Fuel theft detection system

Abstract

To reliably detect fuel theft using methods that disconnect the POS system and fuel dispenser, and to notify administrators, etc., and to reduce the possibility of false positives in fuel theft and leak detection. [Solution] A fuel theft detection system comprising a fuel dispenser 10 having a lifetime cumulative meter that pumps up and discharges fuel stored in a fuel storage tank 3 and adds up the discharged amount, and a sales management monitoring POS 11 having a function to give a refueling permission command to the fuel dispenser 10 and a function to acquire the value of the lifetime cumulative meter from the fuel dispenser 10, wherein the sales management monitoring POS 11 calculates the cumulative change value (TCd), which is the changed value of the lifetime cumulative meter, during the period from the start of theft detection until the time when the recovery of communication with the fuel dispenser 10 is confirmed after the communication state has been interrupted, and calculates the recovery addition value (CS), which is the total amount of fuel discharged in response to the refueling permission command during the same period, and if the cumulative change value (TCd) is greater than the recovery addition value (CS), it is determined that fuel theft has occurred or the fuel dispenser 10 needs to be inspected and the theft inspection notification is issued.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel theft detection system that detects theft of fuels such as gasoline, kerosene, light oil, and heavy oil stored in a fuel storage tank or the like and issues a notification regarding the theft.

Background Art

[0002] At a gas station that stores and sells petroleum or the like in a fuel storage tank, the sales volume, replenishment volume, usage volume, tank remaining volume, etc. are measured and recorded, and the daily inventory is managed based on these data. When an abnormality is detected, a management system that issues a notification regarding the abnormality is used. For example, as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-68923), the present applicant has connected a point-of-sale information management system (hereinafter referred to as "POS") to a liquid volume sensor, a liquid volume display device, a meter, etc. via a communication line to manage a fuel storage tank. When an abnormality is recognized in the amount of change in the liquid volume, a leakage inspection system for a fuel storage tank that outputs a leakage alarm or the like has been developed (particularly, refer to paragraphs 0021 to 0023, 0037, and FIGS. 1 and 7). Although Patent Document 1 does not describe fuel theft detection, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-67639) describes a monitoring device (4) that discriminates between fuel theft and leakage. When it is not in operation (non-business hours) or when a fuel supply permission message has not been transmitted from the POS terminal (5) to the fuel supply control device (7) during refueling, a first decrease amount (ΔQ1) of the tank remaining volume in a short time (about 30 seconds) is calculated and compared with a theft threshold value (Qsh1). If the first decrease amount (ΔQ1) > theft threshold value (Qsh1), it is determined as theft. A second decrease amount (ΔQ2) of the tank remaining volume in a relatively long time (about 10 minutes to 1 hour) is calculated and compared with a leakage threshold value (Qsh2). If the second decrease amount (ΔQ2) > leakage threshold value (Qsh2), it is determined as leakage, and if it is determined as theft, an alarm is issued (particularly, refer to paragraphs 0021 to 0034 and FIG. 5). Furthermore, Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-255299) describes how a gas station management computer (20) checks for any changes in the tank volume after unloading by a tank truck (28) at night to determine whether or not oil theft occurred while the station was closed, compares the inventory volume at closing time with the inventory volume immediately before unloading, checks whether there is a difference between the two inventory volumes that exceeds a predetermined standard value (threshold) to determine if an abnormality such as oil theft has occurred, and notifies the station if an abnormality has occurred (see paragraphs 0020, 0039-0040 and Figures 1 and 4 in particular).

[0003] By the way, there are mainly two methods used to steal fuel. (1) A method of opening the manhole of the fuel storage tank during off-hours such as at night, inserting a suction hose into the tank, and using a pump to extract fuel from the tank into a tanker truck or similar vehicle. (2) A method of disengaging the POS and the meter, lifting the nozzle of the meter and inserting it into the fuel filler of a car or other vehicle, and pulling the lever on the nozzle to dispense fuel. The POS and the meter can be disengaged by turning off the power to the POS, turning off the power to the connector between the POS and the meter (commonly known as "PIF"), or by operating the remote control of the meter. Furthermore, theft by the method described in (1) above can be detected and reported by either the monitoring device (4) in Patent Document 2 or the management computer (20) in Patent Document 3. However, theft by the method described in (2) above usually occurs during business hours, so it cannot be detected by the management computer (20) in Patent Document 3. In the monitoring device (4) in Patent Document 2, although it is designed so that the monitoring device (4) does not stop even when the POS terminal (5) is set to OFF, it determines whether it is theft or leakage based on the first decrease in tank volume (ΔQ1) and the second decrease in tank volume (ΔQ2). Therefore, in the event of a large-scale leakage incident that exceeds the theft threshold (Qsh1), there is a problem that it may be mistakenly identified as theft even though it is actually a leakage. Furthermore, theft using the method described in (2) above is similar to normal refueling methods, as the nozzle of the refueling control device (7) is lifted and inserted into the fuel filler of a vehicle, and the lever on the nozzle is pulled to dispense fuel. Therefore, staff and customers of the refueling station do not become suspicious, and the theft is difficult to notice. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-68923 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4542576) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-67639 (Japanese Patent No. 4152835) [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-255299 (Japanese Patent No. 4424867) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The first objective of this invention is to reliably detect fuel theft using a method that disconnects the POS system and the fuel dispenser, and to notify administrators, etc., in order to solve the problems of misjudgment described above and the difficulty in detecting theft by the method described in (2) above. The second objective is to reduce the possibility of misjudgment in detecting fuel theft and leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention according to claim 1, which solves the above problems, is a metering machine having a nozzle for discharging fuel stored in a fuel storage tank and a lifetime cumulative meter for adding up the amount of fuel discharged, A fuel theft detection system comprising a sales management monitoring POS having a function to issue a refueling permission command to the meter, a function to obtain the value of the lifetime cumulative meter from the meter, a function to obtain the amount of fuel discharged from the meter in accordance with the refueling permission command, and a function to check the communication status with the meter, The aforementioned POS system for sales management and monitoring is A means for acquiring the cumulative value at the start of monitoring, which stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter at the start of monitoring as the cumulative value at the start of monitoring, A means for acquiring a recovery-time cumulative value that, after the start of monitoring and after confirming the interruption of communication status, confirms the recovery of communication status, stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter as the recovery-time cumulative value. A means for calculating the cumulative change value, which calculates the cumulative change value obtained by subtracting the cumulative value at the start of monitoring from the cumulative value at the time of recovery, A fuel discharge amount adding means that, after the start of the monitoring and during the period in which the communication status is confirmed to be able to communicate, adds the amount of fuel discharged in accordance with the refueling permission command and stores the added value, A recovery-time addition value acquisition means that, after the start of the aforementioned monitoring and after confirming the interruption of the communication state, confirms the recovery of the communication state, stores the addition value stored in the fuel emission addition means as the recovery-time addition value. A theft detection means that determines that fuel has been stolen or the metering machine has been inspected when the cumulative change value is greater than the recovery addition value, The system is characterized by comprising: a theft detection means that, when the theft detection means determines that fuel has been stolen or the measuring device has been inspected, issues a theft inspection notification indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2, which solves the above problems, is a metering machine having a nozzle for discharging fuel stored in a fuel storage tank and a lifetime cumulative meter for adding up the amount of fuel discharged, A fuel theft detection system comprising a sales management monitoring POS having a function to issue a refueling permission command to the meter, a function to obtain the value of the lifetime cumulative meter from the meter, a function to obtain the amount of fuel discharged from the meter in accordance with the refueling permission command, and a function to check the communication status with the meter, The aforementioned POS system for sales management and monitoring is A theft detection period setting means for setting the theft detection period from the start to the end of monitoring, An initial cumulative value acquisition means that stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter at the start of monitoring as the initial cumulative value, A means for acquiring an end-of-period cumulative value that stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter at the end of monitoring as the end-of-period cumulative value, A means for calculating cumulative change value within a period, which calculates the cumulative change value within a period by subtracting the initial cumulative value stored in the initial cumulative value acquisition means from the cumulative value at the end stored in the cumulative value acquisition means at the end, During the theft determination period, a fuel discharge amount addition means adds up the amount of fuel discharged in accordance with the refueling permission command and stores the added value. A means for acquiring added values ​​within a period, which stores the added value stored in the fuel emission addition means within the period as the added value within the period, when monitoring ends, A theft detection means for the period, which determines that fuel theft has occurred or the metering machine needs to be inspected if the cumulative change value during the period is greater than the sum of the values ​​during the period, The system is characterized by comprising: a theft detection means for the period in which, when the theft detection means for the period in which theft detection has been determined, a theft detection means for the period in which theft detection has been determined, provides a theft detection notification for the period in which there is a possibility that theft or inspection occurred during the theft detection period.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3, which solves the above problems, is a fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned sales management monitoring POS system consists of a sales management POS system and a monitoring device. The monitoring device is characterized by having a function to receive information from at least the sales management POS and by having each of the means for the monitoring function provided by the sales management monitoring POS.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4, which solves the above problems, is a fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, The device further comprises a remote monitoring device capable of sending and receiving information via a communication line with the aforementioned POS system for sales management and monitoring, The remote monitoring device is characterized by comprising some of the means provided by the sales management monitoring POS system.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5, which solves the above problems, is a fuel theft detection system according to claim 3, It further includes a remote monitoring device capable of transmitting and receiving information via a communication line to and from the monitoring device, wherein the remote monitoring device includes some of the means included in the monitoring device.

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 6 is the fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, further including a liquid level gauge for measuring the remaining amount of fuel stored in the fuel storage tank, wherein the POS for sales management monitoring has a function of confirming whether the meter is in the process of fueling and a function of confirming whether unloading to the fuel storage tank is in progress, the POS for sales management monitoring, during business hours when fueling by the meter and unloading to the fuel storage tank are possible, there is a leakage determination period setting means for setting a leakage determination period from the start to the end of the leakage determination, a leakage determination reference value setting means for setting a leakage determination reference value, a starting inventory amount acquisition means for storing the remaining amount of fuel in the liquid level gauge at the start of the leakage determination as the starting inventory amount, an ending inventory amount acquisition means for storing the remaining amount of fuel in the liquid level gauge at the end of the leakage determination when the state where the meter is not in the process of fueling and unloading to the fuel storage tank is continuous and the leakage determination period has elapsed as the ending inventory amount, an inventory change amount calculation means for calculating an inventory change amount during the leakage determination period obtained by subtracting the ending inventory amount from the starting inventory amount, a within-period leakage determination means for determining that there is fuel leakage when the inventory change amount is greater than or equal to the leakage determination reference value, and a within-period leakage notification means for performing a within-period leakage notification indicating that there may be fuel leakage during the leakage determination period when the within-period leakage determination means determines that there is fuel leakage.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 7 is the fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, The fuel storage tank is further equipped with a liquid level meter for measuring the remaining amount of fuel stored in the tank, The aforementioned POS system for sales management and monitoring is During the time when the store is closed and refueling by the aforementioned measuring machine and unloading into the aforementioned fuel storage tank are not performed, a means for setting a theft detection period during the closure period from the start to the end of the theft detection is provided. During the aforementioned closure period, a means for setting a closure-time leak detection period, which is from the start to the end of the leak detection period, A means for setting the criteria for theft detection while the store is closed, and A means for setting a leakage detection threshold value during closing hours, and A means for acquiring inventory quantity at the start of theft detection during closing hours, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank at the start of theft detection as the inventory quantity at the start of theft detection during closing hours, A means for acquiring inventory quantity after a short period of time, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank from the start of theft detection to the end of the theft detection period while the store is closed as inventory quantity after a short period of time, A short-time inventory change calculation means that calculates a short-time inventory change by subtracting the inventory amount after a short period of time has elapsed from the inventory amount at the start of the theft detection during closing hours, A theft detection means for when the short-term inventory fluctuation amount is equal to or greater than the theft detection threshold value for when the store is closed determines that the fuel stored in the fuel storage tank has been stolen, When the aforementioned theft detection means during closing hours determines that fuel has been stolen, the theft notification means during closing hours issues a theft notification indicating that there is a possibility that fuel was stolen during the theft detection period during closing hours. A means for acquiring inventory quantity at the start of a leak detection during closing hours, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank at the start of the leak detection as the inventory quantity at the start of the leak detection during closing hours, A means for acquiring inventory quantity after a long period of time, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank from the start of leak detection to after the period of leak detection while the store is closed as inventory quantity after a long period of time, A means for calculating long-term inventory fluctuations, which calculates the long-term inventory fluctuation amount by subtracting the inventory amount after a long period of time has elapsed from the inventory amount at the start of the leak determination during closing hours, A leak detection means for when the amount of inventory fluctuation over a long period of time is equal to or greater than the leak detection threshold value for when the store is closed determines that there is a leak of fuel stored in the fuel storage tank, The system is characterized by comprising: a leak notification means for when the leak detection means for when the store is closed determines that there is a fuel leak; and a leak notification means for when the store is closed that provides a leak notification for when the store is closed indicating that there may have been a fuel leak during the leak detection period for when the store is closed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the invention of claim 1, the POS for sales management monitoring stores the cumulative value at the start of monitoring, stores the cumulative value at the time of recovery after the start of monitoring and after the communication status has been confirmed to have been interrupted, calculates the cumulative change value by subtracting the cumulative value at the start of monitoring from the cumulative value at the time of recovery, stores the added value of fuel discharged in response to the refueling permission command during the period after the start of monitoring and after the communication status has been confirmed to be able to communicate, stores the added value at the time of recovery after the communication status has been confirmed to have been interrupted, and if the cumulative change value is greater than the added value at the time of recovery, it is determined that there has been fuel theft or inspection of the meter, and a theft inspection notification is issued indicating that there may have been theft or inspection, so that it is possible to reliably determine and notify that fuel was discharged from the meter without receiving a refueling permission command between the interruption and recovery of the communication status.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 2, the POS for sales management monitoring sets a theft detection period from the start to the end of monitoring, stores the initial cumulative value at the start of monitoring, stores the end cumulative value at the end of monitoring, calculates the cumulative change value within the period by subtracting the initial cumulative value from the end cumulative value, stores the added value of fuel discharged in response to a refueling permission command during the theft detection period, stores the added value within the period at the end of monitoring, and if the cumulative change value within the period is greater than the added value within the period, it is determined that there has been fuel theft or inspection of the meter, and an theft inspection notification within the period indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection is issued, so that it is possible to reliably determine and notify that fuel has been discharged from the meter without receiving a refueling permission command within the theft detection period.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the sales management monitoring POS consists of a sales management POS and a monitoring device, and the sales management POS does not need to have each of the means for the monitoring function that the sales management monitoring POS of claim 1 or 2 has. Therefore, a normally installed POS can be used as is, and the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2 can be obtained simply by adding a monitoring device that has at least the function of receiving information with the sales management POS and has each of the means for the monitoring function that the sales management monitoring POS of claim 1 or 2 has.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the invention further comprises a remote monitoring device capable of sending and receiving information via a communication line with a sales management monitoring POS, and the remote monitoring device is equipped with some of the means provided by the sales management monitoring POS, so that it is possible to determine whether fuel has been stolen or the fuel dispenser has been inspected at a location far from the gas station or other place where the sales management monitoring POS is installed, and to issue a theft / inspection notification indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 3, the invention further comprises a remote monitoring device capable of sending and receiving information via a communication line with the monitoring device, and the remote monitoring device is equipped with some of the means provided by the monitoring device, so that it is possible to determine whether fuel has been stolen or the meter has been inspected at a location far from the gas station or the like where the remote monitoring device is installed, and to issue a theft / inspection notification indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 6, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the POS for sales management monitoring has a function to confirm whether the meter is in the process of refueling and whether it is in the process of unloading into the fuel storage tank. Furthermore, during business hours when refueling and unloading into the fuel storage tank by the meter are possible, a leak detection period and a leak detection criterion value are set from the start to the end of the leak detection period. At the start of the leak detection, the initial inventory amount is stored. At the end of the leak detection period, when the state of the meter not refueling and not unloading into the fuel storage tank has continuously elapsed, the inventory amount at the end of the leak detection period is stored. An inventory change amount is calculated by subtracting the end inventory amount from the initial inventory amount. If the inventory change amount is equal to or greater than the leak detection criterion value, it is determined that there is a fuel leak, and an alert is issued indicating that there may have been a fuel leak within the leak detection period. As a result, information on fuel leaks can be obtained separately from fuel theft using the meter during business hours, and the possibility of false positives in fuel theft and leak detection can be reduced.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 7, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the POS for sales management and monitoring sets a theft detection period during the store's closure, from the start to the end of the theft detection period, sets a leakage detection period during the store's closure, sets a theft detection criterion value during the store's closure, sets a leakage detection criterion value during the store's closure, stores the inventory quantity at the start of the theft detection period, stores the inventory quantity shortly after the theft detection period has elapsed, and calculates the short-term inventory quantity by subtracting the inventory quantity shortly after the theft detection period from the inventory quantity at the start of the theft detection period. The system calculates the amount of change in inventory, and if the short-term inventory change is greater than or equal to the closing time theft detection threshold, it determines that fuel has been stolen and issues a closing time theft notification. At the start of the leak detection, it stores the inventory amount at the start of the closing time leak detection. After the closing time leak detection period has elapsed from the start of the leak detection, it stores the inventory amount after a long period of time has elapsed. It calculates the long-term inventory change by subtracting the inventory amount after a long period of time from the inventory amount at the start of the closing time leak detection. If the long-term inventory change is greater than or equal to the closing time leak detection threshold, it determines that fuel has been leaked and issues a closing time leak notification. In this way, information on fuel theft and leaks during closing hours can be obtained in addition to fuel theft using the meter during business hours. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] Block diagram of the fuel theft detection system according to Example 1. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the processing procedure in the POS system for sales management and monitoring in Example 1. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating the processing procedure in the POS system for sales management and monitoring in Example 2. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the processing procedure in the POS system for sales management and monitoring in Example 3. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing the processing procedure in the POS system for sales management and monitoring in Example 4. [Figure 6] Block diagram of the fuel theft detection system according to Modification 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to examples. [Examples]

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the fuel theft detection system according to Example 1. As shown in Figure 1, the fuel theft detection system according to Embodiment 1 has the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A fuel storage tank 3 for storing fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and heavy oil, and having a fuel discharge pipe 1 for discharging fuel and a fuel injection pipe 2 for injecting fuel. (Configuration 2) A liquid level meter 4 that detects the liquid level of the stored fuel and the water level of the water accumulated at the bottom of the fuel storage tank 3 at predetermined intervals (for example, every hour) or in response to a transmission request, and transmits inventory amount data and water volume data. In Embodiment 1, the liquid level gauge 4 is a magnetostrictive liquid level gauge having a detection unit 5 installed above the fuel storage tank 3, a magnetostrictive wire 6 extending from the detection unit 5 to the bottom of the fuel storage tank 3, an upper float 7 and a lower float 8 that are slidable up and down along the magnetostrictive wire 6 and have built-in magnets, and a data transmission unit 9 that transmits inventory amount data and liquid amount data. Furthermore, the specific gravity of the upper float 7 is set to be lower than that of the fuel stored in the fuel storage tank 3, while the specific gravity of the lower float 8 is set to be higher than that of the same fuel but lower than that of water.

[0023] (Configuration 3) A weighing machine 10 that has the function of inserting a nozzle N into the fuel filler port of a customer's vehicle or equipment and pulling a lever to pump up and discharge fuel stored in the fuel storage tank 3, and the function of measuring the amount of fuel discharged and transmitting sales volume data after the discharge is completed. The fuel dispenser 10 is equipped with a receiving means for receiving fuel dispensing permission commands etc. from a sales management monitoring POS 11 (described later), a pump P connected to one end of the fuel discharge pipe 1, a nozzle N for discharging fuel stored in the fuel storage tank 3, a flow meter for measuring the amount of discharged fuel, a display means for displaying the measured fuel discharge amount etc. on a display unit located on the front, a lifetime cumulative summation meter for accumulating the measured fuel discharge amounts, and a transmission means for transmitting sales volume data based on the measured fuel discharge amounts to the sales management monitoring POS 11, and the value of the lifetime cumulative summation meter is transmitted in response to commands from the sales management monitoring POS 11. (Configuration 4) A sales management monitoring POS 11 having the function of issuing a refueling permission command to the metering machine 10, acquiring sales volume data based on the amount of fuel discharged in accordance with the refueling permission command, acquiring the lifetime cumulative value transmitted from the metering machine 10, and confirming the communication status with the metering machine 10. Furthermore, the sales management monitoring POS 11, after confirming the interruption of communication with the weighing machine 10 from the start of theft detection until it regains communication status, calculates and stores the cumulative change value (TCd), which is the changed value of the lifetime cumulative meter, and also calculates and stores the recovery addition value (CS), which is the total amount of fuel discharged in accordance with the refueling permit command, based on the sales volume data acquired during the same period. Based on the cumulative change value (TCd) and the recovery addition value (CS), it can determine whether fuel theft has occurred or whether the weighing machine has been inspected, and can issue a theft inspection notification indicating that theft or inspection may have occurred. The POS system 11 for sales management and monitoring operates by installing an application program on a computer such as a personal computer. It not only has the functions of issuing refueling permission commands, acquiring sales volume data, acquiring lifetime cumulative values, and checking the communication status with the metering machine 10, but it can also generate, store, and transmit fuel purchase volume data, sales amount data, etc. However, since this is not directly related to the content of the present invention, a detailed explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, the sales management monitoring POS system 11 and the weighing machine 10 can be made unlinked by turning off the power to the sales management monitoring POS system 11, turning off the power to the connector that connects the sales management monitoring POS system 11 and the weighing machine 10, or by operating the remote control of the weighing machine 10. Furthermore, in the non-linked state, the sales volume data receiving function of the sales management monitoring POS 11 is lost, but the fuel discharge function of the weighing machine 10 is not lost.

[0024] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (the procedure for theft detection performed by the sales management monitoring POS 11) in the fuel theft detection system of Example 1. The process starts with the administrator's theft detection operation, and the presence or absence of theft is determined by the following steps 1 to 12. If theft is determined to have occurred, the determination result is stored, and after issuing a theft inspection notification indicating that theft may have occurred, the process returns to step 1 and repeats the detection process for the next period. Although not shown in the flowchart, the detection process stops as soon as the administrator initiates the theft detection deactivation operation.

[0025] (Step 1) <Clear counters and values> Clear the sales counter (n) and the recovery bonus value (CS), then proceed to step 2. (Step 2) <Obtaining the initial cumulative value> The lifetime cumulative value is obtained from the weighing machine 10, stored as the initial cumulative value (TCs), and the process proceeds to step 3. Alternatively, the date and time data at the start of monitoring may be obtained and stored. (Step 3) <Confirming communication interruption> Check if communication with weighing machine 10 has been interrupted. If the answer is Yes (POS not linked), proceed to step 4; if the answer is No (POS linked), proceed to step 7. (Step 4) <Confirming communication recovery> Check if communication with the weighing machine 10 has been restored. If it is No (POS not linked), return to step 4; if it is Yes (POS linked), proceed to steps 5 and 10. (Step 5) <Obtaining the cumulative value at the time of recovery> The lifetime cumulative value is obtained from the weighing machine 10, stored as the cumulative value at the time of recovery (TCe), and the process proceeds to step 6. Alternatively, the date and time data at the time of communication state recovery may be obtained and stored. (Step 6) <Calculation of cumulative change value> Calculate the cumulative change value (TCd) by subtracting the cumulative value at the start of monitoring (TCs) from the cumulative value at the time of recovery (TCe), and proceed to step 11.

[0026] (Step 7) <Confirmation of refueling permission order> Check if there is a refueling authorization order. If it is No (no refueling authorization order), return to step 3; if it is Yes (refueling authorization order is in place), proceed to step 8. (Step 8) <Update of recovery value> The fuel discharge amount (Sn) corresponding to the refueling permission command is added to the recovery addition value (CS), the addition value (CS = CS + Sn) is stored, and the process proceeds to step 9. (Step 9) <Update the sales counter> Add 1 to the sales counter (n) and return to step 3. (Step 10) <Memorizing the value added upon recovery> When confirming the recovery of the communication status, the added value stored in step 8 is stored as the recovery added value (CS), and the process proceeds to step 11. (Step 11) <Theft or Inspection Determination> The cumulative change value (TCd) is compared to the recovery addition value (CS). If No, it is determined that there was no fuel theft and no inspection of the metering machine 10, and the process returns to step 1. If Yes, it is determined that there was fuel theft or an inspection of the metering machine 10, and the process proceeds to step 12. (Step 12) <Notification regarding theft or inspection> The system stores the result of the theft or inspection determination, issues a theft / inspection alert indicating that theft or inspection may have occurred, and then returns to step 1. If the date and time data for the start of monitoring and the date and time data for the recovery of communication status are acquired and stored in steps 2 and 5, these date and time data are also reported. By reporting the date and time data, the range of dates and times in which theft or inspection occurred can be determined, allowing for determination of whether it was theft or inspection by checking the date and time the weighing machine 10 was inspected. As a result, if it is determined that there is a high probability of theft, comparing the date and time of the security camera footage with the date and time range of the theft or inspection makes it easier to identify the perpetrator and understand the circumstances of the theft. [Examples]

[0027] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (the procedure for theft detection performed by the sales management monitoring POS11) in the fuel theft detection system of Example 2. The process starts with the administrator's theft detection operation, and the presence or absence of theft is determined by the following steps 2-1 to 2-13. If theft is determined to have occurred, the determination result is stored, a theft inspection notification is issued indicating that theft may have occurred, and then the process returns to step 2-2 to repeat the detection process for the next theft determination period. As with Example 1, although not shown in the flowchart, the detection process stops when the administrator performs a theft detection stop operation. The main difference between the processing procedures of Examples 1 and 2 is that in Example 1, the cumulative change value (TCd), which is the change in the lifetime cumulative meter, is calculated and stored during the period from the start of monitoring until the interruption of communication with the metering device 10 is confirmed and communication is restored. In contrast, in Example 2, a theft detection period (T) is set, and the cumulative change value within the period (TCc), which is the change in the lifetime cumulative meter, is calculated and stored during the period from the start of theft detection until the set theft detection period (T) has elapsed. However, the cumulative value at the start of monitoring (TCs) and the amount of fuel discharged according to the refueling permission command (Sn) are obtained in the same way as in Example 1, and the sales counter (n) is also used in the same way as in Example 1, so the same symbols are used. Furthermore, the block diagram of the fuel theft detection system according to Example 2 is the same as the block diagram of the fuel theft detection system according to Example 1 (Figure 1). However, in the processing procedure of Example 2, it is not necessary to check for communication interruption and communication recovery as in steps 3 and 4 of Example 1. Therefore, the function of checking the communication status with the weighing machine 10 that is present in the sales management monitoring POS 11 (configuration 4) of Example 1 is unnecessary in the sales management monitoring POS of Example 2.

[0028] (Step 2-1) <Setting the theft detection period> Set the theft detection period (T) from the start to the end of monitoring (for example, T=10 minutes), and proceed to step 2-2. (Step 2-2) <Clearing counters and values> Clear the timer, sales counter (n), and recovery value (CS), then proceed to step 2-3. (Step 2-3) <Obtaining the initial cumulative value> The lifetime cumulative value is obtained from the weighing machine 10 and stored as the initial cumulative value (TCs), then the process proceeds to step 2-4. Alternatively, the date and time data at the start of monitoring may be obtained and stored. (Step 2-4) <Confirmation of monitoring completion> Check if the timer has reached the theft detection period (T) set in step 2-1. If yes, proceed to step 2-5; otherwise, proceed to step 2-8. (Steps 2-5) <Checking during refueling> Check if the fuel dispenser 10 is dispensing fuel. If it is Yes (dispensing fuel), return to step 2-5. If it is No, proceed to steps 2-6 and 2-11. (Step 2-6) <Obtaining the cumulative value at the end> The value from the lifetime cumulative counter is obtained from the weighing machine 10, stored as the cumulative value at the end (TCf), and the process proceeds to step 2-7. (Step 2-7) <Calculation of cumulative change value within the period> Calculate the cumulative change during the period (TCc) by subtracting the cumulative value at the start (TCs) from the cumulative value at the end (TCf), and proceed to step 2-12.

[0029] (Step 2-8) <Confirmation of refueling permission order> Check if there is a refueling authorization order. If it is No (no refueling authorization order), return to step 2-4. If it is Yes (refueling authorization order is in place), proceed to step 2-9. (Step 2-9) <Update of cumulative value within the period> The fuel discharge amount (Sn) corresponding to the refueling permit order is added to the period total value (CT), the total value (CT = CT + Sn) is stored, and the process proceeds to step 2-10. (Step 2-10) <Update the sales counter> Add 1 to the sales counter (n) and return to step 2-4. (Step 2-11) <Storing the sum added during the period> At the end of monitoring, the sum value stored in step 2-9 is stored as the period sum value (CT), and the process proceeds to step 2-12. (Step 2-12) <Theft or Inspection Determination> The cumulative change value (TCc) over the period is compared to the sum value (CT) over the period. If No, it is determined that there was no fuel theft and no inspection of the fuel dispenser 10, and the process returns to step 2-2. If Yes, it is determined that there was fuel theft or an inspection of the fuel dispenser 10, and the process proceeds to step 2-13. (Procedure 2-13) <Notification regarding theft or inspection> The system stores the result of the theft or inspection determination, and after issuing a theft / inspection notification indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection occurring within the theft determination period, it returns to step 2-2. In step 2-3, if the date and time data of the start of monitoring has been acquired and stored, that date and time data is also notified. By notifying the date and time data, the range of dates and times in which theft or inspection occurred can be determined, so by checking the date and time when the weighing machine 10 was inspected, it is possible to determine whether it was theft or inspection. As a result, if it is determined that there is a high probability of theft, comparing the date and time of the security camera footage with the date and time range of the theft or inspection makes it easier to identify the perpetrator and understand the circumstances of the theft. [Examples]

[0030] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (the procedure for leak detection performed by the sales management monitoring POS11) in the fuel leak detection system of Example 3. The process starts with a leak detection operation by the administrator, and the presence or absence of a leak during business hours is determined by the following steps 3-1 to 3-11. If a fuel leak is determined to have occurred, the determination result is stored, and a leak notification is issued within the period indicating that a leak may have occurred during business hours. Then, the process returns to step 3-2 and the detection process for the next leak determination period is repeated. As with Example 1, although not shown in the flowchart, the detection process stops when the administrator performs a leak detection stop operation. The fuel leak detection system according to Example 3 adds the ability to detect not only theft of fuel during business hours when refueling by the metering machine 4 and unloading into the fuel storage tank 3 are possible, but also fuel leaks, in addition to the fuel theft detection system according to Example 1 or 2. Therefore, the block diagram of the fuel leak detection system according to Example 3 is the same as the block diagram of the fuel leak detection system according to Example 1 or 2 (Figure 1). However, in the processing procedure of Example 3, it is necessary to acquire and store inventory data from the liquid meter 4 (configuration 2), and to confirm whether refueling or unloading is in progress during the leak detection period. Therefore, in addition to the functions of the sales management monitoring POS 11 (configuration 4) of Example 1 or the sales management monitoring POS of Example 2, the sales management monitoring POS of Example 3 has the function of acquiring inventory data transmitted from the liquid meter 4, the function of confirming whether the meter 10 is refueling, and the function of confirming whether unloading to the fuel storage tank 3 is in progress.

[0031] (Step 3-1) <Setting the leakage detection period, etc.> Set the leak detection period (TL) from the start to the end of the leak detection, the leak detection threshold value (LVLj), and the leak detection count value (Cf) (for example, TL=1 hour, LVLj=1 liter, Cf=3), and proceed to step 3-2. (Step 3-2) <Clear the leak detection counter> Clear the leak detection counter (C) and proceed to step 3-3. (Step 3-3) <Acquiring initial inventory levels, etc.> The timer is cleared, and inventory data is obtained from liquid volume meter 4 and stored as the starting inventory quantity (LVLs), before proceeding to step 3-4. Alternatively, you may obtain and store the date and time data at the start of the data leak detection process. (Step 3-4) <Checking during refueling and unloading> The system checks whether the metering machine 10 is refueling or unloading fuel into the fuel storage tank 3. If the answer is Yes (refueling or unloading), the system returns to step 3-2. If the answer is No (neither refueling nor unloading), the system proceeds to step 3-5. (Step 3-5) <Confirmation of the end of the leakage detection period> Check if the timer has reached the data breach detection period (TL) set in step 3-1. If the timer is no, return to step 3-4; if it is yes, proceed to step 3-6. (Steps 3-6) <Obtaining inventory quantity at the end> The inventory data is obtained from liquid volume meter 4, stored as the final inventory quantity (LVLe), and the process proceeds to step 3-7. (Step 3-7) <Calculation of inventory fluctuations> Calculate the inventory change (LVLd) by subtracting the end inventory (LVLe) from the start inventory (LVLs), and proceed to step 3-8.

[0032] (Step 3-8) <Determining the magnitude of inventory fluctuations> The system compares whether the inventory change (LVLd) is equal to or greater than the leak detection threshold (LVLj). If the answer is No, it is determined that there is no fuel leak and the system returns to step 3-2. If the answer is Yes, it is determined that there is a change in the fuel inventory and the system proceeds to step 3-9. (Step 3-9) <Updating the Leakage Detection Counter> Add 1 to the leak detection counter (C) and proceed to step 3-10. (Step 3-10) <Leakage detection> The leak detection counter (C) value is compared to the leak detection count value (Cf). If the value is No, the process returns to step 3-3. If the value is Yes, a fuel leak is detected, and the process proceeds to step 3-11. Alternatively, the date and time data for when a fuel leak is detected may be obtained and stored. (Procedure 3-11) <Notification regarding the leak> The system stores the result of the leak detection, issues a leak notification indicating that a leak may have occurred within the leak detection period, and then returns to step 3-2. If the date and time data for the start of the leak detection and the date and time data for when a fuel leak was detected are acquired and stored in steps 3-3 and 3-10, these date and time data are also reported. The notification of date and time data allows the system to understand the time range in which the leak occurred, making it easier to pinpoint the cause of the leak. [Examples]

[0033] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (the procedure for anomaly detection performed by the sales management monitoring POS 11) in the anomaly detection system of Example 4. The process starts with an anomaly detection operation by the administrator, and the system determines whether theft occurred while the store was closed according to the following procedures 4-2 to 4-7. If it is determined that fuel was stolen, the determination result is stored, and an alert is issued indicating that theft may have occurred while the store was closed. Then, the system returns to procedure 4-2 and repeats the detection process for the next period during which theft was determined while the store was closed. In addition, the system determines whether there was a leak while the store was closed according to the following procedures 4-8 to 4-13. If it is determined that fuel was leaked, the determination result is stored, and an alert is issued indicating that a leak may have occurred while the store was closed. Then, the system returns to procedure 4-8 and repeats the detection process for the next period during which leaks were determined while the store was closed. As with Example 1, although not shown in the flowchart, the detection process stops when the administrator performs an anomaly detection stop operation. The abnormality detection system according to Example 4 is an addition to the fuel theft detection system according to Example 1 or 2, and is capable of detecting fuel theft and leakage during closure hours when refueling by the metering machine 4 and unloading into the fuel storage tank 3 are not performed. Therefore, the block diagram of the abnormality detection system according to Example 4 is the same as the block diagram of the fuel leak detection system according to Example 1 or 2 (Figure 1). However, since the processing procedure of Example 4 requires acquiring and storing inventory data from the liquid meter 4 (configuration 2), the sales management monitoring POS of Example 4 has a function to acquire inventory data transmitted from the liquid meter 4, in addition to the functions of the sales management monitoring POS 11 (configuration 4) of Example 1 or the sales management monitoring POS of Example 2.

[0034] (Step 4-1) <Setting the theft detection period while the store is closed, etc.> Set the closed-time theft detection period (TTh) from the start to the end of the theft detection during closing hours, the closed-time leakage detection period (TLh) from the start to the end of the leakage detection during closing hours, the closed-time theft detection threshold value (LVTh), and the closed-time leakage detection threshold value (LVLh) (for example, TTh=10 minutes, TLh=1 hour, LVTh=5 liters, LVLh=1 liter), and proceed to steps 4-2 and 4-8. (Step 4-2) <Obtaining inventory quantity at the start of theft detection while the store is closed> Clear the timer, obtain inventory data from liquid meter 4, store it as the inventory amount at the start of the theft detection during closing hours (LVTb), and proceed to step 4-3. Alternatively, you may obtain and store the date and time data at the start of the theft detection during closing hours. (Step 4-3) <Confirmation of the end of the theft detection period while the store is closed> Check if the timer has reached the closed-time theft detection period (TTh) set in step 4-1. If the timer is No, return to step 4-3; if it is Yes, proceed to step 4-4. (Step 4-4) <Acquire inventory quantity after a short period of time> The liquid volume meter 4 is used to obtain inventory data, which is then stored as the inventory quantity (LVTf) after a short period of time has elapsed, and the process proceeds to step 4-5. (Steps 4-5) <Calculation of short-term inventory fluctuations> Calculate the short-term inventory change (LVTv) by subtracting the inventory amount after a short period of time (LVTf) from the inventory amount at the start of the theft detection while the store is closed (LVTb), and proceed to step 4-6. (Step 4-6) <Determining the magnitude of short-term inventory fluctuations> The short-term inventory fluctuation (LVTv) is compared to the closed-time theft detection threshold (LVTh). If the answer is No, it is determined that no fuel was stolen, and the process returns to step 4-2. If the answer is Yes, it is determined that fuel was stolen, and the process proceeds to step 4-7. (Steps 4-7) <Notification of theft> The system stores the result of the theft detection and issues an alert indicating that a theft may have occurred during the closed-time theft detection period, then returns to step 4-2. If the date and time data for the start of the closed-time theft detection was acquired and stored in step 4-2, that date and time data is also included in the alert. By providing the date and time data, the range of dates and times in which the theft may have occurred can be determined, making it easier to identify the perpetrator and understand the circumstances of the theft by comparing the date and time of the security camera footage with the range of dates and times in which the theft may have occurred.

[0035] (Steps 4-8) <Acquiring inventory quantity at the start of leak detection while the store is closed> Clear the timer, obtain inventory data from liquid volume meter 4, store it as the inventory level (LVLb) at the start of the store-closed leak detection, and proceed to step 4-9. Alternatively, you may obtain and store the date and time data at the start of the store-closed leak detection. (Step 4-9) <Confirmation of the end of the leak detection period while the store is closed> Check if the timer has reached the closing time detection period (TLh) set in step 4-1. If the timer is No, return to step 4-9; if it is Yes, proceed to step 4-10. (Step 4-10) <Acquiring inventory levels after a long period of time> The inventory level data is obtained from liquid volume meter 4, stored as the inventory level after a long period of time (LVLf), and the process proceeds to step 4-11. (Step 4-11) <Calculation of long-term inventory fluctuations> Calculate the long-term inventory change (LVLv) by subtracting the inventory amount after a long period of time (LVLf) from the inventory amount at the start of the leak detection while the store is closed (LVLb), and proceed to step 4-12. (Step 4-12) <Determining the magnitude of long-term inventory fluctuations> The system compares whether the long-term inventory fluctuation (LVLv) is equal to or greater than the leak detection threshold (LVLh) during store closures. If the answer is No, it is determined that there is no fuel leak and the system returns to step 4-8. If the answer is Yes, it is determined that there is a fuel leak and the system proceeds to step 4-13. (Procedure 4-13) <Notification regarding data breach> The system stores the result of the leak detection and issues a notification indicating that a leak may have occurred during the closed-time leak detection period, then returns to step 4-8. If the system has acquired and stored the date and time data for the start of the closed-time leak detection in step 4-8, that data is also included in the notification. The notification of the date and time data allows the system to understand the time range in which the leak occurred, making it easier to pinpoint the cause of the leak.

[0036] Modifications of the fuel theft detection system according to Examples 1 and 2, the fuel leak detection system according to Example 3, and the anomaly detection system according to Example 4 are listed below. (Modification 1) In Examples 1 to 4, a sales management monitoring POS with various functions performed processing in each detection system to determine whether theft or other theft had occurred, and if it was determined that theft or other theft had occurred, it would notify that there was a possibility of theft or other theft. However, as shown in Figure 6, the sales management monitoring POS may be divided into a sales management monitoring POS 12 and a monitoring device 13, with the sales management processing performed by the sales management monitoring POS being performed by the sales management POS 12, and the detection processing related to Examples 1 to 4 being performed by the monitoring device 13. In such a case, the sales management POS 12 must have at least the function of issuing a refueling permission command to the metering machine 10, the function of acquiring sales volume data based on the amount of fuel discharged in response to the refueling permission command, and the function of transmitting information to and from the monitoring device 13. The monitoring device 13 must have at least the function of receiving information to and from the sales management POS 12, and the function of acquiring data and values ​​necessary for processing in each detection system (monitoring function provided by the sales management POS 12). Furthermore, in Figure 6, the monitoring device 13 is installed as one of the slave devices, and inventory data is acquired directly from the liquid volume meter 4, while other various data and values ​​are acquired from the sales management POS 12. However, it is also possible to configure the liquid volume meter 4, which is one of the slave devices, to have a monitoring function and thus serve as the monitoring device 13, or to configure it so that all data and values, including inventory data, are acquired from the sales management POS 12. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure the monitoring device 13 as one of the master devices to send and receive information with the sales management POS 12, and to directly acquire data and values ​​from liquid volume meters 4, weighing machines 10, etc.

[0037] (Modified Version 2) The system further includes a remote monitoring device capable of sending and receiving information via a communication line with the sales management monitoring POS system of Examples 1 to 4 or the monitoring device 13 of Modified Version 2, and the remote monitoring device may include some of the means provided by the sales management monitoring POS system of Examples 1 to 4 or some of the means provided by the monitoring device 13 of Modified Version 2. In such cases, the system can determine whether fuel has been stolen, whether the fuel dispenser has been inspected, or whether there has been a fuel leak, at a location away from the gas station or other facility where the sales management monitoring POS or monitoring device 13 is installed, and issue a theft / inspection alert or leak alert indicating that there may have been a theft or inspection. (Modification 3) In Examples 1 to 4, a magnetostrictive liquid level gauge was used as the liquid level gauge 4, but a conventional liquid level gauge may be used instead of the magnetostrictive liquid level gauge. Furthermore, if it is not necessary to detect the water accumulating at the bottom of the fuel storage tank 3, the lower float 8 becomes unnecessary, and the data transmission unit 9 does not need to transmit water volume data. (Modification 4) In Example 3, a leak detection count value (Cf) was set in step 3-1, and in step 3-10, when the leak detection counter (C) reached the leak detection count value (Cf), it was determined that there was a fuel leak. However, in step 3-8, if it was determined that there was a change in the amount of fuel stock (LVLd) equal to or greater than the leak detection threshold value (LVLj), it may be immediately determined that there was a fuel leak. In such cases, setting the leakage detection count value (Cf) and processing steps 3-9 and 3-10 become unnecessary. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1. Fuel discharge piping 2. Fuel injection piping 3. Fuel storage tank 4. Liquid volume meter 5. Detection unit 6. Magnetostrictive wire 7. Upper float 8 Lower float 9 Data transmission unit 10 Weighing machine 11 POS system for sales management monitoring 12 POS system for sales management 13 Monitoring device C: Leak detection counter Cf: Leak detection count value CS: Value added upon recovery; CT: Value added during the period. LVLb: Inventory level at the start of leak detection while the store is closed. LVLd: Inventory change. LVLe: Inventory at the end of the event; LVLf: Inventory after a long period of time has elapsed. LVLh Leak detection threshold value during store closure LVLj Leak detection threshold value LVLs: Starting inventory level; LVLv: Long-term inventory change. LVTb: Inventory quantity at the start of theft detection while the store is closed. LVTf: Inventory quantity after a short period of time has elapsed. LVTh: Theft detection threshold during closing hours; LVTv: Short-term inventory fluctuation amount n Sales counter N Nozzle P Pump Sn: Fuel emissions; T: Theft detection period; TCc: Cumulative change within the period. TCd: Cumulative change value; TCe: Cumulative value at recovery; TCf: Cumulative value at end. TCs: Accumulated value at the start; TL: Leak detection period; TLh: Leak detection period while the store is closed. TTh Theft detection period during store closure

Claims

1. A metering machine having a nozzle for discharging fuel stored in a fuel storage tank and a lifetime cumulative meter for adding up the amount of fuel discharged, A fuel theft detection system comprising a sales management monitoring POS having a function to issue a refueling permission command to the meter, a function to acquire the value of the lifetime cumulative meter from the meter, a function to acquire the amount of fuel discharged from the meter in accordance with the refueling permission command, and a function to check the communication status with the meter, The aforementioned POS for sales management monitoring is: A means for acquiring the cumulative value at the start of monitoring, which stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter at the start of monitoring as the cumulative value at the start of monitoring, A means for acquiring a recovery-time cumulative value that, after the start of monitoring and after confirming the interruption of communication status, confirms the recovery of communication status, stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter as the recovery-time cumulative value. A means for calculating the cumulative change value, which calculates the cumulative change value obtained by subtracting the cumulative value at the start of monitoring from the cumulative value at the time of recovery, A fuel discharge amount adding means that, after the start of the monitoring and during the period in which the communication status is confirmed to be able to communicate, adds the amount of fuel discharged in accordance with the refueling permission command and stores the added value, A recovery-time addition value acquisition means that, after the start of the aforementioned monitoring and after confirming the interruption of the communication state, confirms the recovery of the communication state, stores the addition value stored in the fuel emission addition means as the recovery-time addition value. A theft detection means that determines that fuel has been stolen or the metering machine has been inspected when the cumulative change value is greater than the recovery addition value, The system includes a theft inspection notification means that, when the theft detection means determines that fuel has been stolen or the meter has been inspected, issues a theft inspection notification indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection. A fuel theft detection system characterized by the following features.

2. A metering machine having a nozzle for discharging fuel stored in a fuel storage tank and a lifetime cumulative meter for adding up the amount of fuel discharged, A fuel theft detection system comprising a sales management monitoring POS having a function to issue a refueling permission command to the meter, a function to acquire the value of the lifetime cumulative meter from the meter, a function to acquire the amount of fuel discharged from the meter in accordance with the refueling permission command, and a function to check the communication status with the meter, The aforementioned POS for sales management monitoring is: A theft detection period setting means for setting the theft detection period from the start to the end of monitoring, An initial cumulative value acquisition means that stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter at the start of monitoring as the initial cumulative value, A means for acquiring an end-of-period cumulative value that stores the value of the lifetime cumulative meter at the end of monitoring as the end-of-period cumulative value, A means for calculating cumulative change value within a period, which calculates the cumulative change value within a period by subtracting the initial cumulative value stored in the initial cumulative value acquisition means from the cumulative value at the end stored in the cumulative value acquisition means at the end, During the theft determination period, a fuel discharge amount addition means adds up the amount of fuel discharged in accordance with the refueling permission command and stores the added value. A means for acquiring added values ​​within a period, which stores the added value stored in the fuel emission addition means within the period as the added value within the period, when monitoring ends, A theft detection means for the period, which determines that fuel theft has occurred or the metering machine needs to be inspected if the cumulative change value during the period is greater than the sum of the values ​​during the period, The system includes a theft detection means that, when it determines that theft has occurred or the metering device has been inspected, issues a theft detection notification within the period indicating that there is a possibility of theft or inspection occurring within the theft detection period. A fuel theft detection system characterized by the following features.

3. The aforementioned sales management monitoring POS system consists of a sales management POS system and a monitoring device. The monitoring device has at least the function of receiving information from the sales management POS and is equipped with each of the monitoring functions provided by the sales management monitoring POS. The fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The device further comprises a remote monitoring device capable of sending and receiving information via a communication line with the aforementioned POS for sales management monitoring, The remote monitoring device includes some of the means provided by the sales management monitoring POS system. The fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

5. The device further comprises a remote monitoring device capable of sending and receiving information via a communication line with the aforementioned monitoring device, The remote monitoring device includes some of the means provided by the monitoring device. The fuel theft detection system according to claim 3.

6. The fuel storage tank is further equipped with a liquid level meter for measuring the remaining amount of fuel stored in the tank, The aforementioned sales management monitoring POS has a function to confirm whether the metering machine is in the process of refueling and a function to confirm whether the fuel is being unloaded into the fuel storage tank. The aforementioned POS for sales management monitoring is: During business hours when refueling by the aforementioned measuring machine and unloading into the aforementioned fuel storage tank are possible, a leak detection period setting means sets a leak detection period from the start to the end of the leak detection; A means for setting a leakage detection threshold value, A means for acquiring the initial inventory amount, which stores the amount of liquid remaining in the tank of the liquid meter at the start of leak detection as the initial inventory amount, A means for acquiring inventory at the end of the leak detection period, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter at the end of the leak detection period, when the meter is not refueling and is not unloading into the fuel storage tank, as the inventory at the end of the period. An inventory change calculation means calculates the amount of inventory change during the leakage determination period by subtracting the amount of inventory at the end from the amount of inventory at the start; A leakage determination means within a period determines that fuel leakage has occurred when the amount of inventory fluctuation is equal to or greater than the leakage determination criterion value, The system includes a period-based leakage notification means that, when the period-based leakage determination means determines that there is a fuel leak, issues a period-based leakage notification indicating that there may have been a fuel leak during the aforementioned leakage determination period. The fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

7. The fuel storage tank is further equipped with a liquid level meter for measuring the remaining amount of fuel stored in the tank, The aforementioned POS for sales management monitoring is: During the time when the store is closed and refueling by the aforementioned measuring machine and unloading into the aforementioned fuel storage tank are not performed, a means for setting a theft detection period during the closure period from the start to the end of the theft detection is provided. During the aforementioned closure period, a means for setting a closure-time leak detection period, which is from the start to the end of the leak detection period, A means for setting the criteria for theft detection while the store is closed, and A means for setting a leakage detection threshold value during closing hours, and A means for acquiring inventory quantity at the start of theft detection during closing hours, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank at the start of theft detection as the inventory quantity at the start of theft detection during closing hours, A means for acquiring inventory quantity after a short period of time, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank from the start of theft detection to the end of the theft detection period while the store is closed as inventory quantity after a short period of time, A short-time inventory change calculation means that calculates a short-time inventory change by subtracting the inventory amount after a short period of time has elapsed from the inventory amount at the start of the theft detection during closing hours, A theft detection means for when the short-term inventory fluctuation amount is equal to or greater than the theft detection threshold value for when the store is closed determines that the fuel stored in the fuel storage tank has been stolen, When the aforementioned theft detection means during closing hours determines that fuel has been stolen, the theft notification means during closing hours issues a theft notification indicating that there is a possibility that fuel was stolen during the theft detection period during closing hours. A means for acquiring inventory quantity at the start of a leak detection during closing hours, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank at the start of the leak detection as the inventory quantity at the start of the leak detection during closing hours, A means for acquiring inventory quantity after a long period of time, which stores the remaining amount in the liquid meter tank from the start of leak detection to after the period of leak detection while the store is closed as inventory quantity after a long period of time, A means for calculating long-term inventory fluctuations, which calculates the long-term inventory fluctuation amount by subtracting the inventory amount after a long period of time has elapsed from the inventory amount at the start of the leak determination during closing hours, A leak detection means for when the amount of inventory fluctuation over a long period of time is equal to or greater than the leak detection threshold value for when the store is closed determines that there is a leak of fuel stored in the fuel storage tank, The system includes a leak notification means that, when the leak detection means during closing time determines that there is a fuel leak, issues a leak notification during closing time indicating that there may have been a fuel leak during the leak detection period during closing time. The fuel theft detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 1 or 2.

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