Method, system, program, recording medium and server for managing gas delivery

Abstract

To avoid the influence of temperature changes on the replacement timing of a gas cylinder.SOLUTION: A processing unit acquires guideline information at an acquisition frequency of at least a day or several days, calculates gas consumption for each delivery destination (21), sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for gas consumption, determines an abnormal usage if the gas consumption is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold, determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal by setting a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, determines that the scheduled delivery date is abnormal if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after the recalculation, calculates the number of days to increase or decrease the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days to increase or decrease.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management technique for the delivery of LP (Liquefied Petroleum) gas in cylinders, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] LP gas is supplied by delivery of gas cylinders filled with LP gas. Gas usage is calculated based on the gas meter reading. The scheduled date for replacing the gas cylinder is calculated based on the amount of gas usage, and is usually set to avoid unforeseen circumstances such as the LP gas in the gas cylinder becoming unusable. 2. Description of the Related Art With regard to gas supply management, it is known to obtain information from a gas meter installed at a supply destination, calculate the amount of gas used at the supply destination, and predict the scheduled delivery date of a gas container (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Regarding LP gas delivery management, gas consumption areas that require one or two gas deliveries per year are extracted as small-volume gas consumption areas based on the average gas usage in the gas consumption area and the capacity of the LP gas cylinder. It is known to set the delivery period for annual gas delivery work to small-volume gas consumption areas to, for example, the summer, when the delivery frequency in the gas delivery frequency distribution is the lowest, and to level out the gas delivery frequency throughout the year (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] W02018 / 056436 publication [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-13415 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Gas consumption is affected by seasonal variations in summer, winter, spring, and fall, as well as by temperature changes due to hot and cold days within each season. In other words, gas consumption tends to increase on cold days and decrease on hot days, which is reflected in gas consumption. The scheduled replacement date for the gas cylinder at each delivery destination is calculated based on the gas usage of each delivery destination calculated using the guideline information. Delivery destinations have different acquisition frequencies for guideline information, such as delivery destinations equipped with gas meters that can acquire guideline information on a daily basis, and delivery destinations that can only acquire guideline information on a monthly or replacement date basis. If the guideline information is obtained infrequently, even if the gas usage increases on a low temperature day or decreases on a high temperature day, such fluctuations in gas usage cannot be known from the guideline information before the gas replacement date. Even if it is known, it is impossible to reflect it in the gas replacement date in the delivery schedule. Therefore, if the gas usage exceeds the remaining gas before the replacement date, an unexpected situation will occur, and if the gas usage is low, the remaining gas will be high on the replacement date, which will be a burden on the deliverer. Therefore, if a delivery destination that does not obtain guideline information infrequently is included, there is a problem that it is always necessary to be careful about temperature fluctuations and to adjust the replacement date of the gas cylinder if necessary.

[0006] The inventors have discovered that because frequently obtained guideline information and the daily gas usage calculated from this guideline information contain information on fluctuations due to temperature, utilizing this fluctuation information is effective when replacing gas cylinders.

[0007] Therefore, based on the above problem or the above knowledge, an object of the present invention is to avoid the effect of temperature changes on the timing of replacing a gas cylinder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the gas delivery management method of the present invention, the method includes a step of a management server acquiring guideline information at least at a frequency of once a day or once every few days and calculating gas usage for each delivery destination; a step of the management server setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage and determining that the usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold; a step of the management server setting a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage and determining whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; a step of the management server recalculating the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; a step of the management server determining that the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation are different, which is an abnormality, and calculating the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date; and a step of the management server generating delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased. In this gas delivery management method, the management server may further revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date. In this method of managing gas distribution, the management server may further set the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage of at least ±20%. In this gas delivery management method, when the management server acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the method may include a step of setting the upper threshold or the lower threshold based on the previous day's gas usage and determining whether the day's gas usage is abnormal.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the gas delivery management system of the present invention, the system includes a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least at a frequency of daily or several days, and a processing unit that calculates gas usage for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage to determine whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, and if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination, and if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ, determines that an abnormality has occurred, calculates the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased.

[0010] In this gas delivery management system, the processing unit may further revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination. In this gas distribution management system, the processing unit may further set the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage of at least ±20%. In this gas delivery management system, when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the upper threshold or the lower threshold may be set based on the previous day's gas usage, and it may be determined whether the gas usage on that day is abnormal.

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer, and causes the computer to execute the following functions: acquiring guideline information via a communication unit at least at a frequency of once a day or once every few days; calculating gas usage for each delivery destination; setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage, and determining that the gas usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold; setting a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage and determining whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculating the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination; determining that an abnormality exists if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ; and calculating the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generating delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased. This program may further include a function of revising the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination. This program may further include a function for setting the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%. In this program, when guideline information is acquired at least at a daily frequency, the program may include a function for setting the upper threshold or the lower threshold based on the previous day's gas usage and determining whether the gas usage on that day is abnormal.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of a recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium storing the program.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the server of the present invention, the server is provided with a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least at a frequency of once a day or once every several days, and a processing unit that calculates gas usage for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, and if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination, and if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ, determines that an abnormality has occurred, calculates the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased. In this server, the processing unit may further revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date. In this server, the processing unit may further set the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%. In this server, when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the upper threshold or the lower threshold may be set based on the previous day's gas usage, and it may be determined whether the gas usage on that day is abnormal. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, any one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) The effect of temperature changes on the timing of gas cylinder replacement can be avoided. (2) The amount of gas usage can be calculated using guideline information obtained at least every few days, and the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder can be calculated from this amount of gas usage. (3) For example, a delivery system can be constructed that can determine whether the gas usage is abnormal by setting the gas usage before the calculation of the gas usage as a threshold value, and when the number of delivery destinations for the abnormal usage is abnormal, recalculate the scheduled delivery date for the delivery area and present delivery instruction information, and automatically correct the scheduled delivery date in response to temperature changes in that delivery area. (4) Even for delivery destinations where guideline information is not obtained frequently, the scheduled delivery date can be revised in response to temperature fluctuations, reducing unforeseen circumstances in the delivery of gas cylinders and the amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinders, thereby reducing the burden on delivery personnel. (5) The burden of adjusting delivery schedules based on manual monitoring of low and high temperature days can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a gas distribution management system according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing hardware of a gas distribution management system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a delivery destination classification database. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a delivery area management database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination management database. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gas usage management database. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery destination status management database. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scheduled delivery date management database. [Figure 9] 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a process for managing gas delivery. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for automatically correcting a threshold value or calculating a scheduled delivery date. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for acquiring the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date. [Figure 12]13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for revising a scheduled delivery date for a specific delivery destination. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of delivery instruction information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [One embodiment] Fig. 1 shows a gas distribution management system 2 according to one embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The gas delivery management system 2 is constructed as a network system using computers equipped with communication functions. The management system 2 includes a management server 4, a management terminal 6, a printer 8, and a plurality of deliverer terminals 10.

[0017] The management server 4, management terminal 6 and printer 8 are installed in a management center 12. The management server 4 acquires guideline information and performs processes such as calculating gas usage and issuing gas delivery instructions. The management terminal 6 is used for information processing such as inputting and outputting management information for the delivery destination 20, and includes an information presentation unit 7 and an information input unit 9. The information input unit 9 may include a touch panel on the information presentation screen of the information presentation unit 7. The printer 8 is used to print out a delivery instruction slip, which is an example of delivery instruction information.

[0018] The deliverer terminal 10 is an information terminal carried by a gas cylinder delivery person 14, and is used to receive delivery instruction information and manage the transmission and receipt of the information. The delivery destinations 20 include, for example, delivery destination 21 where a gas meter 16 equipped with an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication function and capable of acquiring guideline information on a daily basis is installed, and delivery destination 22 where a gas meter 18 without such a function is installed. The gas meter 16 is equipped with an LPWA transmission unit 17 that transmits guideline information.

[0019] The guideline information from the gas meter 16 is notified to the management server 4 via the base station 24 and the network 26. Therefore, the delivery destination 21 can calculate the gas usage amount from the guideline information acquired on a daily basis, and can grasp the increase or decrease in the gas usage amount that depends on the daily temperature change. In addition, the delivery destination 21 can accurately predict the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder. In contrast, at the delivery destination 22, for example, a meter reader obtains guideline information on a regular or irregular basis, and can only grasp the amount of gas usage at meter reading intervals, and cannot grasp the amount of increase or decrease that depends on daily temperature changes.

[0020] <Gas distribution management system 2 hardware> Fig. 2 shows the hardware of the gas distribution management system 2. In Fig. 2, the same parts as in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals. The management server 4 is provided with a processor 28, a memory unit 30, an input / output unit (I / O) 32, and a communication unit 34. The processor 28 executes various programs, such as a gas delivery management program, stored in the memory unit 30, and performs information processing for gas delivery management.

[0021] The storage unit 30 is an example of a recording medium for storing various programs, and includes a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory), etc., and is capable of storing and reading data under the control of the processor 28. In addition to an OS (Operating System), the storage unit 30 also stores a gas delivery management program and a database (DB) in which various data required for gas delivery management is stored. The DB includes a delivery destination classification DB 46-1 (Fig. 3), a delivery area management DB 46-2 (Fig. 4), a delivery destination management DB 46-3 (Fig. 5), a gas usage amount management DB 46-4 (Fig. 6), a delivery destination status management DB 46-5 (Fig. 7), a scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6 (Fig. 8), etc.

[0022] Under the control of the processor 28, the I / O 32 links with the management terminal 6 and the printer 8 to send and receive information. Under the control of the processor 28, the communication unit 34 communicates with the deliverer terminal 10 as well as with a weather information source to receive big data such as weather information.

[0023] The management terminal 6 includes a processor 36, a memory unit 38, and an input / output unit 40, and is connected to an information presentation unit 7 and an information input unit 9. The processor 36 executes various programs, such as a gas delivery management program, stored in the memory unit 38, and works in conjunction with the management server 4 to perform information processing for gas delivery management.

[0024] The storage units 30 and 38 are examples of recording media for storing various programs, and include ROM, RAM, etc., and store various information required for managing gas distribution under the control of the processor 36. The information presentation unit 7 is used to present various acquired information, gas cylinder delivery instruction information, etc. The information input unit 9 is used to input management information necessary for gas delivery, such as delivery destination information.

[0025] <Delivery destination classification DB46-1> FIG. 3 shows the delivery destination classification DB 46-1. As described above, the delivery destinations 20 can be classified into delivery destinations 21, 22 where the gas meter 16 or gas meter 18 is installed, and can also be divided into general household, business, industrial, and other categories according to the gas usage attributes.

[0026] "General household use" is, for example, a destination where gas is consumed for daily life. "Commercial use" is, for example, a destination where gas is consumed for business purposes, such as a store. "Industrial use" is a destination where gas is consumed for production, such as manufacturing industries. "Other" is a destination where gas is consumed for educational institutions, government offices, etc. In this delivery destination classification DB 46-1, delivery destinations 20 are classified into delivery destination attribute categories 50 such as general household, business, industrial, and others.

[0027] <Delivery area management DB46-2> FIG. 4 shows the delivery area management DB 46-2. Delivery destinations 20 are sorted by delivery personnel and assigned to a number of delivery areas A1, A2, ..., An. Each delivery area A1, A2, ..., An represents a delivery destination 20 belonging to a delivery personnel. Therefore, the delivery area sorting table 52 has a delivery area section 54, a general household section 56, a business section 58, an industrial section 60, and a others section 62 set.

[0028] The delivery area section 54 stores area information assigned to the delivery person. The general household section 56 stores delivery destination information representing the above-mentioned "general household" delivery destination 20. The business section 58 stores delivery destination information representing the above-mentioned "business" delivery destination 20. The industrial section 60 stores delivery destination information representing the above-mentioned "industrial" delivery destination 20. The other section 62 stores delivery destination information representing the above-mentioned "other" delivery destination 20.

[0029] <Delivery destination management DB46-3> 5 shows an example of the delivery destination management DB 46-3. The delivery destination management DB 46-3 stores delivery information such as a scheduled delivery date associated with delivery destination information. The delivery destination management DB 46-3 includes a delivery destination management file 66. The delivery destination management file 66 includes a delivery destination information section 68, an attribute information section 70, a delivery area information section 72, a delivery information section 74, a guideline information section 76, a usage amount information section 78, a related information section 80, a history information section 82, and the like.

[0030] The delivery destination information section 68 stores identification information for identifying the delivery destination 20, such as the name, title, and address. The attribute information section 70 stores attribute information for identifying the attribute classification of the supply form, such as general household use, commercial use, industrial use, and others. The delivery area information section 72 stores area information indicating the delivery area, identification information of the delivery person in charge of delivery, and the like. The delivery information section 74 has a scheduled delivery date section 74-1 and a delivery date section 74-2 set therein. The scheduled delivery date section 74-1 stores schedule information indicating the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder for each delivery destination 20. The delivery date section 74-2 stores date information indicating the delivery date of the gas cylinder for each delivery destination 20. If this scheduled delivery date is revised, the revised scheduled delivery date is stored.

[0031] The indicator information section 76 stores indicator information acquired from the gas meters 16, 18 for each delivery destination 20. In this case, for the gas meter 16, daily indicator information is stored. In contrast, for the gas meter 18, indicator information for each meter reading date is stored. The usage information section 78 stores the gas usage calculated from the indicator information acquired from the gas meters 16, 18 for each delivery destination 20. For delivery destination 21 among delivery destinations 20, the gas usage on a daily basis is stored. On the other hand, for delivery destination 22 among delivery destinations 20, the gas usage on a meter reading date basis is stored. Related information such as device information related to gas usage is stored in the related information section 80. History information such as revisions to scheduled delivery dates is stored in the history information section 82.

[0032] <Gas usage management DB46-4> 6 shows an example of the gas usage management DB 46-4. In this gas usage management DB 46-4, gas usage information of the delivery destination 21 equipped with the gas meter 16 is stored. The gas usage management DB 46-4 includes a gas usage management file 84. The gas usage management file 84 includes a delivery destination information section 86, a current day usage section 88, a previous day usage section 90, an increase / decrease section 92, a threshold section 94, and a determination information section 96.

[0033] The delivery destination information section 86 stores identification information and delivery area information of the delivery destination 21. The current day usage section 88 stores usage information representing the amount of gas usage calculated from the guideline information acquired on the current day. The previous day usage section 90 stores usage information representing the amount of gas usage calculated from the guideline information acquired on the previous day. The increase / decrease amount section 92 stores a gas amount indicating the increase / decrease in the gas usage of the day relative to the gas usage of the previous day as a result of comparing the gas usage of the previous day and the gas usage of the current day.

[0034] The threshold unit 94 stores threshold information indicating a threshold Sth for determining whether the gas usage on the day is abnormal with respect to the gas usage on the previous day. This threshold Sth is automatically set by adding an allowable increase or decrease to the gas usage on the previous day. If the gas usage on that day increases or decreases beyond the threshold value Sth, the gas usage is judged to be abnormal usage, and judgment information and alert information indicating the judgment result are stored in the judgment information unit 96.

[0035] <Shipping destination status management DB46-5> 7 shows an example of the delivery destination status management DB 46-5. The delivery destination status management DB 46-5 stores status information on the amount of gas usage at the delivery destination 21, such as whether the amount of gas usage is abnormal. This delivery destination status management DB 46-5 includes a delivery destination status management file 98. This delivery destination status management file 98 includes a delivery area information section 100, an abnormal delivery destination number section 102, a threshold section 104, and a judgment information section 106.

[0036] Area information indicating a delivery area is stored in the delivery area information section 100. Numerical information indicating the number of abnormal delivery destinations for each delivery destination area is stored in the number of abnormal delivery destinations section 102. The threshold section 104 stores threshold information indicating the ratio of the number of abnormal delivery destinations to the total number of delivery destinations 21 in a delivery area, for example, 50% of the number of delivery destinations. The determination information unit 106 stores determination information indicating whether the number of abnormal delivery destinations exceeds a threshold Nth, and also stores alert information suggesting revision of the delivery schedule when the threshold Nth is exceeded.

[0037] <Scheduled Delivery Date Management DB46-6> 8 shows an example of the scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6. The scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6 stores delivery schedule information that is applied to all delivery destinations 20, including delivery destinations 21 and 22. The scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6 includes a scheduled delivery date management file 108. The scheduled delivery date management file 108 includes a delivery destination information section 110, a pre-revision scheduled delivery date section 112, a revised scheduled delivery date section 114, an increase / decrease in the number of days section 116, and a delivery instruction section 118. The delivery destination information section 110 stores delivery destination information representing all delivery destinations 20 including delivery destinations 21 and 22.

[0038] The pre-revision scheduled delivery date section 112 stores scheduled delivery date information before revision. The revised scheduled delivery date section 114 stores revised scheduled delivery date information that is applied to each delivery destination 20 as a result of the abnormal usage amount determination. The increase / decrease days section 116 stores information on the increase / decrease days when the delivery date before revision is changed to the revised delivery date. When a revised scheduled delivery date is established, delivery instruction unit 118 stores delivery instruction information based on the newly established delivery schedule.

[0039] <Gas distribution management process> 9 shows an example of a gas delivery management process. This management process is just an example, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration. This management process is executed by the gas distribution management system 2, where S indicates a specified process and the number attached to S indicates an example of a sequence.

[0040] This management process includes segmenting the delivery destinations 20 (S101), dividing the delivery destinations 20 (S102), setting a threshold Sth (S103), setting a threshold Nth (S104), obtaining guideline information m (S105), calculating the amount of gas usage Si (S106), obtaining the amount of gas usage St for the day (S107), determining whether there is an abnormality in the amount of gas usage St (S108), calculating the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S109), determining whether there is an abnormality in the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S110), issuing an alert (S111), revising the scheduled delivery date (S112), generating and issuing delivery instruction information (S113), presenting the information (S114), calculating the number of days increased or decreased by which the scheduled delivery date will be changed (S115), revising the scheduled delivery date for the delivery destinations 20 (S116), and generating and issuing delivery instruction information (S117).

[0041] Segmentation of Delivery Destinations 20 (S101): The management server 4 acquires delivery destination information indicating the delivery destinations 20 of the gas cylinders, and segments the delivery destinations 20 according to the delivery destination attribute classifications 50. Division of delivery destinations 20 (S102): After the delivery person 14 is determined, the management server 4 divides the delivery destinations 20 into delivery areas each of which is responsible for the delivery person 14. In other words, the delivery destinations 20 are divided into a plurality of delivery areas A1, A2, ..., An (Fig. 4).

[0042] Setting of threshold value Sth (S103): The management server 4 sets a threshold value Sth for determining whether the gas usage is abnormal. Abnormal usage can be determined by setting the upper limit threshold SthH to 1.2 times yesterday's gas usage, and the lower limit threshold SthL to 0.8 times yesterday's gas usage. This makes it possible to estimate the trend of gas usage by calculating the increase or decrease from yesterday's gas usage.

[0043] Setting of threshold value Nth (S104): The management server 4 sets a threshold value Nth for determining the number of delivery destinations with abnormal usage. For example, this threshold value Nth may be set to the ratio of the number of abnormal delivery destinations n to the total delivery destinations N whose gas usage depends on temperature changes, for example, 50%. In other words, if the number of delivery destinations whose gas usage has increased or decreased from the previous day's gas usage is 50% or more of the total number of delivery destinations, it can be determined that the increase or decrease in gas usage depends on temperature changes in that delivery area (for example, that region).

[0044] Acquisition of guideline information m (S105): The management server 4 acquires the daily guideline information m from the gas meter 16 via the communication unit . Calculation of gas usage amount Si (S106): The management server 4 calculates the daily gas usage amount Si of each delivery destination 21 using the acquired guideline information m. Acquisition of gas usage amount St for the day (S107): The management server 4 acquires the gas usage amount St for the day.

[0045] Determining whether the gas usage amount St is abnormal (S108): The management server 4 determines whether the gas usage amount St for that day is an abnormal usage amount. Calculating the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S109): The management server 4 detects delivery destinations whose gas usage amount St has become abnormal, that is, abnormal delivery destinations, and calculates the number of abnormal delivery destinations. Abnormality determination of the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S110): The management server 4 determines whether the number of abnormal delivery destinations is equal to or greater than a threshold value Nth. Issuing an alert (S111): When the number of delivery destinations with abnormal usage exceeds the threshold Nth, the management server 4 generates and issues an alert indicating that the planned delivery date and delivery schedule will be revised.

[0046] Revision of scheduled delivery date (S112): If the number of abnormal delivery destinations is equal to or greater than the threshold Nth, the management server 4 determines that the increase or decrease in gas usage has been affected by temperature changes, and recalculates and revises the scheduled delivery date for each delivery destination 20 in the delivery area. Creating and issuing delivery instruction information (S113): After recalculating the scheduled delivery date, the management server 4 creates and issues delivery instruction information. Presentation of information (S114): The management server 4 presents to the information presentation unit 7 various pieces of presentation information that have been acquired up to the generation and issuance of the delivery instruction information.

[0047] Calculating the number of days to be increased or decreased in the scheduled delivery date (S115): The management server 4 compares the scheduled delivery date before recalculation with the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, and calculates the number of days to be increased or decreased in the scheduled delivery date. Revision of scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 20 (S116): The management server 4 obtains the scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 20, which calculates gas usage on a meter reading date basis, and revise the scheduled delivery date taking into account the increase or decrease in the scheduled delivery date. Creating and issuing delivery instruction information (S117): The management server 4 creates and issues delivery instruction information including the revised scheduled delivery date.

[0048] <Gas consumption St abnormality determination> 10 shows an example of a process for determining an abnormality in the gas usage amount St. This process includes automatic setting of a threshold value Sth that is a criterion for determining an abnormality and a process for determining the abnormality.

[0049] The process of determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred includes obtaining the amount of gas usage Sy (S201), calculating the threshold value Sth (S202), obtaining guideline information mt (S203), calculating the amount of gas usage St (S204), determining whether or not an abnormal amount of usage has occurred (S205, S206), revising the scheduled delivery date (S207), issuing delivery instruction information (S208), and maintaining the scheduled delivery date (S209).

[0050] Acquisition of gas usage Sy (S201): The management server 4 acquires the gas usage Sy of the previous day calculated from the daily guideline information. This gas usage Sy is the gas usage of the previous day that is the standard for determining whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal or not. Calculation of threshold value Sth (S202): The threshold value Sth for determining whether the gas usage St of the day is abnormal or not is based on the gas usage Sy of the previous day. Abnormal usage includes both abnormal increases and decreases. Therefore, an upper threshold value SthH and a lower threshold value SthL are set for the threshold value Sth. If the allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage Si is, for example, ±20%, the upper threshold value SthH and the lower threshold value SthL can be calculated using the gas usage Sy of the previous day as the basis using the following formula. SthH = Sy × 1.2 (1) SthL = Sy × 0.8 (2)

[0051] Acquisition of guideline information mt (S203): The management server 4 acquires guideline information mt for each delivery destination 21 for the current day. Calculation of gas usage amount St (S204): The management server 4 calculates the gas usage amount St for the day using each guideline information mt acquired from the delivery destination 21.

[0052] Determining abnormal usage amount (S205, S206): The management server 4 determines whether the gas usage amount St is equal to or greater than the upper threshold value SthH. If the gas usage amount St is not equal to or greater than the upper threshold value SthH (NO in S205), the management server 4 determines whether the gas usage amount St is equal to or less than the lower threshold value SthL (S206). Revision of scheduled delivery date (S207): If the gas usage amount St is equal to or greater than the upper threshold SthH (YES in S205) or equal to or less than the lower threshold SthL (YES in S206), the management server 4 revises the scheduled delivery date.

[0053] Issuance of delivery instruction information (S208): When the scheduled delivery date is revised, the management server 4 issues delivery instruction information. Maintaining scheduled delivery date (S209): If the gas usage amount St is less than the upper threshold SthH (NO in S205) and exceeds the lower threshold SthL (NO in S206), the management server 4 maintains the current scheduled delivery date.

[0054] <Increase or decrease in estimated delivery date> 11 shows an example of a process for determining whether a scheduled delivery date has increased or decreased. This process includes obtaining the scheduled delivery date before revision (S301), obtaining the recalculated scheduled delivery date (S302), comparing the scheduled delivery dates before and after recalculation (S303), and calculating the number of days increased or decreased (S304). Obtaining scheduled delivery date before revision (S301): When an abnormal usage amount is determined, the management server 4 obtains the scheduled delivery date before revision. Obtaining recalculated scheduled delivery date (S302): The management server 4 obtains the recalculated scheduled delivery date. Comparison of scheduled delivery dates before and after recalculation (S303): The management server 4 compares the current scheduled delivery date with the recalculated scheduled delivery date, and determines whether or not there is a difference between the two. Calculation of increase or decrease in number of days (S304): If the current scheduled delivery date and the recalculated scheduled delivery date are the same (NO in S303), there is no need to calculate the increase or decrease in number of days. If the current scheduled delivery date and the recalculated scheduled delivery date are different (YES in S303), the management server 4 calculates the increase or decrease in number of days between the current scheduled delivery date and the recalculated scheduled delivery date.

[0055] <Revision of scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 22> 12 shows an example of a process for revising a scheduled delivery date for a delivery destination 22. This revision process includes obtaining the amount of gas usage between meter reading dates (S401), calculating the scheduled delivery date (S402), and revising the scheduled delivery date (S403). Acquisition of gas usage amount during meter reading date (S401): When revising the scheduled delivery date of the delivery destination 22, the management server 4 acquires the gas usage amount during the meter reading date of the delivery destination 22. Calculation of scheduled delivery date (S402): The management server 4 calculates the scheduled delivery date using the gas usage amount of the delivery destination 22 between the meter reading dates. Revision of scheduled delivery date (S403): When the scheduled delivery date of delivery destination 21 (=21-1, 21-2, ..., 21-N: Fig. 1) is revised and the number of days to be increased or decreased is identified, management server 4 revise the scheduled delivery date by adding the number of days to be increased or decreased according to the amount of gas used by the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date currently applied to delivery destination 22 (=22-1, 22-2, ..., 22-N: Fig. 1). The number of days to be increased or decreased can be calculated by calculating a value according to the amount of gas used, which differs for each delivery destination.

[0056] <Output of delivery instruction information 120> Fig. 13 shows a container replacement slip, which is an example of the delivery instruction information 120. The form shown in Fig. 13 is just one example, and the present invention is not limited to this form. This delivery instruction information 120 is issued based on the revision of the scheduled delivery date. This delivery instruction information 120 presents delivery destination information 122, scheduled delivery date information 124, delivery person information 126, etc. Delivery destination information 122 lists the address and name of the delivery destination. Scheduled delivery date information 124 lists an estimated date. Delivery person information 126 lists the name of the delivery person, the name of the affiliated retailer, etc.

[0057] <Effects of the embodiment> (1) A threshold can be set based on the previous day's gas usage to determine whether the day's gas usage is abnormal, and when the number of delivery destinations for the abnormal usage is abnormal, the scheduled delivery date for the delivery area can be recalculated and delivery instruction information can be presented, and a delivery system can be constructed that can automatically correct the scheduled delivery date in response to temperature changes in that delivery area. (2) For scheduled delivery dates set for delivery destinations for which guideline information cannot be obtained on a daily basis, such as on a meter reading date basis, corrections can be made in accordance with the automatic correction of scheduled delivery dates for delivery destinations with high delivery frequencies. (3) Even for delivery destinations where guideline information is not obtained frequently, the scheduled delivery date can be revised in response to temperature fluctuations, reducing unforeseen circumstances in the delivery of gas cylinders and the amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinders, thereby reducing the burden on delivery personnel. (4) The effect of temperature fluctuations on gas supply can be avoided. (5) The burden of adjusting delivery schedules based on manual monitoring of low and high temperature days can be reduced.

[0058] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, guideline information is obtained on a daily basis and gas usage is calculated on a daily basis, but gas usage may be calculated on a daily basis and abnormal usage may be determined by comparing it with the gas usage before the calculation. As explained above, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, however, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the description for implementing the invention, and such modifications and changes are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] According to the gas delivery management of the present invention, the scheduled delivery date for delivery destinations where guideline information is obtained less frequently can be revised in response to an increase or decrease in the scheduled delivery date set for delivery destinations where guideline information is obtained more frequently, thereby improving the accuracy of calculating the scheduled delivery date regardless of the frequency of delivery, and enabling the construction of a highly convenient delivery system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 2 Gas distribution management system 4 Management Server 6 Management terminal 7 Information presentation section 8 Printers 9 Information input section 10. Delivery terminal 12 Management Center 14 Delivery Personnel 16 Gas meter 17 LPWA transmitter 18 Gas meter 20 Shipping Destination 21-1, 21-2,..., 21-N, 22-1, 22-2,..., 22-N Delivery address 24 base station 26 Network 28 processors 30 Storage section 32 Input / output section (I / O) 34 Communications Department 36 processors 38 Memory section 40 Input / output section 46-1 Delivery destination classification DB 46-2 Delivery area management DB 46-3 Delivery destination management DB 46-4 Gas usage management database 46-5 Delivery status management DB 46-6 Delivery Schedule Management DB 50 Delivery destination attribute classification 52 Delivery area sorting table 54 Delivery Area Department 56 General household department 58 Business Department 60 Industrial Department 62 Others 66 Delivery destination management file 68 Delivery Information Department 70 Attribute information section 72 Delivery Area Information Department 74 Delivery Information Department 74-1 Delivery Schedule 74-2 Delivery date section 76 Guidelines Information Department 78 Usage Information Department 80 Related Information Department 82 History Information Department 84 Gas usage management file 86 Delivery Information Department 88 Today's usage section 90 Previous day's usage part 92 Increase / decrease section 94 Threshold section 96 Judgment Information Department 98 Destination status management file 100 Delivery Area Information Department 102 Abnormal delivery destinations 104 Threshold section 106 Judgment Information Department 108 Delivery Schedule Management File 110 Delivery Information Department 112 Previous delivery date 114 Revised delivery schedule 116 Increase / decrease in days 118 Delivery instruction department 120 Shipping instruction information 122 Shipping Information 124 Estimated Delivery Date Information 126 Delivery Person Information

Claims

1. A step of a management server acquiring guideline information at least once a day or every few days and calculating gas usage for each delivery destination; the management server sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, and determines that the gas usage amount is abnormal if the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold; the management server sets a threshold value for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage amount and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; a step of the management server recalculating a scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; a step of determining, by the management server, if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, that an abnormality has occurred, and calculating the number of days increased or decreased by which the scheduled delivery date has changed; generating delivery instruction information in which the management server revise the scheduled delivery date for each of the delivery destinations by adding the number of days increased or decreased; A method for managing gas delivery, comprising:

2. The gas delivery management method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of the management server revising the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in the number of days depending on the amount of gas used at the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date.

3. 2. The method for managing gas delivery according to claim 1, further comprising a step of the management server setting the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage of at least ±20%.

4. The gas delivery management method described in claim 1, characterized in that when the management server acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the method includes a step of setting the upper threshold or the lower threshold based on the previous day's gas usage and determining whether the day's gas usage is abnormal or not.

5. a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least once a day or every few days; a processing unit that calculates a gas usage amount for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, determines that the gas usage amount is abnormal if the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage amount and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates a scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, determines that an abnormality exists if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, calculates the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased by the number of days increased or decreased; A gas distribution management system comprising:

6. The gas delivery management system according to claim 5, further characterized in that the processing unit revises the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in the number of days depending on the amount of gas used at the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date.

7. The gas distribution management system according to claim 5, further characterized in that the processing unit sets the upper threshold value and the lower threshold value so as to have an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%.

8. The gas delivery management system of claim 5, characterized in that when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the upper limit threshold or the lower limit threshold is set based on the previous day's gas usage, and whether the day's gas usage is abnormal or not is determined.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute the program, A function of acquiring guideline information at least once a day or once every several days through a communication unit; A function to calculate gas usage for each delivery destination, a function of setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, and determining that the gas usage amount is abnormal if the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold; a function of setting a threshold value for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage amount and determining whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; If the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, a function of recalculating the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination; a function of determining that an abnormality has occurred if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ; a function of calculating the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generating delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased; A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

10. The program according to claim 9 , further comprising a function of revising the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination.

11. 10. The program according to claim 9, further comprising a function for setting the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%.

12. The program according to claim 9, further comprising a function for setting the upper limit threshold or the lower limit threshold based on the previous day's gas usage and determining whether the gas usage on that day is abnormal when guideline information is obtained at least on a daily basis.

13. A recording medium storing the program according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least once a day or every few days; a processing unit that calculates a gas usage amount for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, determines that the gas usage amount is abnormal if the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage amount and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates a scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, determines that an abnormality exists if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, calculates the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days increased or decreased by the number of days increased or decreased; A server comprising:

15. The server according to claim 14 , further characterized in that the processing unit revises the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date.

16. 15. The server according to claim 14, wherein the processing unit sets the upper threshold and the lower threshold with an allowable increase / decrease range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%.

17. The server according to claim 14, characterized in that when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the upper limit threshold or the lower limit threshold is set based on the previous day's gas usage, and whether the current day's gas usage is abnormal or not is determined.

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