Liquid inventory management system and data input method

Abstract

To enable sure management of a pull-out amount and a return amount for home usage or delivery of a liquid, to reflect the pull-out amount and the return amount in a statistical inventory management analysis for detecting a leakage etc. of a liquid storage tank in order to prevent generation of a correction request, and to provide a data input method for the pull-out amount and the return amount.SOLUTION: A liquid inventory management system includes a system management terminal 13 that inputs pull-out amount data PD of the liquid stored in a liquid storage tank 3 and return amount data RD of the liquid returned to the liquid storage tank 3, and obtains and displays an accurate inventory amount and a discharge amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 3 based on liquid surface level data LL, discharge data DD or sales data SD, the pull-out amount data PD, and the return amount data RD.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid inventory management system used for managing the inventory of oil and various liquids stored in oil storage tanks and the like, and a method for inputting data to the system. [Background technology]

[0002] At gas stations that store and sell petroleum and other fuels in underground storage tanks, sales volumes, replenishment volumes, usage volumes, and remaining tank capacity are measured and recorded, and daily inventory levels are managed based on this data.Such inventory management is not limited to gas stations, but is also carried out in various facilities and manufacturing equipment that handle liquids. For example, the present applicant has developed a system for managing liquid storage tanks by connecting liquid volume sensors, liquid volume display devices, weighing machines, etc. to a point-of-sale (hereinafter referred to as "POS") system via communication lines, as described in Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2007-47087) and Patent Document 2 (JP Patent Publication No. 2009-68923) (see in particular paragraphs 0020-0021 and Figure 1 of Patent Document 1 and paragraphs 0021-0023 and Figure 1 of Patent Document 2). In addition, Patent Document 3 (JP 2020-60472 A) describes a method and device for measuring inventory in a liquid tank, and a monitoring system, which estimates the true inventory amount from the inventory amount detected by the liquid level gauge (4) based on past measurement data from the liquid level gauge (4) and a liquid level gauge (5) that measures the amount of inventory discharged from the liquid tank (see especially the abstract, paragraphs 0022 to 0024).

[0003] However, at some facilities that use liquid storage tanks, activities such as personal use of the liquid or delivery of the liquid by mini-lorry may be carried out that result in a reduction in inventory through sampling that is not reflected in sales volume, and conversely, remaining liquid from the mini-lorry is also returned to the tank.As a result, with conventional liquid inventory management systems, such as the systems for managing liquid storage tanks described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and the liquid tank inventory monitoring system described in Patent Document 3, changes in sales volume and inventory volume do not necessarily match, and correct management may not be possible. In order to correct the discrepancy between the changes in sales volume and inventory volume, the sales volume data input into the liquid inventory management system is manually corrected, but this has the following problems. (1) Since it is not clear whether manual corrections have been made, there is a possibility that corrections have been missed or duplicated. (2) The details of the correction (amount removed and amount returned) are unclear. (3) There is a possibility that calculation or input errors will occur, resulting in incorrect management. Additionally, in statistical inventory management analysis to detect leaks and water contamination in liquid storage tanks, sales volume data and inventory volume data are used as data for detailed analysis. If there is a discrepancy in any of the changes, correct analysis results cannot be derived. In such cases, the manager may be asked to manually correct the sales volume data, but dealing with such requests requires a great deal of effort, such as conducting interviews. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-47087 A (Patent No. 4039579 A) [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-68923 A (Patent No. 4542576 A) [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-60472 A (Patent No. 7195512 A) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems (1) to (3), the first objective of the present invention is to enable reliable management of the amount of liquid extracted by personal use or loading onto mini lorries, etc., and the amount returned by unloading from the mini lorries, etc. A second objective is to reflect the amounts taken out and returned in the statistical inventory management analysis used to detect leaks in liquid storage tanks, thereby preventing requests for corrections. Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a data input method for reliably inputting data on the amount of liquid extracted and the amount of liquid returned into the liquid inventory management system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above problem is a liquid inventory management system that manages the inventory amount of liquid stored in a liquid storage tank and the discharge amount of liquid discharged from the liquid storage tank based on liquid level data measured by a liquid level gauge installed in the liquid storage tank and discharge amount data measured by a flow meter or sales amount data grasped by a POS terminal, a sampling amount input means for inputting sampling amount data of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank; A return amount input means for inputting data on the amount of liquid returned to the liquid storage tank; The system is characterized by comprising a system management terminal for managing the inventory amount and the discharge amount based on the liquid level data, the discharge amount data or the sales amount data, the withdrawal amount data inputted by the withdrawal amount input means, and the return amount data inputted by the return amount input means.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 for solving the above problem is a liquid inventory management system according to claim 1, The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a leakage analysis unit that detects leakage from the liquid storage tank based on the liquid level data, the discharge amount data or the sales amount data, the extraction amount data input by the extraction amount input means, and the return amount data input by the return amount input means.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 for solving the above problem is a data input method for inputting the sampled amount data and the returned amount data into the liquid inventory management system according to claim 1 or 2, A procedure for inputting data on the amount of liquid taken for personal use and for loading onto a mini lorry or the like in association with liquid storage tank number data and a date; The method is characterized by having a procedure for inputting data on the amount of liquid returned from a mini lorry or the like in association with liquid storage tank number data and a date. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the invention of claim 1, a system management terminal is provided for managing inventory and discharge amounts based on liquid level data, discharge amount data or sales amount data, extraction amount data input by the extraction amount input means, and return amount data input by the return amount input means, so that the amount of liquid taken for personal use or taken out by loading into mini lorries etc., and the amount returned by unloading from mini lorries etc. can be reliably managed.

[0010] According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1, a leak analysis unit is further provided which detects leaks in the liquid storage tank based on the liquid level data, discharge data or sales volume data, withdrawal volume data and return volume data. Therefore, there is no discrepancy between the actual discharge amount and changes in the liquid level data due to factors other than leakage, and no correction request (such as an instruction to manually correct the sales volume data) is generated from the leak analysis unit.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 3, in the liquid inventory management system of the invention of claim 1 or 2, a data input method can be provided which has a procedure for inputting data on the amount taken out due to personal use and loading into mini lorries, etc., in correspondence with liquid storage tank number data and a date, and a procedure for inputting data on the amount returned due to unloading from the mini lorries, etc., in correspondence with liquid storage tank number data and a date, so that data on the amount taken out and the amount returned can be reliably input into the liquid inventory management system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid inventory management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the system management terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the liquid inventory management system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a liquid inventory management system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a leakage analyzer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data input screen in the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. EXAMPLES

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid inventory management system according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid inventory management system according to the first embodiment has the following configuration. (1) A liquid storage tank 3 having a liquid discharge pipe 1 for discharging liquid such as gasoline, light oil, kerosene, heavy oil, solvents, etc., and a liquid injection pipe 2 for injecting the liquid. (2) A magnetostrictive liquid level gauge 4 that detects the liquid level of the stored liquid and the water level of the water accumulated at the bottom of the liquid storage tank 3 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every hour) and transmits liquid level data LL regarding the liquid level and water level data WL regarding the water level. The magnetostrictive liquid level gauge 4 has a detection unit 5 installed above the liquid storage tank 3, a magnetostrictive wire 6 extending from the detection unit 5 to the bottom of the liquid storage tank 3, an upper float 7 and a lower float 8 which can slide up and down along the magnetostrictive wire 6 and have magnets built in, and a level data transmission unit 9 which transmits liquid level data LL and water surface level data WL. The specific gravity of the upper float 7 is set to be smaller than that of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 3, and the specific gravity of the lower float 8 is set to be larger than that of the liquid but smaller than water.

[0015] (3) A liquid measuring machine 10 capable of pumping up the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank 3 and discharging the liquid onto a customer's vehicle or equipment, measuring the amount of liquid discharged, and transmitting discharge data DD after discharge is complete. A pump P is provided inside the liquid measuring device 10 and connected to one end of the liquid discharge pipe 1. The amount of discharged liquid is measured by a flow meter M and the amount of discharged liquid is displayed on a display provided on the front, and discharge amount data DD is transmitted when discharge is completed. In addition, for personal use, employees or the like may operate the liquid measuring machine 10 to inject liquid into small containers C, etc., or load the liquid into a mini lorry V or the like to deliver it to a customer who has a liquid contract, or after a delivery has been completed, the remaining liquid may be loaded back into the liquid storage tank 3; however, data regarding the amount of liquid taken out or returned in connection with such actions is not transmitted from the liquid measuring machine 10 or the mini lorry V, etc.

[0016] (4) A POS terminal 11 that receives the discharge amount data DD transmitted from the liquid measuring machine 10, generates sales amount data SD, etc., and transmits them. The POS terminal 11 not only generates the sales volume data SD, but also generates and transmits liquid purchase volume data, sales price data, etc. However, as this is not directly related to the contents of the present invention, a detailed description will be omitted. (5) A liquid information database 12 which receives liquid level data LL and water level data WL transmitted from the level data transmission unit 9 of the magnetostrictive liquid level gauge 4, records the data in association with the date and time, receives discharge amount data DD transmitted from the liquid measuring device 10 or sales amount data SD transmitted from the POS terminal 11, records the data in association with the date and time, and receives unloading amount data ID of the liquid injected from the tank truck into the liquid storage tank 3, and records the data in association with the date and time.

[0017] (6) A system management terminal 13 which controls the liquid inventory management system and inputs data PD on the amount of liquid extracted for personal use or loading, in association with liquid storage tank number data TD and the date and time, and inputs data RD on the amount of liquid returned after delivery, in association with the liquid storage tank number data TD and the date and time. The system management terminal 13 also has a private use database 14 that records the inputted extracted amount data PD and returned amount data RD in association with the liquid storage tank number data TD and date and time. The system management terminal 13 calculates the inventory amount for each date and time based on the liquid level data LL and water surface level data WL recorded in the liquid information database 12 in correspondence with the date and time, and can grasp the discharge amount or sales amount for each date and time based on the discharge amount data DD or sales amount data SD recorded in the liquid information database 12 in correspondence with the date and time. Furthermore, the system management terminal 13 can grasp the extracted amount and the returned amount for each date and time based on the extracted amount data PD and the returned amount data RD that are recorded in the private use database 14 in association with the date and time.

[0018] The liquid inventory management system of Example 1 has the configurations (1) to (6) described above, and therefore, by utilizing the withdrawal amount data PD and return amount data RD for each date and time, correcting the discharge amount or sales amount for each date and time grasped by the system management terminal 13 and comparing it with the inventory amount, it is possible to appropriately manage the status of the discharge amount or sales amount and the state of the liquid storage tank 3. Therefore, staff at the facility that uses the liquid storage tank 3 do not need to add up by themselves the amounts withdrawn due to personal use or loading, or the amounts returned due to unloading, and no corrections, double corrections, calculation errors, or input errors occur. The withdrawal amount data PD and return amount data RD can be reliably added up within the system, and the emission or sales amount can be automatically corrected.

[0019] 2 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure (the procedure for inputting the sampled amount data PD, the returned amount data RD, etc., and recording them in the personal use database 14) in the system management terminal 13 in the first embodiment. The processing starts with an input start operation by the manager, and ends by recording the date and time, the liquid storage tank number data TD, the sales adjustment amount data, the sampled amount data PD, and the returned amount data RD in the personal use database 14 according to the following steps 1 to 10. (Step 1) <Getting a list of tank number data> A list of tank number data of liquid storage tanks 3 that may be used for personal use, loading or unloading is obtained from the tank number data of liquid storage tanks 3 recorded in the personal use database 14, and then proceed to step 2. (Step 2) <Entering required data on the system management terminal 13> Enter the data PD of the amount of liquid taken out for personal use or used for loading, the data RD of the amount of liquid returned after delivery, the liquid storage tank number data TD selected from the list of acquired tank number data, and the date and time, and proceed to step 3. The date and time may be input automatically, or the administrator may select and input the date and time from a date and time list. (Step 3) Determine whether the date and time are within the range in which they can be changed. If it is No, return to step 2; if it is Yes, proceed to step 4. (Step 4) It is determined whether the sampled amount data PD and the returned amount data RD are within the allowable range. If No, the process returns to Step 2; if Yes, the process proceeds to Step 5. (Step 5) Based on the sample amount data PD and the return amount data RD, calculate the sales adjustment amount data (data for correcting the emission amount or sales amount) and proceed to step 6. (Step 6) Correct the emissions or sales volume and proceed to step 7. (Step 7) Determine whether the change in inventory amount matches the revised emissions amount or sales amount. If it is No, proceed to Step 8. If it is Yes, proceed to Step 10. (Step 8) After displaying a warning on the system management terminal 13 to inform the user that the change in inventory amount does not match the corrected emission amount or sales amount, the process proceeds to Step 9. In addition, the warning message will request what to do if the values ​​do not match, for example, "There is a discrepancy between the actual inventory amount and the calculated inventory amount after correcting the sales amount. If you wish to correct the amount taken out or returned, select 'Correct' and re-enter it. If you wish to leave the input values ​​as they are and check other values ​​such as the amount unloaded, proceed to 'Register'." (Step 9) Confirm whether or not you want to correct the data entered in step 2. If you answer Yes (correct), return to step 2. If you answer No (do not correct), proceed to step 10. (Step 10) The date and time entered or selected in step 2, the liquid storage tank number data TD, the extracted amount data PD and the returned amount data RD, and the sales adjustment amount data calculated in step 5 are recorded in the personal use database 14, and the process is terminated.

[0020] 3 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for displaying the corrected discharge amount or sales amount (hereinafter referred to as "corrected sales amount"), inventory amount, unloading amount, etc. in the liquid inventory management system of Example 1. The processing starts when the administrator starts inputting information on the system management terminal 13, and ends after displaying the corrected sales amount, etc. by the following procedures A to E. (Step A) <Data acquisition at specified date and time in tank> The discharge data DD or sales volume data SD, liquid level data LL, water surface level data WL, and unloading volume data ID for the specified date and time tank recorded in the liquid information database 12 are obtained, and then step B is proceeded to. (Step B) <Acquire sales adjustment data for tank at specified date and time> The sales adjustment amount data for the specified date and time and tank recorded in the private use database 14 is obtained, and the process proceeds to step C. (Step C) Check whether a sales volume adjustment is necessary (sales adjustment volume data is other than 0). If Yes (necessary), proceed to Step D. If No (not necessary), proceed to Step E. (Step D) Based on the emission data DD or sales volume data SD and sales adjustment volume data obtained in Steps A and B, calculate the corrected sales volume for the specified date and time and tank, and proceed to Step E. (Step E) Based on the data obtained in steps A and B and the revised sales volume calculated in step D, various data relating to the specified date and time and tank (date and time, tank number, revised sales volume, inventory volume, and unloaded volume) are displayed on the system management terminal 13, and the process is terminated. EXAMPLES

[0021] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a liquid inventory management system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid inventory management system according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding a leakage analysis unit 15 and an analysis database 16 to the liquid inventory management system according to the first embodiment. Therefore, components other than the leakage analysis unit 15 and the analysis database 16 are given the same reference numbers in FIG. 4 as in FIG. 1, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Also in the second embodiment, the flow charts showing the processing procedure in the system management terminal (the procedure for inputting the sampled amount data PD and returned amount data RD, etc. and recording them in the private use database 14) and the processing procedure in the liquid inventory management system (the procedure for displaying the corrected sales amount, inventory amount, unloaded amount, etc.) are the same as those in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, respectively. However, when information is transmitted from the leakage analysis unit 15 that there is a leakage from the liquid storage tank 3 or that water has entered the liquid storage tank 3, that fact is displayed in step E in the liquid inventory management system.

[0022] The leakage analysis unit 15 imports various data recorded in the liquid information database 12 and sales adjustment volume data recorded in the private use database 14, transfers the data to the analysis database 16 for analysis, and detects leakage from the liquid storage tank 3 and water contamination into the liquid storage tank 3. Specifically, the imported sales adjustment volume data is used to calculate the revised sales volume, and leakage analysis is performed based on the inventory volume and the revised sales volume, making it possible to accurately analyze leakage from the liquid storage tank 3 and water contamination into the liquid storage tank 3. Therefore, even if liquid is withdrawn and returned for personal use or delivery, there will be no discrepancy between the changes in the corrected sales volume and the liquid level data LL due to factors other than leakage or water contamination, and no correction request (such as an instruction to manually correct the sales volume data SD) will be generated from the leakage analysis unit.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the leakage analyzer 15 according to the second embodiment. The process starts when the administrator operates the system management terminal 13 to start analysis, and ends after outputting the analysis results through the following steps F to K. (Step F) <Data acquisition at specified date and time in tank> The discharge data DD or sales volume data SD, liquid level data LL, water surface level data WL, and unloading volume data ID for the specified date and time tank recorded in the liquid information database 12 are obtained, and the process proceeds to step G. (Step G) <Acquire sales adjustment amount data for specified date and time tank> The sales adjustment amount data for the specified date and time and tank recorded in the private use database 14 is obtained, and the process proceeds to step H. (Step H) Check whether a sales volume adjustment is necessary (sales adjustment volume data is other than 0). If Yes (necessary), proceed to Step I. If No (not necessary), proceed to Step J. (Step I) Based on the emission data DD or sales volume data SD and sales adjustment volume data obtained in Steps F and G, calculate the corrected sales volume for the specified date, time, and tank, and proceed to Step J. (Step J) <Transferring data to analysis database 16> Based on the data acquired in steps F and G and the revised sales volume calculated in step D, various data relating to the specified date and time and tank (date and time, tank number, revised sales volume, inventory volume, and unloaded volume) are transferred to the analysis database 16, and then the process proceeds to step K. (Step K) The data transferred in Step J is used for analysis to detect leakage from the liquid storage tank 3 and intrusion of water into the liquid storage tank 3. Then, information regarding the presence or absence of leakage and intrusion of water into the liquid storage tank 3 is sent to the system management terminal 13, and the process ends.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data input screen used when inputting the sampled amount data PD, the returned amount data RD, etc., and recording them in the private use database 14 in the first and second embodiments. This example shows the screen that appears when you launch the home energy usage input site that can be accessed from a personal computer (hereafter referred to as "PC"), and when launching the site, you enter your user ID and password on a dedicated website and then log in. This website is also designed so that it can be operated from a smartphone or tablet. In addition, a personal energy usage input application may be installed on a PC, a smartphone, or the like, and the same screen may be displayed by starting the application. As shown in Figure 6, when the target liquid storage tank 3 is selected using the tank selection field at the top center, a table with a field for inputting the amount of personal use (amount withdrawn) and the amount returned is displayed to the right of the date display field for the current month (June 2023), and the two input fields for the current day are highlighted (0 to 99999 [L] can be entered). Additionally, the field for inputting the amount of personal use and the amount returned in the past date display field for the current month displays numbers indicating the amount of personal use and the amount returned that were previously entered. Clicking the "<Previous Month" button displays the date display field for the previous month, but clicking the "Next Month" button does not display the date display field for the next month. When the user enters the personal use amount or return amount into the highlighted personal use amount input field or return amount input field using the numeric keypad or the like and clicks the register button in the upper right corner, the sampling amount data PD or return amount data RD corresponding to the input value are recorded in the personal use database 14 in association with the current date. In other words, even if an omission or error in data input for the current month or previous month is discovered and correction is required, the data for the day discovered can be easily corrected by clicking the register button. When you have finished recording, click the Logout button to exit.

[0025] Modifications of the liquid inventory management system according to the first and second embodiments will be listed below. (Modification 1) In the first and second embodiments, the magnetostrictive liquid level gauge 4 is used, but instead of the magnetostrictive liquid level gauge 4, a normal liquid level gauge may be used. Furthermore, if there is no need to detect water accumulating at the bottom of the liquid storage tank 3, the lower float 8 is unnecessary, and the level data transmission unit 9 does not need to transmit the water surface level data WL. (Variation 2) In the first and second embodiments, the data PD on the amount of liquid extracted associated with personal use, loading, etc. of the liquid was not transmitted from the liquid measuring machine 10, and the data RD on the amount of liquid returned was not transmitted from the mini lorry V, etc. However, it is also possible to add a function for transmitting the data PD on the amount of liquid extracted and the data RD on the amount of liquid returned to the liquid measuring machine 10 and the mini lorry V, etc., so that this data can be stored in the personal use database 14 together with the transmission date and time via the system management terminal 13. (Variation 3) Instead of adding a transmission function to the liquid measuring device, etc. as in Variation 2, a fixed camera may be placed around the tank to photograph the liquid measuring device 10 or the indicator of the mini lorry V. The photographed data may then be received by the system management terminal 13, converted into sample amount data PD and return amount data RD, and stored in the private use database 14 together with the transmission date and time. (Variation 4) In the liquid information database 12 and the personal use database 14 of Examples 1 and 2, various data were recorded in association with the date and time, but the data acquisition period and data input period may be limited to once a day, and various data may be recorded in association with the date. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the extracted amount data PD and the returned amount data RD are recorded in association with the date, but they may be recorded in association with the date and time. (Variant 5) The leakage analysis unit 15 of Example 2 detects leakage from the liquid storage tank 3 and ingress of water into the liquid storage tank 3, but if there is no need to detect water accumulating at the bottom as in Variant 1 above, it is not necessary to detect ingress of water into the liquid storage tank 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 Liquid discharge pipe 2 Liquid injection pipe 3 Liquid storage tank 4 Magnetostrictive liquid level gauge 5 Detector 6 Magnetostrictive wire 7 Upper float 8 Lower float 9 Level data transmitter 10 Liquid meter 11 POS terminal 12 Liquid information database 13 System management terminal 14 Private Use Database 15 Leak Analysis Department 16 Analysis Database DD Discharge data ID Unloading amount data LL Liquid level data PD Extraction amount data RD Return amount data SD Sales amount data TD Liquid storage tank number data WL Water level data

Claims

1. A liquid inventory management system that manages the inventory amount of liquid stored in a liquid storage tank and the discharge amount of liquid discharged from the liquid storage tank based on liquid level data measured by a liquid level gauge installed in the liquid storage tank and discharge data measured by a flow meter or sales volume data grasped by a POS terminal, comprising: a sampling amount input means for inputting sampling amount data of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank; A return amount input means for inputting data on the amount of liquid returned to the liquid storage tank; and a system management terminal for managing the inventory amount and the discharge amount based on the liquid level data, the discharge amount data or the sales amount data, the sampling amount data input by the sampling amount input means, and the return amount data input by the return amount input means. A liquid inventory management system comprising:

2. The system further includes a leakage analysis unit that detects leakage from the liquid storage tank based on the liquid level data, the discharge data or the sales amount data, the sampling amount data input by the sampling amount input means, and the return amount data input by the return amount input means.

2. The liquid inventory control system of claim 1.

3. 3. A data input method for inputting the extracted amount data and the returned amount data into the liquid inventory management system according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: A procedure for inputting data on the amount of liquid taken for personal use and for loading onto a mini lorry or the like in association with liquid storage tank number data and a date; The system has a procedure for inputting data on the amount of liquid returned from mini lorries, etc. in association with the liquid storage tank number data and date.

13. A data input method comprising:

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