JP6803488B1 - Gas supply management system, gas supply management method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas supply management system and gas supply capable of performing appropriate delivery according to a gas usage situation, avoiding a gas shortage, and efficiently supplying (delivering) a stable gas. Provide management methods and programs. SOLUTION: A gas supply management system 10 supplies gas to a supply destination facility U in which a gas container 20 shared by a plurality of households is arranged, and obtains a usage amount of gas used for each household at a predetermined frequency. The means 51, the door-to-door usage amount calculation means 52 for calculating the daily usage amount (house-to-house usage amount) for each house by the first method or the second method according to the acquisition status of the gas usage amount, and the door-to-door usage amount The total usage amount calculation means 53 that calculates the daily usage amount (total usage amount) of the supply destination facility by totaling the number of all units, and the delivery period of the gas container 20 for each supply destination facility U based on the total usage amount. It has a delivery period determining means 54 for determining. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

The present invention relates to a gas supply management system, a gas supply management method and a program for efficiently supplying (delivering) liquefied petroleum (LP) gas.

Conventionally, there is known a system that receives input of measured values from a gas meter sequentially or periodically, predicts gas consumption for each customer, and derives a delivery plan for fuel delivery work (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-199552

However, if the supply destination facility is a facility that arranges and manages (multiple) gas cylinders shared by multiple units, for example, attached to a collective property such as an apartment or condominium, the usage amount varies from unit to unit (variation is large). ). In addition, in the case of the supply destination facility attached to the collective property, the above-mentioned data aggregation device and communication device will be installed for each house, but there may be a living room where data cannot be acquired depending on the communication status. In addition, since the above-mentioned data aggregation device and communication device cannot be forced to be installed, there may be a living room that refuses to be installed in the first place.

For this reason, it is difficult to predict the usage amount of the supply destination facility attached to the collective property compared to the detached supply destination facility, and the calculation error of the prediction becomes large, so that an accurate delivery plan cannot be performed. There's a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even at the supply destination facility attached to the collective property, the amount of gas used can be appropriately grasped according to the situation, the accuracy of prediction of the amount of gas used can be improved, and efficient delivery can be performed. It is intended to provide gas supply management systems, gas supply management methods and programs that can be performed.

The present invention provides a gas supply management system for the delivery of the gas container to the supply destination facility, the supply destination facility is a facility to place the gas container to be shared by multiple doors, door-to-door gas at a predetermined frequent Use the usage amount acquisition means for acquiring the usage amount, the first method if the gas usage amount can be obtained, and the second method if the gas usage amount cannot be obtained , per day for each house. The daily usage amount of the supply destination facility (hereinafter referred to as "total usage amount") is obtained by totaling the usage amount for each unit and the usage amount for each unit (hereinafter referred to as "household usage amount"). a total amount calculation means for calculating the called.) ", based on the total amount, the a delivery period determining means for determining a delivery time of the gas container for each supply destination facility, have a, the first The method is to calculate the daily average value of the gas usage amount acquired frequently in the predetermined period immediately before the calculation date and use it as the household usage amount, and the second method is the past predetermined period. It is a gas supply management system characterized in that the average value of the gas usage amount acquired in 1) per day is calculated and used as the household usage amount .

Further, the present invention is a gas supply management method for delivering a gas container to a supply destination facility, wherein the supply destination facility is a facility in which a gas container shared by a plurality of households is arranged, and a usage amount acquisition means is predetermined. obtaining a gas consumption of individual homes in multiple frequency, if the door-to-door use amount calculating unit could get the gas consumption using the first method, if failure to obtain the gas usage The step of calculating the daily usage amount for each house (hereinafter referred to as "household usage amount") using the second method , and the total usage amount calculation means totaling the usage amount for each house for all the units and the supply destination. The step of calculating the daily usage amount of the facility (hereinafter referred to as "total usage amount") and the delivery period determining means determine the delivery period of the gas container for each supply destination facility based on the total usage amount. a step, was closed, the first method is calculated date to calculate the daily average of the gas consumption acquired by the frequent during a predetermined period immediately before is intended to be the house-to-house usage, The second method is a gas supply management method characterized in that the average value of the gas usage amount acquired in the past predetermined period per day is calculated and used as the household usage amount .

Further, the present invention is a program characterized in that a computer executes the above gas supply management method.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately grasp the amount of gas used according to the situation, improve the accuracy of predicting the amount of gas used, and efficiently deliver the gas even at the supply destination facility attached to the collective property. Gas supply management systems, gas supply management methods and programs can be provided.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the gas supply management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, is (A) the whole schematic diagram, (B) is a block diagram which shows the function of the management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the gas supply management method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the gas supply management method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting parameter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the outline of the delivery period which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

<Overall configuration>
The overall configuration of the gas supply management system 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of the gas supply management system 10 of the present embodiment. The gas supply management system 10 efficiently performs operations such as meter reading, security, and delivery of LP gas by collecting information from LP gas meters 21 provided in each of a plurality of destination facilities U of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas. It is something to do. Here, the supply destination facility U is an LP gas installation facility provided on or near the premises of a facility such as the residence of an LP gas contractor, and refers to an LP gas installation location. Further, as an example in the present embodiment, the "facility such as the residence of the contractor" is an apartment property having a plurality of living rooms, residences, stores, etc. such as an apartment, a condominium, an apartment house, and an apartment store. That is, the supply destination facility U is a facility in which one or a plurality of gas containers (gas cylinders) 20 shared by a plurality of units are arranged and managed, which are attached to an apartment or condominium. In this example, it is assumed that two gas cylinders 20 are installed in a certain supply destination facility U as a target. In this case, the LP gas meter 21 is provided for each door. That is, when the number of units in the collective property is, for example, 10 units, it is assumed that 10 LP gas meters 21 are attached to the two gas cylinders 20.

The gas supply management system 10 of the present embodiment is, for example, an LP gas meter 21, an information transmission means (information transmission device) 11, a management means (management device) 13, an information collection means 31, and a storage means (storage device). ) 30, a mobile terminal 12, and a communication line (network NW) to which they are connected. The network NW of the present embodiment is a general term for all known wired and / or wireless communication line (network) NWs and NW3s.

The network NW1 is, for example, a wireless mobile communication network (including a base station, etc.), a wireless data communication network based on a wireless LAN system such as WiFi (registered trademark), and a short-range wireless communication standard (Bluetooth (registered trademark)). A wireless data communication network based on the wireless PAN system), a wireless MAN system such as WiMAX (registered trademark), a wireless data communication network based on the wireless WAN system, etc., and a network NW2 in which the management device 13 and the operator server device 14 are connected. Is, for example, a communication line constructed by a LAN, the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a gateway, or the like. The form of communication may be wired or wireless.

Further, the network NW3 is, for example, a communication line using a power-saving (low power) and wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication technology. "Power-saving (low-power) and wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication technology" means communication (in kilometers) that consumes less power and covers a wider area than WiFi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). A wireless communication technology that enables long-distance communication). Further, 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 specifically described as an example. The gas supply management system 10 using LPWA mainly uses an LPWA network that uses a communication band (920 MHz band) that does not require a license in acquiring (collecting) information (gas meter information) from the information transmitting device 11. By using it, low-cost, low-power consumption, wide-area (long-distance) wireless communication becomes possible. The network NW3 is not limited to an LPWA network as long as it is a communication network (communication line) capable of wireless communication over a wide area (long distance).

The information transmission device 11 is externally or built in each of a plurality of LP gas meters 21 (for example, for the number of units) arranged in the plurality of supply destination facilities U, and corresponds to an arbitrary timing or a predetermined timing. Information from the LP gas meter 21 (hereinafter referred to as gas meter information) is acquired and transmitted to the collection device 31 and / or the mobile terminal 12 via the network NW3. The information transmitting device 11 may be configured to be connected to a fuel gauge and / or a regulator instead of (or in addition to) the LP gas meter 21. Although detailed illustration of the information transmission device 11 is omitted, for example, a built-in battery (a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium ion battery) that can be replaced together with or independently of the LP gas meter 21) is used as a power source and stored in a memory by a control unit. It performs processing for executing various software programs and the like for realizing the operation of the entire information transmitting device 11 and processing for transferring control signals and data. The information transmission device 11 (and the LP gas meter 21) has a configuration corresponding to the LPWA type network (communication line) NW3.

Here, the "gas meter information" includes a unique number (for example, a serial number) that can identify each LP gas meter 21, a guideline value indicating the amount of gas used in the gas cylinder 20 in a predetermined period, and safety information (individual gas cylinder 20). Information for monitoring the pressure of the gas cylinder and detecting a gas leak, etc.), the acquisition date (meter reading date) of the information, and the date when the gas cylinder 20 was replaced, etc. are included at least.

The gas meter information transmitted by the information transmission device 11 is automatically and arbitrarily collected by the collection device 31 and / or at a predetermined timing, and is transmitted to the storage device 30 via the network NW to which the collection device 31 is connected. Further, the gas meter information transmitted by the information transmission device 11 is collected by the mobile terminal 12 via the network NW3 and transmitted to the storage means 30 and / or the management device 13 via the network NW.

The collecting means (collecting device) 31 is a means for connecting to the network NW3 and collecting gas meter information transmitted by the information transmitting device 11, and is, for example, a radio base station compatible with LPWA communication or a radio base station. It is a fixed terminal that connects by wire (or wirelessly). Further, the collecting means 31 may be a radio base station for LPWA communication and / or mobile communication, or may be a mobile communication terminal connected to the radio base station. Further, the base station here may be an artificial satellite equipped with a base station capable of LPWA communication. The collecting device 31 stores and stores the acquired gas meter information in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 30 via the network NW.

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, and is, for example, a server (cloud server) provided in a cloud environment.

The management device 13 is, for example, a server device (or personal computer (PC)) known as a hardware configuration, and has a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage means, input means, display means, and communication means (all not shown). And so on. The management device 13 connects to the network NW1 and acquires gas meter information or the like stored in the storage device 30 via the network NW1 and / or transmitted from the mobile terminal 12. Further, in this example, at least a part of the functions of the management device 13 are stored in the storage device 30 as an application program, and are configured to be used in the management device 13 by the cloud computing system. Further, the management device 13 is connected to the gas operator server device 14. The business server device 14 holds, for example, the personal information of the LP gas contractor. The management means 13 realizes the main functions of the gas supply management system 10 of the present embodiment.

The mobile terminal 12 is a terminal device capable of mobile communication carried by a meter reader (meter reader) of the LP gas meter 21, a delivery person of the gas cylinder 20, or a person in charge of the supply source of LP gas, a delivery vehicle of the gas cylinder 20, or the like. It is a known terminal device capable of mobile communication (wireless communication) attached to, and receives and collects gas meter information transmitted from the information transmitting device 11 and / or transmitted from the collecting means 31 and the storage means 30. Then, the gas meter information is transmitted (uploaded) to the management device 13 via the network NW. Further, information including gas meter information can be transmitted and received to and from the management device 13, the storage device 30, the information transmission device 11, and the like via the radio base station (collection device) 31 of the network NW (NW3). Here, the “source” of LP gas refers to, for example, LP gas contractors (consumers) such as each LP gas company, branches of each LP gas company, filling stations, distribution centers, and retailers. It is a general term for those who supply LP gas.

Information on delivery predicted by the management device 13 (delivery destination (supply destination facility U, the same applies hereinafter), delivery route, information on delivery status, etc.) is transmitted to the mobile terminal 12 and can be displayed on the display means 121. ing. In addition, the mobile terminal 12 receives registration (update) of the delivery person's work schedule, delivery destination, delivery route, delivery status information, security check information, and the like, and the management device 13 and / or the storage device 30 receives such information. Is configured to be transmittable. In addition, it is possible to read character and image information, scan barcodes, display (and output) delivery slips, and the like.

In the gas supply management system 10 using LPWA of the present embodiment, as already described, the gas meter information transmitted by the information transmitting device 11 is automatically and arbitrarily timing (including a predetermined timing) by the collecting device 31. Is collected and transmitted to the storage device 30 via the network NW to which the collection device 31 is connected. The collection device 31 can collect gas meter information on a regular basis, for example, once a day at a fixed time (daily), and can also collect gas meter information at any time (at any time) as needed. Information can be collected.

In the storage area of the storage device 30, for example, for each supply destination facility U, unique numbers of a plurality of (all) gas meters 21 arranged in the supply destination facility U (for example, the serial number of the gas meter 21) and For each gas meter 21, gas meter information acquired during a predetermined meter reading period in the past and / or gas meter information acquired daily is stored in association with date (period) information. Further, the management device 13 can acquire gas meter information and the like stored in the storage device 30.

That is, the management device 13 can remotely and automatically acquire the gas meter information transmitted by the information transmission device 11 regardless of the meter reading work of the meter reader (for example, the reception / collection process of the gas meter information by the mobile terminal 12). As a result, the management device 13 can frequently grasp the gas meter information including the gas consumption amount. Here, the high frequency means that the frequency is higher (higher) than the monthly frequency, and it means that the frequency is 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 on a daily basis to grasp the amount of gas used and the like. As a result, the management device 13 utilizes the acquired gas meter information for the monthly meter reading business in the LP gas sales business, calculates the usage amount on a daily basis, predicts the delivery, and performs the efficiency of the LP gas delivery business. Utilize for conversion. Specifically, it predicts the optimum delivery date and efficient (optimal) delivery route (delivery route) for delivering the gas cylinder 20, and indicates the number of gas cylinders 20 to be loaded on a plurality of delivery vehicles. Perform the process automatically.

<Management means (management device)>
An example of the management device 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (B). FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing an outline of the functions of the management device 13. The management device 13 includes, for example, a core processing means 57 and a delivery management means 50, and realizes the main functions of the gas supply management system 10 of the present embodiment. The core processing means 57 is mainly based on gas meter information, and is a security management process that reflects inspection information on a monthly basis (monthly), a delivery management (inventory management) process that reflects inventory, and a database update process such as customer information. , Other known core business processing, etc. In the following embodiment, a certain (one place) supply destination facility U to be targeted will be described, but the same can be applied to a plurality of different supply destination facilities U.

The delivery management means 50 includes, for example, a usage amount acquisition means 51, a door-to-door usage amount calculation means 52, a total usage amount calculation means 53, a delivery period determination means 54, a delivery prediction means 55, and the like.

The usage amount acquisition means 51 acquires the gas usage amount for each house from a plurality of gas meters 21 provided in a certain (one location) supply destination facility U, which is a target, at a predetermined frequency. The gas usage amount is a guideline value included in the gas meter information for each gas meter 21. In the present embodiment, the supply destination facility U is attached to the collective property, and the supply destination facility U is provided with gas meters 21 for a plurality of units. As an example, a target (one location) supply destination facility U is a facility attached to, for example, an aggregate property having 10 rooms, and all the rooms are provided with, for example, two gas cylinders 20 shared. , 10 gas meters 21 for managing the two gas cylinders 20 are provided. The usage amount acquisition means 51 is configured to be able to acquire the gas usage amount (guideline value) from all the gas meters 21 in the target supply destination facility U, respectively. Further, the predetermined frequency is higher than monthly (frequency once a month), preferably once to several times a week, and more preferably once a day (frequency once a day). Daily) frequency. That is, in this example, the management means 13 frequently (for example, daily) acquires gas meter information. The usage amount acquisition means 51 can acquire the information at any time, whereby the gas usage amount (guideline value) corresponding to all the gas meters 21 provided in the supply destination facility U is frequently (for example, daily). You can get it at.

Here, when acquiring gas meter information, it fails to acquire gas meter information on a daily basis for at least some of the plurality of gas meters 21 arranged in the target supply destination facility U, such as when the communication state is poor. May be done. Further, for example, there may be a mixture of gas meters 21 in which the information transmission device 11 for acquiring / transmitting gas meter information cannot be installed without obtaining the permission of the resident or the like. When there is a gas meter 21 whose daily gas meter information cannot be acquired in this way, the usage amount acquisition means 51 holds the gas meter 21 in the storage device 30 in the past gas meter information (predetermined past). The amount of gas used is acquired based on the gas meter information acquired during the meter reading period.

The household usage amount calculation means 52 uses the first method or the second method according to the acquisition status of the gas usage amount acquired by the usage amount acquisition means 51, and the daily usage amount for each house (hereinafter referred to as "household usage amount"). .) Is calculated. Specifically, in the door-to-door usage amount calculation means 52, the living room where the gas usage amount (gas meter information) can be acquired daily and the period during which the gas usage amount cannot be acquired daily are within a predetermined number of days (for example, 3 days). For living rooms (hereinafter referred to as "living rooms where usage amount can be obtained"), the usage amount for each house was calculated using the first method, and the period during which gas usage amount could not be obtained on a daily basis exceeded the prescribed number of days. Living rooms (for example, 4 days or more) (In addition to cases where gas meter information cannot be acquired from the information transmitting device 11 due to communication abnormalities, etc., including rooms in which the information transmitting device 11 is not installed, the following refers to "usage cannot be acquired". For "living room"), the amount used for each house is calculated using the second method.

The first method is the amount of gas used (hereinafter referred to as “daily”) obtained daily for several days immediately before the delivery management process (for example, 3 days immediately before (or excluding) the day of delivery, 15 days immediately before). This is a method in which the average value of the acquired gas usage amount per day is used as the household usage amount (per day) on the day of implementation. The household usage amount calculated by the first method is referred to as the first household usage amount U1. If the amount of gas used can be obtained on a daily basis (continuously), there is generally no significant change between the amount of gas used on a daily basis for the last few days and the amount of gas used on a daily basis on the day of implementation. In addition, by setting the average value per day for the last few days, even if there is a sudden change in the daily acquisition gas usage on the day of implementation (a single day before that), it can be leveled. Therefore, the daily average value of the daily acquired gas usage for several days immediately before the implementation date is defined as the gas usage on the implementation date (first household usage U1). It can be said that the usage amount U1 for each first unit is approximately close to the actual usage amount on the day of implementation.

The second method is a method in which the average value of the amount of gas used per day acquired in the past predetermined period is used as the amount of gas used per household (per day) on the day of implementation. The household usage amount calculated by the second method is referred to as the second household usage amount U2. The past predetermined period is, for example, the period of the same month (1 month) of the previous year, the period of the previous billing base date and the previous billing base date (about 1 month), the previous (most recent) billing base date and the previous (most recent). Is one of the delivery date periods (from the billing base date to the delivery date, from the delivery date to the billing base date). Here, the billing reference date is a reference date (for example, the first day of each month) set monthly (for example, the first day of each month) for billing the customer for gas charges, and the mobile terminal 12 or the actual meter reading. It is the day when the gas meter information of the day is always acquired by the staff going to the supply destination facility U or by the collecting means 31. The average value obtained by dividing the total usage amount in any of these predetermined periods by the number of days in the predetermined period is the second household usage amount U2. Although the usage amount U2 for each second unit is based on the past actual value, there is a possibility that the error from the actual value on the day of implementation will be larger than the actual amount used for each first unit, so the forecast for the day of implementation It can also be called the amount used.

The total usage amount calculation means 53 totals the usage amount of the target supply destination facility U for each unit (the usage amount U1 for each first unit and the usage amount U2 for each second unit) for the total number of units, and per day of the supply destination facility U. (Hereinafter referred to as "total usage amount T") is calculated. The total usage amount calculation means 53 also calculates the usage amount ratio RU2 for each second household. What is the usage ratio RU2 for each second unit? The ratio of the total usage amount AU2 for each second unit in the room where the usage amount cannot be obtained to the total usage amount T (total usage amount AU2 for each second unit / total usage amount T). is there. The second household usage ratio RU2 is used in the delivery period determining means 54 to determine a threshold value when determining the delivery period.

The delivery period determining means 54 determines the next delivery period of the gas cylinder 20 for each target supply destination facility U based on the total usage amount T. Specifically, the delivery period determining means 54 determines whether or not to replace the entire amount of the gas cylinder 20 arranged in the supply destination facility U (whether to perform alternate replacement) based on the total usage amount T, and replaces the entire amount. In the case of, the delivery period is determined, and in the case of alternate exchange, the delivery period is determined.

Here, "alternate exchange" is an exchange rule (exchange method) generally used in the past, and exchanges a part of the total amount of gas cylinders 20 arranged for each supply destination facility U. Say. In this "alternate exchange" exchange rule (exchange method), for example, when two gas cylinders 20 of a primary side gas cylinder and a secondary side gas cylinder are arranged in a certain supply destination facility U, one of them is two. The next (preliminary) gas cylinder 20 is used. Then, at the timing when the gas cylinder 20 on the primary side is used up (used up), the gas cylinder 20 on the secondary side is used for delivery, and is collected and installed. In the case of alternate exchange, the safety is high from the viewpoint of gas shortage, but there is a limit to the improvement of delivery efficiency, so this exchange rule is suitable when the amount of gas used is large.

On the other hand, "total exchange" means exchanging the entire amount of the gas cylinder 20 arranged for each supply destination facility U. For example, when two gas cylinders 20 are arranged in a certain supply destination facility U, the exchange rule (exchange method) for exchanging the two gas cylinders, which is the total amount, at the same time. In the total exchange, the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder 20 waits until the safe limit value (the limit value that can avoid the gas shortage), and the entire amount (for example, two) is exchanged in one delivery, so that the delivery efficiency is improved. It is a replacement rule that can be used and is suitable when the amount of gas used is small (when the amount of gas used is large, it is preferable to give priority to safety and avoid it).

The delivery prediction means 55 creates and manages a delivery plan so that the gas cylinder 20 can be efficiently delivered according to the amount of gas used, based on the delivery period. In addition to this, it is possible to predict the amount of gas used for each gas cylinder 20 based on the gas meter information, manage the delivery schedule of the gas cylinder 20, and manage the optimum delivery route.

In this example, the core processing means 57 and the delivery management means 50 (application programs that realize these functions) are stored in the storage device 30 and are configured to be used in the management device 13 by the cloud computing system. .. However, not limited to this, the core processing means 57 and the delivery management means 50 (application programs that realize these functions) are stored in the storage means 133 of the management device 13 (storage means 133 connected to the management device 13). Is also good.

<Gas supply management method>
Next, the gas supply management method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. In the following example, processing in a certain supply destination facility U (a facility in which a plurality of common gas cylinders 20 are arranged in a plurality of collective properties) is described, and as an example, the supply destination facility U is described. It is assumed that two 50 kg gas cylinders 20 (100 kg in total) are installed.

2 and 3 are flow charts showing an example of the flow of processing (gas supply management processing) of the gas supply management method. As shown in both figures, the gas supply management method of the present invention includes a step of performing core processing, a step of performing delivery management processing, and the like. Core processing is executed at appropriate timings, 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. Includes database update processing and other known mission-critical business processing. 2 and 3 are mainly flow charts showing the delivery management process of the gas supply management process.

In the gas supply management process (delivery management process), the usage amount acquisition means 51 acquires the gas usage amount for each house at a predetermined frequency (step S01), and the house usage amount calculation means 52 determines the gas usage amount acquisition status. Depending on the step (steps S03 to S21) of calculating the usage amount for each house by the first method or the second method, the total usage amount calculation means 53 totals the usage amount for each house for all the units and per day of the supply destination facility. (Steps S23 to S27) and a step (steps S29 to S41) in which the delivery period determining means 54 determines the delivery period of the gas cylinder 20 for each supply destination facility U based on the total usage T. ), And the delivery prediction means 55 has a step (step S43) of creating and managing a delivery plan so that the gas cylinder 20 can be efficiently delivered according to the amount of gas used based on the delivery period. Further, the present embodiment provides a program for causing a computer to execute the gas supply management method. Hereinafter, the description will be given sequentially.

<Usage acquisition process (step S01)>
First, in step S01, initial processing and usage amount acquisition processing are performed. In the initial process, various initialization processes and the like are performed. Further, in the usage amount acquisition process, the management device 13 frequently acquires, for example, the gas usage amount included in the gas meter information of the gas meter 21 corresponding to each living room (for example, daily). For example, if the gas meter information of a certain room acquired on the day of implementation includes a numerical value (including 0) as the gas usage amount (guideline value), the daily gas usage amount acquisition is successful, and the relevant The living room will be a living room where usage can be obtained. In addition, if the gas meter information of a certain room acquired on the day of implementation includes a gas usage amount other than, for example, a numerical value (including 0), the acquisition of the daily gas usage amount will fail, but the day If the period of failure of the next acquisition is within a few days immediately before (for example, 3 days immediately before) including the day of implementation (if there is a day when the acquisition was successful on a daily basis within 3 days immediately before), it is also daily. The acquisition of gas usage is successful, and the living room becomes a living room where usage can be acquired.

On the other hand, gas usage (guideline value) includes non-numerical values (acquisition of gas usage on the day of implementation failed), and the period during which acquisition failed on a daily basis is, for example, the last few days including the day of implementation (for example). For example, if it exceeds (3 days immediately before) (4 days or more immediately before, acquisition on a daily basis has failed continuously), the living room becomes a room for which usage amount cannot be obtained. As an example other than the numerical value, if the gas usage amount is no information (blank), it means that the gas usage amount could not be acquired due to a communication error, etc. , Indicates that the information transmission device 11 is not installed.

It should be noted that steps S01 to S21 are repeated for each room of the target supply destination facility U (aggregate property). That is, for example, in the case of the supply destination facility U of one collective property having 10 living rooms, if the gas usage amount can be obtained in each living room in this step S01, steps S03 to S11 are performed, and in this step S01. For the living rooms where the amount of gas used cannot be obtained, steps S13 to S21 are performed, and this is repeatedly executed for all the living rooms (10 rooms).

<Household usage calculation process (steps S03 to S21)>
In step S03, the acquisition status of the daily acquisition gas usage amount in step S01 is determined for each living room. That is, if the target living room is a living room where the usage amount can be acquired, the process proceeds to step S05, and if not (in the case of a living room where the usage amount cannot be acquired), the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S05, when calculating the usage amount U1 for each first household by the first method, the period used for the calculation is selected. As an example, the average value of the daily acquired gas consumption per day is calculated for each of a plurality of periods having different days, and the larger (maximum) average value is adopted. Specifically, for example, the average daily acquisition gas consumption (for example, 3 days including the implementation date) in the first period immediately before the implementation date (3 days daily acquisition gas usage). (Total of 3 days) and the average daily acquisition gas consumption for the second period immediately before the implementation date (for example, 15 days including the implementation date) (15 days daily acquisition gas usage) (Total amount / 15 days) and each are calculated and compared.

Then, when the daily average value of the daily acquisition gas consumption in the first period is larger, the average value is selected (step S07) and the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when the daily average value of the daily acquisition gas consumption in the second period is larger, the average value is selected (step S09) and the process proceeds to step S11. Here, two periods, the first period and the second period, are compared, but three or more periods may be compared. In step S11, the calculated average value is set as the usage amount U1 for each first unit (per day) on the day of implementation of the target living room, and the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S13, when the second household usage amount U2 is calculated by the second method, the period used for the calculation is selected. As an example, the average value of gas usage (guideline value) per day is calculated for each of a plurality of different meter reading periods, and the larger (maximum) average value among them is adopted. Specifically, for example, the first meter reading period is set to the period between the previous (most recent) billing reference date and the previous (most recent) delivery date (from the billing reference date to the delivery date, or from the delivery date to the billing reference date). The average value of gas usage (guideline value) per day for that period (between the latest guidelines) is calculated. That is, the total usage of each house during the period between the previous billing base date and the previous delivery date. Then, divide by the number of days in the period to calculate the average value per day. Also, the second meter reading period is the period between the previous billing base date and the previous billing base date (about 1 month) (between the periodic guidelines). ), And the average value of gas usage (guideline value) for that period per day is calculated. Furthermore, the third meter reading period is set to the same month (1 month) of the previous year (same month of the previous year), and the gas in that period is calculated. Calculate the average daily usage amount (guideline value).

Then, when the average value of the first meter reading period is the maximum, the average value is adopted (step S15), and the process proceeds to step S21. When the average value of the second meter reading period is the maximum, the average value is adopted (step S17), and the process proceeds to step S21. When the average value of the third meter reading period is the maximum, the average value is adopted (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the calculated average value is set as the usage amount U2 for each second household (per day) on the day of implementation, and the process proceeds to step S23. Here, three types of meter reading periods are compared, but two or four or more types of meter reading periods may be compared.

As shown in steps S15 to S19, when there is a living room (gas meter 21) for which the daily gas usage amount cannot be acquired, the usage amount acquisition means 51 is held in the storage device 30. Based on the gas meter information acquired in the past predetermined period of 21, the household usage amount (second household usage amount U2) is acquired.

<Total usage calculation process (steps S23 to S27)>
In step S23, for all the living rooms of the target collective property, the usage amount U1 for each first unit or the usage amount U2 for each second unit is added up, and the total usage per day as the entire collective property (supply destination facility U) is added. Calculate the quantity T. In step S25, among the target supply destination facilities U, the total daily acquisition gas usage amount of only the living room where the usage amount cannot be acquired (total amount of usage amount AU2 for each second unit) is calculated. In step S27, the usage ratio RU2 for each second household (= total usage AU2 for each second household / total usage T) is calculated.

<Delivery period determination process (steps S29 to S41)>
With reference to FIG. 3, in step S29 following step S27, it is determined whether the exchange rule (exchange method) is total exchange or alternate exchange. As an example, this determination is preset as customer information for each living room (contractor) and stored in a database or the like. Not limited to this, the exchange rule determination threshold value may be used for determination. For example, when the gas cylinder 20 arranged in the target supply destination facility U is two 50 kg cylinders (total amount 100 kg), the total usage amount T is a predetermined exchange rule determination threshold value (for example, 1.5 kg / day). In the following cases, the total amount is exchanged, and when the total usage amount T exceeds the exchange rule determination threshold value, the exchange is performed alternately. In this case, the exchange rule determination threshold value is appropriately set and can be changed according to the total amount of the gas cylinders 20 arranged in the supply destination facility U.

If it is determined in step S29 that the total amount is exchanged, the process proceeds to step S31, and if it is determined that the exchange is alternate, the process proceeds to step S37. In step S31, a threshold value (delivery period end date T1) for determining the end of the delivery period is determined based on the second household usage ratio RU2 calculated in step S27.

FIG. 4A is a table showing an example of setting parameters (set values) for the delivery period. For example, when determining the start or end of the delivery period, the set value as shown in the figure is used. As the set value, a default value Td and a highly safe value (high safety factor set value) Ts are prepared as values to be adopted for the delivery period end date T1. Similarly, as the set value of the delivery period start date F2, the default set value Fd and the highly safe value (high safety factor set value) Fs are prepared.

The default values Td and Fd are reference values calculated based on a predetermined calculation method, which will be described later with reference to FIG. The high safety factor set values Ts and Fs are, for example, predetermined values. Further, the delivery period start date F2 and the delivery period end date T1 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, but the delivery period start date F2 is the timing to start the delivery, and the delivery period end date T1 finishes the delivery by then. It's timing.

In this step S31, if the usage ratio RU2 for each second unit is less than the predetermined value X (for example, 20)%, the process proceeds to step S33, and the default value Td shown in FIG. 4A is set as the delivery period end date T1. To adopt. On the other hand, when the usage rate RU2 for each second unit is the predetermined value X% or more, the process proceeds to step S35, and the date is earlier than the default set value Td (backward from the present), which is the high safety factor set value Ts. To set. By adopting the high safety factor set value Ts for the delivery period end date T1, the risk of running out of gas can be reduced.

In step S37, a threshold value (delivery period start date F2) for determining the start of the delivery period is determined based on the second household usage ratio RU2 calculated in step S27. Specifically, when the usage rate RU2 for each second unit is less than the predetermined value X (for example, 20)%, the process proceeds to step S39, and the default set value Fd is adopted for the delivery period start date F2. On the other hand, when the usage rate RU2 for each second unit is the predetermined value X% or more, the process proceeds to step S41, and the date is earlier than the default set value Fd (backward from the present), which is the high safety factor set value Fs. To set.

<Delivery prediction processing (step S43)>
In step S43, a delivery plan is created and managed so that the gas cylinder 20 can be efficiently delivered according to the amount of gas used. In addition, it performs prediction processing of the amount of gas used for each gas cylinder 20 based on gas meter information, delivery schedule of the gas cylinder 20, and management of the optimum delivery route.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the total amount exchange and the alternate exchange can be automatically switched according to the total usage amount T (step S29). Further, for each of the total amount exchange and the alternate exchange, the delivery prediction parameter may be set or changed according to the tendency of the gas usage amount (total usage amount T). 4 (B) and 4 (C) are tables showing an example of delivery prediction parameters, FIG. 4 (B) is delivery prediction parameters in total exchange, and FIG. 4 (C) is delivery prediction parameters in alternate exchange. Is. The delivery prediction parameters include, for example, an exchange threshold for determining the delivery period, a delivery limit threshold, exchange days, adjustment days (all of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 5), and the total exchange and the total amount exchange according to the total usage amount T. For each of the alternating exchanges, for example, a plurality of stages (levels) are set. Then, at the time of determining the exchange rule in step S29, by selecting and setting one of the delivery prediction parameters according to the value of the total usage amount T, the delivery period in the case of total amount exchange (delivery period end date T1). ), And the delivery period (delivery period start date F1) in the case of alternate exchange can be selected from a plurality of stages according to the total usage amount T. It should be noted that these delivery prediction parameters are examples, and the types of parameter items (for example, the types of threshold values) and the number of items can be changed as appropriate, and some of the items (sets) of the delivery prediction parameters shown in the figure can be changed. It may not be used, or another parameter item may be used.

The delivery period end date and the delivery period start date in the delivery period determination process will be described with reference to FIG. The figure is a diagram showing the concept of determining the delivery period, the figure (A) is a conceptual diagram of the delivery period in the case of full exchange, and the figure (B) is a conceptual diagram of the delivery period in the case of alternate exchange. is there. In the figure, the left side is the date on the past side, and the right side is the date on the future side.

The delivery prediction means 54 determines the delivery period of the gas cylinder 20 based on the reference date associated with the gas cylinder 20 of the target supply destination facility U. The reference date is determined, for example, by the exchange threshold and the delivery limit threshold. As an example, the reference date is the date when the exchange threshold is reached and the delivery limit threshold is reached, and the delivery period is a certain period between them.

The exchange threshold is the ratio of the remaining amount of gas (predicted value of remaining amount of gas) to the maximum remaining amount of gas of the target gas cylinder 20, and depends on the exchange method as shown in FIGS. 4 (B) and 4 (C). A predetermined value (for example, 10% to 20% in the case of total exchange, 50% in the case of alternate exchange, etc.) is set as a delivery prediction parameter. The maximum remaining amount of gas is, for example, 100 kg in the case of total exchange and 50 kg in the case of alternate exchange at the supply destination facility U in which two 50 kg gas cylinders 20 are arranged.

The gas remaining amount predicted value is the gas remaining amount predicted on a future date (X days after the implementation date). For example, in the case of a living room where the amount of usage can be obtained, the first household set in step S11 of FIG. The usage amount U1 is accumulated for X days from the day of implementation, and the integrated value is subtracted from the latest gas remaining amount (value obtained by subtracting the daily usage amount U1 for each first household obtained daily from the maximum remaining amount of gas). Is the value given. Alternatively, for example, in the case of a living room where the usage amount cannot be obtained, the gas remaining amount predicted value is the latest gas remaining amount by accumulating the usage amount U2 for each second unit set in step S21 of FIG. 2 for X days from the day of implementation. It is a value obtained by subtracting an integrated value from (a value obtained by subtracting the daily usage amount U1 for each first household from the maximum remaining amount of gas at any time).

Further, the delivery limit threshold is the ratio of the remaining amount of gas (predicted value of remaining amount of gas) to the maximum remaining amount of gas of the target gas cylinder 20, and is replaced as shown in FIGS. 4 (B) and 4 (C). A predetermined value (for example, 3% to 10% in the case of total exchange, 5 to 25% in the case of alternate exchange, etc.) is set as a delivery prediction parameter according to the method. Here, in the time series, the day when the remaining gas amount reaches the exchange threshold value is the date on the past side, and toward the future side, the day when the delivery limit threshold value is reached and the day when the estimated gas amount remaining amount reaches 0.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), when the exchange rule is full exchange, the predetermined number of days (adjustment days D1) of 0 days or more from the reference date (the date when the delivery limit threshold is reached) is traced back (advanced). ) Determine the delivery period end date T1 (1). The delivery period end date T1 determined in this way is the above-mentioned default value Td. That is, the default value Td or the high safety factor set value Ts is selected according to the usage rate RU2 for each second unit, and is set to the delivery start end date T1. The delivery period end date T1 in which the high safety factor set value Ts is set is an earlier date (advanced date) than when the default value Td is set. Further, the date further advanced from the delivery period end date T1 by a predetermined number of days (exchange days D2) is set as the delivery period start date (delivery period start date F1) (2). Then, delivery is performed within the delivery period from the delivery period start date F1 to the delivery period end date T1. The adjustment days D1 and the exchange days D2 are preset as delivery prediction parameters (see FIGS. 4 (B) and 4 (C)).

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the exchange rule is alternate exchange, the predetermined number of days (adjustment days D3) of 0 days or more from the reference day (the day when the exchange threshold is reached) is deferred (postponed). The delivery period start date F2 is determined (1). The delivery period start date F2 determined in this way is the above-mentioned default value Fd. That is, the default value Fd or the high safety factor setting value Fs is selected according to the usage rate RU2 for each second unit, and is set to the delivery period start date F2. The delivery period start date F2 in which the high safety factor set value Fs is set is an earlier date (advanced date) than when the default value Fd is set. Further, the date that goes back a predetermined number of days (exchange days D4) from the delivery period start date F2 is set as the delivery period end date T2 (2). Then, the delivery is performed within the delivery period from the delivery period start date F2 to the delivery period end date T2. The adjustment days D3 and the exchange days D4 are also preset as delivery prediction parameters (see FIGS. 4 (B) and 4 (C)).

Not limited to this example, when the exchange rule is alternate exchange and the usage ratio RU2 for each second unit is the predetermined value X% or more (when the high safety factor is set), the delivery period is further advanced. You may. Specifically, the delivery period end date T2'when the usage ratio RU2 for each second unit is X% or more of the predetermined value (when the high safety factor is set) is set to the normal case (usage ratio for each second unit). The delivery period start date F2 when RU2 is less than the predetermined value X%) is advanced to the delivery period start date F2, and the delivery period start date F2'when the high safety factor is set is the predetermined number of days (for example, exchange days D4) from the delivery period end date T2'. It may be dated back.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when a predetermined amount of gas cylinders 20 are shared by a plurality of households in the collective property, each household is based on the daily gas usage amount (guideline value). Since the usage amount (usage amount for each first unit) can be calculated, the remaining amount of the gas cylinder 20 can be accurately grasped in real time even if the gas usage amount varies from room to room.

In addition, there are cases where there are some rooms where the daily gas usage cannot be obtained due to an error in the communication line, and some rooms where the daily gas usage cannot be obtained because the information transmission device 11 is not installed. In addition, since the daily usage amount (second household usage amount) for each house is calculated based on the gas usage amount in the past predetermined period, the prediction error of the remaining amount of the gas cylinder 20 can be reduced and accurate delivery. You can make predictions.

Further, based on the daily usage amount (total usage amount T) of the entire supply destination facility U, the exchange rule (total amount exchange / alternate exchange) can be determined and changed at any time. Further, based on the total usage amount T, a delivery prediction parameter for total exchange and a delivery prediction parameter for alternate exchange are selected. More preferably, the delivery prediction parameters are provided in a plurality of stages (multiple levels, sets) for total exchange and alternate exchange, and can be selected in stages based on (range) the average gas usage. Then, a set of one parameter is selected from a plurality of delivery prediction parameters, delivery prediction is performed, and a delivery period and a delivery instruction are output. As a result, delivery plan data based on daily gas usage (actual value) can be created, and efficient delivery becomes possible.

In the above embodiment, the case where the gas supply management system 10 is constructed by one management device 13 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-mentioned functions of the management device 13 are a plurality of functions. These functions may be realized by distributing them to devices (server devices, PCs, etc.). Further, the gas meter management information of the management device 13 may be independently manageable.

Further, various data managed (generated and used) by the management device 13 (for example, data such as gas meter management information and delivery instructions) may be used in a system using a smart meter such as gas or electricity. Further, a part or all of each device (hardware) constituting the gas supply management system 10 may be replaced with software that realizes the same function as the device (hardware).

Further, as long as the gas meter information (at least the actual amount of gas used) can be acquired with high frequency (for example, daily), the configuration is not limited to the above-mentioned LPWA. In addition, gas meter information is acquired at a lower frequency than daily (for example, once every predetermined day (two days or more), once a week, once a month (monthly), etc.). It may be.

As described above, the gas supply management system 10 and the like of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 Gas supply management system 13 Management means 20 Gas cylinder (gas container)
21 Gas meter U Supply destination facility

Claims (9)

A gas supply management system that delivers gas containers to the destination facility.
The supply destination facility is a facility in which gas containers shared by a plurality of households are arranged.
The use amount acquisition means for acquiring gas consumption of individual homes at a predetermined frequent,
If the gas usage amount can be obtained, the first method is used, and if the gas usage amount cannot be obtained, the second method is used, and the daily usage amount for each house (hereinafter referred to as "household usage amount"). .) And the means for calculating the amount of usage for each house
A total usage amount calculation means for calculating the daily usage amount (hereinafter referred to as "total usage amount") of the supply destination facility by totaling the usage amount for each unit for all the units.
Based on the total amount, have a, a delivery period determining means for determining a delivery time of the gas container to the supply destination for each facility,
In the first method, the average value of the gas usage amount acquired frequently in the predetermined period immediately before the calculation date is calculated and used as the household usage amount.
In the second method, the average value of the gas consumption acquired in the past predetermined period per day is calculated and used as the household usage.
A gas supply management system characterized by this. A plurality of the gas containers are arranged in the supply destination facility.
The delivery period determining means selects, at least, based on the tendency of the gas usage amount for each supply destination facility, whether or not to perform total exchange for exchanging the total amount of the gas container arranged in the supply destination facility. At the same time, if the full exchange is selected, the delivery period of the full exchange is determined.
The gas supply management system according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply management system is characterized by having. The delivery period determining means determines the delivery period based on delivery prediction parameters provided in a plurality of stages according to the tendency .
2. The gas supply management system according to claim 2 . When the total exchange is not selected, the delivery period determining means determines the delivery period of the alternate exchange based on the delivery prediction parameters for the alternate exchange provided in a plurality of stages according to the tendency.
2. The gas supply management system according to claim 2 . It is a gas supply management method that delivers gas containers to the supply destination facility.
The supply destination facility is a facility in which gas containers shared by a plurality of households are arranged.
The step that the usage amount acquisition means acquires the gas usage amount for each house at a predetermined frequency, and
If door-to-door use amount calculation means is able to obtain the gas consumption using the first method, if unable to acquire the gas usage daily usage of house-to-house using the second method ( The steps to calculate ( hereinafter referred to as " household usage ") and
A step in which the total usage amount calculation means totals the usage amount for each unit for the total number of units to calculate the daily usage amount of the supply destination facility (hereinafter referred to as "total usage amount").
The delivery period determining means has a step of determining the delivery period of the gas container for each supply destination facility based on the total usage amount.
In the first method, the average value of the gas usage amount acquired frequently in the predetermined period immediately before the calculation date is calculated and used as the household usage amount.
In the second method, the average value of the amount of gas used per day acquired in the past predetermined period is calculated and used as the amount used for each household.
A gas supply management method characterized by that . At least, based on the tendency of the gas usage amount for each supply destination facility, it is selected whether or not to perform the total amount exchange for exchanging the total amount of the plurality of gas containers arranged in the supply destination facility , and the total amount exchange is performed. Determines the delivery period for the full exchange if is selected ,
The gas supply management method according to claim 5 , wherein the gas supply management method is characterized by having. The delivery period is determined based on the delivery prediction parameters provided in a plurality of stages according to the tendency.
The gas supply management method according to claim 6 , wherein the gas supply management method is characterized . When the total exchange is not selected, the delivery period of the alternate exchange is determined based on the delivery prediction parameters for the alternate exchange provided in a plurality of stages according to the tendency.
The gas supply management method according to claim 6, wherein the gas supply management method is characterized. A program for causing a computer to execute the gas supply management method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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