Gas delivery processing method, system, program, server device, and recording medium

Abstract

This system allows for accurate tracking of remaining gas levels at gas supply destinations and enables planned delivery of gas containers. [Solution] The method includes the steps of: acquiring guidance information for gas supply destinations; calculating gas usage information that represents the trend of gas usage over different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns; calculating the predicted date of gas depletion; setting the delivery category and scheduled delivery date; setting a lower limit gas usage threshold that represents the lower limit of daily gas usage; comparing the daily gas usage within the calculation period with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination; maintaining the calculated predicted date of gas depletion along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold; determining that the gas usage is abnormal and calculating new gas usage information if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold; and recalculating the predicted date of gas depletion for gas supply destinations determined to be abnormal using the newly calculated gas usage information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas delivery processing technology that adjusts delivery prediction due to abnormal gas use, together with delivery prediction using pointer information of a gas meter at a gas supply destination, such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

Background Art

[0002] LPG is generally delivered in cylinders from a gas company to a gas supply destination. The gas consumption is managed based on pointer information obtained from a gas meter. The gas company uses the pointer value obtained through a regular meter reading operation, such as once a month, to calculate the gas fee and formulate the delivery plan for the next gas cylinder. In this delivery plan, for example, a method of predicting the daily gas consumption from the past gas consumption and the gas consumption this year is adopted. Conventionally, the meter reading process of the gas meter has been carried out at a pace such as once a month. The gas company has had to set a delivery plan based on limited meter reading information so as not to cause a gas shortage on the gas user side. Since the gas consumption is not constant depending on the living conditions of the gas user side and is greatly affected by factors such as climate change, an error occurs with respect to the predicted gas consumption. For this reason, the gas company has set a high threshold for the remaining gas volume in the gas cylinder and formulated a delivery plan in consideration of the prediction error so as not to cause a gas shortage.

[0003] Regarding such prediction of gas consumption, it is known to receive pointer information from a gas meter, calculate the gas consumption by comparing each pointer information, calculate the change rate of the past gas consumption based on the comparison of a plurality of gas consumptions a predetermined period before the meter reading date of the pointer information, change the gas consumption according to this change rate, and predict the changed gas consumption as the future gas consumption (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-254414 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Incidentally, improvements in gas meter reading, such as batteries that power gas meters and advancements in communication technology, allow for more frequent meter readings, making it easier to track gas usage and the current remaining gas amount. However, in gas delivery processing, for example, if the prediction of when gas will run out is performed in accordance with the frequent meter reading process, it will lead to an increased load on processing capacity and an increase in data storage capacity. On the other hand, if the number of prediction processes is uniformly reduced in relation to the meter reading frequency to reduce the load on the calculation process, it will become impossible to formulate a precise gas container delivery plan that follows fluctuations in gas usage. On the other hand, if a gas company were to use a method for delivering gas cylinders that involves issuing delivery instructions based on frequently measured meter readings without performing a predictive process for when gas will run out, the gas company would have to deal with sudden increases in the number of deliveries or, conversely, periods when no delivery instructions are issued. This would prevent planned delivery of gas cylinders and lead to an increased burden on workers. Patent Document 1 neither discloses nor suggests any such problem, and the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot solve this problem.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to accurately grasp the remaining amount of gas at the gas supply destination and to realize planned delivery of gas containers. Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the load on gas delivery forecasting processing while performing gas meter reading processing at high frequency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the gas delivery processing method of the present invention, the steps include: a step in which a guideline information acquisition unit acquires guideline information of a gas supply destination; a step in which gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage is calculated from the gas usage amount for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns; a step in which a different gas depletion prediction date is calculated for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information; a step in which a delivery category and a scheduled delivery date are set based on the gas depletion prediction date and delivery condition information; and a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of the daily gas usage, and the calculation obtained based on the guideline information. The process includes comparing the daily gas usage within a period with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination, maintaining the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, determining that the gas usage is abnormal and calculating new gas usage information if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, and adjusting the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date for the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal by recalculating the predicted gas depletion date based on the newly calculated gas usage information.

[0008] The gas delivery processing method further includes a step of varying the calculation period according to the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, a step of varying the calculation period seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or a step of varying the calculation period as the amount of remaining gas LGr decreases from immediately after the gas container is replaced.

[0009] The gas delivery processing method further includes a step of varying the lower gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

[0010] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the gas delivery processing system of the present invention, a guideline information acquisition unit acquires guideline information of gas supply destinations, calculates gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage amounts for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, calculates different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information, sets the delivery category and scheduled delivery date based on the predicted gas depletion date and delivery condition information, sets a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of the gas usage amount for each day, and within the calculation period acquired based on the guideline information The system includes a server device that compares the daily gas usage with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination, maintains the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, calculates new gas usage information, and recalculates the predicted gas depletion date for the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal based on the newly calculated gas usage information, and adjusts the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date.

[0011] In the gas delivery processing system, the server device further varies the calculation period according to the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, varies the calculation period seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or varies the calculation period in accordance with the decrease in the remaining gas amount LGr immediately after gas cylinder replacement. In the gas delivery processing system, the server device further adjusts the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

[0012] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, a program to be implemented by a computer includes a function to acquire guideline information of gas supply destinations, a function to calculate gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage amounts for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, a function to calculate different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information, a function to set delivery categories and scheduled delivery dates based on the predicted gas depletion dates and delivery condition information, and a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of the daily gas usage, and the calculation acquired based on the guideline information. The computer implements the following functions: comparing the daily gas usage within the period with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination; if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, the calculated predicted gas depletion date is maintained along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date; if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, the computer determines that the gas usage is abnormal and calculates new gas usage information; and for the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal, the computer recalculates the predicted gas depletion date based on the newly calculated gas usage information and adjusts the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date.

[0013] In the aforementioned program, the computer further implements a function to vary the calculation period according to the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, a function to vary the calculation period seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or a function to vary the calculation period as the remaining gas amount LGr decreases from immediately after gas cylinder replacement. In the aforementioned program, the computer further implements a function to vary the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

[0014] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the server device of the present invention, a guideline information acquisition unit acquires guideline information of gas supply destinations, calculates gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage amounts for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, calculates different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information, sets the delivery category and scheduled delivery date based on the predicted gas depletion date and delivery condition information, sets a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of the gas usage amount for each day, and within the calculation period acquired based on the guideline information The system includes a processing unit that compares the daily gas usage with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination, maintains the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, calculates new gas usage information, and recalculates the predicted gas depletion date for the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal based on the newly calculated gas usage information, and adjusts the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date. In the server device, the calculation period is further varied according to the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, the calculation period is varied seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or the calculation period is varied according to the decrease in the remaining gas amount LGr from immediately after the gas container is replaced. In the server device, the processing unit adjusts the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

[0015] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the recording medium of the present invention, a recording medium storing a program to be implemented by a computer, comprising: a function to acquire guideline information of gas supply destinations; a function to calculate gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage amounts for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns; a function to calculate different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information; a function to set delivery categories and scheduled delivery dates based on the predicted gas depletion dates and delivery condition information; and a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of the daily gas usage, and within the calculation period acquired based on the guideline information The system stores a program that enables the computer to implement the following functions: comparing the daily gas usage at the gas supplier with the lower limit gas usage threshold at the gas supplier; maintaining the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold; determining that the gas usage is abnormal and calculating new gas usage information if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold; and recalculating the predicted gas depletion date based on the newly calculated gas usage information for the gas supplier that has been determined to be abnormal, and adjusting the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, one of the following effects can be expected. (1) A lower limit gas usage threshold is set to represent the lower limit of gas usage, and the daily gas usage within a calculation period set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns is compared with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination. If there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit threshold, the gas usage can be judged as abnormal. (2) Regularly monitor the gas usage status for each gas supplier with different gas usage patterns. If the calculated period includes days when the lower limit threshold is exceeded, determine that the gas usage is abnormal. For users with such gas usage, only predict gas shortages, adjust the delivery classification and / or delivery schedule, which can reduce the load of the calculation process for predicting gas shortages and delivery schedules. (3) By combining the delivery process based on precise residual gas volume management using the meter reading results at any time and the prediction process for gas cylinder replacement analyzed according to the gas usage status, it is possible to achieve both reduction of the residual gas volume and prevention of gas shortages.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a flowchart showing an example of the gas delivery management process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a gas management system. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a gas delivery management file. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of a meter reading file at any time. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a delivery condition database. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a delivery classification table. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of the judgment process and recalculation process for predicting the gas shortage date based on the gas usage trend. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the monitoring process for the gas usage status based on the gas usage volume. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of the classification process for gas cylinder delivery. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of the delivery management process for gas cylinders. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a gas management system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of a delivery person's terminal. [Figure 13]This figure shows an example of the management information screen displayed on the administrator's terminal. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of delivery instruction information displayed on a delivery terminal. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of an information display screen for gas supply customers. [Figure 16] This is a sequence diagram of the gas delivery management process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows an example of the gas delivery management process according to the first embodiment. The processing content and process shown in Figure 1 are examples only, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. This gas delivery management process is an example of the gas delivery processing method or gas delivery processing program of the present invention, and includes, for example, as shown in Figure 1, the identification of the gas supply destination 10 (S101), the identification of the gas delivery management file 22 (S102), the acquisition of guideline information (S103), the storage of guideline information in the gas delivery management file 22 (S104), the calculation of gas usage information (S105), the monitoring of the timing of the gas delivery forecast calculation process (S106), the monitoring of abnormalities in the gas usage status (S107), the recalculation of the predicted gas depletion date and the scheduled delivery date (S108), the adjustment of the gas delivery category (S109), and the storage in the gas delivery management file 22 (S110).

[0019] Identification of gas supply destinations 10 (S101): Gas supply destinations 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-N (Figure 2, hereinafter simply referred to as "gas supply destinations 10") are gas users who have a contract with a gas company and consume LPG from gas containers installed, for example, on their premises. Gas users can be individuals or corporations (businesses). LPG usage is determined by the readings on the gas meter. Identification of Gas Delivery Management File 22 (S102): The gas delivery management file 22 is an example of a management database that manages the amount of gas used, the amount of remaining gas, the gas usage status, and the predicted date of gas depletion for the gas supply destination 10. The management server 4 (Figure 2) identifies the gas delivery management file 22 for the gas supply destination 10 according to the gas supply destination 10 identified, for example when acquiring gas meter reading information. Acquisition of guideline information (S103): Guideline information may be acquired, for example, from a communication unit 88 (Figure 11) installed in the gas meter of the gas supply destination 10, or from an external guideline information source 20 (Figure 2). This guideline information source 20 includes, for example, an information collection means that collects guideline information from gas meters and provides it to the management server 4 at a predetermined timing. Store the guideline information in the gas delivery management file 22 (S104): The management server 4 stores the guideline information obtained from the gas meter or guideline information source 20 daily or every few days at regular intervals in the gas delivery management file 22.

[0020] Calculation of gas usage information (S105): The management server 4 uses the acquired guideline information to calculate gas usage information for each gas user registered at the gas supply destination 10. This gas usage information includes the amount of gas used calculated using the value of the guideline information, and information representing the trend of gas usage for each gas user. As a gas usage trend, the management server 4 calculates the change in gas usage at predetermined intervals based on the calculated gas usage.

[0021] Monitoring of Gas Delivery Forecast Calculation Processing Timing (S106): The management server 4 is equipped with a timer function including a calendar function and monitors whether it is time to calculate the gas delivery forecast, and outputs a gas delivery forecast calculation instruction for the user it manages. The management server 4 may set different values ​​for each user as the timing to monitor, or it may set the same value for all users. For users for whom it is not time for calculation processing, the management server 4 continues to acquire guide information from the gas meter and guide information source 20. If it is time for calculation processing, the management server 4 sets the gas delivery forecast calculation processing mode as the processing for that user. Gas Usage Status Abnormality Monitoring (S107): The management server 4 monitors the gas usage status within a predetermined calculation period, for example, for users set to the gas delivery forecast calculation processing mode, using gas usage information. In this monitoring process, the management server 4 reads reference information and gas usage thresholds for gas usage amount or gas usage trend, for example, on a daily basis or for the entire predetermined period. The management server 4 then determines that the gas usage status is abnormal if the gas usage amount or gas usage trend falls outside the range of the gas usage threshold. The management server 4 also determines that the gas usage status is normal if the gas usage amount or gas usage trend is within the range of the gas usage threshold. In this gas management system 2, if the gas usage status within a predetermined period is abnormal, the system recalculates the predicted gas depletion date and delivery date. If the gas usage status is within the normal range, it maintains the previously calculated predicted gas depletion date and delivery date. This gas usage threshold may be a value set for each user, or it may be a common value for multiple users. In addition to being a fixed value, the gas usage threshold may also be set to a variable value depending on the season or changes in the user's gas usage trends. Furthermore, the gas management system 2 can proceed to the calculation process regardless of the gas usage status if, for example, it is the first time a gas delivery forecast is calculated after a gas cylinder has been replaced, or if the previous predicted date of gas depletion and the scheduled delivery date have not been calculated.

[0022] Recalculation of predicted gas depletion date and scheduled delivery date (S108): The management server 4 calculates the predicted gas depletion date using the calculated gas usage information and gas capacity information supplied to the gas supply destination 10, and then switches to the recalculation mode for the scheduled delivery date using this predicted gas depletion date and delivery condition information. This gas capacity information includes, for example, the total capacity of the installed gas containers, as well as the capacity of some of the gas containers that are currently supplying gas among the multiple installed gas containers. Adjustment of Gas Delivery Classification (S109): Management Server 4 adjusts the gas delivery classification based on the calculated predicted gas depletion date and scheduled delivery date. This gas delivery classification is information that categorizes customers (users) by scheduled delivery date and includes work instruction information that categorizes delivery destinations and delivery order according to the number of delivery personnel and delivery capacity. Management Server 4 adjusts the changes in delivery date and delivery order for users whose predicted gas depletion date or scheduled delivery date has changed due to recalculation. Stored in the gas delivery management file (S110): The management server 4 stores the recalculated gas depletion forecast date and delivery schedule information, as well as gas delivery category adjustment information, in the gas delivery management file 22. In addition, the management server 4 notifies terminal devices owned by gas container delivery personnel and management servers that manage these delivery personnel of at least the adjusted gas delivery classification information.

[0023] <Gas Management System 2> Figure 2A shows the gas management system 2. The configuration shown in Figure 2A is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The gas management system 2 includes, for example, a management server 4, an information display unit 6, and an information input unit 8, as shown in Figure 2A. The management server 4 is an example of a server device of the present invention that manages the monitoring of gas usage and usage status, prediction of gas depletion, and the delivery of gas containers. It is installed in gas companies that manage LPG supply to each gas supply destination 10 (=10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-N), gas sales, etc., or in management centers that manage multiple gas companies. This management server 4 is a computer that receives meter information from gas meters and meter information sources 20 installed at each gas supply destination 10, and also has a communication function to notify delivery terminals 12 (12-1, 12-2, ..., 12-N) of instruction information. The management server 4 also has an information processing function that calculates usage information such as gas usage and usage trends for each gas supply destination 10 from the acquired meter information. The information processing performed by the management server 4 includes, for example, a) Creation and updating of gas delivery management file 22 b) Management of gas supply destinations 10 c) Acquisition of guideline information d) Monitoring the timing of gas usage calculations e) Calculation of gas usage information, including gas usage amount and gas usage trends. f) Monitoring for abnormal gas usage status g) Adjustment of delivery categories h) Generation of instruction information and information presentation i) Sending instruction information This includes things like:

[0024] The information display unit 6 is a device equipped with the function of displaying management information and instruction information generated by the management server 4. This information display unit 6 includes, for example, an administrator terminal 14 that is connected to the management server 4 by wired or wireless connection, as shown in Figure 2B, as well as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays a screen under the control of the management server 4, and other devices that can exchange information with the management server 4 and display information including the gas delivery management file 22. The information input unit 8 is an example of a means of inputting information to the management server 4. For example, in addition to the keyboard 18 of the administrator terminal 14, a touch panel that integrates the monitor 16 for screen display and input operation may be used.

[0025] The gas management system 2 is connected to a delivery terminal 12 used by the gas container delivery person. This delivery terminal 12 is an information processing device such as a mobile phone or tablet, and may be carried or worn by the delivery person, or installed in a vehicle used for delivery. The delivery terminal 12 receives instruction information, for example, which is identified for each delivery person and includes information such as the classification of the gas supply destinations 10 to be handled on a predetermined delivery day, the delivery order, and the delivery route information. In addition, the delivery terminal 12 may be connected to the management server 4, for example, at all times or periodically, and may send and receive information such as the delivery status of gas containers in real time. As a result, the gas management system 2 can accurately grasp and manage the delivery status and may notify the gas supply destinations 10, which are the users, of the delivery status and delivery results.

[0026] <Gas Delivery Management File 22> Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the gas delivery management file 22. The gas delivery management file 22 is an example of a management information database that constitutes the gas management system 2, containing information such as gas container supply information, gas usage, and detection information for abnormal gas usage conditions for each gas supply destination 10. This gas delivery management file 22 includes multiple files 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-N for each gas supply destination 10. This gas delivery management file 22 may be stored in the storage unit of the management server 4, or it may be stored in an external database (DB) or external server (not shown). The management server 4 may, for example, read all the information from the gas delivery management file 22, or data for each gas supply destination to be managed, from the database or external server during the gas container delivery management process. The gas delivery management file 22 includes, for example, a gas supply destination information section 24, a gas supply information section 26, a guideline information section 28, a gas usage information section 30, an accumulation information section 32, an anomaly information section 34, a recalculation information section 36, a predicted gas depletion date section 38, a gas delivery date section 40, and a delivery conditions section 42. The gas supply destination information unit 24 stores identification information for identifying the gas supply destination 10 that has contracted for gas supply services. This identification information may include, for example, the contracted username and delivery address, as well as map data showing the area including that address and link information for accessing the map data. In addition, the gas supply destination information unit 24 may store attribute information related to gas supply. This attribute information may include, for example, information about the user who has contracted for gas supply, such as whether it is an individual or corporate contract, and whether it is a restaurant that uses a lot of gas. The gas management system 2 may then use this attribute information for gas supply processing, for example, to set a higher priority for gas delivery processing when it determines that the gas usage status is abnormal for a user who is expected to use a lot of gas, or when it determines that the remaining gas amount is close to the gas depletion threshold.

[0027] The gas supply information unit 26 stores information such as the supply conditions of gas containers. This gas supply information unit 26 stores information such as the container installation capacity unit 26-1 which indicates the supplyable capacity of gas containers installed at the gas supply destination 10, the number of installed containers unit 26-2, the replacement method unit 26-3, and the average usage unit 26-4. The meter information unit 28 stores meter information acquired from the gas meter and the meter information source 20. This meter information unit 28 may store, for example, the acquired meter value itself, as well as link information to the timely meter reading file 44 (Figure 4) in which the meter value is stored. The gas usage information unit 30 stores gas usage information for a predetermined period calculated based on guideline information. This gas usage information unit 30 may store, for example, calculated gas usage values, or it may record link information to the timely meter reading file 44 (Figure 4) where gas usage is stored.

[0028] The cumulative information unit 32 stores, for example, the acquired guideline information and the calculated cumulative value of gas usage. Here, for example, information such as guideline information and gas usage since the last gas cylinder replacement is accumulated. The abnormality information unit 34 stores monitoring information indicating whether or not the gas usage status of the gas supply destination 10 was abnormal within the set calculation period. The abnormality information unit 34 may also store information such as the result of the abnormal gas usage status determination during the previous calculation period, as well as information on the number of past abnormal determinations. The recalculation information unit 36 ​​stores the predicted date of gas depletion and the delivery date of the gas cylinder when it determines that the gas usage status is abnormal. In addition to information indicating whether or not a recalculation is performed, the recalculation information unit 36 ​​may also store changes in the predicted date of gas depletion and the scheduled delivery date due to the recalculation.

[0029] The gas depletion prediction date section 38 stores information on the gas depletion prediction date calculated by the gas management system 2. The management server 4 calculates the gas depletion prediction date using information such as the number of gas containers or the gas container installation capacity of each gas supply destination 10, and gas usage trends calculated from gas usage information. If the gas management system 2 determines that the gas usage status during the calculation period is abnormal, it recalculates the gas depletion prediction date and updates the information in the gas depletion prediction date section 38. If the gas management system 2 determines that the gas usage status is not abnormal, it only needs to store the gas depletion prediction date information that has already been calculated and stored. The gas delivery date section 40 stores gas cylinder replacement instruction information for each gas supply destination 10. This gas delivery date section 40 stores, for example, past gas cylinder delivery dates, as well as scheduled gas delivery dates set based on predicted gas depletion dates. These scheduled gas delivery dates are set using, for example, predicted gas depletion dates and delivery condition information. The gas delivery date section 40 may also be associated with a delivery classification table 64 (Figure 6) which distinguishes gas supply destinations 10 from each other based on, for example, delivery area and delivery conditions. The delivery conditions unit 42 stores delivery condition information for each gas supply destination 10. These delivery conditions are linked to, for example, the delivery condition database 54 (Figure 5) and include information such as delivery times from other gas supply destinations 10 and the time required for gas cylinder replacement work.

[0030] Furthermore, the gas delivery management file 22 is not limited to being created for each user who is a gas supply destination 10; it may also be created by combining information for multiple users. In this case, the gas delivery management file 22 may group users whose delivery destinations are nearby and record information such as gas guideline information and abnormal information together.

[0031] <Meter reading file 44> Figure 4 shows an example of the structure of a timely meter reading file. This on-demand meter reading file 44 is an example of an information storage unit that stores, for example, acquired meter information, as well as gas usage calculated based on this meter information. The on-demand meter reading file 44 has multiple files 44-1, 44-2, 44-3, ..., 44-N for each gas supply destination 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ..., 10-N, as shown in Figure 4 for example. The on-demand meter reading file 44 includes, for example, a meter reading date and time section 46, a gas meter reading section 48, a gas usage amount since the last reading section 50, and a remaining gas amount information section 52, and some or all of these information sections are linked to the gas delivery management file 22. The on-demand meter reading file 44 may be stored in, for example, the storage unit of the management server 4, or it may be stored in an external database outside the management server 4 or on another management server.

[0032] The meter reading date and time section 46 stores information such as the date on which the gas meter reading information was obtained, or the date of the gas reading that the gas meter stored along with the reading value. The process of calculating the predicted date of gas depletion utilizes information such as the date and time stored in the meter reading date and time section 46, gas usage trends, and remaining gas amount. The gas meter indicator unit 48 stores indicator information obtained from the gas supply destination 10 and the indicator information source 20. This indicator information is basic information for calculating the amount of gas used at the gas supply destination 10 and is read daily or at predetermined intervals. The gas usage section 50 stores the gas usage calculated at predetermined intervals using the guideline information. This interval is the timing for performing the gas usage calculation process, and may be daily if new guideline information is obtained, or it may be set to a number of days for obtaining several sets of guideline information. The remaining gas amount information unit 52 stores the remaining gas amount at the gas supply destination 10, which is calculated using the cumulative value of gas usage calculated since the last gas cylinder replacement.

[0033] <Delivery Conditions Database 54> Figure 5 shows an example of a delivery conditions database. This delivery conditions database 54 is an example of a database that records conditions and time information for gas container transportation and replacement work, and is used for setting the gas container replacement date and delivery category. The delivery conditions database 54 includes, for example, a gas supply destination section 56, a delivery conditions section 58, a required time section 60, and a record date and time section 62, as shown in Figure 5. The gas supply destination section 56 stores identification information for identifying the gas supply destination 10, and may be linked, for example, to the gas supply destination information section 24 of the gas delivery management file 22. The delivery conditions unit 58 stores past delivery records for each gas supply destination 10. These delivery records may include, for example, delivery route information from the sales office or delivery base where gas cylinders are replenished or from other gas supply destinations 10, weather conditions at the time of delivery, information on roads and congestion along the delivery route, distance to the gas cylinder stock location on the premises of the gas supply destination 10, building information, and the size of the work space. The required time section 60 stores actual information on the time required for past gas container delivery processing. Furthermore, by taking into account information on delivery conditions, it is possible to understand, for example, the difference in the time required for delivery processing due to weather conditions in past delivery records to the same gas supply destination 10, and to estimate the time required for gas container delivery processing by referring to the weather conditions on the day of delivery or the weather forecast obtained when setting the delivery date. The record date and time section 62 stores date and time information for past delivery processes, or date and time information for registering such delivery results.

[0034] <Delivery Classification Table 64> The delivery classification table 64 is an example of delivery instruction information for delivery groups divided by one or more gas supply destinations 10, as shown in Figure 6, for example. This delivery classification table 64 is generated for each delivery person registered in the gas management system 2, for example, and is periodically notified to the delivery person terminal 12. The delivery classification table 64 includes, for example, a gas supply destination section 66, an installation location section 68, a container installation capacity section 70, a number of installed containers section 72, a replacement method section 74, a predicted gas depletion date section 76, and a delivery date section 78 for each delivery group. The gas supply destination section 66 stores identification information for identifying the gas supply destination 10, and may be linked, for example, to the gas supply destination information section 24 of the gas delivery management file 22. The installation location section 68 stores a map of the installation location and information about the installation location for each gas supply destination 10. The container installation capacity section 70 stores information on the amount of gas that can be supplied by each gas supply destination 10 installed gas container. This container installation capacity section 70 may be linked to the container installation capacity section 26-1 of the gas delivery management file 22 by means of a link or other means. The number of installed units section 72 stores information on the number of gas containers installed at the gas supply destination 10. This number of installed units section 72 may be linked to the number of installed units section 26-2 of the gas delivery management file 22 by means of a link or other means. The replacement method section 74 stores instructions for replacing gas containers. These replacement instructions include, for example, information on whether to replace all installed gas containers or only a set number of containers, based on a contract with the gas supply destination 10, as well as information on identifying which gas container to replace among multiple installed gas containers. This replacement method section 74 may be linked to the replacement method section 26-3 of the gas delivery management file 22 by means of a link or other means. The gas depletion forecast date section 76 stores the gas depletion forecast date calculated from gas usage information based on guideline information. In addition to the calculated forecast date information, this gas depletion forecast date section 76 may also store priority information (not shown) representing the urgency of replacement, which is set based on this forecast date. This gas depletion forecast date section 76 may be linked to the gas depletion forecast date section 38 of the gas delivery management file 22 by means of a link or the like. The delivery date section 78 stores the date instruction for carrying out the delivery process of the gas cylinders. This delivery date instruction can be set, for example, for each group. The management server 4 also refers to the information in the predicted gas depletion date section 76 and reassigns gas supply destinations 10 whose deliveries were not completed on the set date due to, for example, weather conditions or delivery route conditions, to other delivery groups.

[0035] <Regarding gas delivery management processing> Figure 7 shows an example of the process for determining and recalculating the predicted date of gas depletion based on gas usage trends. The processing content and judgment criteria shown in Figure 7 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such processing content or procedures. Management server 4 switches to gas usage status monitoring processing mode and monitors whether the gas usage status is abnormal or not. Based on the monitoring results, management server 4 recalculates the predicted gas depletion date tx and adjusts the gas delivery schedule date according to this predicted gas depletion date tx. The management server 4 compares the gas usage amounts LG1, LG2, ..., LGn between monitoring days t1, t2, ..., tn for each set number of days x with the set gas usage threshold LGX to determine whether the gas usage status is abnormal or not (Figure 8). For example, as shown in Figure 7A, the management server 4 calculates the predicted gas depletion date tx1 on monitoring day t2 based on the gas usage LG1 from monitoring day t1 to monitoring day t2. Next, on monitoring day t3, if the management server 4 determines that the gas usage LG2 from monitoring day t2 to monitoring day t3 meets the conditions set by the gas usage threshold LGX, it determines that the gas usage status is normal and adopts the previously calculated predicted gas depletion date tx1. In response, the management server 4, for example as shown in Figure 7B, determines that the gas usage status is abnormal if, on monitoring day t3, it determines that the gas usage amount LG2 from monitoring day t2 to monitoring day t3 does not meet the conditions set by the gas usage threshold LGX. The management server 4 then recalculates a new predicted gas depletion date tx2 using the gas usage amount LG2 as a gas usage trend and stores the calculated predicted gas depletion date tx2 in the recalculation information section 36 and the predicted gas depletion date section 38 of the gas delivery management file 22. The management server 4 then makes adjustments, such as advancing or delaying the gas delivery date, depending on the difference between the recalculated predicted gas depletion date tx2 and the original predicted gas depletion date tx1.

[0036] For example, as part of the adjustment process for gas delivery dates, the management server 4 can set the gas delivery date a few days before the predicted gas depletion dates tx1 and tx2. Alternatively, the management server 4 may set a residual gas threshold LGE for the remaining gas amount LGr in the gas container, and predict the day when the remaining gas amount LGr will fall below the residual gas threshold LGE, based on the predicted gas depletion dates tx1 and tx2, and then set the gas delivery date. The remaining gas amount LGr can be calculated, for example, using the following formula. The management server 4 calculates the remaining gas amount LGr from the gas usage amount LG calculated based on the change in the indicator value of the gas meter and indicator information source 20, and the gas capacity information LM of the gas supply destination 10. If monitoring day t1 is immediately after gas cylinder replacement, the remaining gas amounts LGr1, LGr2, ...LGrn at monitoring days t1, t2, ..., tn are: LGr1=LM ···(1) LGr2 = LM - LG1 ... (2) LGr3 = LGr2 - LG2 ... (3) LGrn=(LGr(n-1))-(LG(n-1)) ···(4) This is the result.

[0037] <Regarding the monitoring process for gas usage> Figure 8 shows an example of a monitoring process for gas usage status based on the amount of gas used by the gas supply destination. The management server 4 calculates the amount of gas used for, for example, the gas supply destination 10 from the acquired guideline information and stores that amount of gas used LG in the gas delivery management file 22. Figure 8, for example, shows the measurement date on the horizontal axis and the daily gas consumption (LG) on the vertical axis. The monitoring dates t1, t2, t3, ..., tn are examples of the timing for calculating the gas delivery forecast, and the number of days x is set to, for example, 5 days. The number of days x may be set to the same number of days for all gas supply destinations 10, or it may be different for each gas supply destination 10. Then, in the gas delivery management process, for example, the total amount of gas usage LG from monitoring date t1 to t2 can be used as gas usage LG1, and the total amount of gas usage LG from monitoring date t2 to t3 can be used as gas usage LG2, and these can be used to calculate the remaining gas amount LGr.

[0038] In this monitoring of gas usage, for example, the gas usage amount LG calculated using a guideline value is used as a condition based on the gas usage threshold LGX. That is, the management server 4 determines, for example, whether there is a day in the monitoring days t1, t2, t3, ... tn where the gas usage amount LG exceeds the gas usage threshold LGX, as a calculation processing timing. The management server 4 determines that the gas usage status is normal because, for example, as shown in Figure 8, there were no days between monitoring day t1 and monitoring day t2 where the gas usage amount LG exceeded the gas usage threshold LGX. Furthermore, the management server 4 determines that the gas usage status is abnormal because, for example, between monitoring day t2 and monitoring day t3, there was a day when the gas usage amount LG exceeded the gas usage threshold LGX. As a result, the management server 4 switches to a recalculation processing mode to recalculate the predicted date of gas depletion and adjust the delivery classification.

[0039] The gas usage threshold LGX may be a fixed value, or it may be a variable value depending on the timing of the decision and past gas usage conditions.

[0040] <Regarding shipping categories> Figure 9 shows an example of sorting and processing for gas container delivery. The management server 4 divides the gas supply destinations 10 (in this case, 16 users from No. 01 to No. 16) into multiple groups based on conditions such as the address of each destination and the distance from the base that supplies the gas containers, along with the calculated predicted date of gas depletion. Each of these groups is assigned the same gas delivery date. Furthermore, the management server 4 performs a change in delivery category in accordance with the adjustment of delivery dates for gas supply destinations 10 whose predicted gas depletion date has been recalculated by the gas usage status monitoring process. This change in delivery category can be done, for example, by adding or deleting gas supply destinations 10 based on the delivery date. In addition, the change process may also involve swapping gas supply destinations 10 between groups, for example, to avoid increasing the number of registered gas supply destinations 10 depending on the delivery capacity of the delivery person in charge of the group. When swapping delivery categories, for example, gas supply destinations 10 with a delivery date that has ample time relative to the predicted gas depletion date should be selected.

[0041] The management server 4 may, for example, modify the delivery classification table 64 for gas supply destinations 10 whose delivery classification has been changed, and may also output change notifications to the delivery person and the changed gas supply destinations 10.

[0042] <Delivery Management Processing> Figure 10 shows an example of the gas container delivery management process. The process shown in Figure 10 is an example of the gas delivery processing method and program of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such processing content and processing procedures. In this delivery management process, the management server 4, having acquired the meter reading information (S201), calculates the gas usage amount LG (S202) and stores the meter reading information and gas usage amount LG in the gas delivery management file 22 (S203). If it is not the monitoring day t (NO in S204), the management server 4 returns to S201 and continues gas meter reading. If it is the monitoring day t (YES in S204), the management server 4 reads the gas usage threshold LGX (S205) and determines whether there has been a day when the gas usage amount LG exceeded the gas usage threshold LGX (S206). If the management server 4 has a day in which the gas usage threshold LGX is exceeded (YES in S206), it calculates the gas usage trend for the set number of days x (S207) and uses that calculated value to calculate the predicted date of gas depletion (S208). The gas usage trend may be, for example, the total value of gas usage LG for x days, or the average gas usage per day. Then, in the process of calculating the predicted date of gas depletion, the server can refer to information such as the gas capacity information LM of the gas supply destination 10 and the number of gas containers installed, along with the gas usage, to calculate the number of days in which the remaining gas amount LGr in the gas container becomes 0 or less than or equal to the remaining gas amount threshold LGE.

[0043] The management server 4 adjusts the delivery date to the gas supply destination 10 based on the new predicted gas depletion date (S209). For adjusting the delivery date, for example, it may be set a few days before the predicted gas depletion date based on the calculated gas usage trend. Furthermore, the management server 4 generates or adjusts delivery groups with other gas supply destinations 10 based on the set delivery dates.

[0044] Furthermore, if the management server 4 has not exceeded the gas usage threshold LGX (NO in S206), it maintains the pre-set predicted gas depletion date and returns to the process of acquiring guideline information (S210).

[0045] <Effects of the First Embodiment> This configuration yields the following effects: (1) By performing frequent meter readings using gas meters, monitoring gas usage, checking for gas depletion, and adjusting delivery processes at predetermined intervals, it is possible to accurately grasp gas usage and reduce the load on the management server caused by monitoring processes. (2) By monitoring gas usage through frequent meter readings, it is possible to set delivery dates for gas containers with a low remaining gas percentage, thereby reducing the workload on workers. (3) By adding delivery conditions to the gas supply destinations 10 and performing delivery classification and adjustment processing, it is possible to formulate delivery instructions that reduce the time and burden required for delivery.

[0046] [Second Embodiment] Figure 11 shows a gas management system 2 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 11, the same parts as in Figure 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Each gas supply destination 10 has multiple gas containers 80-1, 80-2 provided by the gas company, or a larger bulk container fixed to the eaves of the user's house. Gas containers 80-1 and 80-2 are connected to gas appliances 84 via a gas meter 82. A switch 86 is installed between gas containers 80-1 and 80-2 and the gas meter 82, and LPG is supplied to the gas appliances 84 via either gas container 80-1 or 80-2. The gas appliances 84 are gas-consuming devices such as gas water heaters and gas stoves.

[0047] The gas meter 82 is, for example, a microcomputer meter that measures the amount of LPG passing through. This amount of LPG is the indicator information. The communication unit 88 is connected to the gas meter 82 and transmits the indicator information provided by the gas meter 82 to the relay unit 90. The relay unit 90 is connected to a network 92 such as the Internet by wired or wireless connection. The indicator information is provided to the indicator information source 20 through the relay unit 90. The management server 4 can obtain guideline information from the gas supply destination 10 through the relay unit 90, or it can also receive guideline information from the guideline information source 20.

[0048] The management server 4 consists of a computer equipped with communication capabilities. This management server 4 is equipped with a processor 94, a memory unit 96, an input / output (I / O) unit 98, a timer 100, and a communication unit 102. The processor 94 performs the aforementioned information processing using the OS (Operating System) located in the memory unit 96, along with programs for gas management. The memory unit 96 stores the OS, programs for gas management, and a database including the gas delivery management file 22. This memory unit 96 is equipped with various memory elements such as ROM (Read-Only Memory) and RAM (Random-Access Memory) as means of storing various types of information. The timer 100 is equipped with a calendar function and timing function controlled by the processor 94, and provides the processor 94 with date and time information for timing a set number of days x, which is the interval between monitoring days t. The communication unit 102 is controlled by the processor 94 and can communicate with the communication unit 88, relay unit 90, delivery terminal 12, administrator terminal 14, and guide information source 20 of the gas supply destination 10 via wired or wireless connection.

[0049] <Delivery Terminal 12> Figure 12 shows the hardware of a delivery terminal 12 that outputs delivery instructions for gas containers, etc. As previously described, this delivery terminal 12 can use a smartphone or tablet as a computer with communication capabilities. This delivery terminal 12 includes, for example, a processor 104, a storage unit 106, an I / O unit 108, a communication unit 110, an information display unit 112, and an operation input unit 114. The processor 104 is an example of a processing unit that processes gas management information. Based on the OS in the memory unit 106, it performs information processing such as gas management programs and exchanges information with the management server 4 and the administrator terminal 14. The memory unit 106 stores the OS as well as various programs, including gas management programs. Memory elements such as ROM and RAM are used in this memory unit 106. I / O 108 is used for exchanging information between the processor 104 and the communication unit 110, the information display unit 112, or the operation input unit 114. The communication unit 110 can communicate with the management server 4 and the administrator terminal 14 using a public network, as well as with the communication unit 88 on the gas meter side. The information display unit 112 is used to display information such as the gas delivery management file 22 and gas container delivery instruction information provided by the management server 4. The operation input unit 114 is used for inputting identification information of the gas supply destination 10, requesting delivery instruction information, requesting location information of the gas supply destination 10, inputting information on the progress of gas container delivery, and so on.

[0050] <Information on gas delivery management> Figure 13 shows an example of information presentation for gas delivery management. The management server 4 generates a management information screen 120 related to gas delivery management, as shown in Figure 13, for example, and displays it on the information display unit 6. This information display unit 6 consists of, for example, the monitor of the management server 4, as well as the monitor 16 of the administrator terminal 14 connected to the management server 4 via wired or wireless connection. This management information screen 120 includes, for example, a gas management information display unit 122, a guideline information display unit 124, and a delivery management information display unit 126. The gas management information display unit 122 displays the gas delivery management file 22 described above for each gas supply destination 10. The meter information display unit 124 displays, for example, a real-time meter reading file 44 that includes the meter value acquired by the management server 4, as well as calculated gas usage and remaining gas amount information. The delivery management information display unit 126 displays, for example, some or all of the delivery classification table 64, which includes information such as delivery group classification information, delivery date, and predicted gas depletion date, for the gas supply destination 10 that is under management.

[0051] <Information to be presented to the delivery terminal 12> Figure 14 shows an example of a delivery instruction screen displayed on the delivery terminal 12. The information display unit 112 of the delivery terminal 12 displays a delivery instruction screen 128 that includes information on the gas supply destinations 10 that each delivery person is responsible for. This delivery instruction screen 128 includes one or more groups included in the delivery classification table 64, such as gas supply destination information, quantity information, and exchange method. Priority information 129 may also be set for the gas supply destinations 10 on the delivery instruction screen 128. This priority information 129 is an example of instruction information set by the management server 4, and indicates, for example, the urgency of gas container delivery among the grouped gas supply destinations 10. As a result, in the delivery process, for example, delivery to high-priority gas supply destinations 10 may be prioritized according to the instructions of the management server 4, or the delivery order may be set by using high-priority gas supply destinations 10 as a basis and combining nearby gas supply destinations 10 along the delivery route.

[0052] In addition, the delivery instruction screen 128 may also allow the delivery person to input work reports such as delivery completion or inability to deliver, as well as progress information such as delays in delivery schedules due to changes in weather or road conditions, using the operation input section 114 of the delivery person terminal 12.

[0053] <Information provided to 10 gas supply customers> Figure 15 shows an example of an information display screen for gas supply customers. The display units 130A and 130B of the information terminals used by the users of the gas supply destination 10 will show, for example, the user's gas capacity management screen 132A and 132B, as shown in Figure 15. These gas capacity management screens 132A and 132B are, for example, periodically notified, or presented by the user upon request or access to the management server 4. The information terminals used by the users of the gas supply destination 10 can be any device that can connect to the management server 4 or other information presentation servers via communication, such as a PC, mobile phone, or personal digital assistant. The gas capacity management screen 132A, as shown in Figure 15A for example, displays information about the gas supply destination 10, where multiple gas containers are installed. The gas capacity management screen 132B, as shown in Figure 15B for example, displays information about the gas supply destination 10, where gas is filled into a large gas container installed at the eaves of the gas supply destination 10. These gas capacity management screens 132A and 132B include sections 134A and 134B that display the remaining amount of gas in the gas container, as well as information on the delivery date of the gas container 136A, the filling date 136B, and the predicted date of gas depletion 138A and 138B.

[0054] <Gas delivery management processing> Figure 16 shows the processing sequence for gas delivery management using the gas management system 2. This gas delivery management process is an example of the gas delivery processing method and program of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such processing content and processing procedures. Guideline information for gas supply destination 10 is transmitted from the communication unit 88 or the guideline information source 20 (S301) and provided to the management server 4. When the management server 4 receives the guidance information, it identifies the gas supply destination 10 (S302) and identifies the gas delivery management file 22 related to the identified gas supply destination 10 (S303). After acquiring the guidance information (S304), the management server 4 periodically calculates the gas usage amount LG and gas usage information based on this guidance information (S305) and stores them in the gas delivery management file 22.

[0055] The management server 4 calculates the gas usage trend of the gas supply destination 10 based on the gas usage amount LG at intervals of set days x, and calculates the remaining gas amount LGr by referring to information such as the gas capacity of the gas supply destination 10, and monitors whether the remaining gas amount LGr is below the set remaining gas amount threshold LGE (S306). If the remaining gas amount LGr has not reached the threshold LGE (NO in S306), the management server 4 determines whether it is time for the gas delivery forecast calculation process (S307). If it is time for the gas delivery forecast calculation process (YES in S307), the management server 4 moves to monitoring for abnormalities in the gas usage status (S308), and if it is not time for the gas delivery forecast calculation process (NO in S307), it returns to acquiring guidance information (S304) and repeats the calculation of gas usage amount LG. In monitoring for abnormalities in the gas usage status, as described above, the daily gas usage amount LG or the calculated average gas usage amount is compared with the gas usage threshold LGX, or the change in the daily gas usage amount LG may be used to make a judgment.

[0056] If the management server 4 determines that the gas usage status is abnormal (YES in S308), it recalculates the predicted date of gas depletion and the delivery date (S309), and adjusts the gas delivery classification by classifying each gas supply destination 10 according to predetermined conditions (S310). The conditions for classifying the delivery of gas supply destination 10 can be, for example, based on delivery conditions such as the delivery date, the delivery destination address, and the delivery route. The management server 4 then creates a gas delivery instruction and sends it to the delivery terminal 12 (S311). If the management server 4 determines that the gas usage status is not abnormal (NO in S308), it maintains the already set predicted gas depletion date and delivery date, creates a gas transmission instruction, and sends it to the delivery person (S311).

[0057] Furthermore, if the management server 4 determines that the remaining gas amount LGr in a gas container has fallen below the threshold LGE (YES in S306), it proceeds to the gas delivery classification adjustment process (S310). Without calculating the predicted date of gas depletion or the delivery date, it adjusts the gas delivery classification to prioritize the delivery of gas containers, creates a gas transmission instruction, and sends it to the delivery person (S311). In this gas delivery classification adjustment when it is determined that the amount has fallen below the threshold LGE, for example, gas supply destinations that are likely to run out of gas on the day of the determination, or in the most recent delivery classification, are inserted.

[0058] When the delivery terminal 12 receives a gas delivery instruction from the management server 4 (S312), it starts the gas container delivery and replacement process according to the instructions. Furthermore, the delivery terminal 12 can access the management server 4 or request the management server 4 to receive the management information screen 120, the delivery instruction screen 128, the gas capacity management screens 132A, 132B, etc.

[0059] <Effects of the second embodiment> With this configuration, the following effects can be expected. (1) The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. (2) The accuracy of gas depletion predictions based on gas usage trends can be improved, and gas delivery processing can be carried out even when the remaining gas amount is low. (3) By combining gas delivery management based on gas usage with monitoring of remaining gas levels, the risk of running out of gas can be reduced even if there is a sudden increase in gas consumption.

[0060] [Variation]

[0061] Modifications of the embodiments described above are listed below.

[0062] (1) In the above embodiment, the gas management system 2 determines whether the gas usage status is abnormal based on whether there are any days within the set number of days x on which the gas usage amount LG exceeds the gas usage threshold LGX, as part of the gas usage status monitoring process, but is not limited to this. In this monitoring process, for example, if there are multiple days on which the gas usage amount LG exceeds the gas usage threshold LGX, it may be determined that the gas usage status is abnormal, or the total value of the gas usage amount LG calculated within the set number of days x or the average value for each day may be used to determine whether the gas usage status is abnormal. By taking the gas usage amount for several days and its average value and understanding the gas usage status based on the gas usage trend within the monitoring period, the impact of temporary increases and decreases in gas usage can be reduced, and the burden of recalculating the predicted date of gas depletion and adjusting delivery dates can be reduced.

[0063] (2) In the above embodiment, the management server 4 is shown to set an upper limit gas usage threshold LGX as an anomaly monitor, and judges an anomaly if the gas usage LG is greater than this value. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a lower limit gas usage threshold LGX may be set, and an anomaly may be judged if the gas usage LG is less than the gas usage threshold LGX. Alternatively, the management server 4 may set at least two gas usage thresholds LGX, an upper limit and a lower limit, and judge an anomaly if the gas usage LG is outside the range of these thresholds LGX. In other words, in gas delivery management, for example, if gas usage decreases, maintaining the previously set delivery date will result in a large amount of remaining gas, which will increase the workload on workers. For this reason, in gas delivery management, if there is a discrepancy between the previously calculated predicted gas depletion date and the set delivery date, it may be judged as an anomaly in the gas usage state.

[0064] (3) In the above embodiment, the set number of days x is shown as a fixed value for the timing of the gas delivery prediction calculation process that monitors the gas usage status, but it is not limited to this. The set number of days x may be a variable value that takes into account, for example, the past gas usage record of the gas supply destination 10. That is, if the number of times and frequency of times the gas usage status has been judged to be abnormal in the past is small for the gas supply destination 10 to be monitored, the management server 4 will judge that the possibility of abnormal gas usage occurring is small and will set the set number of days x to a large value, thereby reducing the load of the recalculation process for the predicted date of gas depletion and the delivery date. In addition, the management server 4 may vary the set number of days x seasonally or monthly based on, for example, the past gas usage history of the gas supply destination 10.

[0065] Furthermore, the management server 4 may adjust the set number of days x, which is the monitoring period for gas usage, to decrease as the remaining gas amount LGr decreases immediately after gas cylinder replacement. This reduces the processing load by setting a longer set number of days x when the risk of running out of gas is low, such as immediately after gas cylinder replacement, thereby reducing the frequency of gas usage monitoring and recalculation of the predicted gas running-out date. Also, as gas usage increases and the remaining gas amount LGr decreases, the management server 4 can reduce the set number of days x and monitor the gas usage status at a higher frequency, thereby improving the accuracy of the predicted gas running-out date even in the event of a sudden increase in gas usage, and reducing the risk of running out of gas. In addition, the set number of days x may be set considering, for example, the differences in gas usage patterns at the gas supply destination 10. For example, different set number of days x may be used to determine abnormal gas usage conditions for restaurants with high gas usage and for companies or offices with low gas usage.

[0066] (4) In the above embodiment, the same gas usage threshold LGX is used for all gas supply destinations 10 to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas usage status, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The gas usage threshold LGX may be varied, for example, based on the past gas usage history of the gas supply destination 10.

[0067] As described above, the most preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention as described in the claims or disclosed in the embodiments for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0068] This invention is useful because it reduces the risk of gas shortages while also reducing the processing load of recalculations by monitoring the gas usage status of a gas supply destination over a predetermined period and recalculating the predicted date of gas depletion and delivery date if the usage status is abnormal. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 2. Gas Management System 4. Management Server 6 Information presentation section 8. Information Input Section 10, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ..., 10-N gas supply destinations 12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, ..., 12-N Delivery Terminal 14 Administrator terminal 20 Guidance sources 22, 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, ..., 22-N Gas Delivery Management File 24 Gas Supply Information Department 26 Gas Supply Information Department 28 Guidelines Information Department 30 Gas Usage Information Department 32 Cost Estimation Information Department 34 Anomaly Information Department 36 Recalculation Information Department 38, 76 Gas shortage forecast days 40 Gas Delivery Department 42 Delivery conditions section 44, 44-1, 44-2, 44-3, ..., 4-N Meter reading file (as needed) 46 Meter reading date and time section 48 Gas meter indicator section 50 Gas usage since last time 52. Remaining Gas Amount Information Section 54 Delivery Conditions Database 56, 66 Gas Supply Department 58 Delivery conditions section 60. Estimated time 62 Recording date and time section 64 Delivery Classification Table 68 Installation location section 70 Container installation capacity section 72 Number of installed units 74 Replacement method section 78 Delivery date section 80-1, 80-2 gas containers 82 Gas meter 84 Gas appliances 86 Switch 88 Communications Department 90 Relay Unit 92 Network 112 Information Presentation Department 114 Operation Input Section 120 Management information screen 122 Gas Management Information Display Section 124 Guideline Information Presentation Department 126 Delivery management information presentation section 128 Delivery instruction screen 129 Priority information 130A, 130B display section 132A, 132B Gas Capacity Management Screen 134A, 134B Remaining gas amount display section 136A Delivery Date Information 136B Filling Date Information Gas depletion forecast information for 138A and 138B.

Claims

1. The process involves the guideline information acquisition unit acquiring guideline information for the gas supply destination, A process to calculate gas usage information that represents the trend of gas usage from gas usage data for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, The process of calculating different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the aforementioned gas usage information, The process of setting the delivery category and scheduled delivery date based on the predicted date of gas depletion and delivery condition information, The process involves setting a lower limit gas usage threshold that represents the lower limit of the daily gas usage, comparing the daily gas usage within the calculation period obtained based on the guideline information with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination, maintaining the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, and determining that the gas usage is abnormal and calculating new gas usage information if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold. For the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal, the process includes recalculating the predicted date of gas depletion based on the newly calculated gas usage information and adjusting the delivery category and / or the scheduled delivery date. A gas delivery processing method characterized by including the following.

2. The gas delivery processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of varying the calculation period according to the gas usage record of the gas supply destination, varying the calculation period seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or varying the calculation period as the remaining gas amount LGr decreases from immediately after gas container replacement.

3. The gas delivery processing method according to claim 1, characterized by including a step of changing the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

4. A guideline information acquisition unit that acquires guideline information for gas supply destinations, A server device that calculates gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage amounts for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, calculates different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information, sets delivery categories and scheduled delivery dates based on the predicted gas depletion dates and delivery condition information, sets a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of daily gas usage, compares the daily gas usage within the calculation period obtained based on the guideline information with the lower limit gas usage threshold for the gas supply destination, maintains the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, determines that the gas usage is abnormal and calculates new gas usage information, and recalculates the predicted gas depletion date for the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal using the newly calculated gas usage information and adjusts the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date. A gas delivery and processing system characterized by including the following.

5. Furthermore, the gas delivery processing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the server device varies the calculation period according to the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, varies the calculation period seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or varies the calculation period in accordance with the decrease in the amount of remaining gas LGr immediately after gas container replacement.

6. The gas delivery processing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the server device varies the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

7. A program to be implemented by computer, which has the function of acquiring guideline information for gas supply destinations, A function that calculates gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage data over different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, The aforementioned gas usage information is used to calculate different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, Based on the predicted date of gas depletion and delivery condition information, the function sets the delivery category and scheduled delivery date. The system sets a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the minimum daily gas usage, compares the daily gas usage within the calculation period obtained based on the guideline information with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination, maintains the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal and calculates new gas usage information if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold. For gas supply destinations deemed to have an abnormality, the function recalculates the predicted date of gas depletion based on newly calculated gas usage information and adjusts the delivery category and / or the scheduled delivery date. A program to enable the aforementioned computer to achieve this.

8. Furthermore, the program according to claim 7, which enables the computer to implement the following functions: a function to vary the calculation period according to the gas usage history of the gas supply destination; a function to vary the calculation period seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination; or a function to vary the calculation period as the remaining gas amount LGr decreases from immediately after gas container replacement.

9. Furthermore, the program according to claim 7, which enables the computer to implement a function that varies the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

10. A guideline information acquisition unit that acquires guideline information for gas supply destinations, A processing unit calculates gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage amounts for different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, calculates different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns from the gas usage information, sets the delivery category and scheduled delivery date based on the predicted gas depletion date and delivery condition information, sets a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the lower limit of the daily gas usage, compares the daily gas usage within the calculation period obtained based on the guideline information with the lower limit gas usage threshold for the gas supply destination, maintains the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, determines that the gas usage is abnormal if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, calculates new gas usage information, and recalculates the predicted gas depletion date for the gas supply destination determined to be abnormal based on the newly calculated gas usage information, and adjusts the delivery category and / or scheduled delivery date. A server device characterized by including the following:

11. Furthermore, the server device according to claim 10, characterized in that the calculation period is varied according to the gas usage record of the gas supply destination, the calculation period is varied seasonally or monthly based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination, or the calculation period is varied in accordance with the decrease in the remaining gas amount LGr from immediately after the gas container replacement.

12. The server device according to claim 10, characterized in that the processing unit changes the lower limit gas usage threshold based on the gas usage history of the gas supply destination.

13. A recording medium that stores a program to be implemented by a computer, A function to acquire guideline information for gas supply destinations, A function that calculates gas usage information representing the trend of gas usage from gas usage data over different calculation periods set for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, The aforementioned gas usage information is used to calculate different predicted gas depletion dates for each gas supply destination with different gas usage patterns, Based on the predicted date of gas depletion and delivery condition information, the function sets the delivery category and scheduled delivery date. The system sets a lower limit gas usage threshold representing the minimum daily gas usage, compares the daily gas usage within the calculation period obtained based on the guideline information with the lower limit gas usage threshold of the gas supply destination, maintains the calculated predicted gas depletion date along with the set delivery category and scheduled delivery date if there are no days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal and calculates new gas usage information if there are days within the calculation period where the gas usage falls below the lower limit gas usage threshold. For gas supply destinations deemed to have an abnormality, the function recalculates the predicted date of gas depletion based on newly calculated gas usage information and adjusts the delivery category and / or the scheduled delivery date. A recording medium storing a program for realizing the above using the computer.

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