Service station management system

Abstract

To provide a service station management system capable of preventing fuel from being discharged in a large quantity from an oil supply nozzle along with an erroneous operation of an oil supplier or the like.SOLUTION: A monitoring camera 22 photographs the periphery of a weigher 2. A management device 23 controls an oil supply by the weigher 2. The management device 23 determines whether or not an abnormality is present in a service station 1 from an image (a video) photographed by the monitoring camera 22. The management device 23 can vary a supply speed or a feed rate of fuel by the weigher 2 according to a determination result of the abnormality. For example, when determining that a discharge pipe 9A of an oil supply nozzle 9 is not inserted deeply into an oil feed port of a fuel tank of a vehicle, the management device 23 reduces the supply speed or the feed rate of the fuel by the weigher 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gas station management system that manages, for example, gas stations that refuel vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a gas station management system that includes a metering machine having a liquid delivery pipeline, a pump, a flow meter, a refueling hose, and a refueling nozzle, a monitor that displays information about refueling, and a management device that transmits a refueling permission signal to the metering machine. The gas station management system of Patent Document 1 enables refueling of a vehicle from the refueling nozzle when the metering machine receives a refueling permission signal from the management device. With this configuration, the driver of the vehicle can perform self-service refueling as a refueler (operator) under the supervision of an attendant (refueling manager). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-264995 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, at a gas station, when the fuel dispenser completes the settings related to fuel dispensing (i.e., when the station is in a state of waiting for fuel dispensing permission), the attendant checks the video (image) of the area around the metering machine displayed on the monitor of the management device, or visually checks the area around the metering machine, and then operates a button on the management device to transmit a fuel dispensing permission signal from the management device to the metering machine. Here, if, after the attendant transmits the fuel dispensing permission signal, for example, the fuel dispenser accidentally operates the lever of the fuel dispenser nozzle when the discharge pipe of the fuel dispenser nozzle is not deeply inserted into the fuel filler port (fuel filler port) of the fuel tank, there is a possibility that a large amount of fuel will be discharged from the fuel dispenser nozzle.

[0005] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gas station management system that can prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from a fuel nozzle due to incorrect actions by a fuel dispenser, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a gas station management system that includes a metering machine that supplies fuel to vehicles and a management machine that manages the supply of fuel by the metering machine, and is further equipped with a detection means for detecting the situation within the gas station, an abnormality determination means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality within the gas station from the situation detected by the detection means, and a control means for varying the speed or flow rate of fuel supply by the metering machine in accordance with the determination result by the abnormality determination means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fueling nozzle due to an erroneous operation by a fueler or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a schematic diagram of a gas station management system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 2 is a flowchart showing a control process performed in the management device (management machine) in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a flowchart showing the process following FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The following describes an example of a gas station management system according to an embodiment, which is applied to a gas station (gas station, service station) that refuels vehicles such as automobiles, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each step in the flow charts shown in Figures 2 and 3 is represented by the letter "S" (for example, step 1 = "S1").

[0010] In FIG. 1, a gas station 1 is configured as a self-service gas station where a driver of a vehicle (not shown) can refuel as a refueler. The gas station 1, which serves as a fuel supply station, is equipped with a metering machine 2 that supplies (refuels) fuel to a vehicle. At the gas station 1, a refueling operation (supply operation) is performed in which the metering machine 2 is used to refuel (replenish) a vehicle with fuel such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, or diesel. The metering machine 2, which is a fuel supply device (fuel supply machine, refueling machine), is installed in a refueling lane (fueling booth) of the gas station 1. Note that FIG. 1 shows only one of multiple metering machines 2 installed at the gas station 1 to avoid complicating the drawing.

[0011] The ground-mounted weighing machine 2 has a housing 3 having a substantially rectangular shape. A monitor device 18, a setting device 19, and the like are provided on the front side of the housing 3. The weighing machine 2 has a liquid delivery pipeline 6, a supply pump 13 (hereinafter referred to as the fuel supply pump 13), a flow meter 14, a supply hose 8 (hereinafter referred to as the fuel supply hose 8), and a supply nozzle 9 (hereinafter referred to as the fuel supply nozzle 9). Inside the housing 3 of the weighing machine 2, the liquid delivery pipeline 6, the fuel supply pump 13, the flow meter 14, the pump motor 15, a control valve 17, a control device 20, and the like are provided.

[0012] Meanwhile, storage tanks 4 (hereinafter referred to as underground tanks 4) for storing fuels such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and diesel are buried underground at the gas station. The underground tanks 4 are separated or divided into a plurality of tanks, and each tank stores a different type of fuel (for example, regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and diesel). The liquid level 5 in the underground tank 4 is detected, for example, by a dedicated liquid level detector (not shown), and the remaining amount of liquid in the underground tank 4 is thereby monitored.

[0013] 1 shows a simplified internal structure of the metering device 2 (i.e., the piping structure of the liquid supply pipeline 6, the fuel supply pump 13, the flowmeter 14, the control valve 17, etc.). In reality, a plurality of fuel supply hoses 8 are provided for each type of liquid on both the left and right sides or the front side of the housing 3, but in FIG. 1, one fuel supply hose 8 is shown, and other fuel supply hoses are omitted for the sake of simplicity of explanation. The same applies to the underground tank 4.

[0014] The liquid supply pipeline 6 connects between the underground tank 4 and the fuel supply hose 8. That is, one end (lower end) of the liquid supply pipeline 6 extends downward from inside the housing 3. One end of the liquid supply pipeline 6 forms a suction pipe 6A and is connected to the underground tank 4. Meanwhile, the other end (tip) of the liquid supply pipeline 6 is connected to a flexible fuel supply hose 8 via, for example, a joint 7. The liquid supply pipeline 6, together with the fuel supply hose 8, constitutes a fuel supply path.

[0015] A fuel nozzle 9 for supplying liquid fuel to a fuel supply object (not shown), such as a fuel tank of a vehicle, is provided on the tip side of the fuel supply hose 8. The fuel supply nozzle 9 is hung on a nozzle hanger 11 when waiting for a refueling operation. For example, a fueler (including a self-service fueler) who will be refueling removes the fuel supply nozzle 9 from the nozzle hanger 11, and in this state performs the refueling operation on the fuel tank of the vehicle.

[0016] Here, the vehicle is provided with a fuel filler port (oil filling port, supply port) for filling (replenishing) the fuel tank with fuel. The fuel filler nozzle 9 is provided with a discharge pipe 9A as the nozzle tip. The discharge pipe 9A is inserted into the fuel filler port when fuel is supplied to the fuel tank. The fuel filler nozzle 9 also has a nozzle lever that is manually operated. A valve (not shown) is provided inside the fuel filler nozzle 9, and the opening degree of this valve is adjusted according to the operating position of the nozzle lever.

[0017] The housing 3 of the metering machine 2 is provided with a nozzle hanger 11 as a nozzle storage section. A fuel nozzle 9 is detachably hung on the nozzle hanger 11. That is, the fuel nozzle 9 is usually stored in the nozzle hanger 11. When the vehicle arrives at the gas station 1, the fuel nozzle 9 is removed from the nozzle hanger 11 by the fueler and inserted into the fuel filler opening of the vehicle's fuel tank. In addition, a nozzle switch 12 is attached to the nozzle hanger 11. The nozzle switch 12 is connected to the control device 20.

[0018] The nozzle switch 12 detects whether or not the fuel nozzle 9 is hung on the nozzle hanger 11, and outputs a detection signal to the control device 20. While the fuel nozzle 9 is hung on the nozzle hanger 11, for example, an ON signal is output from the nozzle switch 12 to the control device 20. While the fuel nozzle 9 is removed from the nozzle hanger 11, an OFF signal is output from the nozzle switch 12 to the control device 20.

[0019] A fuel supply pump 13, a flow meter 14, and a control valve 17 are disposed in the middle of the liquid supply pipeline 6 and are located inside the housing 3. The flow rate of the liquid fuel (e.g., regular gasoline) in the underground tank 4 sucked up from the suction pipe 6A by the fuel supply pump 13 is measured by the flow meter 14 as it flows through the liquid supply pipeline 6. The fuel supply pump 13 is driven to rotate by a pump motor 15 to supply the fuel in the underground tank 4 to the fuel supply nozzle 9. In this case, the rotation of the pump motor 15 is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the fuel supply pump 13 via a belt 16 wound between a drive pulley 15A of the pump motor 15 and a driven pulley 13A of the fuel supply pump 13.

[0020] The flow meter 14 is a flow rate detection device that measures the amount of liquid fuel supplied to the fuel nozzle 9 by the fuel supply pump 13 individually for each fuel supply nozzle 9. For example, a flow rate pulse transmitter 14A is attached to the flow meter 14. The flow rate pulse transmitter 14A is connected to the control device 20. The flow rate pulse transmitter 14A outputs a flow rate pulse signal corresponding to the flow rate of the liquid fuel flowing inside the liquid supply pipe 6 to the control device 20.

[0021] The control valve 17 is configured as an electromagnetic flow control valve whose valve opening is variably controlled. The control valve 17 adjusts the flow rate of the liquid fuel supplied from the liquid supply pipeline 6 to the fuel supply nozzle 9 via the fuel supply hose 8. The control valve 17 is connected to a control device 20. The valve opening of the control valve 17 is variably controlled, for example, by variably controlling the drive current supplied to the control valve 17 according to the frequency and duty ratio of a control signal output from the control device 20. Note that the opening and closing of the control valve 17 may be controlled continuously to control the flow rate of the liquid by ON / OFF control (full open / full close control of the valve opening) using pulse width modulation.

[0022] On the front side of the housing 3, there are provided a monitor device 18 as a display means (metering device side display means) for displaying the amount of fuel dispensed by the metering device 2, the price, etc., and a setting device 19 as a setting means for setting the amount of fuel dispensed, etc., by manual operation by the fuel dispenser. The monitor device 18 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and a speaker (audio output device). The liquid crystal monitor (display screen) of the monitor device 18 displays the amount of fuel dispensed, etc. In addition, the speaker of the monitor device 18 outputs audio information, warning sounds, etc. as necessary. The monitor device 18 constitutes a notification means (fuel dispenser side notification means) for notifying (display, audio output) the fuel dispenser of necessary information.

[0023] Also, the display screen of the monitor device 18 displays, for example, setting items selected by the setting device 19. The fueler can select full tank refueling, set any preset fuel refueling amount, and the like by operating each switch of the setting device 19. Note that while Fig. 1 shows a configuration in which the monitor device 18 and the setting device 19 are provided separately, the monitor device 18 and the setting device 19 may be integrated together, for example, by configuring the monitor device 18 as a touch panel.

[0024] A control device 20 is provided in the housing 3 of the metering machine 2 as a control means for controlling fuel supply based on the fuel supply amount set by the setting device 19. The control device 20 displays the fuel supply amount measured by the flow meter 14 when fuel is supplied through the fuel supply nozzle 9 on the monitor device 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the input side of the control device 20 is connected to the nozzle switch 12 of the nozzle hanger 11, the flow rate pulse generator 14A of the flow meter 14, the setting device 19, etc. The output side of the control device 20 is connected to the pump motor 15 that drives the fuel supply pump 13, the control valve 17, the monitor device 18, etc. The control device 20 is also connected to a management device 23, which will be described later.

[0025] When the fuel supply nozzle 9 is removed from the nozzle hanger 11 and an OFF signal is input from the nozzle switch 12, the control device 20 starts the pump motor 15. This causes the fuel supply pump 13 to pump the fuel in the underground tank 4 through the liquid supply pipeline 6. The control device 20 also controls the control valve 17 by outputting a drive signal of a predetermined frequency to the control valve 17. In this case, the control device 20 controls the control valve 17 to maintain a predetermined valve opening by changing the duty ratio of the drive signal.

[0026] In this state, when the nozzle lever of the fuel filling nozzle 9 is operated, fuel filling into the vehicle's fuel tank begins. At this time, a flow rate pulse is output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 14A of the flow meter 14 to the control device 20. The control device 20 integrates the flow rate pulses output from the flow rate pulse transmitter 14A and displays the amount of fuel filling on the display screen of the monitor device 18. In addition, the control device 20 stops fuel filling when the tank is full or when the amount of fuel filling set by the setting device 19 is reached, for example, in full tank fuel filling control or preset fuel filling control.

[0027] The control device 20 controls various devices such as the pump motor 15, the control valve 17, the monitor device 18, etc. of the metering machine 2. For this purpose, the control device 20 is configured to include, for example, a microcomputer, a power supply circuit, a drive circuit, etc. The microcomputer of the control device 20 has a calculation processing device called a CPU, as well as memories such as ROM, RAM and / or non-volatile memory.

[0028] The memory stores (contains) processing programs for controlling refueling such as full tank refueling control or preset refueling control. The memory of the control device 20 also stores processing programs for displaying and / or outputting sound on the monitor device 18 based on a command (alert command) from a management device 23 described later.

[0029] The static electricity removal sheet 21, which is a static electricity removal unit, is provided, for example, on the front of the housing 3 of the weighing machine 2. The static electricity removal sheet 21 is formed, for example, in a circular shape using a conductive material and is grounded (earthed). The fuel dispenser touches the static electricity removal sheet 21 with his / her hand before refueling. When the fuel dispenser touches the static electricity removal sheet 21 with his / her hand, the static electricity charged to the fuel dispenser is removed.

[0030] The emergency stop notification means, an emergency stop notification light 24 (hereinafter referred to as an alarm lamp 24), is provided, for example, on the front of the housing 3 of the metering machine 2. The alarm lamp 24 lights up when fuel supply by the metering machine 2 is stopped by operating an emergency stop button (not shown), etc., to notify a fuel supply person, etc., that fuel supply by the metering machine 2 has stopped. The alarm lamp 24 is connected, for example, to the control device 20, and is turned on by an output from the control device 20.

[0031] A surveillance camera 22 is installed in the gas station 1 as an imaging means. The surveillance camera 22 images the vicinity of the metering machine 2 to monitor the state of the fuel lane, the entry and exit of vehicles, the fueling operation of the fueler, etc. The surveillance camera 22 constitutes a detection means for detecting the situation inside the gas station 1. The surveillance camera 22 is arranged so that, for example, the fuel lane, the vehicle, the metering machine 2, the fueler who is filling up the fuel, etc. are included in the image (imaging range). In this case, although not shown in the figure, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of surveillance cameras 22 are installed and each image is acquired separately. The surveillance camera 22 is connected to the management device 23 wirelessly or by wire. The image captured by the surveillance camera 22 is transmitted to the management device 23.

[0032] The management device 23 as a management machine is a fuel supply management device that manages the supply of fuel (refueling) by the metering machine 2. The management device 23 is provided, for example, in a management building (not shown) within the site of the gas station 1. The management device 23 is connected to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. The management device 23 receives the status of the metering machine 2 from the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. The management device 23 is also connected to the surveillance camera 22. The management device 23 receives video (photographed results) from the surveillance camera 22. The management device 23 transmits a refueling permission signal to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. When the control device 20 of the metering machine 2 receives a refueling permission signal from the management device 23, it is possible to refuel the vehicle through the refueling nozzle 9.

[0033] The management device 23 is configured, for example, by a desktop computer, and includes a monitor 23A. The monitor 23A corresponds to a display means (management machine side display means) on which information related to refueling is displayed. The monitor 23A can be configured, for example, by a touch panel (liquid crystal touch panel) capable of input operations, selection operations, and the like. The monitor 23A displays the video (images) of the surveillance camera 22, that is, live video (live images) of the refueling lane, the vehicle, the weighing machine 2, the refueler performing refueling, and the like.

[0034] The monitor 23A also displays the fuel supply status of each fuel supply lane and each weighing machine 2. For example, the monitor 23A displays the fuel type and fuel supply amount set by the fuel supply person for each weighing machine 2 of each fuel supply lane, as well as the judgment information, judgment result, judgment image, judgment item, and operation buttons (menu button, confirmation button, stop button, release button, permission button, emergency stop button, etc.) by the abnormality judgment means described later. The management device 23 also includes a storage device such as a hard disk. The storage device of the management device 23 stores (stores) a processing program for managing the weighing machines 2. The storage device of the management device 23 also stores (stores) a processing program for executing the processing flow shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 described later.

[0035] In the illustrated example, the management device 23 is connected to one metering machine 2 in the gas station 1, but is also connected to multiple metering machines 2 in the gas station 1, including another metering machine not shown (for example, all of the metering machines 2 in the gas station 1). The management device 23 is also connected to "another gas station management device not shown" and / or "a management server (for example, a main server, a data server, a cloud server, etc.) that transmits and receives information (data) signals and signals corresponding to commands between the multiple management devices 23." The management device 23 and / or the management server correspond to a management machine that manages the fuel supply by the metering machine 2.

[0036] Meanwhile, at the gas station 1, an attendant (fuel manager) monitors the fuel dispenser (self-service fuel dispenser)'s fuel dispense action, etc., visually and through the video of the surveillance camera 22. For example, when the fuel dispenser completes the settings related to fuel dispense (enters a waiting state for fuel dispense permission), the attendant checks the video (image) around the weighing machine 2 displayed on the monitor 23A of the management device 23, or visually checks the vicinity of the weighing machine 2, and then operates a button (switch) on the management device 23 to transmit a fuel dispense permission signal from the management device 23 to the weighing machine 2.

[0037] Here, for example, consider a case where an attendant goes to the site to perform further confirmation after transmitting a refueling permission signal, i.e., in a state where refueling by the metering machine 2 is possible. In such a case, if the fuel discharge flow rate from the refueling nozzle 9 is large, if the refueler mistakenly operates the refueling nozzle 9 on the way to the site, there is a possibility that a large amount of fuel will be discharged from the refueling nozzle 9. In other words, if the attendant mistakenly operates the lever of the refueling nozzle 9 in a state where the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 is not deeply inserted into the fuel filler port (fuel filler port) of the vehicle's fuel tank after transmitting a refueling permission signal, there is a possibility that a large amount of fuel will be discharged from the refueling nozzle 9.

[0038] On the other hand, in recent years, due to a shortage of personnel, a small number of attendants have to monitor the fuel dispensers not only for their refueling but also for their abnormal behavior. In addition, for example, the number of self-service gas stations that are attached to retail stores such as convenience stores and coffee shops is increasing, and the tasks (workload) of attendants tend to increase. In response to this, one possible way to reduce the burden on attendants is to support the safety checks performed by attendants with image recognition technology using machine learning by AI (artificial intelligence).

[0039] Specifically, it is conceivable to use an abnormality determination means (anomaly analysis means) that utilizes an AI image recognition technology to determine (analyze) whether or not there is an abnormality (undesirable situation, behavior) in the situation at the gas station 1 and / or the behavior of the person filling the tank. However, for example, simply automatically stopping the weighing machine 2 based on the AI ​​determination result (analysis result) may result in a decrease in the efficiency of the fuel filling operation, such as taking longer to complete the fuel filling due to the weighing machine 2 being unnecessarily stopped.

[0040] Therefore, the gas station management system of the embodiment judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas station 1 from the image (video) captured by the surveillance camera 22. This judgment (abnormality judgment) is performed by the management device 23 and / or a management server (hereinafter simply referred to as "management device 23") connected to the management device 23 via a network. From the image (video) of the surveillance camera 22, the management device 23 judges, for example, whether or not the fuel dispenser touched the static electricity removing sheet 21, whether or not the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 is inserted into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank of the vehicle, whether or not a fire such as a cigarette or a lighter has been used, whether or not the vehicle suddenly started moving during fueling, whether or not the engine of the vehicle has stopped, whether or not the fuel dispenser has been replaced during fueling, whether or not there is a person other than the fuel dispenser during fueling, whether or not the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank during fueling, whether or not the fuel dispenser is looking away during fueling, whether or not the fuel dispenser is using a mobile phone, and the like.

[0041] Here, for example, the following cases are unfavorable as the situation at the gas station 1 and the behavior of the gas dispenser: "the gas dispenser does not touch the static electricity removing sheet 21", "the discharge pipe 9A of the gas dispenser nozzle 9 is not inserted into the fuel filler opening of the vehicle's fuel tank or is inserted shallowly", "a flame such as a cigarette or a lighter is used", "the vehicle suddenly starts while refueling", "the vehicle's engine is not stopped (the engine has been started)", "the gas dispenser is replaced during refueling", "there is a person other than the gas dispenser", "the gas dispenser looks elsewhere while refueling", "the gas dispenser is using a mobile phone", etc. Thus, the management device 23 (abnormality determination means) determines that there is an abnormality when such an unfavorable situation at the gas station 1 and behavior of the gas dispenser are present. Such a determination can be made, for example, by using image recognition technology by AI (artificial intelligence). The AI ​​can determine abnormalities, for example, by having the AI ​​learn "images (video) of appropriate (desirable) and inappropriate (undesirable) behavior of the fuel dispenser" and "images (video) of appropriate (desirable) and inappropriate (undesirable) situations at the gas station 1" through machine learning, based on the results of this learning and images (video) from the surveillance camera 22.

[0042] When the management device 23 judges that there is an abnormality in the fuel supply operation of the fuel dispenser or the situation of the fuel station 1, the management device 23 controls the fuel supply pump 13 (pump motor 15) of the metering machine 2, the control valve 17, etc. based on the judgment result. That is, the management device 23 varies the amount of fuel supplied by the metering machine 2, specifically, the fuel supply speed or flow rate, based on the judgment result. Specifically, when the management device 23 judges, for example, that "fire such as a cigarette or a lighter is being used" based on the image (video) of the surveillance camera 22 based on the image recognition technology of AI, it stops (emergency stop) the fuel supply pump 13 (pump motor 15) of the metering machine 2. In this case, the management device 23 turns on the alarm lamp 24 and notifies the fuel dispenser of the emergency stop via the monitor device 18 of the metering machine 2.

[0043] For example, "emergency stop" is displayed on the display screen of the monitor device 18, and an alarm sound (buzzer sound) or a voice indicating that an emergency stop has occurred is output from the speaker of the monitor device 18. For this purpose, the management device 23 outputs a fuel supply stop command and an emergency stop notification command to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. Based on the fuel supply stop command and the emergency stop notification command from the management device 23, the control device 20 of the metering machine 2 stops the fuel supply pump 13, closes the control valve 17, turns on the alarm lamp 24, displays the screen of the monitor device 18, outputs voice, etc. In addition, in the case of an emergency stop, the management device 23 notifies a staff member that an emergency stop has occurred. For example, "emergency stop" is displayed on the monitor 23A of the management device 23, and a buzzer sound or a voice indicating that an emergency stop has occurred is output from the speaker of the management device 23.

[0044] In addition, when the management device 23 judges, for example, that "the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank of the vehicle" based on the image (image) of the surveillance camera 22 based on the image recognition technology of AI, it reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2. For example, when the fuel supply speed or flow rate when the management device 23 judges that there is no abnormality is a preset value, the management device 23 reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2 to a value lower than the preset value. In addition, the management device 23 issues a notice to the person who is filling the fuel tank via the monitor device 18 of the metering device 2 to encourage the person who is filling the fuel tank to take a desirable action. For example, the display screen of the monitor device 18 displays "Please insert the discharge pipe 9A deeply into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank of the vehicle" and outputs a voice to that effect from the speaker of the monitor device 18.

[0045] For this purpose, the management device 23 outputs a fuel supply reduction command and a notification command to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. The control device 20 of the metering machine 2 reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate below a preset value by controlling the fuel supply pump 13 (pump motor 15) and / or the control valve 17 based on the fuel supply reduction command from the management device 23. Furthermore, the control device 20 of the metering machine 2 performs screen display and audio output on the monitor device 18 based on the notification command from the management device 23.

[0046] Furthermore, even when the management device 23 determines that "it is not possible to determine whether the condition is normal or abnormal from the image from the monitoring camera 22 and it is unclear," it also reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2 below a preset value. In this case, the management device 23 outputs a fuel supply reduction command to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. Based on the fuel supply reduction command from the management device 23, the control device 20 of the metering machine 2 controls the fuel supply pump 13 (pump motor 15) and / or the control valve 17 to reduce the fuel supply speed or flow rate below a preset value.

[0047] Furthermore, when the management device 23 determines, for example, that "the fuel dispenser is using a mobile phone" based on the image (video) of the surveillance camera 22 based on the AI ​​image recognition technology, it maintains the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2 as is. In this case, the management device 23 issues a notification to the fuel dispenser via the monitor device 18 of the metering machine 2 to encourage the fuel dispenser to behave in a favorable manner. For example, the management device 23 displays "Please refrain from using mobile phones" on the display screen of the monitor device 18 and outputs a voice to that effect from the speaker of the monitor device 18. For this purpose, the management device 23 outputs a necessary notification command to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. Based on the notification command from the management device 23, the control device 20 of the metering machine 2 performs the screen display and voice output of the monitor device 18 as necessary.

[0048] Here, the management device 23 classifies the degree of abnormality into three levels: "high", "medium", and "low". In this case, an abnormality with a high risk is classified as a "high" abnormality, an abnormality with a medium risk is classified as a "medium" abnormality, and an abnormality with a low risk is classified as a "low" abnormality. For example, in cases where "there is use of fire such as a cigarette or a lighter", "the vehicle suddenly starts during refueling", and "the engine of the vehicle is not stopped (the engine is started)", the abnormality is classified as a "high" abnormality that requires immediate stopping of refueling (emergency stop). For example, in cases where "the refueler is changed during refueling", "there is a person other than the refueler during refueling", and "the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 is shallowly inserted into the fuel inlet of the fuel tank of the vehicle", the abnormality is classified as a "medium" abnormality that does not require stopping refueling at the moment but has a high possibility of developing into a dangerous state. In cases where "the refueler is looking away during refueling" and "the refueler is using a mobile phone", the abnormality is classified as a "low" abnormality that is unlikely to develop into a dangerous state and requires attention.

[0049] The management device 23 controls the speed or flow rate of fuel supply by the metering machine 2 depending on the level of the abnormality. For example, if the management device 23 determines that the level of the abnormality is "high," it stops the fuel supply pump 13 of the metering machine 2 (emergency stop) and issues a necessary alert. If the management device 23 determines that the level of the abnormality is "medium," it reduces the speed or flow rate of fuel supply by the metering machine 2 and issues a necessary alert. If the management device 23 determines that the level of the abnormality is "low," it does not reduce the speed or flow rate of fuel supply by the metering machine 2 and issues a necessary alert.

[0050] Furthermore, after reducing the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2 based on the abnormality determination result, if it is determined that there is no abnormality, the management device 23 restores the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2 to a preset value. That is, the management device 23 constantly determines whether there is an abnormality from the image (video) of the surveillance camera 22. If the management device 23 determines, for example, based on the image (video) of the surveillance camera 22 that "the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the fuel filler opening of the vehicle's fuel tank," it reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate and issues a warning via the monitor device 18 to encourage the person filling the fuel tank to behave appropriately.

[0051] If the fueler inserts the discharge pipe 9A deeper based on this notification, the management device 23 determines that there is no abnormality based on the image (video) from the monitoring camera 22. Based on the determination that there is no abnormality, the management device 23 returns the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2 to a preset value. In this case, the management device 23 outputs a fuel supply return command to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2. The fuel supply return command may be output by operation of an attendant. That is, the attendant may determine that the discharge pipe 9A has been inserted deeper, and based on this determination, the attendant may operate the management device 23, which may output the fuel supply return command from the management device 23 to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2.

[0052] Figures 2 and 3 are flow charts showing the control processing performed by the management device 23. The control processing performed by the management device 23 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Note that the surveillance camera 22 takes images of the inside of the gas station 1 at all times.

[0053] The control process shown in Figures 2 and 3 is started, for example, when the vehicle enters a fuel lane. In S1, it is determined whether or not the fuel dispenser has completed the fuel dispenser settings. That is, in S1, it is determined whether or not the fuel dispenser has completed the settings before the start of fuel dispenser, such as selecting a payment method, selecting a type of fuel, selecting a full tank, and selecting an arbitrary preset fuel dispense amount, using the setting device 19. If it is determined that S1 returns "NO", that is, that the fuel dispenser has not completed the fuel dispenser settings, the process of S1 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that S1 returns "YES", that is, that the fuel dispenser has completed the fuel dispenser settings, the process proceeds to S2.

[0054] In S2, it is determined whether or not the fuel dispenser has touched the static electricity removal sheet 21 based on the image from the surveillance camera 22. The determination from the image (video) can be made using image recognition technology by AI (artificial intelligence). The same applies to the determinations of S7, S10, and S23 described below. If the result of S2 is "NO", that is, if it is determined that the fuel dispenser has not touched the static electricity removal sheet 21, the process of S2 is repeated. In this case, the management device 23 may output a command signal to the control device 20 of the weighing machine 2 and issue a notification urging the fuel dispenser to touch the static electricity removal sheet 21, such as by outputting a voice message from the speaker of the monitor device 18 saying, "Please touch the static electricity removal sheet."

[0055] On the other hand, if S2 returns "YES", that is, if it is determined that the fuel dispenser has touched the static electricity removing sheet 21, the process proceeds to S3. At this time, the management device 23 displays the determination result indicating that the fuel dispenser has touched the static electricity removing sheet 21 and a determination image on the monitor 23A. In S3, it is determined whether the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 has been removed from the nozzle hanger 11. This determination can be made based on whether the nozzle switch 12 is ON or OFF. If S3 returns "NO", that is, if it is determined that the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 has not been removed from the nozzle hanger 11 (nozzle switch 12 is ON), the process of S3 is repeated. On the other hand, if S3 returns "YES", that is, if it is determined that the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 has been removed from the nozzle hanger 11 (nozzle switch 12 is OFF), the process proceeds to S4.

[0056] In S4, the attendant is notified that the fuel nozzle 9 has been removed from the nozzle hanger 11. That is, the management device 23 is provided with, for example, a buzzer as a notification means (management device side notification means). The management device 23 sounds the buzzer to prompt the attendant to select the lane (weighing machine 2) where fuel will be dispensed from now on. That is, the management device 23 sounds the buzzer to prompt the attendant to confirm the lane (weighing machine 2) where fuel will be dispensed from now on. After the buzzer is sounded in S4, the process proceeds to S5. In S5, it is determined whether the attendant has selected the lane (weighing machine 2) from which the fuel nozzle 9 has been removed. That is, in S5, it is determined whether the attendant has selected the lane (weighing machine 2) where fuel will be dispensed from now on by operating the management device 23.

[0057] If the result of S5 is "NO", that is, if it is determined that the attendant has not selected the lane (weighing machine 2), the process of S5 is repeated. On the other hand, if the result of S5 is "YES", that is, if it is determined that the attendant has selected the lane (weighing machine 2), the process proceeds to S6. In S6, the notification to the attendant is stopped. That is, the management device 23 stops the buzzer. In the following S7, it is determined from the image of the monitoring camera 22 whether or not "the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 has been inserted into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank of the vehicle". If the result of S7 is "NO", that is, if it is determined that the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 has not been inserted into the fuel filler opening of the vehicle, the process of S7 is repeated. In this case, the management device 23 may output a command signal to the control device 20 of the metering machine 2 and issue a notification to the person filling the fuel, such as by outputting a voice from the speaker of the monitor device 18 saying "Please insert the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 all the way into the fuel filler opening of the vehicle." to encourage the person filling the fuel to insert the refueling nozzle 9.

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined in S7 that the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel nozzle 9 has been inserted into the fuel filler port of the vehicle, the process proceeds to S8. At this time, the management device 23 displays on the monitor 23A a determination result and a determination image indicating that the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel nozzle 9 has been inserted into the fuel filler port of the vehicle. In S8, the attendant determines whether or not to permit the person to refuel. That is, the attendant determines whether or not to permit the person to refuel based on the live video (live image) of the monitoring camera 22 displayed on the monitor 23A of the management device 23, the determination results of S2 and S7 based on the image of the monitoring camera 22, and visual confirmation near the metering machine 2. If the attendant permits the person to refuel, the attendant operates the management device 23 to transmit a refueling permission signal from the management device 23 to the metering machine 2. In S8, it is determined whether or not the attendant has permitted the person to refuel. If it is determined in S8 that the person to refuel has not been permitted to refuel (the refueling permission signal has not been output), the process of S8 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S9 that "YES", that is, that refueling is permitted (the refueling permission signal is output), the process proceeds to S9. In S9, the refueling pump 13 of the metering machine 2 is driven based on the permission signal from the management device 23. In this case, the refueling pump 13 can be driven at, for example, the maximum discharge rate.

[0059] When the fuel pump 13 is driven in S9, the process proceeds to S10 via "A" in FIG. 2 and "A" in FIG. 3. In S10, "abnormality during refueling" is judged from the image of the monitoring camera 22. That is, the management device 23 constantly judges whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas station 1 from the image (video) of the monitoring camera 22 using image recognition technology by AI (artificial intelligence) during refueling. In S10, it is judged, for example, whether or not a fire such as a cigarette or a lighter has been used, whether or not the vehicle has suddenly started during refueling, whether or not the engine of the vehicle has stopped, whether or not the refueler has been replaced during refueling, whether or not there is a person other than the refueler during refueling, whether or not the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the fuel inlet of the vehicle, whether or not the refueler is looking away during refueling, whether or not the refueler is using a mobile phone, etc.

[0060] In this case, in S10, if it is determined that "there is the use of fire such as a cigarette or a lighter", "the vehicle suddenly starts during refueling", "the vehicle engine is not stopped (the engine is started)", "the refueler is changed during refueling", "there is a person other than the refueler during refueling", "the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the vehicle's fuel filler opening", "the refueler is looking away during refueling", or "the refueler is using a mobile phone", it is deemed that there is an abnormality. Also, in S10, if it cannot be determined from the image (video) from the surveillance camera 22 whether it is normal or abnormal, it is deemed unknown. If it is determined that it is unknown, the process proceeds to S22 described below.

[0061] If the result of S10 is "NO", that is, if it is judged that there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to S11. In S11, it is judged whether the fuel nozzle 9 has been returned to the nozzle hanger 11 (whether the nozzle switch 12 is ON). If the result of S11 is "NO", that is, if the nozzle switch 12 is not ON (the fuel nozzle 9 has not been returned to the nozzle hanger 11), the process returns to S10. On the other hand, if the result of S11 is "YES", that is, if the nozzle switch 12 is ON (the fuel nozzle 9 has been returned to the nozzle hanger 11), the process proceeds to S12. In S12, the drive of the fuel pump 13 of the metering machine 2 is stopped. In the following S13, it is judged that the fuel supply operation by the fuel supply person has ended, and the process proceeds to END. That is, the process returns to START in FIG. 2 via END in FIG. 3, and the process from S1 onwards is repeated.

[0062] On the other hand, if S10 judges "YES", that is, that there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to S14. In S14, the abnormality level is judged. That is, in S14, the degree of the abnormality is judged. In this embodiment, the degree of the abnormality is divided into three stages, "high", "medium", and "low". In this case, an abnormality with a high risk is judged as "high", an abnormality with a medium risk is judged as "medium", and an abnormality with a low risk is judged as "low". For example, in the cases where "there is use of fire such as a cigarette or a lighter", "the vehicle suddenly starts during refueling", and "the engine of the vehicle is not stopped (the engine is started)", refueling needs to be stopped immediately (emergency stop), so the abnormality is judged as "high". For example, in the cases where "the refueler is changed during refueling", "there is a person other than the refueler during refueling", and "the discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the fuel inlet of the vehicle", it is not necessary to stop refueling at the present time, but there is a high possibility that it will develop into a dangerous state, so the abnormality is judged as "medium". For example, if "the fuel driver is looking away while refueling" or "the fuel driver is using a mobile phone," the possibility of it developing into a dangerous situation is low, and so it is considered to be a "low" abnormality that requires a warning. In S14, it is determined to what level the abnormality determined in S10 is, i.e., whether it is a "high," "medium," or "low" abnormality.

[0063] In S15 following S14, it is determined whether the level of the abnormality is "high". If the result in S15 is "YES", that is, if the level of the abnormality is determined to be "high", emergency stop processing is performed to prevent damage within the gas station 1. That is, the process proceeds to S16, and the emergency stop processing is issued. That is, in S16, an emergency stop processing is issued, so that an emergency stop signal is output from the management device 23 to the metering machine 2, and in S17, the operation of the fuel supply pump 13 of the metering machine 2 is stopped based on the emergency stop signal from the management device 23. In the following S18, an abnormality is reported, and refueling is forcibly terminated in S19.

[0064] That is, in S18, an abnormality is notified while an emergency stop has been made. Specifically, the screen of the management device 23 displays that a highly dangerous abnormality has occurred, and the alarm lamp 24 of the weighing machine 2 is turned on. This notifies the attendant and the fuel dispenser that a highly dangerous abnormality has occurred. In S19, a process to forcibly terminate refueling is performed. Specifically, in S19, the fuel dispenser is notified to return the refueling nozzle 9 to the nozzle hanger 11, and when the refueling nozzle 9 is returned to the nozzle hanger 11, the issuance of the emergency stop process is cancelled. This ends refueling. That is, the process returns to the start of FIG. 2 via the end of FIG. 3, and the processes from S1 onwards are repeated.

[0065] On the other hand, if S15 returns "NO", that is, if it is determined that the level of the abnormality is not "high", the process proceeds to S20. In S20, it is determined whether the level of the abnormality is "medium". If S20 returns "YES", that is, if it is determined that the level of the abnormality is "medium", then although an emergency stop is not necessary, in order to prevent the condition from developing into a dangerous condition, the discharge flow rate of the fuel supply pump 13 is temporarily reduced, and the fuel supply is in a refueling state but can be ended at any time. That is, the process proceeds to S21, where an abnormality is notified, and in the following S22, the discharge flow rate of the fuel supply pump 13 is reduced.

[0066] In S21, an abnormality is notified while refueling is continued. Specifically, the fact that the abnormality is of a medium level of danger is displayed on the monitor 23A of the management device 23 and on the screen of the monitor device 18 of the metering machine 2, and further, an audio output is made from the speaker of the monitor device 18. This notifies the attendant and the refueler that the abnormality is of a medium level of danger. In this case, it is preferable to notify the specific content of the abnormality by, for example, displaying and outputting an audio message saying, "The discharge pipe 9A of the refueling nozzle 9 is not inserted deeply enough." In S22, a command is output from the management device 23 to the metering machine 2 to reduce the discharge flow rate.

[0067] After an abnormality is notified in S21 and S22 and a command to reduce the discharge flow rate is output, the process proceeds to S23. In S23, it is determined whether the abnormality has been resolved from the image of the monitoring camera 22. That is, in S23, it is determined whether the abnormality is normal or not. If it is determined that the result of S23 is "NO", that is, that the state is not normal (the abnormality has not been resolved), the process of S23 is repeated. That is, the state in which the discharge flow rate of the fuel supply pump 13 is reduced is maintained and the necessary notification is continued. If it is determined that the result of S23 is "YES", that is, that the state is normal (the abnormality has been resolved), the process proceeds to S24. In S24, the discharge flow rate of the fuel supply pump 13 is returned to the state before it was reduced. That is, a command to return the discharge flow rate is output from the management device 23 to the metering device 2. If the discharge flow rate of the fuel supply pump 13 is returned in S24, the process returns to S10 and the process from S10 onwards is repeated. The command to return the discharge flow rate may be output by an operation of an attendant. That is, the attendant may determine that the abnormality has been resolved, and based on this determination, the attendant may operate the management device 23, thereby outputting a command from the management device 23 to the weighing machine 2 to return the discharge flow rate.

[0068] On the other hand, if the result of S20 is "NO", that is, if the level of the abnormality is not "medium", the process proceeds to S25. In S25, it is determined whether the level of the abnormality is "low". If the result of S25 is "YES", that is, if the level of the abnormality is "low", the process proceeds to S26. In S26, the fuel dispenser is alerted to the operation during fuel dispense using voice or the like. That is, the fact that there is an abnormality with a low degree of danger is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 18 of the metering machine 2, and further, voice is output from the speaker of the monitor device 18. In this case, it is preferable to notify the specific content of the abnormality, for example, by displaying and outputting a message saying "Please refrain from using mobile phones". In this case, the attendant is not notified. After the fuel dispenser is notified in S26, the process returns to S10 and the process from S10 onwards is repeated. On the other hand, if the result of S25 is "NO", that is, if the level of the abnormality is not "low", the process returns to S10 without going through S26, and the process from S10 onwards is repeated.

[0069] In this manner, the gas station management system of the embodiment includes an abnormality determination means and a control means. The abnormality determination means corresponds to, for example, the processes of S10, S14, S15, S20, S23, and S25 by the management device 23. The control means corresponds to, for example, the processes of S22 and S24 by the management device 23. The abnormality determination means determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas station 1 based on the situation detected by the monitoring camera 22 as a detection means. That is, the abnormality determination means determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas station 1 based on information (images, videos) captured by the monitoring camera 22 as a capture means (detection means). The control means varies the amount of fuel supplied by the metering device 2, specifically, the fuel supply speed or flow rate, depending on the determination result by the abnormality determination means. In this case, the abnormality determination means determines whether the monitoring camera 22 is normal, abnormal, or unknown, and, if an abnormality is determined, determines the degree of the abnormality. That is, the abnormality determination means determines whether an image captured by the monitoring camera 22 is normal, abnormal, or unknown, and, if an abnormality is determined, determines the degree of the abnormality. For example, if an abnormality is determined to exist, the abnormality determination means determines whether the degree of the abnormality is one of the three levels, "high," "medium," or "low."

[0070] The control means reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the weighing machine 2 below a preset value according to the degree of abnormality determined by the abnormality determination means. That is, when the determination result by the abnormality determination means is unclear or when the degree of abnormality is within a preset range (for example, when the degree of abnormality is "medium"), the control means reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the weighing machine 2 below a preset value. The "preset value" corresponds to, for example, the fuel supply speed or flow rate when the abnormality determination means determines that there is no abnormality. Furthermore, after reducing the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the weighing machine 2 based on the determination result by the abnormality determination means, when the abnormality determination means determines that there is no abnormality (normal), the control means restores the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the weighing machine 2.

[0071] According to such an embodiment, the management device 23 can change the fuel supply speed or flow rate according to the result of the determination of an abnormality in the gas station 1 based on the video (image) of the surveillance camera 22. This can prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel nozzle due to an erroneous operation of the gas station attendant, thereby improving safety during refueling. Moreover, since the management device 23 determines an abnormality in the gas station 1 based on the video (image) of the surveillance camera 22, it can determine the abnormality more quickly than an attendant and can also quickly take appropriate measures according to the abnormality (such as stopping, reducing, and notifying the attendant of the fuel supply). Furthermore, since the management device 23 determines an abnormality in the gas station 1 based on the video (image) of the surveillance camera 22, it can properly determine whether or not an abnormality exists and the degree of the abnormality even if the action of the gas station attendant has difficulty determining whether or not the action is abnormal. This can reduce the burden (burden) on the attendant in determining the abnormality. Furthermore, the monitor 23A of the management device 23 displays not only the live footage (images) from the surveillance camera 22, but also the abnormality determination results made by the AI ​​of the management device 23 and information at the time of the determination, so that the staff can quickly learn the details of the abnormality.

[0072] According to the embodiment, when the fuel dispenser makes an erroneous operation, the management device 23 can reduce the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2 according to the degree of the erroneous operation (in other words, the degree of abnormality in the fuel station 1). That is, when the abnormality determination result is unknown, the management device 23 reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2. Therefore, even if the fuel dispenser makes an erroneous operation when the determination result is unknown, the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2 is reduced, so that it is possible to prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel dispenser nozzle 9. For example, when the abnormality determination result is unknown, even if the fuel dispenser operates the lever of the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 in a state where the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel dispenser nozzle 9 is not deeply inserted into the fuel filler port (fuel filler port) of the vehicle's fuel tank, it is possible to prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel dispenser nozzle 9. In addition, when the degree of abnormality is "medium", the management device 23 reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2. In addition, a state in which the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel filling nozzle 9 is not deeply inserted into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank is set as a "medium" abnormality. Therefore, even if the fuel filler operates the lever of the fuel filling nozzle 9 when the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel filling nozzle 9 is not deeply inserted into the fuel filler opening, the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device 2 decreases, so that it is possible to prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel filling nozzle 9.

[0073] According to the embodiment, after reducing the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2, if it is determined that there is no abnormality, the management device 23 restores the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2. This makes it possible to prevent the state in which the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering machine 2 is reduced from being unnecessarily continued when it is determined that there is no abnormality. This allows the fuel supply by the metering machine 2 to be carried out efficiently.

[0074] According to the embodiment, even if a refueling permission signal is output from management device 23 to metering machine 2 by an attendant's operation in the process of S8 in Fig. 2, if the subsequent processes of S10 and S20 determine that there is a "medium" level abnormality, the fuel supply speed or flow rate is reduced. That is, even if the determination result by the attendant (no abnormality) differs from the determination result by management device 23 ("medium" abnormality), the fuel supply speed or flow rate can be reduced. This also improves safety during refueling.

[0075] In the embodiment, the case where the degree of abnormality is divided into three stages, namely, "high", "medium" and "low", has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the degree of abnormality may be divided into, for example, two stages (for example, "abnormality of fuel supply stop" and "abnormality of fuel supply reduction"). The degree of abnormality may be further divided into four or more stages. In either case, it is possible to set whether to stop the fuel supply, to reduce the fuel supply speed or flow rate, or to maintain the fuel supply speed or flow rate as it is, depending on the type and degree of abnormality (risk level). Also, the degree to which the fuel supply speed or flow rate is reduced may be changed depending on the type and degree of abnormality. This makes it possible to prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel nozzle due to an erroneous operation by the fueler, etc.

[0076] In the embodiment, the case where the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas station 1 is determined using information (video, image) from the surveillance camera 22, which is the imaging means, has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas station 1 using, for example, information (sound, temperature, light, fuel vapor concentration, etc. in the gas station) detected by various sensors (detectors) that detect sound, temperature, light, vapor concentration, etc. as conditions in the gas station, in addition to the information (video, image) from the surveillance camera 22. That is, the gas station management system may be configured to include a detection means that detects the conditions in the gas station, including the imaging means, and an abnormality determination means that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas station from the conditions detected by the detection means. The detection means may be configured to include at least a camera (imaging means) among various cameras and various sensors. Furthermore, the detection means may be configured to not include a camera (imaging means). That is, the detection means may be configured to include various sensors without including a camera (imaging means).

[0077] In the embodiment, the abnormality is notified to the staff member in the process of S21 by displaying the abnormality on the screen of the management device 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the abnormality may be displayed on the screen of a mobile information terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone carried by the staff member. That is, the staff member may be notified by using the management device or the information terminal carried by the staff member.

[0078] In the embodiment, as an example, a configuration is described in which it is determined whether or not the person filling the fuel tank 1 touches the static electricity removing sheet 21, whether or not the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel nozzle 9 is inserted into the fuel tank of the vehicle, whether or not the discharge pipe 9A of the fuel nozzle 9 is inserted shallowly into the fuel tank of the vehicle, whether or not a fire such as a cigarette or a lighter is used, whether or not the vehicle suddenly starts during filling the fuel tank, whether or not the engine of the vehicle is stopped (whether or not the engine is started), whether or not the person filling the fuel tank is changed during filling the fuel tank, whether or not there is a person other than the person filling the fuel tank, whether or not the person filling the fuel tank looks elsewhere during filling the fuel tank, and whether or not the person filling the fuel tank is using a mobile phone. However, without being limited to this, it is also possible to determine, in addition to the above, whether or not a child is filling the fuel tank as an abnormality in the gas station. In other words, it is possible to determine various undesirable situations (abnormalities) in the gas station, without being limited to the above.

[0079] In the embodiment, a ground-mounted fuel supply device (fuel supply device) has been described as an example of the metering device 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a suspended fuel supply device that raises and lowers a fuel supply nozzle may be used as the metering device.

[0080] In the embodiment, a fuel tank of a vehicle has been described as an example of a fuel supply object (fuel supply target) to which the metering machine 2 supplies fuel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the metering machine serving as a fuel supply device may supply fuel to a fuel supply object other than a fuel tank of a vehicle, such as a gasoline can or a plastic tank.

[0081] In the embodiment, the measuring machine 2 installed at a gas station (service station) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the measuring machine serving as a fuel supply device may be installed at a filling station other than a gas station (service station), such as a factory, a store, or a home improvement center.

[0082] In the embodiment, the management device 23 is provided in a management building (not shown) on the site of the gas station 1, and the attendant (fuel manager) monitors refueling and transmits a permission signal from the management building. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the management device may be provided in an office or the like other than the site of the gas station, and the attendant (fuel manager) may monitor refueling and transmit a permission signal from the office using the management device. In addition, the management device may be provided in a management building on the site of the gas station, and the management device may monitor refueling and transmit a permission signal based on the AI's judgment result (analysis result), and the attendant (fuel manager) may monitor the gas station from a location other than the management building. Furthermore, the management device may not be provided in an office or the like other than the site of the gas station, and the management device may monitor refueling and transmit a permission signal based on the AI's judgment result (analysis result), and the attendant (fuel manager) may monitor the gas station from a location other than the management building.

[0083] As a gas station management system based on the embodiment described above, for example, the following aspects are considered.

[0084] In a first aspect, a gas station management system is provided with a metering machine that supplies fuel to vehicles and a management machine that manages the supply of fuel by the metering machine, and is further provided with a detection means for detecting the situation within the gas station, an abnormality determination means for determining whether or not there is an abnormality within the gas station from the situation detected by the detection means, and a control means for varying the speed or flow rate of fuel supply by the metering machine in accordance with the determination result by the abnormality determination means.

[0085] According to the first aspect, the control means can change the fuel supply speed or flow rate in accordance with the result of the determination by the abnormality determination means, which can prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel nozzle due to an erroneous operation by the fuel filler, thereby improving safety during refueling.

[0086] As a second aspect, in the first aspect, the abnormality determination means determines whether the detection means indicates normal, abnormal, or unknown, and if it determines that there is an abnormality, determines the degree of the abnormality, and the control means reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device below a preset value depending on the degree of abnormality determined by the abnormality determination means.

[0087] According to the second aspect, the control means reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device in accordance with the degree of the abnormality determined by the abnormality determination means. Therefore, when the fuel dispenser makes an erroneous operation, the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device is reduced in accordance with the degree of the erroneous operation (degree of abnormality), so that it is possible to prevent a large amount of fuel from being discharged from the fuel dispenser nozzle.

[0088] As a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the control means reduces the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device based on the judgment result of the abnormality judgment means, and then restores the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device when the abnormality judgment means judges that there is no abnormality. According to this third aspect, when the abnormality judgment means judges that there is no abnormality, it is possible to prevent the state in which the fuel supply speed or flow rate by the metering device is reduced from being unnecessarily continued. This allows the fuel to be supplied efficiently by the metering device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Gas Station 2 Weighing machine 22 Surveillance cameras (photography means, detection means) 23 Management device (management machine, abnormality determination means, control means)

Claims

1. A metering machine that supplies fuel to a vehicle; A management machine that manages the supply of fuel by the metering machine; In a gas station management system equipped with A camera for photographing the vicinity of the weighing machine; an abnormality determination means for determining the degree of abnormality in the vicinity of the weighing machine from the image captured by the camera; A control means for varying a supply speed or a flow rate of the fuel by the metering device; Equipped with A gas station management system characterized in that the control means does not reduce the fuel supply rate or flow rate when the abnormality determination means determines the degree of abnormality to be ``low.''

2. A gas station management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the fuel dispenser is looking away while refueling or when the fuel dispenser is using a mobile phone, the abnormality determination means determines the degree of abnormality to be ``low.''

Images