply management system according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
With replaceable batteries,
A connecting portion for connecting to each external terminal of the gas meter;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the information from the gas meter;
A communication unit capable of transmitting the information to the collection unit via the network,
An information transmitting apparatus characterized by that.

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