JP7033930B2 - Prepaid fluid supply methods and systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention causes a gas user or a water user (hereinafter, gas and water are collectively referred to as a fluid) to settle a gas charge or a water charge by a prepaid method, and remains in the user when the prepaid remaining amount of the fluid becomes low. The present invention relates to a prepaid fluid supply method and system that notifies a quantity and cuts off the supply of fluid to a fluid user when the remaining amount becomes zero.

As a fluid supply system, for example, a gas supply system for supplying gas, a method of paying a gas charge by a prepaid method is known. Patent Document 1 proposes a gas meter capable of prepaying a gas charge using a prepaid card. The gas meter has a notification function that warns when the prepaid remaining amount is low, and urges gas users to charge the gas charge of the prepaid card. Further, in the prepaid type gas supply system described in Patent Document 2, even if the prepaid remaining amount becomes zero, the gas supply is not stopped while the gas is being used, and the gas shutoff valve is not stopped after the gas use is stopped. I try to close.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-126627 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-101466

The conventional prepaid fluid supply method or system has the following problems. First, the user may miss the notification of the remaining amount when the prepaid remaining amount of the fluid (gas or water) is low. For example, even if a remaining amount notification e-mail or the like is sent to a communication terminal on the user side such as a mobile phone, the user may not be able to confirm the remaining amount notification, such as during sleep. If the remaining amount notification is overlooked, the gas or water charge will not be prepaid, so the prepaid remaining amount will be zero and the isolation valve will be forcibly shut off. In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary for the user to be able to confirm the remaining amount notification without fail.

Further, for example, in the system described in Patent Document 2, in order to prevent the gas from being forcibly shut off during the use of the gas, the gas is forcibly shut off after the use of the gas is stopped. However, it is extremely inconvenient for gas users to stop the gas supply in the middle of the time when the gas is used intermittently and repeatedly, for example, at the time of dinner. The same applies to water services.

Further, in the system described in Patent Document 2, when the use of gas or water is permitted as described above even after the remaining amount of prepaid call becomes zero, the meter reader who periodically performs gas meter reading or the like is not yet available. The gas charge for settlement is settled. However, it is desirable that even such an excess charge can be settled without relying on human labor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid fluid supply method and a system capable of performing a remaining amount notification in a form desirable for a user in view of problems related to such a prepaid fluid supply method or a remaining amount notification in the system. To do.

Further, an object of the present invention is a prepaid fluid supply method and system capable of forcibly shutting off the fluid supply when the prepaid remaining amount becomes zero after the notification of the remaining amount, in a form that does not cause inconvenience to the fluid user. Is to provide.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a prepaid fluid supply method and system capable of reimbursing an excess charge of a fluid caused in order to avoid inconvenience of a fluid user without relying on human hands.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention causes a fluid user to settle a fluid charge by a prepaid method, and cuts off the supply of the fluid to the fluid user when the prepaid remaining amount of the fluid becomes zero. In the method
Set the remaining amount notification time point for sending the remaining amount notification indicating that the prepaid remaining amount has decreased to the specified remaining amount value from the system management server to the contact communication terminal of the fluid user. And process
When the set remaining amount notification time is reached, the remaining amount notification is processed by sending the remaining amount notification from the system management server to the contact communication terminal.
In the process of setting the remaining amount notification time point, multiple time points are set as the remaining amount notification time point by the system management server or from the contact communication terminal via the system management server.
The remaining amount notification process is characterized in that information including the remaining amount value (prepaid remaining amount) at the time of the remaining amount notification is transmitted as the remaining amount notification at each set remaining amount notification time.

In the method of the present invention, a plurality of remaining amount notification time points can be set. In other words, the remaining amount notification is performed multiple times. For example, the fluid user can surely confirm that before the prepaid remaining amount becomes zero by setting a plurality of convenient remaining amount notification time points.

Here, in the process of setting the remaining amount notification time point, a plurality of values representing the remaining amount value are usually set as the remaining amount notification time point. For example, in order to receive a remaining amount notification when the prepaid remaining amount is reduced to 50%, 25%, or 10%, for example, based on the prepaid remaining amount at the start of fluid use. The value of is set. In the remaining amount notification process, when the prepaid remaining amount is reduced to a plurality of set remaining amount values, for example, 50%, 25%, and 10%, the remaining amount of information including these remaining amount values is displayed. Send as a notification.

Further, in the method of the present invention, the remaining amount notification time zone setting process for setting the remaining amount notification time zone for performing the remaining amount notification is performed . In the remaining amount notification process, if the remaining amount notification time is out of the set remaining amount notification time zone, the remaining amount notification is sent after waiting until the remaining amount notification time zone. The remaining amount notification time zone can also be set by the fluid user accessing the system management server from his / her contact communication terminal. Alternatively, the system administrator can set it directly on the system management server. You may change by accepting the change request by the fluid user by using the remaining amount notification time zone which is the default value set in the system management server.

In this way, by setting the remaining amount notification time zone to a time zone that is convenient for the fluid user, the remaining amount notification can be surely confirmed by the fluid user. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the fluid is forcibly shut off unintentionally by the fluid user.

Next, in the method of the present invention, the fluid shutoff process when the prepaid remaining amount after the remaining amount notification becomes zero does not perform the fluid shutoff while the fluid is being used by the fluid user, and the fluid is used. It is desirable to shut off the fluid after the end point.

In this case as well, based on the fluid usage status by the fluid user, the fluid usage status monitoring process is performed to calculate the time zone in which the fluid is frequently used or the time zone in which the fluid usage is high as the fluid usage time zone. In the fluid shutoff process, it is desirable to perform the fluid shutoff after the end of the fluid use and in a time zone other than the fluid use time zone.

By forcibly shutting off the fluid while avoiding the frequency of fluid use by the fluid user and the time zone when the amount of fluid used is high, the inconvenience caused by the forced shutoff of the fluid for the fluid user who missed the remaining amount notification is minimized. Can be suppressed to.

The unsettled fluid charge generated by delaying the fluid shutoff in this way may be settled at the time of the next charge of the fluid charge (at the time of prepay) by the fluid user. That is, in the method of the present invention, the processing of calculating the unsettled fluid charge for calculating the usage charge of the fluid used from the time when the remaining amount value becomes zero to the time when the fluid is shut off is calculated as the unsettled fluid charge. Then, when the fluid user setstles the fluid charge in the next prepaid method, the unsettled fluid charge is settled together with the unsettled fluid charge settlement process.

Next, the present invention is a prepaid fluid supply system that causes a fluid user to settle a fluid charge by a prepaid method and cuts off the supply of the fluid to the fluid user when the prepaid remaining amount of the fluid becomes zero.
With the system management server
Flow meters and prepaid terminals installed at fluid consumption areas by fluid users,
It is equipped with a contact communication terminal that is a contact for fluid users.
The prepaid terminal updates the prepaid remaining amount and subtracts the prepaid remaining amount based on the measured value of the fluid usage flow rate by the flow meter.
The system management server or the prepaid terminal
The remaining amount notification time setting function that sets the remaining amount notification time point for sending the remaining amount notification indicating that the prepaid remaining amount has decreased to the contact communication terminal of the fluid user, and the remaining amount notification time point setting function.
When the set remaining amount notification time is reached, the remaining amount notification function that sends the remaining amount notification to the contact communication terminal and the remaining amount notification function
It has a remaining amount notification time zone setting function to set the remaining amount notification time zone to notify the remaining amount.
The remaining amount notification time setting function can set multiple values representing the remaining amount value as the remaining amount notification time.
The remaining amount notification function sends information including the remaining amount value at the time of the remaining amount notification as the remaining amount notification at each of the points when the prepaid remaining amount decreases to the set plurality of the remaining amount values, and the remaining amount is notified. When the notification time is out of the set remaining amount notification time zone, the feature is to wait until the remaining amount notification time zone and send the remaining amount notification.

In addition, the system management server or prepaid terminal is further
A fluid cutoff function that cuts off the supply of fluid when the remaining amount value becomes zero,
Based on the fluid usage status by the fluid user, it is equipped with a fluid usage status monitoring function that calculates the time zone in which the fluid is frequently used or the time zone in which the amount of fluid is used as the fluid usage time zone.
It is desirable that the fluid shutoff function does not shut off the fluid while the fluid is being used by the fluid user, but shuts off the fluid after the end of the fluid use and at a time other than the fluid use time zone. ..

Further, the prepaid terminal is
An unsettled fluid charge calculation function that calculates the usage charge of the fluid used from the time when the remaining amount value becomes zero to the time when the fluid is shut off as an unsettled fluid charge, and
It is desirable to have an unsettled fluid charge settlement function that adjusts the unsettled fluid charge at the next update of the prepaid remaining amount by the fluid user.

It is an overall block diagram of the prepaid gas supply system to which this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of each part of the prepaid gas supply system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the issuance procedure of the exclusive card (prepaid card) used for the prepaid gas supply system. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the remaining amount notification in a prepaid gas supply system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a prepaid fluid supply system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments apply the present invention to a gas supply system, but the present invention is similarly applicable to a prepaid water supply system.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a prepaid gas supply system according to the present embodiment. The prepaid gas supply system 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "system 1") includes a system management server 2 installed in a system administrator (gas operator or the like) and each convenience store 3 (i) (i =). Convenience store terminal 4 and cash register 5, which are multimedia terminals installed in 1, 2, 3 ...), And each gas consumption place 6 (j) (j = 1, 2, 3) such as a house and an apartment. ...) Convenience store communication terminal 7 (PC, smartphone, etc.) owned by the gas user. The system management server 2 communicates with each of the convenience store store terminal 4 and the gas user's contact communication terminal 7 that function as terminals for gas charge settlement (prepaid) via a general communication line 8 such as the Internet. It is possible.

At each gas consumption place 6 (j), a gas supply facility capable of supplying gas to each gas device 12 (k) (k = 1, 2, 3 ...) Is installed via a gas meter 11. The gas appliance 12 (k) includes a hot water supply gas appliance 12 (1), a heating gas appliance 12 (2), a kitchen gas appliance 12 (3), and the like. The gas is used at each gas consumption place 6 (j) by using a dedicated card 14 including an IC card used as a prepaid card attached to the prepaid terminal 13 connected to the gas meter 11. The reading side ID information ID (13) for terminal identification is stored and held in the prepaid terminal 13, and the card identification that is the same as the dedicated card 14 or is associated with the reading side ID information ID (13) on a one-to-one basis. The card side ID information ID (14) for use is assigned.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a gas meter 11 to which a system management server 2 and a prepaid terminal 13 installed at each gas consumption place 6 (j) are externally attached. The gas meter 11 is, for example, an ultrasonic gas meter, and includes a control unit 21a and a measurement unit 21b for measuring the flow rate used at the gas consumption place 6 (j). A isolation valve 23 is arranged in the gas passage 22 for gas measurement inside the gas meter 11. When the isolation valve 23 is opened, gas can be used at the gas consumption place 6 (j), and when it is closed, gas can be used. Cannot be used.

The prepaid terminal 13 includes a communication unit 24 that communicates with the gas meter 11, a communication unit 25 that communicates with the system management server 2, a card reading unit 26, an operation / display unit 27, and a control unit 28. There is. The gas meter 11 sends and receives information and the like to and from the system management server 2 via the prepaid terminal 13. The gas meter reading value such as the measured value of the gas flow rate of the gas meter 11 is transmitted to the system management server 2 periodically or upon request. In the system management server 2, the gas usage status and the like are centrally monitored at each gas consumption location 6 (j).

The card reading unit 26 reads the prepaid amount information and the like recorded on the dedicated card 14 used for using the gas at the gas consuming place 6 (j). The card reading unit 26 stores and holds the reading side ID information ID (13) for identification, and when reading the prepaid amount from the dedicated card 14, the card side ID information ID recorded on the dedicated card 14 ( 14) is read, the dedicated card 14 is authenticated, and only when the card side ID information matches the reading side ID information, the use of the dedicated card 14 is permitted and the prepaid amount is read from there.

The control unit 28 of the prepaid terminal 13 includes a storage unit 29, and also functions as a usage charge calculation unit 30, a balance calculation unit 31, a gas usage restriction unit 32, a gas usage status calculation unit 33, and a display control unit 34. .. Under the control of the display control unit 34, the prepaid balance and the like are displayed on the display screen of the operation / display unit 27.

The storage unit 29 stores and holds information such as an operation control program and a charge system. The usage charge calculation unit 30 calculates the gas usage charge at the gas consumption place 6 (j) based on the set charge system. The balance calculation unit 31 updates the prepaid remaining amount by subtracting the usage fee calculated by the usage fee calculation unit 30 from the prepaid remaining amount representing the prepaid amount read by the card reading unit 26.

The gas usage restriction unit 32 keeps the isolation valve 23 of the gas meter 11 open until the prepaid remaining amount becomes zero, and permits the use of gas. Further, the gas usage limiting unit 32 forcibly shuts off the shutoff valve 23 of the gas meter 11 to limit the gas usage when the prepaid remaining amount becomes zero based on the gas usage status detected by the gas usage status calculation unit 33. It has a blocking function.

The gas usage status calculation unit 33 has a function of detecting whether or not gas is used by the gas user at each gas consumption location 6 (j). It also has a gas usage status monitoring function that calculates a time zone in which gas is frequently used or a time zone in which gas usage is high in a day as a gas usage time zone based on the gas usage status. The gas shutoff function of the gas use restriction unit 32 does not shut off the gas in the gas use state, and also shuts off the gas in a time zone other than the gas use time zone after the gas use is stopped.

Here, the usage charge calculation unit 30 has an unsettled gas charge calculation function for calculating an unsettled excess gas charge generated by delaying the gas shutoff as described above. In addition, the balance calculation unit 31 is provided with an unsettled gas charge settlement function that collectively subtracts the excess gas charge from the prepaid remaining amount at the start of gas use. As a result, the unsettled excess gas charge can be reliably collected.

On the other hand, the system management server 2 that monitors the gas usage status of each gas consuming place 6 (j) has a remaining amount notification function 2a. The prepaid remaining amount at each gas consumption place 6 (j) is monitored, and when the set remaining amount notification time is reached, the system management server 2 indicates that the prepaid remaining amount has decreased to a predetermined remaining amount. The notification is transmitted to the contact communication terminal 7 of the gas user 10 at each gas consumption place 6 (j).

Further, the system management server 2 is provided with a remaining amount notification time point setting function 2b for setting a remaining amount notification time point for transmitting the remaining amount notification to the contact communication terminal 7 of the gas user. The system administrator (gas operator, etc.) uses the remaining amount notification time setting function 2b of the system management server 2 to notify the remaining amount when the prepaid remaining amount decreases to a predetermined remaining amount value. It can be set in the system management server 2. In addition, the gas user can access the site on the Internet operated by the system management server 2 from the contact communication terminal 7 and arbitrarily set the remaining amount notification time using the remaining amount notification time setting function 2b. be.

For example, the default value is 100% of the prepaid remaining amount at the time of charging, and the remaining amount notification time is 0% when the remaining amount of the prepaid remaining amount is reduced to 50%, 25%, and 0%. The time point is set. The system administrator or the gas user can change the number and the remaining amount value at the remaining amount notification time point by the remaining amount notification time point setting function 2b.

In addition to this, in this example, the system management server 2 is provided with the remaining amount notification time zone setting function 2c that can set the remaining amount notification time zone for performing the remaining amount notification. If the remaining amount notification function 2a is out of the set remaining amount notification time zone, the remaining amount notification function 2a waits until the remaining amount notification time zone and transmits the remaining amount notification. The system administrator (gas operator or the like) can set the remaining amount notification time zone in the system management server 2 by using the remaining amount notification time zone setting function 2c of the system management server 2. In addition, the gas user can access the site on the Internet operated by the system management server 2 from the contact communication terminal 7 and set the remaining amount notification time zone by using the remaining amount notification time zone setting function 2c. be.

(Settlement of gas charges by prepaid method)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an issuing procedure of the dedicated card 14 in the system 1. The gas user 10 who intends to start using gas at the gas consuming place 6 (j) accesses the system management server 2 of the system administrator (gas operator or the like) from the contact communication terminal 7, for example, a smartphone. Request the issuance of a prepaid payment invoice (electronic invoice) (step ST1). If the gas user 10 is not registered in the customer database of the system administrator (gas operator), the registration procedure can be performed using the registration information including the identity identification information of the gas user 10 and the gas consumption area information. Will be done.

When the system management server 2 receives the issuance request, the system management server 2 has the same or one-to-one with the reading side ID information ID (13) assigned to the prepaid terminal 13 of the gas consuming place 6 (j) to the contact communication terminal 7. A prepaid payment invoice 15 of the amount selection type with the charge storage number associated with is issued (step ST2).

The gas user 10 brings the dedicated card 14 provided in the prepaid terminal 13 to the nearest convenience store 3 (i) (step ST3), and uses the charge storage number of the prepaid payment invoice 15 to enter the convenience store. The payment invoice 16 is printed out at the store terminal 4 (step ST4). Bring the printed out payment invoice 16 to the accounting counter, select the prepaid amount, and pay the selected amount in cash (step ST5).

The clerk at the checkout counter deposits the received amount in the cash register 5, and writes the deposited prepaid amount information on the dedicated card 14 brought by the user (step ST6). When the prepaid amount of the gas charge is deposited in this way, the deposit information is transmitted to the system management server 2 and the like, and the electronic payment process of the prepaid amount is performed.

The gas user 10 takes the dedicated card 14 on which the prepaid amount is recorded back to the gas consumption place 6 (j), holds it or inserts it into the prepaid terminal 13, causes the prepaid terminal 13 to read the prepaid amount, and the amount is calculated. It is added (charged) to the prepaid remaining amount. At the first use, the prepaid remaining amount is zero, so the read prepaid amount is recorded as the prepaid remaining amount. As a result, the gas corresponding to the remaining amount of prepaid can be used at the gas consumption place 6 (j).

(Example of processing operation)
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing the remaining amount notification operation based on the prepaid remaining amount in each gas consumption place 6 (j) in the system 1. It is assumed that the remaining amount value of 50% and 25% is set in advance by the gas user 10 as the remaining amount notification time. The time when the remaining amount is notified when the remaining amount is 0% is a fixed time that cannot be changed. In this example, the remaining amount notification is performed three times. Further, it is assumed that the gas user 10 sets a time zone from 18:00 to 22:00 as the remaining amount notification time zone.

When gas is used at the gas consuming place 6 (j), the prepaid terminal 13 performs a subtraction process of the prepaid remaining amount by the corresponding gas charge. The prepaid remaining amount updated in the prepaid terminal 13 is periodically transmitted to the system management server 2 (step ST21). Every time the prepaid remaining amount is updated, it is determined whether or not the prepaid remaining amount has decreased to the set remaining amount notification time point (50%, 25%, 0%) (step ST22).

When the prepaid remaining amount reaches 50%, which is the time point of the first remaining amount notification, the system management server 2 determines whether or not it is in the set remaining amount notification time zone (step ST23). If it is within the remaining amount notification time zone, the first remaining amount notification is notified by e-mail to the contact communication terminal 7 of the gas user. Alternatively, start the remaining amount management software installed in the contact communication terminal 7 and display the remaining amount notification on the screen (step ST24. If it is out of the remaining amount notification time zone, the remaining amount notification Wait until the time zone and notify the remaining amount.

When the prepaid remaining amount reaches 25%, which is the time point of the second remaining amount notification, the system management server 2 determines whether or not it is in the set remaining amount notification time zone (step ST25). If it is within the remaining amount notification time zone, the second remaining amount notification is notified by e-mail to the contact communication terminal 7 of the gas user. Alternatively, the remaining amount management software installed in the contact communication terminal 7 is started, and the remaining amount notification is displayed on the screen (step ST26). In this case, since the remaining amount of prepaid is low, the remaining amount is notified a plurality of times, for example, twice with a predetermined time (step ST27). If it is out of the remaining amount notification time zone, wait until the remaining amount notification time zone to notify the remaining amount. As in the case of the first remaining amount notification, it is also possible to perform the second remaining amount notification only once.

In the case of 0% at the time of the third remaining amount notification, the remaining amount notification indicating that the remaining amount value is 0% is immediately sent without waiting until the remaining amount notification time zone (step ST28). Further, it is desirable to perform the remaining amount notification, which is a warning that the remaining amount value has reached 0%, again in the remaining amount notification time zone. This avoids the situation where the gas is forcibly shut off, or prevents the period during which the gas cannot be used due to the forcible shutoff from becoming long.

Next, on the gas consuming place 6 (j) side, the prepaid terminal 13 determines whether or not gas is used when the remaining amount of the prepaid remaining amount reaches 0% (step). ST29). Further, when the gas is not used, it is determined whether or not the current time zone is the gas usage time zone (step ST30). When the gas is not used and it is out of the gas usage time zone, the isolation valve 23 is closed to forcibly shut off the gas supply (step ST31).

If gas is being used, wait until the gas is no longer used. In addition, when the use of gas stops and the gas is out of the usage time zone, the gas is forcibly shut off. In this way, since the gas is not used and the gas is forcibly shut off during the time zone outside the gas use time zone, the inconvenience of the gas user due to the forced gas shutoff can be minimized. can.

If the gas is not forcibly shut off immediately, an excess gas charge will be incurred. The prepaid terminal 13 calculates the excess charge as an unsettled gas charge and stores it in memory (step ST32). When the gas user resumes using gas, the unsettled gas charge is settled from the prepaid remaining amount (steps ST33, 34).

In the above example, the remaining amount notification is transmitted from the system management server 2 to the contact communication terminal 7. It is also possible to attach a communication function capable of directly communicating with the contact communication terminal 7 to the prepaid terminal 13 installed at each gas consumption place, and notify the contact communication terminal 7 of the remaining amount from the prepaid terminal 13. Further, in the above example, a configuration in which the prepaid terminal 13 is externally attached to the gas meter 11 is adopted. The prepaid terminal 13 may be built in the gas meter 11.

In the above example, in order to simplify the explanation, the system management server 2 has a gas management function for monitoring the gas usage status at the gas consumption place 6 (j) and a prepaid gas charge settlement function. I'm letting you. These may be performed by separate terminals or servers, and both may cooperate to construct a prepaid gas supply system.

1 Prepaid gas supply system 2 System management server 2a Remaining amount notification function 2b Remaining amount notification time setting function 2c Remaining amount notification time zone setting function 3 (i) Convenience store 4 Convenience store terminal 5 Cash register 6 (j) Gas consumption location 7 Contact communication terminal 8 General communication line 10 Gas user 11 Gas meter 12 (k) Gas equipment 13 Prepaid terminal 14 Dedicated card 15 Prepaid payment invoice 16 Payment invoice 21a Control unit 21b Measurement unit 22 Gas passage 23 Shutoff valve 24 Communication Unit 25 Communication unit 26 Card reader 27 Operation / display unit 28 Control unit 29 Storage unit 30 Usage charge calculation unit 31 Balance calculation unit 32 Gas usage restriction unit 33 Gas usage status calculation unit 34 Display control unit ID (13) Reading side ID Information ID (14) Card side ID information

Claims (8)

In a prepaid fluid supply method in which a fluid user is made to settle a fluid charge by a prepaid method and the supply of the fluid to the fluid user is cut off when the prepaid remaining amount of the fluid becomes zero.
With the system management server
The flow meter and prepaid terminal installed at the place where the fluid is consumed by the fluid user,
It is equipped with a contact communication terminal that is a contact for the fluid user.
The prepaid terminal updates the prepaid remaining amount and subtracts the prepaid remaining amount based on the measured value of the fluid usage flow rate by the flow meter.
The system management server or the prepaid terminal
Setting the remaining amount notification time point for sending the remaining amount notification indicating that the prepaid remaining amount has decreased from the system management server or the prepaid terminal to the contact communication terminal of the fluid user. Processing and
When the set remaining amount notification time is reached, the remaining amount notification process of causing the contact communication terminal to send the remaining amount notification from the system management server or the prepaid terminal , and
Setting the remaining amount notification time zone for performing the remaining amount notification
And
In the process of setting the remaining amount notification time point, a plurality of time points are set as the remaining amount notification time point.
In the remaining amount notification process, at each set remaining amount notification time, information including the remaining amount value of the prepaid remaining amount at the time of the remaining amount notification is transmitted as the remaining amount notification, and the remaining amount notification time is set. A prepaid fluid supply method that waits until the remaining amount notification time zone and transmits the remaining amount notification when the remaining amount is out of the remaining amount notification time zone . In claim 1,
In the process of setting the remaining amount notification time point, a plurality of values representing the remaining amount value can be set as the remaining amount notification time point.
In the remaining amount notification process, a prepaid fluid supply method for transmitting the remaining amount notification at each of the time points when the prepaid remaining amount is reduced to a plurality of set remaining amount values. In claim 1 or 2,
In the fluid shutoff process in which the system management server or the prepaid terminal shuts off the supply of the fluid when the remaining amount value becomes zero, the fluid is not shut off while the fluid is being used by the fluid user, and the fluid is cut off. A prepaid fluid supply method in which the fluid is shut off after the end of use. In claim 3,
The system management server or the prepaid terminal
Based on the fluid usage status by the fluid user, the fluid usage status monitoring process is performed to calculate the fluid usage frequency zone or the fluid usage time zone as the fluid usage time zone.
In the fluid shutoff process, a prepaid fluid supply method for causing the fluid shutoff to be performed after the end of the fluid use and in a time zone other than the fluid use time zone. In claim 3 or 4,
The system management server or the prepaid terminal
Processing of unsettled fluid charge calculation that calculates the usage charge of the fluid used from the time when the remaining amount value becomes zero to the time when the fluid shutoff is performed as the unsettled fluid charge, and
A prepaid fluid supply method that performs an unsettled fluid charge settlement process that also performs the settlement of the unsettled fluid charge when the fluid charge is settled by the fluid user in the next prepaid method. In a prepaid fluid supply system in which a fluid user is made to settle a fluid charge by a prepaid method and the supply of the fluid to the fluid user is cut off when the prepaid remaining amount of the fluid becomes zero.
With the system management server
The flow meter and prepaid terminal installed at the place where the fluid is consumed by the fluid user,
It is equipped with a contact communication terminal that is a contact for the fluid user.
The prepaid terminal updates the prepaid remaining amount and subtracts the prepaid remaining amount based on the measured value of the fluid usage flow rate by the flow meter.
The system management server or the prepaid terminal
The remaining amount notification time point setting function for setting the remaining amount notification time point for transmitting the remaining amount notification indicating that the prepaid remaining amount has decreased to the contact communication terminal of the fluid user, and the remaining amount notification time point setting function.
When the set remaining amount notification time is reached, the remaining amount notification function for transmitting the remaining amount notification to the contact communication terminal and the remaining amount notification function
It is equipped with a remaining amount notification time zone setting function that sets the remaining amount notification time zone for performing the remaining amount notification.
The remaining amount notification time point setting function can set a plurality of values representing the remaining amount value of the prepaid remaining amount as the remaining amount notification time point.
The remaining amount notification function transmits information including the remaining amount value at the time of the remaining amount notification as the remaining amount notification at each of the time points when the prepaid remaining amount is reduced to a plurality of set remaining amount values. A prepaid fluid supply system that waits until the remaining amount notification time zone and transmits the remaining amount notification when the remaining amount notification time is out of the set remaining amount notification time zone. In claim 6,
The system management server or the prepaid terminal
A fluid cutoff function that cuts off the supply of fluid when the remaining amount value becomes zero,
It is equipped with a fluid usage status monitoring function that calculates the time zone in which the fluid is frequently used or the time zone in which the amount of fluid is used as the fluid usage time zone based on the fluid usage status by the fluid user.
The fluid shutoff function does not shut off the fluid while the fluid is being used by the fluid user, and shuts off the fluid after the end of the use of the fluid and in a time zone other than the time zone in which the fluid is used. Prepaid fluid supply system to do. In claim 7,
The prepaid terminal is
An unsettled fluid charge calculation function that calculates the usage charge of the fluid used from the time when the remaining amount value becomes zero to the time when the fluid shutoff is performed as an unsettled fluid charge, and
A prepaid fluid supply system having an unsettled fluid charge settlement function that adjusts the unsettled fluid charge at the next update of the prepaid remaining amount by the fluid user.

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