Silo storage replenishment management device, silo storage replenishment management method, and silo storage replenishment management program

Abstract

The present invention provides a silo storage replenishment management system that can comprehensively manage the timing of replenishment of storage materials in multiple silos storing the same type of material. [Solution] The silo storage replenishment management device 30 of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires information on the amount of storage in each of the multiple silos 3a, 3b that store the same type of storage, and a processing unit that outputs information prompting replenishment of storage when the amount of storage in each silo is below or less than a threshold set individually for each silo.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a silo storage replenishment management device, a silo storage replenishment management method, and a silo storage replenishment management program.

Background Art

[0002] For storing materials such as cement and lime, silos are used from the viewpoint of protecting the materials from the influence of the external environment (temperature / humidity) and suppressing deterioration of the quality. For example, cement is stored in a silo until it is used in concrete at a ready-mix plant or a concrete product plant. Cement is delivered and replenished to the silo from a cement storage base by a truck or the like.

[0003] In relation to this, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for detecting the remaining amount of cement in a silo and issuing a warning that cement replenishment is necessary when the remaining amount of cement is below a threshold value. According to this technique, cement can be delivered from a storage base and replenished to the silo before the cement in the silo runs out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above technique manages the replenishment of cement for one silo. Since ready-mix plants and concrete product plants usually have a plurality of silos storing the same type of cement, it is desirable to comprehensively consider the situations of these plurality of silos and determine the replenishment timing of cement, thereby improving the efficiency of cement order receiving / issuing operations and delivery operations.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. Accordingly, the object of this invention is to provide a silo storage replenishment management device, a silo storage replenishment management method, and a silo storage replenishment management program that can comprehensively manage the timing of replenishment of storage materials for multiple silos storing the same type of storage material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above objectives of the present invention are achieved by the following means.

[0008] (1) A silo storage replenishment management device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information on the amount of stored goods in each silo for multiple silos storing the same type of stored goods; and a processing unit that outputs information prompting replenishment of the stored goods when the amount of stored goods in each silo is below or less than a threshold set individually for each silo.

[0009] (2) The silo storage replenishment management device according to (1) above, wherein the plurality of silos include a first silo and a second silo, and the processing unit performs a process to output information prompting replenishment of the storage when the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to a first threshold and the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0010] (3) The silo storage replenishment management device according to (2) above, wherein the processing unit includes a first determination unit that determines whether the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, a second determination unit that determines whether the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold if the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, and an output unit that outputs information prompting replenishment of the storage if the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0011] (4) The silo storage replenishment management device according to (2) or (3) above, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

[0012] (5) The silo storage replenishment management device according to (2) or (3) above, wherein the first threshold is a value less than 50% of the capacity of the first silo, and the second threshold is a value of 50% or more of the capacity of the second silo.

[0013] (6) The silo storage replenishment management device described in (4) above, wherein the silo that was last replenished is set as the second silo.

[0014] (7) The silo storage replenishment management device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the stored material is cement, and the plurality of silos store the same type of cement.

[0015] (8) A silo storage replenishment management method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining information on the amount of storage in each silo for multiple silos storing the same type of storage; and (b) performing a process to output information prompting replenishment of the storage if the amount of storage in each silo is below or less than a threshold set individually for each silo.

[0016] (9) The silo storage replenishment management method according to (8), wherein the plurality of silos include a first silo and a second silo, and in step (b), if the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to a first threshold and the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to a second threshold, a process is performed to output information prompting replenishment of the storage.

[0017] (10) The silo storage replenishment management method according to (9), wherein step (b) includes: a step (b1) of determining whether the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold; a step (b2) of determining whether the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold if the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold; and a step (b3) of outputting information prompting replenishment of the storage if the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0018] A silo storage replenishment management program that causes a computer to execute: procedure (a) for obtaining information on the amount of stored goods in each of a plurality of silos storing the same type of stored goods; and procedure (b) for performing a process of outputting information prompting replenishment of the stored goods when the amount of stored goods in each silo is below or less than a threshold value individually set for each silo.

[0019] (12) The plurality of silos include a first silo and a second silo. In procedure (b), when the amount of stored goods in the first silo is below or less than a first threshold value and the amount of stored goods in the second silo is below or less than a second threshold value, the process of outputting information prompting replenishment of the stored goods is performed. The silo storage replenishment management program according to (11) above.

[0020] (13) Procedure (b) includes: procedure (b1) for determining whether the amount of stored goods in the first silo is below or less than the first threshold value; procedure (b2) for determining whether the amount of stored goods in the second silo is below or less than the second threshold value when the amount of stored goods in the first silo is below or less than the first threshold value; and procedure (b3) for outputting information prompting replenishment of the stored goods when the amount of stored goods in the second silo is below or less than the second threshold value. The silo storage replenishment management program according to (12) above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, for a plurality of silos storing the same type of stored goods, the replenishment timing of the stored goods can be comprehensively managed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cement delivery management system. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a detection device. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 4]It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server device. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the stored contents of the storage unit of the server device. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the silo storage replenishment management process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the silo storage replenishment management process. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining Modification Example 1 of the silo storage replenishment management process. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining Modification Example 2 of the silo storage replenishment management process. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the silo storage replenishment management process according to the second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely exemplary, and various modifications can be made from such embodiments.

[0024] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cement delivery management system 1 to which a silo storage replenishment management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0025] The cement delivery management system 1 manages the delivery timing of cement from a storage base 4 to a plurality of silos 3a to 3c installed in a ready-mixed concrete plant 2. Among the plurality of silos 3a to 3c, the same type of cement (for example, ordinary cement) is stored in the No. 1 silo 3a and the No. 2 silo 3b, and another type of cement (for example, early-strength cement) is stored in the No. 3 silo 3c. The capacities of the plurality of silos 3a to 3c are all the same, for example, all 50 tons.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the cement delivery management system 1 comprises multiple detection devices 10a to 10c, a terminal device 20, and a server device 30. The multiple detection devices 10a to 10c, the terminal device 20, and the server device 30 are configured to communicate with each other via a network 40 such as the Internet.

[0027] Multiple detection devices 10a to 10c are installed in each of the multiple silos 3a to 3c, and detect the amount (weight) of cement in each silo 3a to 3c. Terminal device 20 is installed at the cement storage base 4 and receives instructions for cement delivery to the ready-mix concrete plant 2 from server device 30. Based on the amount of cement in each silo 3a to 3c, server device 30 transmits cement delivery instructions to terminal device 20.

[0028] <Detection device> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of detection device 10a. Since detection devices 10a to 10c have similar configurations, detection device 10a will be used as a representative example in the following explanation.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the detection device 10a comprises a control unit 11, a measurement unit 12, and a communication unit 13, which are interconnected by a bus.

[0030] The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and controls each of the above parts and performs various calculation processes according to the program.

[0031] The measuring unit 12 is, for example, a load cell, which detects the weight of cement stored in silo 3a.

[0032] The communication unit 13 is an interface for communicating with other devices, and various wired or wireless communication interfaces are used. The communication unit 13 transmits information indicating the weight of cement in silo 3a, detected by the measurement unit 12, to the server device 30 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 10 minutes).

[0033] <Terminal device> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer).

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 20 comprises a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display unit 24, and an input unit 25, which are interconnected by a bus. Note that, to avoid repetition in the explanation, the parts of the terminal device 20 that have the same functions as those of the detection device 10 will not be described.

[0035] The storage unit 22 consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs and data.

[0036] The display unit 24 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, which displays various information.

[0037] The input unit 25 is equipped with a keyboard, numeric keypad, mouse, etc., and accepts input of various instructions and information.

[0038] <Server equipment> Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the server device 30. The server device 30 corresponds to the silo storage replenishment management device of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the server device 30 comprises a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33, which are interconnected by a bus. Note that the above-mentioned parts of the server device 30 have the same functions as the above-mentioned parts of the detection device 10a and the terminal device 20, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0040] Figure 5 shows the contents of the storage unit 32 of the server device 30. As shown in Figure 5, the storage unit 32 of the server device 30 stores programs corresponding to the acquisition unit 321, the determination unit 322, and the output unit 323. The acquisition unit 321 acquires information indicating the amount (weight) of cement in the silos from the detection devices 10a to 10c. The determination unit 322 determines whether the amount of cement in each silo is below a threshold set individually for each silo. The output unit 323 outputs information prompting cement replenishment if the amount of cement in each silo is below the threshold. The functions of each of the above units are performed by the control unit 31 executing the corresponding programs. In addition, the determination unit 322 and the output unit 323 constitute a processing unit that outputs information prompting cement replenishment if the amount of cement in each silo is below the threshold.

[0041] Furthermore, the multiple detection devices 10a to 10c, the terminal device 20, and the server device 30 may have components other than those described above, and may not have some of the components described above. For example, the server device 30 may have a display unit and an input unit.

[0042] In the cement delivery management system 1 configured as described above, the remaining amount of cement in two silos 3a and 3b, which store the same type of cement, is detected by detection devices 10a and 10b, and the timing of cement delivery (replenishment timing) to the two silos 3a and 3b is managed comprehensively. The operation of the cement delivery management system 1 will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

[0043] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for silo storage replenishment management processing performed by the server device 30. The processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 6 is executed by the control unit 31 according to the program stored in the storage unit 32 of the server device 30.

[0044] (Step S101) First, the server device 30 determines whether or not cement has been removed from silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b. More specifically, the server device 30 determines whether or not cement has been removed from silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b based on the weight change of silo 1 or silo 2 3a, 3b. The weight change of silos 3a and 3b is determined by information transmitted from detection devices 10a and 10b at predetermined time intervals.

[0045] If it is determined that no cement has been removed from silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b (step S101: NO), the server device 30 waits until it is determined that cement has been removed from silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b. On the other hand, if it is determined that cement has been removed from silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b (step S101: YES), the server device 30 proceeds to the process in step S102.

[0046] (Step S102) If it is determined that cement has been removed from silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b (step S101: YES), the server device 30 detects the remaining amount of cement in silo 1 3a. More specifically, the server device 30 obtains information from the detection device 10a and detects the remaining amount (weight) of cement in silo 1 3a.

[0047] (Step S103) Next, the server device 30 determines whether the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is less than or equal to the first threshold α. More specifically, the server device 30 determines whether the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a detected in step S102 is less than or equal to the first threshold α, which is individually set for silo 3a. The first threshold α is, for example, 50% of the capacity of silo 3a (25 tons).

[0048] If the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is not below the first threshold α (step S103: NO), it terminates the process. On the other hand, if the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is below the first threshold α (step S103: YES), it proceeds to the process in step S104.

[0049] (Step S104) If it is determined that the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is less than or equal to the first threshold α (step S103: YES), the server device 30 detects the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b. More specifically, the server device 30 obtains information from the detection device 10b and detects the amount (weight) of cement remaining in silo 2 3b.

[0050] (Step S105) Next, the server device 30 determines whether the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b No. 2 is less than or equal to the second threshold β. More specifically, the server device 30 determines whether the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b No. 2, as detected in step S104, is less than or equal to the second threshold β, which is individually set for silo 3b No. 2. The second threshold β is, for example, 50% of the capacity of silo 3b No. 2 (25 tons).

[0051] If the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is not below the second threshold β (step S105: NO), the server device 30 terminates processing. On the other hand, if the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is below the second threshold β (step S105: YES), the server device 30 proceeds to the processing in step S106.

[0052] (Step S106) If it is determined that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b is below the second threshold β (step S105: YES), the server device 30 calculates the amount of cement to replenish silos 3a and 3b, respectively. More specifically, the server device 30 calculates the amount of cement to replenish silos 3a and 3b, respectively, based on the amount of cement remaining in silos 3a and 3b, respectively, as detected in steps S102 and S104, so that the amount of cement in silos 3a and 3b becomes 80% (40 tons) of the silo capacity.

[0053] (Step S107) Then, the server device 30 sends a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20 and terminates the process. More specifically, the server device 30 sends information (order information) to the terminal device 20 instructing the delivery of the replenishment amount of cement calculated in step S106 to the ready-mix concrete plant 2, and terminates the process. As a result, the replenishment amount of cement is delivered from the storage base 4 to the ready-mix concrete plant 2 and replenished in silos 1 and 2, 3a and 3b.

[0054] As described above, according to the flowchart shown in Figure 6, the timing of cement replenishment is managed comprehensively for two silos 3a and 3b that store the same type of cement. Specifically, when the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is below the first threshold α and the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is below the second threshold β, a cement delivery instruction is sent from the server device 30 to the terminal device 20.

[0055] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the silo storage replenishment management process according to this embodiment. Figure 7(a) shows the initial state of the two silos 3a and 3b, and Figure 7(b) shows the state of the two silos 3a and 3b at the first time point after the initial state. Figure 7(c) shows the state of the two silos 3a and 3b at the second time point after the initial state. Figure 7 shows the case where the capacity of both silos 3a and 3b is 50 tons, and the first and second thresholds α and β are both set to 50% of the silo capacity (25 tons). Note that the removal of cement from the two silos 3a and 3b may be preferentially carried out from silo 1 3a (when silo 1 3a is empty, removal from silo 2 3b begins), or cement may be carried out alternately from silo 3a and 3b.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7(a), in the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is 80% (40 tons), which is above the first threshold α. Similarly, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b is also 80%, which is above the second threshold β.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7(b), at the first time point after the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is 40% (20 tons), which is below the first threshold α. On the other hand, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b remains at 80%, which is not below the second threshold β. In this case, the server device 30 terminates processing without sending a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20.

[0058] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(c), at the second time point after the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is 40%, which is below the first threshold α. Also, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is 45% (22.5 tons), which is below the second threshold β. In this case, the server device 30 transmits a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20.

[0059] With this configuration, the timing of cement replenishment is determined by comprehensively considering the status of the two silos 3a and 3b, thus streamlining (reducing labor, etc.) the delivery and ordering operations of cement from the storage base 4 to the ready-mix concrete plant 2. More specifically, if the amount of cement needed to replenish both silos 3a and 3b can be loaded onto a single truck, the number of cement transport trips is reduced, and delivery operations become more efficient. Furthermore, even if the number of trucks used remains the same, the number of ordering and receiving operations related to cement delivery is reduced, and ordering operations become more efficient.

[0060] For example, let's assume that when replenishing cement to 80% of the silo capacity (40 tons in the example above), the decision to replenish cement and the delivery order are issued when it is determined that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is below the first threshold α (step S103: YES in Figure 6). In this case, if the cement is delivered in a 25-ton capacity cement delivery vehicle, after the cement replenishment of silo 3a is complete, there may be excess cement remaining in the delivery vehicle that could not be used to replenish silo 3a. This excess cement will either be taken back to the storage base by the delivery vehicle or delivered to another replenishment location. However, if silo 3b in the same factory also needs cement replenishment soon after, it would be inefficient to have to go through the ordering and receiving process again and deliver cement to the same factory once more.

[0061] In contrast, according to the cement delivery management system 1 of this embodiment, a delivery instruction is issued only when the remaining cement in silo 1 3a and silo 2 3b falls below a first threshold α and a second threshold β, respectively. This allows for the cement delivery vehicle with a loading capacity of 25 tons to be fully filled with cement, enabling efficient replenishment of the necessary cement in a single delivery.

[0062] In other words, the first threshold α and the second threshold β are set to values ​​such that cement replenishment is completed in a single delivery by a cement delivery vehicle fully filled with cement, or, if the delivery vehicle has a small loading capacity and multiple deliveries are required, to values ​​such that no excess cement is generated and cement replenishment is completed in the fewest possible deliveries (i.e., the total amount of cement replenished in silo 1 3a and silo 2 3b is close to a multiple of the full capacity of the delivery vehicle). This reduces the number of order placement and receiving operations related to cement delivery and makes order placement and receiving operations more efficient.

[0063] (Variation 1) In the embodiment described above, the first and second thresholds α and β were set to the same value (50%). However, the first and second thresholds α and β may be set to different values.

[0064] Figure 8 illustrates a modified example 1 of the silo storage replenishment management process. Figure 8(a) shows the initial state of the two silos 3a and 3b, and Figure 8(b) shows the state of the two silos 3a and 3b at the first time point after the initial state. Figure 8(c) shows the state of the two silos 3a and 3b at the second time point after the initial state. In Figure 8, the capacity of the two silos 3a and 3b is 50 tons. In Figure 8, the first threshold α is set to 50% of the silo capacity (25 tons), and the second threshold β is set to 70% of the silo capacity (35 tons).

[0065] As shown in Figure 8(a), in the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is 80% (40 tons), which is above the first threshold α. Similarly, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b is also 80%, which is above the second threshold β.

[0066] As shown in Figure 8(b), at the first time point after the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is 40% (20 tons), which is below the first threshold α. On the other hand, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b remains at 80%, which is not below the second threshold β. In this case, the server device 30 terminates processing without sending a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8(c), at the second time point after the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is 40%, which is below the first threshold α. Also, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is 60% (30 tons), which is below the second threshold β. In this case, the server device 30 transmits a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20.

[0068] With this configuration, by setting the second threshold β higher, the amount of cement in silo 3b (No. 2) is maintained at a higher level, making it possible to have a sufficient buffer against sudden demand. The silo storage replenishment management process according to Modification 1 is particularly effective in large-scale ready-mix concrete plants and the like where sudden demand occurs.

[0069] (Modification 2) In this modified example, the first threshold α is set to a value less than 50%, and the second threshold β is set to a value of 50% or more.

[0070] Figure 9 illustrates a modified example 2 of the silo storage replenishment management process. Figure 9(a) shows the initial state of the two silos 3a and 3b, and Figure 9(b) shows the state of the two silos 3a and 3b at the first time point after the initial state. Figure 9(c) shows the state of the two silos 3a and 3b at the second time point after the initial state. In Figure 9, the capacity of the two silos 3a and 3b is 20 tons. In Figure 9, the first threshold α is set to 20% of the silo capacity (4 tons), and the second threshold β is set to 50% of the silo capacity (10 tons).

[0071] As shown in Figure 9(a), in the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is 80% (16 tons), which is above the first threshold α. Similarly, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b is also 80%, which is above the second threshold β.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9(b), at the first time point after the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is 30% (6 tons), which is not below the first threshold α. Also, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is 60% (12 tons), which is not below the second threshold β. In this case, the server device 30 terminates processing without sending a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20.

[0073] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9(c), at the second time point after the initial state, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is 10% (2 tons), which is below the first threshold α. Also, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is 30%, which is below the second threshold β. In this case, the server device 30 transmits a cement delivery instruction to the terminal device 20.

[0074] With this configuration, by setting the first threshold α relatively low and the second threshold β relatively high, it becomes possible to have a certain buffer against demand and to use up as much of the currently stored cement as possible. As a result, the available capacity of the silo increases, and it becomes possible to replenish the silo with as much cement as possible delivered by truck, etc. The silo storage replenishment management process according to Modification 2 is particularly effective for mobile silos installed at specific sites. Since mobile silos are limited to use at that site, unexpected and sudden demand is unlikely to occur.

[0075] (Second Embodiment) Next, with reference to Figure 10, the silo storage replenishment management process according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the silo to which cement was last replenished is set as the silo to which a large threshold is applied. Except for the fact that the silo to which cement was last replenished is set as the silo to which a large threshold is applied, the configuration of the cement distribution management system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the cement distribution management system 1 according to the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0076] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for silo storage replenishment management processing according to this embodiment. The processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 10 is executed by the control unit 31 according to a program stored in the storage unit 32 of the server device 30. In this embodiment, the second threshold β is set to a value greater than the first threshold α. Specifically, for example, the first threshold α is set to a value of 30% of the silo capacity, and the second threshold β is set to a value of 70% of the silo capacity.

[0077] (Step S201) Since the process in step S201 is the same as the process in step S101 in Figure 6, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0078] (Step S202) If, in step S201, it is determined that cement has been removed from either silo 1 3a or silo 2 3b (step S201: YES), the server device 30 determines whether silo 2 3b was the last silo to be replenished with cement. More specifically, the server device 30 refers to, for example, the cement replenishment history (not shown) for silos 1 and 2 3a and 3b to determine whether silo 2 3b was the last silo to be replenished with cement among silos 1 and 2 3a and 3b.

[0079] If it is determined that the last silo to be replenished with cement is not silo 3b (step S202: NO), the server device 30 proceeds to step S209. On the other hand, if it is determined that the last silo to be replenished with cement is silo 3b (step S202: YES), the server device 30 proceeds to step S203.

[0080] (Steps S203~S208) Since the processing in steps S203 to S208 is the same as the processing in steps S102 to S107 in Figure 6, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0081] (Step S209) On the other hand, if the process in step S202 determines that the silo that was last replenished with cement is not silo 3b No. 2 (step S202: NO), the server device 30 detects the remaining amount of cement in silo 3b No. 2.

[0082] (Step S210) Next, the server device 30 determines whether the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is below the first threshold α.

[0083] If the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b is not below the first threshold α (step S210: NO), it terminates the process. On the other hand, if the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3b is below the first threshold α (step S210: YES), it proceeds to the process in step S211.

[0084] (Step S211) If it is determined that the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 3b is less than or equal to the first threshold α (step S210: YES), the server device 30 detects the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a.

[0085] (Step S212) Next, the server device 30 determines whether the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 3a is below the second threshold β.

[0086] If the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is not below the second threshold β (step S212: NO), it terminates the process. On the other hand, if the server device 30 determines that the amount of cement remaining in silo 3a is below the second threshold β (step S212: YES), it proceeds to the process in step S213.

[0087] (Steps S213~S214) Since the processing in steps S213 to S214 is the same as the processing in steps S106 to S107 in Figure 6, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0088] As described above, according to the flowchart shown in Figure 10, among silos 1 and 2 (3a and 3b), the silo to which cement was last replenished is set as the silo to which the second threshold β applies, and the timing of cement replenishment to silos 3a and 3b is managed comprehensively. Specifically, if silo 2 (3b) is the last silo to be replenished, and the remaining amount of cement in silo 1 (3a) is less than or equal to the first threshold α, and the remaining amount of cement in silo 2 (3b) is less than or equal to the second threshold β, then a cement delivery instruction is sent from the server device 30 to the terminal device 20. On the other hand, if silo 1 (3a) is the last silo to be replenished, and the remaining amount of cement in silo 2 (3b) is less than or equal to the first threshold α, and the remaining amount of cement in silo 1 (3a) is less than or equal to the second threshold β, then a cement delivery instruction is sent from the server device 30 to the terminal device 20.

[0089] With this configuration, a second threshold β is applied to the silo that was last replenished with cement, while a first threshold α, which is smaller than the second threshold β, is applied to other silos that have not been last replenished with cement, thus allowing more of the old cement stored in the other silos to be used.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0091] For example, in the embodiment described above, if it was determined in step S101 of Figure 6 that cement had been removed from the first or second silo, the processes from step S102 onward were executed. However, the trigger for executing the processes from step S102 onward in Figure 6 is not limited to the process of step S101. For example, the processes from step S102 onward in Figure 6 may be executed periodically at predetermined time intervals (for example, every two hours), or periodically at predetermined times (for example, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). The same applies to the process of step S201 in Figure 10.

[0092] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, steps S103 and S105 in Figure 6 determined whether or not the amount of cement remaining in the silo was below a threshold. However, unlike the embodiment described above, steps S103 and S105 in Figure 6 may also determine whether or not the amount of cement remaining in the silo is below a threshold. The same applies to steps S204, S206, S210, and S212 in Figure 10.

[0093] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the amount (weight) of cement in the silo was detected by a load cell provided in the detection device 10. However, the means for detecting the amount of cement in the silo are not limited to a load cell. For example, an optical sensor may be installed in the upper or side of the silo to optically detect the amount of cement, or the amount of cement in the silo may be calculated from the difference between the amount of cement replenished in the silo and the amount of cement removed from the silo. Alternatively, the amount of cement in the silo may be calculated from the difference between the amount of cement removed from the storage base and the amount of cement received into the storage base.

[0094] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, when the amount of cement remaining in the two silos was below a threshold, a cement delivery instruction was sent from the server device 30 to the terminal device 20. However, information prompting cement replenishment is not limited to a cement delivery instruction. For example, text information indicating that cement replenishment is necessary may be displayed on the display unit of a terminal device (not shown) installed at the ready-mix concrete plant 2. Alternatively, if the server device 30 is equipped with a display unit, text information indicating that cement replenishment is necessary may be displayed on the display unit of the server device 30 to notify the administrator of the server device 30.

[0095] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment explained using the example of two silos 3a and 3b where the same type of cement is stored. However, the number of silos in which the same type of cement is stored is not limited to two; the same type of cement may be stored in three or more silos. If the same type of cement is stored in three silos, for example, the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 and the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 are compared with a first threshold α. If the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 and the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 are less than or equal to the first threshold α, the amount of cement remaining in silo 3 is compared with a second threshold β. If the amount of cement remaining in silo 3 is less than or equal to the second threshold β, a cement delivery instruction is sent from the server device 30 to the terminal device 20.

[0096] Alternatively, for example, if the amount of cement remaining in silo 1 is below the first threshold α, the amount of cement remaining in silo 2 is below the second threshold β, and the amount of cement remaining in silo 3 is below the third threshold γ, a cement delivery instruction is sent from the server device 30 to the terminal device 20. In a configuration in which the inside of the silo is divided and multiple storage sections are formed, the present invention can be applied by considering each storage section as a silo.

[0097] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the example mainly described was one in which multiple silos 3a to 3c are installed in a ready-mix concrete plant and have a capacity of 50 tons. However, the location of the silos is not limited to plants such as ready-mix concrete plants; they may also be silos temporarily set up near a construction site, and their capacity may be smaller or larger than 50 tons. In addition, multiple silos storing the same type of material may have different capacities.

[0098] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the silo storage replenishment management device of the present invention was applied to the cement delivery management system 1, and the timing of cement delivery (replenishment timing) to silos 3a and 3b was explained as an example. However, the storage material whose replenishment timing to the silo is managed by the silo storage replenishment management device of the present invention is not limited to cement, but may also be granular materials such as lime, calcium carbonate, or chemicals. Alternatively, if the silo is a liquid storage silo, the replenishment timing of the liquid may be managed.

[0099] The means and methods for performing various processing tasks in the silo storage replenishment management device according to the above embodiment can be implemented by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided, for example, on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or it may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as an HDD. Furthermore, the program may be provided as a standalone application software, or it may be incorporated into the software of the silo storage replenishment management device as a function of the device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1. Cement delivery management system, 2. Ready-mix concrete plant, 3a, 3b, 3c silos, 4. Stockpiling bases, 10a, 10b, 10c detection device, 11,21,31 Control Unit, 12 Measurement unit, 13, 23, 33 Communications Department, 20 terminal devices, 22,32 memory section, 24 Display section, 25 Input section, 30 server devices, 40 networks.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the amount of stored material in each of the multiple silos storing the same type of stored material, A processing unit that outputs information prompting replenishment of stored items if the amount of stored items in each silo is below or less than a threshold set individually for each silo, A silo storage replenishment management device.

2. The aforementioned plurality of silos include a first silo and a second silo, The silo storage replenishment management device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs a process to output information prompting replenishment of the stored items when the amount of stored items in the first silo is less than or equal to a first threshold and the amount of stored items in the second silo is less than or equal to a second threshold.

3. The aforementioned processing unit, A first determination unit that determines whether the amount of stored material in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, If the amount of stored material in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, a second determination unit determines whether the amount of stored material in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold, An output unit that outputs information prompting replenishment of the stored material when the amount of stored material in the second silo is below or less than the second threshold, A silo storage replenishment management device according to claim 2, including the above.

4. The silo storage replenishment management device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

5. The silo storage replenishment management device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first threshold is a value less than 50% of the capacity of the first silo, and the second threshold is a value of 50% or more of the capacity of the second silo.

6. The silo storage replenishment management device according to claim 4, wherein the silo that was last replenished is set as the second silo.

7. The silo storage replenishment management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage material is cement, and the plurality of silos store the same type of cement.

8. Step (a) of obtaining information regarding the amount of stored goods in each silo for multiple silos storing the same type of stored goods, (b) If the amount of stored material in each silo is below or less than a threshold set individually for each silo, the process involves outputting information prompting replenishment of the stored material. A method for managing silo storage replenishment.

9. The aforementioned plurality of silos include a first silo and a second silo, The silo storage replenishment management method according to claim 8, wherein in step (b), if the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to a first threshold and the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to a second threshold, a process is performed to output information prompting replenishment of the storage.

10. Step (b) above is: Step (b1) of determining whether the amount of stored material in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, If the amount of stored material in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, the step (b2) is to determine whether the amount of stored material in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold, If the amount of stored material in the second silo is below or less than the second threshold, step (b3) outputs information prompting replenishment of the stored material, A method for managing silo storage replenishment according to claim 9, including the method described in claim 9.

11. Procedure (a) for obtaining information on the amount of stored goods in each silo for multiple silos storing the same type of stored goods, (b) A procedure to output information prompting replenishment of stored goods if the amount of goods stored in each silo is below or less than a threshold set individually for each silo, A silo storage replenishment management program that is executed by a computer.

12. The aforementioned plurality of silos include a first silo and a second silo, The silo storage replenishment management program according to claim 11, wherein in step (b) above, if the amount of storage in the first silo is less than or equal to a first threshold and the amount of storage in the second silo is less than or equal to a second threshold, a process is performed to output information prompting replenishment of the storage.

13. The above procedure (b) is, A procedure (b1) for determining whether the amount of stored material in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, If the amount of stored material in the first silo is less than or equal to the first threshold, a procedure (b2) is provided to determine whether the amount of stored material in the second silo is less than or equal to the second threshold, If the amount of stored material in the second silo is below or less than the second threshold, a procedure (b3) is performed to output information prompting replenishment of the stored material, A silo storage replenishment management program according to claim 12, including the above.

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