Fuel Supply System

Abstract

To provide fuel supply capable of performing a self-service type oil supply work performed by an operation of an oil supply nozzle by a customer himself even when a breakdown of a fuel supply permission machine occurs.SOLUTION: A no-down unit with a portable permission terminal installed at a portable permission terminal installation part can be used as an alternative machine of a fuel supply permission machine until a breakdown repair of the fuel supply permission machine is completed and recovered by installing the portable permission terminal of the fuel supply permission machine at the portable permission terminal installation part and allowing a fuel supply permission functional part to perform fuel supply work management of a fuel supplier connected by network to a network in a fuel supply station with the installed portable permission terminal as an operation part and a display part of the fuel supply permission machine even when a breakdown of the fuel supply permission machine occurs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply system suitable for use in a self-service fuel supply station where customers themselves operate a fuel supply machine to supply fuel. [Background technology]

[0002] In a self-service fuel supply system, a customer himself or herself sets the type and amount of fuel to be supplied to a target such as a vehicle, and supplies fuel to the target by operating a fuel supply nozzle provided on a fuel supply machine.

[0003] In a self-service refueling system, which is an example of a self-service fuel supply system, the customer himself operates a refueling operation setting device to set refueling operation information such as the type and amount of oil to be supplied to a vehicle or other target, removes the refueling nozzle (fuel supply nozzle) from the nozzle hanger of the refueling machine (fuel supply machine), and opens the operating lever with the discharge pipe of the refueling nozzle inserted into the fuel filler port of the vehicle or other target, thereby supplying fuel to the target.

[0004] At that time, when the refueling nozzle is removed from the nozzle hanger of the refueling machine, a refueling permission request including the set refueling operation information and a request for permission to send fuel to the refueling nozzle is sent from the refueling machine to the fuel supply permission device (self-service console, SSC).

[0005] When a gas station attendant, acting as an operations supervisor, receives a refueling permission request and verifies that the customer has performed the above-mentioned preparatory work correctly and without error, the attendant will use the fuel supply permission device to permit the refueling machine that received the refueling permission request to deliver the set type of fuel to the fuel supply nozzle, allowing the customer to begin refueling the target (actual fuel supply) by operating the operating lever themselves.

[0006] As an example, in the self-service refueling systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the fuel supply permission device is provided with a dedicated portable permission terminal (a portable permission terminal consisting of a remote controller and a head-mounted display device). The portable permission terminal is connected to the fuel supply permission device by wireless communication and has a display unit that displays the operation status (operation status) of each of a plurality of refueling machines installed at a gas station (fuel supply station), and an operation unit that permits the operation of the pumps and other liquid delivery devices of each refueling machine to start actual refueling (start of fuel supply).

[0007] In a self-service refueling system equipped with such a portable permission terminal, if a gas station attendant carries the portable permission terminal, he or she can recognize a refueling permission request issued by a refueling machine while remaining on-site, and without having to return to the office where the fuel supply permission device is installed to operate the fuel supply permission device, the attendant can operate the portable permission terminal at the refueling work site, causing the fuel supply permission device to send a refueling permission to the refueling machine that has made the refueling permission request, and authorize the operation of the fuel delivery equipment corresponding to the refueling nozzle that the customer has removed from the nozzle hanger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-335696 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-52570 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In the conventional fuel supply system, if the fuel supply permission device breaks down, even if the refueling machine transmits a refueling permission request to the fuel supply permission device, the fuel supply permission device cannot transmit a refueling permission to the refueling machine that issued the refueling permission request. As a result, even if a customer attempts to perform a self-service refueling operation (fuel supply operation), the refueling machine cannot receive the refueling permission from the fuel supply permission device, and therefore the liquid delivery equipment such as a pump cannot operate to supply fuel. As a result, it becomes impossible to perform any refueling operation by the refueling machine 10.

[0010] In a self-service refueling system, once a fuel supply permission device malfunctions, the fuel supply permission device will be unable to process refueling permission requests from the refueling machine or permission operation inputs from the portable permission terminal until repairs are actually completed by the manufacturer or maintenance company and the malfunction of the fuel supply permission device is resolved, and self-service refueling operations, in which customers themselves operate the refueling nozzle, will no longer be possible.

[0011] Therefore, when a malfunction occurs in the fuel supply permission device, for example, a gas station attendant may disconnect the communication connection related to self-refueling between the fuel supply permission device and the fuel tanker side, allowing the fuel tanker side to operate independently.

[0012] However, if the fuel tanker is allowed to operate independently in this way, the fuel station attendant must operate the fuel nozzle himself to meet the customer's fuel needs for safety reasons, which significantly increases the workload of the gas station attendant. In addition, it becomes difficult to respond quickly to customer requests during times when there are few people available, such as late at night, which leads to a deterioration in service.

[0013] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a no-down fuel supply system that allows customers to perform self-service refueling operations by operating the refueling nozzle themselves, even in the event of a failure of the fuel supply permission device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The fuel supply system according to the present disclosure comprises: A fuel supply station network is connected to the fuel supply permitter and the fuel supply machine through a network; a portable permission terminal installation unit in which a portable permission terminal of the fuel supply permission device is detachably installed; a fuel supply permission function unit that executes refueling operation management of the fuel supply machine that is connected to the fuel supply station network using the portable permission terminal installed in the portable permission terminal installation unit as an operation unit and display unit of the fuel supply permission device; Includes a no-down unit with Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the fuel supply system of the present disclosure, even if the fuel supply permission device breaks down, by installing the portable permission terminal of the fuel supply permission device in the portable permission terminal installation section, the fuel supply permission function section executes fuel supply work management of the fuel supply machine connected to the network in the fuel supply station using the installed portable permission terminal as the operation section and display section of the fuel supply permission device, so that the no-down unit in which the portable permission terminal is installed in the portable permission terminal installation section can be used as a substitute for the fuel supply permission device until the fuel supply permission device is actually repaired and restored. As a result, even if the fuel supply permission device breaks down, the fuel supply machine can continue to perform self-service fuel supply work by the customer operating the fuel supply nozzle, which prevents an increase in the labor of the fuel supply staff and prevents a decline in customer service.

[0016] Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a self-service fuel supply system as one embodiment of a fuel supply system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 13 is an example of a display screen of a management device terminal in which the current or latest work status or operating status of each fuel tanker is displayed on a screen operation unit. [Diagram 3] 1 is an example of a display screen of a refueling management device in which the current or latest working status or operating status of each refueling machine is displayed on a display unit. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of a position detection control process of a management device terminal for detecting the location within a gas station of the management device terminal of the refueling management device. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing tanker control performed by the tanker control device controlling each part. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of refueling management control performed by a refueling management device upon receiving a refueling permission request from a refueling machine. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of refueling management control performed by a refueling management device upon receiving refueling result information from a refueling machine. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart of emergency stop control of a refueling aircraft among the refueling management controls performed by the refueling management device. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of one embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling work area E of a refueling machine that has received a refueling permission request, which is performed on the refueling management device side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal in the self-service refueling system of this embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart of one embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling work area of ​​a refueling machine that has received a refueling permission request, which is performed on the management device terminal side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal in the self-service refueling system of this embodiment. [Figure 11] A flowchart of another embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling operation area of ​​a refueling aircraft that has received a refueling permission request, which is performed on the refueling management device side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal. [Figure 12] A flowchart of one embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling work area of ​​a refueling aircraft that has received a refueling permission request, which is performed on the management device terminal side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the fuel supply system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the fuel supply system according to the present disclosure will be described as an example of a self-service refueling system applied to a self-service gas station where a customer operates a refueling nozzle of a refueling machine to refuel a vehicle or other target. Note that the self-service fuel supply station to which the fuel supply system according to the present disclosure is applied is not limited to self-service gas stations, but can also be applied to self-service fuel supply stations for fuel gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), compressed hydrogen gas, etc.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a self-service fuel supply system as an embodiment of a fuel supply system according to the present disclosure.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the self-service refueling system 1 includes a plurality of refueling machines 10 (10-1 to 10-n) applicable to a self-service refueling method, a POS terminal (point of sale information management machine) 20 that manages the point of sale at the refueling station, a refueling management device (fuel supply permission device) 30 that manages the refueling work in the refueling station as a whole, and a no-down unit 60. In the illustrated example, each refueling machine 10 and the refueling management device 30 are connected for communication via a Service Station-Local Area Network (SS-LAN) 5 in the refueling station. Between the two devices, various signals and various information data can be exchanged via the SS-LAN 5. In contrast, between the refueling management device 30 and the POS terminal 20, a POS-LAN 6 that is separate from the SS-LAN 5 in the refueling station is connected for communication. Between these two devices, various signals and various information data can be exchanged.

[0021] This enables each refueling machine 10 to communicate various signals and various information data with the POS terminal 20 via the refueling management device 30, and enables the POS terminal 20 to communicate various signals and various information data with each refueling machine 10 via the refueling management device 30.

[0022] The refueling machine 10 accommodates a liquid delivery device such as a pump, a flow rate measuring device such as a flow meter, and a refueling machine control device that controls the operation of each part of the refueling machine and calculates the amount of fuel dispensed, within a refueling machine housing 11. A hose 12 having a refueling nozzle 13 at its tip extends from the refueling machine housing 11, and the base end side of the hose 12 is connected to the outlet side of the flow meter within the refueling machine housing 11.

[0023] The fuel nozzle 13 is equipped with an automatic valve closing mechanism that opens and closes in response to the operation of an operating lever, and closes when the fuel oil level in the target, such as a vehicle, reaches the discharge pipe at the tip of the nozzle, regardless of the operating position of the operating lever. The fuel nozzle 13 can be freely removed and stored in a nozzle hanger 14 provided in the fuel tanker housing 11, and is stored in the nozzle hanger 14 when refueling work is not being performed.

[0024] The fuel tanker 10 pumps up fuel oil liquid from an underground tank (liquid storage tank) (not shown) by operating a liquid delivery device such as a pump. The pumped up fuel oil liquid is delivered via a flow meter to a fuel nozzle 13 at the tip of a hose.

[0025] In the refueling operation, the customer, who is the refueling worker, removes the refueling nozzle 13 from the nozzle hanger 14, inserts its discharge pipe into the fuel fill port (fuel supply port) of the object to be supplied, such as a vehicle, and operates the operating lever to open the valve to supply fuel to the object.

[0026] The amount of fuel supplied at that time (amount of fuel oil liquid supplied) is calculated by the refueling aircraft control device based on the flow pulse signal output from a flow transmitter attached to the flow meter, and is displayed on a display 15 provided in the refueling aircraft casing 11.

[0027] In the illustrated example, a housing surface of the fuel supply machine housing 11 is provided with a plurality of hoses 12, fuel supply nozzles 13 and nozzle hangers 14 corresponding to different types of fuel to be supplied, such as high octane, regular, and diesel.

[0028] Accordingly, in order to enable refueling operations with the desired liquid type, multiple devices such as pumps and flow meters are accommodated within the refueling machine casing 11 according to the type of liquid to be supplied and the number of refueling nozzles 13 (corresponding to the number of refueling systems).

[0029] Therefore, in the case of the refueling machine 10 of the illustrated example, one refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E is configured for the refueling machine housing 11, and the refueling work area E is configured to be provided with three refueling systems, namely, high octane, regular, and diesel. In the refueling work area E, the refueling machine control device controls the operation of each part of the refueling machine, including pumps and other liquid delivery devices for each of the three refueling systems, so that a desired type of fuel oil selected from a plurality of oil types, such as high octane, regular, and diesel, can be supplied to a supply target such as a vehicle by operating the refueling nozzle 13 for that type of oil.

[0030] In addition, in the illustrated example, each refueling machine 10 (refueling machines 10-1 to 10-n) is applied to a self-service gas station, and therefore each refueling machine 10 (10-1 to 10-n) has self-service-compatible devices such as a setting device 16, a refueling fee payment device 17, a receipt issuing device 18, etc., integrally provided in the refueling machine casing 11 to correspond to the refueling work area E (E-1 to E-n).

[0031] The setting device 16 is a self-service adaptable device for setting and inputting the type of fuel oil (e.g., high octane, regular, diesel, etc.) and the amount of fuel oil (e.g., a full tank or a desired preset amount or a preset price) to be supplied to a target when a customer, who is a fueling worker, performs a fueling operation. The information on the type of fuel oil and the amount of fuel oil set and input by the setting device 16 is supplied to the fueling machine control device.

[0032] The fuel fee payment device 17 is a self-service device that allows a customer to pay the fuel fee (fuel charge) in advance when filling up the tank with fuel by cash or a prepaid card, etc., or by credit card, etc. The amount information and settlement method of the prepaid fuel fee entered into the fuel fee payment device 17 are supplied to the fuel tanker control device.

[0033] The refueling machine control device of the refueling machine 10 creates refueling work information for the refueling work that the customer is about to perform, based on the type of liquid and amount of liquid set and input by the setting device 16, and the amount information and settlement method of the prepaid refueling fee entered by the refueling fee payment device 17. Identification information for the refueling machine 10 and the refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E is added to the refueling work information, and it is transmitted from the refueling machine 10 to the refueling management device 30 via the SS-LAN 5.

[0034] The slip issuing device 18 is a self-service device for issuing an adjustment slip for the refueling operation based on refueling result information, such as the actual amount of fuel dispensed and the amount of fuel dispensed, calculated by the refueling machine control device of the refueling machine 10 when the refueling operation is completed, for example, by storing the refueling nozzle 13 in the nozzle hanger 14. The refueling result information is also transmitted from the refueling machine 10 to the refueling management device 30 via the SS-LAN 5.

[0035] In this embodiment, the settlement slip issued by the slip issuing device 18 is used to confirm the contents of the refueling result information, such as the refueling fee, the type of fuel, the actual amount of refueling, the amount of refueling, the change, etc. In addition, if the refueling this time is based on a prepaid refueling fee, the settlement slip is also used as an identification piece when a customer whose actual refueling amount does not reach the prepaid refueling fee previously deposited in the refueling fee payment device 17 receives change from a change machine (not shown). Therefore, when printing out the settlement slip, the slip issuing device 18 generates identification information for the settlement slip so that each customer who receives change from the change machine can be identified. This identification information is printed out on the settlement slip by the slip issuing device 18 together with the refueling result information. The identification information is also supplied to the refueling machine control device and included in the refueling result information transmitted from the refueling machine 10 to the refueling management device 30. The change machine is provided by being connected to the SS-LAN 5 or the POS-LAN 6.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the self-service adaptable device consisting of the setting device 16, fuel fee payment device 17, and receipt issuing device 18 is configured to be provided integrally in the fuel tanker housing 11 for each fuel tanker 10, but it is also possible to provide it as a self-service adaptable unit device separate from the fuel tanker housing 11 and corresponding to a plurality of fuel tankers 10, connected to the SS-LAN 5. When the setting device 16 is shared by a plurality of fuel tankers 10 and the fuel supply work area (fuel supply work point) E, the customer will also set and input identification information, such as the number of the fuel tanker 10 to be used for the fuel supply work, as the fuel supply work information.

[0037] Each tanker 10 (10-1 to 10-n) is provided with a monitoring camera 51 (monitoring cameras 51-1 to 51-n) of a monitoring device 50, which will be described later. Also, each tanker is provided with a beacon 8 (beacons 8-1 to 8-n) that is used to confirm the location of a portable management device terminal (portable permission terminal, i.e., SSC terminal) 40, which will be described later.

[0038] Each surveillance camera 51 (51-1 to 51-n) captures images of the refueling work area E (refueling work area E-1 to En) of the corresponding refueling aircraft 10 (10-1 to 10-n) and transmits the captured image data to the surveillance device 50 via a signal line 7 dedicated to image data.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the beacons 8 (beacons 8-1 to 8-n) are arranged corresponding to the refueling work areas E (E-1 to E-n) for each refueling aircraft 10 (10-1 to 10-n). Each beacon 8 (8-1 to 8-n) transmits a beacon signal (for example, a low-power communication signal using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) for confirming the location of the management device terminal (SSC terminal) 40. Each beacon signal can be identified by each beacon 8 (beacons 8-1 to 8-n). Note that, in the illustrated example, the beacons 8 are described as being arranged in a plurality of configurations corresponding to each refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E (E-1 to E-n), but the arrangement positions and number of the beacons 8 at the gas station are not limited to the illustrated example. For example, it may be possible to identify the location of each management device terminal 40 in each refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E (E-1 to E-n) according to differences in received combinations of beacon signals from each of the multiple beacons 8 or differences in distance combinations measured based on the reception strength from each of the multiple beacons 8. Furthermore, specific locations for installing the beacons 8 may include, in addition to the tanker housing 11, pillars of the island, walls of the office 3 or the pit, a canopy, a signboard, and the like.

[0040] A change dispenser (payment adjustment machine) is a device that allows a customer to receive change during self-service refueling when the amount of fuel dispensed, based on the actual amount of fuel dispensed, does not reach the fuel fee paid in advance by the customer who is the refueling worker, and change is required. The change dispenser stores the identification information of the payment slip for customers who require their change returned, the change amount, etc., as payment information. When the change dispenser reads the identification information of a customer's payment slip with its slip identification unit, it checks the stored payment information, and if it is confirmed that the customer is a person who should receive the change, it pays the change.

[0041] The fuel supply management device 30 is installed in the gas station office, and manages the execution of self-service fuel supply operations by customers using the fuel dispensers 10. The fuel supply management device 30 is composed of a computer device equipped with an operation unit 31 and a display unit 32. The fuel supply management device 30 is connected to the SS-LAN 5 and the POS-LAN 6, and together with the fuel dispensers 10 and the POS terminals 20, it constitutes an intra-gas station network. The fuel supply management device 30 corresponds to a so-called self-service station controller (SSC).

[0042] The POS terminal 20 is installed in the gas station office, and receives the refueling operation information set by the setting device 16 when starting the refueling operation, the permission request to start refueling (start sending fuel to the refueling nozzle), and the refueling result information created at the end of the refueling operation, which are transmitted from each refueling machine 10 (10-1 to 10-n) via the SS-LAN 5, and manages the point of sale of fuel oil at the gas station. The permission request to start refueling is made for each refueling system specified by the refueling operation information set by the setting device 16, that is, for each refueling nozzle 13. In the following, the combination of the refueling operation information set by the setting device 16 when starting the refueling operation and the permission request to start refueling, which are transmitted from each refueling machine 10 via the SS-LAN 5, may be collectively referred to as a refueling permission request.

[0043] The monitoring device 50 has monitoring cameras 51 (monitoring cameras 51-1 to 51-n+1, ​​the monitoring camera 51-n+1 corresponding to the change machine is not shown) provided corresponding to each of the refueling work areas E (10-1 to 10-n) and the change machine, and each of the monitoring cameras 51 (51-1 to 51-n+1) is connected to a monitor device 53 in the office by a dedicated image data signal line 7 via a camera switcher 52. The monitoring device 50 edits monitoring images from moving or still images of each of the refueling work areas E and the surroundings of the change machine taken by each of the monitoring cameras 51, and displays them on the monitor device 53. This allows the gas station attendant to monitor the situation of each place in the gas station while staying in the office by watching the monitoring images on the monitor device 53. In accordance with a gas station attendant's operation to switch the display mode, the monitoring device 50 can generate a monitoring image in which images captured by each of the multiple monitoring cameras 51 are displayed in a split format, or can select a desired image from among the images and generate an enlarged monitoring image.

[0044] At that time, the camera switcher 52, which is signal-connected to the fuel supply management device 30 and the no-down unit 60, is operated and controlled in response to a switching instruction by a predetermined operation of the fuel supply management device 30 or a predetermined operation of the no-down unit 60. The monitor device 53 acquires images captured by the surveillance cameras 51 (51-1 to 51-n+1) corresponding to the display mode via the camera switcher 52, and displays the surveillance images corresponding to the display mode.

[0045] In the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, the refueling management device 30 is configured as a network connection device for connecting the on-site refueling machine network, including the refueling machine 10 connected via the SS-LAN 5, to the POS-LAN 6 of the on-site sales management network, including the POS terminal 20, and manages the execution of refueling operations.

[0046] The refueling management device 30 receives refueling work information, requests for permission to start refueling, and refueling result information transmitted from each refueling machine 10 via the SS-LAN 5, and transmits these to the POS terminal 20 via the POS-LAN 6. The refueling management device 30 also receives refueling permission (fluid delivery permission) for the refueling machine 10 for which a request for permission to start refueling has been made transmitted from the POS terminal 20 via the POS-LAN 6, and transmits this refueling permission to the corresponding refueling machine 10 via the POS-LAN 6.

[0047] The refueling management device 30 also determines, for example, which of the operation states of each refueling machine 10 is in, among a refueling operation acceptance state, a refueling permission waiting state, and a refueling operation completion state (standby state), based on the reception of refueling operation information, a refueling start permission request, and refueling result information transmitted from each refueling machine 10 via the SS-LAN 5. The refueling management device 30 also determines, based on a start / stop instruction, refueling permission, and emergency stop transmitted to each refueling machine 10 via the SS-LAN 5, which of the operation states of the corresponding refueling machine 10 is in, among a start / stop state, a refueling state (liquid delivery operation state), and a refueling prohibition state (emergency stop state). The refueling management device 30 then sequentially updates and stores the determined operation states and operation states of each refueling machine 10 for each refueling machine 10 or for each refueling operation area (fuel supply operation point) E in its storage unit.

[0048] At that time, the display unit 32 of the refueling management device 30 displays the current or latest work status and operation status of each refueling machine 10. The refueling station attendant can operate the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30 to give permission to start refueling to a refueling machine 10 that has received a refueling permission request and is waiting for refueling permission, or select a desired refueling machine 10 and put it into a refueling prohibited state (emergency stop state).

[0049] In this case, permission to start refueling refers to permission to operate a pump or other liquid delivery device related to the set fuel type in the refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E of the corresponding refueling machine 10 so that fuel can be discharged from the refueling nozzle 13 when the customer operates the operating lever to open the valve. Furthermore, prohibition of refueling refers to prohibition of operation of a pump or other liquid delivery device in the refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E of the corresponding refueling machine 10 until a specified return operation is performed, regardless of whether the operating state of the refueling machine 10 is a refueling work in progress state in which the refueling nozzle 13 is removed from the nozzle hanger 14, or a standby state in which the refueling nozzle 13 is stored in the nozzle hanger 14 and no refueling work is being performed. The permission to start refueling and the prohibition of refueling are transmitted from the refueling management device 30 to the target refueling machine 10 via the SS-LAN 5.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen of the refueling management device in which the current or latest working status or operating status of each refueling machine is displayed on the display unit.

[0051] In this embodiment, the refueling management device 30 is provided with a touch sensor panel on the display unit 32, and the display unit 32 also serves as the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30. The display unit 32 serves as a graphical user interface for the refueling management device 30, and displays the current or latest work status or operating status of the refueling machine 10 (refueling work information, whether or not there is a refueling permission request, and refueling result information) and various operation icons on an OSD (On-Screen Display).

[0052] For example, the display screen example shown in the figure indicates that the refueling machine 10 with identification number 01 is in a refueling state (fluid delivery operation state), the refueling machine 10 with identification number 04 is waiting for refueling permission, the refueling nozzle 13 of the refueling machine 10 with identification number 04 has been removed from the nozzle hanger 14, the refueling machines with identification numbers 10 and 11 are in a refueling prohibited state (emergency stop state), and the other refueling machines 10 have completed refueling operations (standby state).

[0053] In addition, the refueling management device 30 has a wireless communication unit 38 such as a Wi-Fi router, and the refueling management device 30 is provided with a plurality of portable management device terminals (SSC terminals) 40 that can be connected by wireless communication. The management device terminal 40 has a screen operation unit 41 that also serves as an operation unit, similar to the display unit 32 of the refueling management device 30 described above. The screen operation unit 41 displays the current or latest work status and operation status (refueling work information, the presence or absence of a refueling permission request, and refueling result information) of the refueling machine 10 and various operation icons on an OSD (On-Screen Display) as a graphical user interface for remotely operating the refueling management device 30. The management device terminal 40 can perform operations on the refueling management device 30, such as receiving a refueling permission request and permitting the start of refueling for a refueling machine 10 that is waiting for permission, or selecting a target refueling machine 10 and prohibiting refueling (emergency stop state).

[0054] FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen of the management device terminal on which the current or latest work status or operating status of each fuel tanker is displayed on the screen operation unit.

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40 also displays the current or latest work status and operating status of the refueling machine 10 (refueling work information, whether or not a refueling permission has been requested, refueling result information) and various operation icons in an OSD (On-Screen Display), similar to those displayed on the display unit 32 of the refueling management device 30.

[0056] The management device terminal 40 is not limited to a wireless terminal device dedicated to the refueling management device 30, and as long as it is capable of communicating with the refueling management device 30 and has a beacon receiving function (short-range wireless communication function) that can receive beacon signals from each beacon 8, it is also possible to have a portable, general-purpose mobile communication terminal device such as a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet computer with communication function, etc. function as the management device terminal 40.

[0057] Furthermore, in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, the on-site refueling machine network, including the refueling machine 10 connected by the SS-LAN 5, and the on-site sales management network, including the POS terminal 20 connected by the POS-LAN 6, can also be connected by a no-down unit 60, in addition to the refueling management device 30.

[0058] The no-down unit 60, like the fuel supply management device 30, is installed in the gas station office and is composed of a computer device.

[0059] The no-down unit 60 is connected to the SS-LAN5 via a switch 70-1, and is connected to the POS-LAN6 via a switch 70-2. The switch 70-1 is configured to manually switch the connection of the no-down unit 60 to the SS-LAN5 between a connected state and a disconnected state. The switch 70-2 is configured to manually switch the connection of the no-down unit 60 to the POS-LAN6 between a connected state and a disconnected state. In this embodiment, the switch 70-1 and the switch 70-2 are switched in conjunction with each other, and when one of the switchers 70-1 and 70-2 is switched to the disconnected state, the other switch 70 is also switched to the disconnected state, and when one of the switchers 70-1 and 70-2 is switched to the connected state, the other switch 70 is also switched to the connected state.

[0060] Furthermore, the switch 70-1, when the no-down unit 60 is in a connection switching state for the SS-LAN5, sets the fuel supply management device 30 in a disconnected state with respect to the SS-LAN5, and when the no-down unit 60 is in a disconnect switching state for the SS-LAN5, sets the fuel supply management device 30 in a connected state with the SS-LAN5. Also, the switch 70-2, when the no-down unit 60 is in a connection switching state for the POS-LAN6, sets the fuel supply management device 30 in a disconnected state with respect to the POS-LAN6, and when the no-down unit 60 is in a disconnect switching state for the POS-LAN6, sets the fuel supply management device 30 in a connected state with the POS-LAN6.

[0061] As a result, when the no-down unit 60 is in a connected state to the SS-LAN5, it can obtain the refueling work information of each refueling aircraft, the presence or absence of a refueling permission request, refueling result information, etc. from the in-house refueling aircraft network, and can provide the refueling permission for each refueling aircraft to the in-house refueling aircraft network. On the other hand, when the no-down unit 60 is in a disconnected state from the SS-LAN5, it cannot obtain the refueling work information, the presence or absence of a refueling permission request, refueling result information, etc. transmitted from each refueling aircraft from the in-house refueling aircraft network, and cannot provide the refueling permission for each refueling aircraft to the in-house refueling aircraft network.

[0062] Similarly, when the no-down unit 60 is in a connected state to the POS-LAN6, it can provide the in-house sales management network with information on the refueling work of each refueling machine, the presence or absence of a refueling permission request, refueling result information, etc., and can also obtain the refueling permission of the POS terminal device 20 for each refueling machine from the in-house sales management network. On the other hand, when the no-down unit 60 is in a disconnected state from the POS-LAN6, it cannot provide the in-house sales management network with information on the refueling work of each refueling machine, the presence or absence of a refueling permission request, refueling result information, etc., and can also not obtain the refueling permission of the POS terminal device 20 for each refueling machine from the in-house sales management network.

[0063] For this purpose, the no-down unit 60 has an SSC function section 61 and an SS-LAN conversion section 62. As in the case of the above-mentioned refueling management device 30, the SSC function section 61 manages the execution of a self-service refueling operation by the customer using the refueling machine 10. The SS-LAN conversion section 62 converts communication information in the on-site refueling machine network including the refueling machine 10 connected by the SS-LAN 5 into communication information suitable for the on-site sales management network including the POS terminal 20 connected by the POS-LAN 6, and conversely converts communication information in the on-site sales management network into communication information suitable for the on-site refueling machine network.

[0064] In addition, the no-down unit 60 is connected to the wireless communication unit 38 of the refueling management device 30, and can be wirelessly connected to the management device terminals (SSC terminals) 40 of the multiple portable refueling management devices 30, just like the refueling management device 30. The no-down unit 60 is provided with a terminal installation unit (portable permission terminal installation unit) 63 on the unit housing surface, on which any one of the multiple management device terminals 40 of the refueling management device 30 can be detachably installed. Here, the installation configuration of the management device terminal 40 in the terminal installation unit 63 is not limited to a configuration in which the management device terminal 40 is directly placed, and also includes, for example, a configuration in which the management device terminal 40 is positioned in close proximity to the terminal installation unit 63 at a predetermined distance or less.

[0065] In the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, refueling management for the self-service refueling operation performed by the customer himself / herself by operating the refueling nozzle 13 of the refueling machine 10 is normally performed by a gas station attendant acting as the operation supervisor by operating the refueling management device 30 or its management device terminal 40 as follows.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a position detection control process of the management device terminal for detecting the location of the management device terminal of the refueling management device within a gas station.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 4, the management device terminal (SSC terminal) 40 activates a short-range wireless communication function (e.g., a short-range wireless communication function utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) as a beacon receiving function that is pre-installed in the terminal itself, receives beacon signals transmitted from each beacon 8 (8-1 to 8-n), and acquires the received radio wave intensity of each received beacon signal (FIG. 4, S010).

[0068] Then, the refueling management device (SSC main body) 30, which receives the received radio wave strength of each beacon signal from the management device terminal 40 via the management device terminal 40 or the wireless communication unit 38, obtains the distance from the corresponding beacon 8 to the management device terminal 40 based on the received radio wave strength of each received beacon signal (S020).

[0069] Based on this, the management device terminal 40 or the refueling management device 30 identifies the current location of the management device terminal 40 within the gas station, i.e., the refueling permission area E located within the gas station where the management device terminal 40 is currently located (SA030).

[0070] Next, with reference to Figure 5, we will explain the fuel tanker control performed by the fuel tanker control device of the fuel tanker 10 to control each part when the customer himself operates the fuel tanker nozzle 13 of the fuel tanker 10 (in this case, any one of the fuel tankers 10-1 to 10-n) to perform the refueling operation in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing tanker control performed by the tanker control device controlling each unit.

[0072] When performing self-service refueling, the customer, who is the worker, operates the setting device 16 of the refueling machine 10 corresponding to the refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E where the refueling work will be performed, sets and inputs the type of fuel oil (e.g., high octane, regular, diesel, etc.) and amount of fuel oil (e.g., a full tank or a desired preset amount or preset amount) to be supplied to the target, and inserts the prepaid refueling fee into the refueling fee payment device 17 (S110).

[0073] The refueling machine control device creates refueling work information for the refueling work that will be started by operating the refueling nozzle 13 in the refueling work area E corresponding to the setting device 16, based on the type of liquid and amount of liquid set and input by the setting device 16 and the advance refueling fee amount information entered by the refueling fee payment device 17. The refueling machine control device transmits the created refueling work information from the refueling machine 10 to the refueling management device 30 via the SS-LAN 5.

[0074] Then, when the refueling aircraft control device detects that the refueling nozzle 13 has been removed from the nozzle hanger 14 by the customer based on the output of the nozzle switch provided on the nozzle hanger 14 (S120), it transmits a refueling permission request for refueling operation using this refueling aircraft 10 to the refueling management device 30 via SS-LAN 5 (S130).

[0075] Thereafter, when the refueling aircraft control device receives refueling permission for the refueling aircraft 10 in response to the refueling permission request from the refueling management device 30 (S140), it operates the liquid delivery equipment such as a pump in the refueling system corresponding to the set liquid type (S150) and begins supplying fuel oil liquid to the refueling nozzle 13.

[0076] Therefore, in the refueling machine 10, through this series of processes of the refueling machine control device, the tip of the refueling nozzle 13 is inserted into the refueling port of the target to be refueled, and the refueling nozzle 13 is opened by the customer, thereby starting actual refueling of the target to be refueled.

[0077] When actual refueling of the supply target is started in this manner, the refueling machine control device calculates the amount of refueling based on a flow rate pulse signal output from a flow rate transmitter attached to a flow meter of the refueling system corresponding to the set liquid type, displays the amount of refueling on the display 15 (S160), and sequentially transmits the current amount of refueling to the refueling management device 30 via the SS-LAN 5. In parallel with the execution of this refueling amount measurement and display process, after receiving refueling permission from the management device terminal 40, the refueling machine control device confirms whether or not to end refueling of the supply target (S170).

[0078] In this case, confirmation of the end of refueling may be made by, for example, returning the nozzle, reaching the limit amount / time limit, completing refueling of the set amount of refueling, inputting an emergency stop signal, operating the emergency stop button, etc.

[0079] Specifically, "returning the nozzle" corresponds to the fuel nozzle 13 once removed from the nozzle hanger 14 by the customer being stored back into the nozzle hanger 14 by the customer. "Reaching the limit amount / time limit" corresponds to the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target reaching a preset limit amount, or the time that has elapsed since the fuel nozzle 13 was removed from the nozzle hanger 14 reaching a preset time limit. "Completion of supplying the set amount of fuel" corresponds to the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target reaching the preset amount of fuel or fuel amount that the customer set in the setting device 16 beforehand when refueling. "Inputting an emergency stop signal" corresponds to receiving an emergency stop signal from the fuel supply management device 30. "Operation of the emergency stop button" corresponds to operation of the emergency stop button provided on the operation unit 31 of the fuel supply management device 30 or the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40.

[0080] When the fuel tanker control device detects the end of fueling in this way (S170, YES), it stops the operation of the pump and other liquid delivery devices in the fuel supply system that correspond to the set liquid type (S180).Then, it monitors the output of the nozzle switch provided on the nozzle hanger 14, and detects whether the fuel supply nozzle 13 once removed by the customer has been stored back in the nozzle hanger 14 and the fuel supply operation by the customer to the supply target has been completed (S190).

[0081] When the refueling machine control device detects the end of the refueling operation by the refueling machine 10 in the refueling operation area E in this manner (S190, YES), it generates refueling result information, such as the actual amount of refueling related to this refueling operation and the amount of refueling, based on the amount of refueling.Then, it transmits the refueling result information to the refueling management device 30 and the POS terminal 20 via the SS-LAN 5 (S200).

[0082] Next, with reference to Figures 6 to 8, the refueling management control of the refueling management device 30, which manages the execution of refueling work in the refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E of each refueling machine 10 (10-1 to 10-n) in which the above-mentioned refueling machine control is performed in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, and performs overall work management of the gas station, will be described.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the refueling management control performed by the refueling management device upon receiving a refueling permission request from a refueling aircraft. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the refueling management control performed by the refueling management device upon receiving refueling result information from the refueling machine. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of emergency stop control of a refueling aircraft, which is part of the refueling management control performed by the refueling management device.

[0084] When the refueling management device 30 receives refueling work information for a refueling work to be performed in a refueling work area (fuel supply work point) E from the refueling machine 10, it updates and stores the operation state of the refueling machine 10 from a standby state to a refueling work acceptance state, and registers the received refueling work information as the current refueling work information for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10. Also, the operation state and refueling work information of the refueling work acceptance state for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 are displayed on the display unit, and the refueling work acceptance state and refueling work information for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 are also transmitted to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38.

[0085] Then, as shown in Fig. 6, when the refueling management device 30 receives a refueling permission request for the refueling work area E from the refueling machine 10 (S311), it updates and stores the operation state of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E from a refueling work acceptance state to a refueling permission waiting state (S313). In addition, the refueling management device 30 displays on the display unit that the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E is in an operation state of waiting for refueling permission, and also transmits the refueling permission waiting state of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38. In addition, the refueling management device 30 also transmits a refueling permission request including the current refueling work information for the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E to the POS terminal device 20 via the POS-LAN 6.

[0086] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7, when the refueling management device 30 receives the refueling result information for the refueling work area E from the refueling machine 10 (S321), it updates and stores the operation state of the refueling machine 10 for the refueling work area E from the previous refueling state (liquid delivery operation state) to a refueling work end state (standby state) (S323). In addition, the refueling management device 30 displays the refueling work end state, which is the operation state of the refueling machine 10 for the refueling work area E, on the display unit 32, and also transmits the refueling work end state (standby state) and refueling result information of the refueling machine 10-n for the refueling work area E to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38. In addition, the refueling management device 30 also transmits the refueling result information for the refueling machine 10 for the refueling work area E to the POS terminal device 20 via the POS-LAN 6.

[0087] 8, when the emergency stop button provided on the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30 is operated (S331) or an emergency stop output instruction is received from the management device terminal 40 (S333), the refueling management device 30 outputs an emergency stop signal to the refueling machine 10 that is the target of the emergency stop via the SS-LAN 5, and updates and stores the stored operating state of the refueling machine 10 to a refueling prohibited state (emergency stop state) (S335). Furthermore, the refueling management device 30 displays the operating state of the refueling prohibited state of the refueling machine 10 on the display unit, and also transmits the refueling prohibited state of the refueling machine 10 to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38.

[0088] As a result, in a refueling machine 10 that is the subject of an emergency stop and whose operating state has been set to a refueling prohibited state, upon receiving an emergency stop signal from the refueling management device 30 (step S170 in Figure 5), the refueling machine control device stops the operation of the pump even if it is running (S180), and also sets the setting device 16 to an inactive state in which it is not possible to input settings for the type of liquid and amount of liquid for a new refueling operation.

[0089] In this way, the refueling management device 30 maintains the refueling prohibited state for the refueling machine 10 whose operation state has been set to the refueling prohibited state until a predetermined release operation is performed on the operation unit (S337), and maintains the prohibition of new refueling work using the refueling machine 10. On the other hand, when a predetermined release operation is performed on the operation unit for the refueling prohibited refueling machine 10 (S337), for example, on condition that the refueling nozzle 13 is stored in the nozzle hanger 14 in a closed state, the operation state of the refueling machine 10 is updated and stored from the previous refueling prohibited state to a refueling work completion state (standby state) and displayed on the display unit, and also transmits the standby state (standby state) of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38 (S339).

[0090] Next, we will explain the refueling permission control by the refueling management device 30 equipped with the management device terminal 40 in the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, which is in an operating state of waiting for refueling permission.

[0091] Permission for refueling for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 whose operating state is waiting for refueling permission can be given by a refueling station attendant performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30 while checking the state of the refueling work in the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission on the monitoring screen of the monitoring device 50 in the refueling station office. Also, permission for refueling can be given by a refueling station attendant performing a predetermined operation on the screen operation unit 41, which serves both as an input unit and a notification unit, of the management device terminal 40 within the refueling permission possible area P defined for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission.

[0092] 1 and 2, when the refueling management device 30 receives a refueling permission request transmitted from the refueling work area E of any one of the refueling machines 10-1 to 10-n, the refueling management device 30 transmits the refueling permission request including the refueling work information for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 to the POS terminal 20 via the POS-LAN 6, and updates and stores the operation state of the refueling machine 10 for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 from a refueling work acceptance state to a refueling permission waiting state, as described in step S313 of FIG. 6. In addition, the refueling management device 30 displays the operation state of the refueling permission waiting state of the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 on the display unit 32, and also transmits the refueling permission waiting state of the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38. This allows the gas station attendant to recognize that the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 is waiting for refueling permission not only by the guidance notification provided by the display unit 32 of the refueling management device 30, but also by the guidance notification provided by the screen operation unit 41 of each management device terminal 40.

[0093] Permission for refueling for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission can be given by a refueling station attendant performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30 while checking the state of the refueling work in the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission on the monitoring screen of the monitoring device 50 in the refueling station office. Permission for refueling can also be given by a refueling station attendant performing a predetermined operation on the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40 within the refueling permission possible area P defined for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission.

[0094] Therefore, in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, the refueling management device 30 performs refueling permission control processing as shown in Figure 9 for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 that is waiting for refueling permission, and the portable management device terminal 40 connected via wireless communication to the refueling management device 30 is configured to perform refueling permission control processing as shown in Figure 10 for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 that is waiting for refueling permission.

[0095] Figure 9 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling work area E of a refueling machine that has received a refueling permission request, which is performed on the refueling management device side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal in the self-service refueling system of this embodiment.

[0096] Figure 10 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling work area of ​​a refueling machine that has received a refueling permission request, which is performed on the management device terminal side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal in the self-service refueling system of this embodiment.

[0097] In Figure 9, the refueling management device 30 checks whether or not a refueling permission operation has been performed by a gas station attendant on the operation unit 31 for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 that is waiting for refueling permission (S351), or whether or not confirmation of the occurrence of a refueling permission request for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 has been received and input from the management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38 (S353).

[0098] Here, confirmation of the occurrence of a refueling permission request from the management device terminal 40 is generated on the management device terminal 40 side by a gas station attendant performing a predetermined confirmation operation on the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40, as described below, and is wirelessly transmitted to the refueling management device 30. This received refueling permission request also includes the reception strength of the beacon signal from each of the beacons 8 (8-1 to 8-n) acquired on the management device terminal 40 side when the gas station attendant performs the predetermined confirmation operation on the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40.

[0099] When the refueling management device 30 detects that a refueling permission for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission has been received from the POS terminal 20 via the POS-LAN 6 and that a refueling permission operation has been performed by a gas station attendant on its operation unit 31 (S351, YES), it outputs a refueling permission to the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission via the SS-LAN 5 (S359). Furthermore, the refueling management device 30 updates and stores the operation state of the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 from the waiting for refueling permission state to a refueling state (liquid delivery operation state) (S361). Furthermore, the refueling management device 30 displays the operation state of the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission on the display unit, and also transmits the refueling permission waiting state of the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 to each management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38. This allows the management device terminal 40 to recognize that the operation state of the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 has changed from the refueling permission waiting state to the refueling in progress state (liquid delivery operation state).

[0100] In response to this, when the refueling management device 30 detects that a refueling permission for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission has been received from the POS terminal 20 via the POS-LAN 6, and that a confirmation of the occurrence of a refueling permission request for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 has been received and input from the management device terminal 40 via the wireless communication unit 38 (S351, YES), the refueling management device 30 checks whether the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission possible area P for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission when the occurrence of the refueling permission request is confirmed on the management device terminal 40 side, based on the reception strength of the beacon signal from each beacon 8 (8-1 to 8-n) acquired on the management device terminal 40 side and included in the confirmation of the occurrence of the refueling permission request (S355).

[0101] This confirmation is performed by the refueling management device 30, for example, by referring to a permission determination table pre-stored in the refueling management device 30 based on the reception strength of the beacon signal from each beacon 8 (8-1 to 8-n), and executing the processing of steps S020 and S030 of the position detection control processing of the management device terminal (SSC terminal) 40 shown in Figure 4.

[0102] Then, when the refueling management device 30 detects, as a result of confirming the location of the management device terminal 40, that the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission possible area P for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 that is waiting for refueling permission (S355, YES), it further confirms whether or not an instruction for refueling permission has been input within a specified time following the input of the confirmation of the occurrence of the refueling permission request from the management device terminal 40 that sent the confirmation of the occurrence of the refueling permission request (S357).

[0103] Through these confirmations, when the refueling management device 30 detects that the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission possible area P for the refueling work area E of the refueling aircraft 10 waiting for refueling permission, and that a refueling permission instruction has been input from the management device terminal 40 within a specified time following the confirmation of the occurrence of the refueling permission request (YES in both S355 and S357), it grants refueling permission for the refueling work area E of the refueling aircraft 10 waiting for refueling permission, as described in the above-mentioned steps S359 and S361.

[0104] In response to this, if the management device terminal 40 is not located within the refueling permission area P for the refueling work area E of the refueling aircraft 10 waiting for refueling permission (S355, NO), or if the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission area P but does not input a refueling permission instruction within a specified time following the refueling permission request (S355 is YES, S357 is NO), the refueling management device 30 will transmit a notification of refueling not being permitted outside the area via the wireless communication unit 38 to the management device terminal 40 that sent the confirmation of the refueling permission request (S363).

[0105] 10, the management device terminal 40 checks whether it is located within the wireless communication range via the wireless communication unit 38 of the refueling management device 30 every time the management device terminal 40 wirelessly communicates with the refueling management device 30, for example, based on whether it can receive an acknowledgment Ack from the refueling management device 30 (S411). If the management device terminal 40 is not located within the wireless communication range of the refueling management device 30 (S411, NO), it notifies the screen operation unit 41 that communication is not possible (S415).

[0106] Then, when the management device terminal 40 is located within the range of wireless communication via the wireless communication unit 38 of the refueling management device 30 (S411, YES), it stores the operation status of the refueling work area E of each refueling machine 10 transmitted from the refueling management device 30 for the refueling work area E of each refueling machine 10, and notifies the screen operation unit 41 of the operation status of the refueling work area E of each refueling machine 10 (S413). Then, for the refueling machines 10 whose operation status of the refueling work area E is awaiting refueling permission, refueling permission control processing from step S417 onwards is performed for the refueling machine that received the refueling permission request.

[0107] In Figure 10, from step S417 onwards, the management device terminal 40 checks whether or not an emergency stop operation has been performed by a gas station attendant on the screen operation unit 41 for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 waiting for refueling permission (S417), whether or not a message indicating that refueling is not possible outside the area has been received from the refueling management device 30 (S419), whether or not an operation has been performed by the gas station attendant on the screen operation unit 41 to confirm the occurrence of a refueling permission request (S421), and whether or not an operation to grant refueling permission has been performed by the gas station attendant on the screen operation unit 41 (S423).

[0108] Then, when an emergency stop operation is performed by a gas station attendant on the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40 (S417, YES), the management device terminal 40 transmits and outputs an emergency stop instruction to the refueling management device 30 (S431), in relation to the emergency stop control of the refueling machine 10 among the refueling management control performed by the refueling management device 30 as described in Fig. 8. Also, when the management device terminal 40 receives and inputs a message indicating that refueling outside the area is not permitted from the refueling management device 30 in relation to the transmission output of the message indicating that refueling outside the area is not permitted by the refueling management device 30 in step S363 of Fig. 9 (S419, YES), the management device terminal 40 displays a pop-up display on the screen operation unit 41 to notify the user that the permitted operation on the management device terminal 40 is invalid outside the area for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, when a gas station attendant performs an operation for confirming the occurrence of a refueling permission request on the screen operation unit 41 (S421, YES), the management device terminal 40 transmits and outputs a confirmation of the occurrence of the permission request to the refueling management device 30 in association with the receipt confirmation of the confirmation of the occurrence of the refueling permission request by the refueling management device 30 in step S353 of Fig. 9 (S435). Furthermore, when a gas station attendant performs an operation for refueling permission on the screen operation unit 41 (S423, YES), the management device terminal 40 transmits and outputs an instruction for refueling permission to the refueling management device 30 in association with the receipt confirmation of the instruction for refueling permission by the refueling management device 30 in step S357 of Fig. 9 (S437).

[0109] In this way, in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, even if a gas station attendant acting as an operation supervisor operates the management device terminal 40 outside the refueling permission area P to wirelessly transmit a confirmation of the occurrence of a refueling permission request to the refueling management device 30, or even if the management device terminal 40 is operated within the refueling permission area P to wirelessly transmit a confirmation of the occurrence of a refueling permission request to the refueling management device 30, if an instruction operation for refueling permission is not performed on the management device terminal 40 within a specified time thereafter, the refueling management device 30 will not grant refueling permission for the refueling work area E of the refueling machine 10 that is waiting for refueling permission, depending on the operation of the management device terminal 40 where the confirmation of the occurrence of the refueling permission request was performed, as this is considered to be an unnecessarily delay in the customer's start of refueling. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, a gas station attendant from issuing a refueling permission command on the management device terminal 40 while remaining away from the refueling machine 10 that has issued the refueling permission request, or from the gas station attendant confirming that a refueling permission request has been issued but then delaying in checking the status of the refueling work in the refueling work area E.

[0110] Therefore, when a gas station attendant carrying the management device terminal 40 is performing another task outside the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission, the gas station attendant can understand that he is outside the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission from a pop-up display of out-of-area operation disabled, etc., displayed on the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40. And, since the screen operation unit 41 is in an inactive state in which permission operation cannot be performed, the attendant is prompted to move into the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission, and the gas station attendant can sufficiently and reliably check the safety of the operation, such as the attachment state of the refueling nozzle 13 to the supply port of the supply target, thereby improving the safety of the refueling operation by the customer. Furthermore, the fuel station staff will inevitably go to the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission to grant refueling permission, thereby improving customer service.

[0111] The refueling permission control process for the refueling operation area of ​​the refueling aircraft that has received the refueling permission request, which is performed on the refueling management device side and the management device terminal side shown in Figures 9 and 10, can also be performed, for example, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In explaining Figures 11 and 12, the same processes as those shown in Figures 9 and 10 are given the same step symbols, and explanations of those processes will be omitted.

[0112] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling operation area of ​​a refueling aircraft that has received a refueling permission request, the process being performed on the refueling management device side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal.

[0113] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a refueling permission control process for a refueling operation area of ​​a refueling aircraft that has received a refueling permission request, the process being performed on the management device terminal side of a refueling management device equipped with a management device terminal.

[0114] 11 and 12, the refueling permission control process shown in Figures 9 and 10 was performed on the refueling management device 30 side, but in this process, the management device terminal 40 checks whether or not the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission. The management device terminal 40 is configured such that it cannot transmit a refueling permission instruction to the refueling management device 30 unless it is located within the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E.

[0115] To this end, in step S421 of FIG. 12, when it is detected that a gas station attendant has performed an operation on the screen operation unit 41 to confirm the occurrence of a refueling permission request, the management device terminal 40 checks whether the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work point area E waiting for refueling permission (S425). If it is confirmed that the management device terminal 40 is located within the refueling permission area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission (S425, YES), the refueling permission operation is activated (S426). If it is confirmed that the management device terminal 40 is located outside the refueling permission area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E waiting for refueling permission (S425, NO), the refueling permission operation is deactivated (S427), and a pop-up notification that the out-of-area operation is invalid is displayed on the screen operation unit 41 for, for example, five seconds (S428). For this reason, the permission determination table is stored in the management device terminal 40.

[0116] The management device terminal 40 does not check whether the refueling permission operation button has been operated while the refueling permission operation is inactive (S422, NO). As a result, this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the refueling permission control process shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0117] In the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, refueling management for the self-service refueling operation performed by the customer himself / herself by operating the refueling nozzle 13 of the refueling machine 10 is normally performed by a gas station attendant acting as the work supervisor by operating the refueling management device 30 or its management device terminal 40 as described above.

[0118] In addition, in the self-service refueling system 1 of this embodiment, even in the event of an abnormality in which the refueling management device 30 breaks down and the refueling machine 10 sends a refueling permission request to the refueling management device 30 via SS-LAN 5, but the refueling management device 30 is unable to transmit the refueling permission to the refueling machine 10 from which the refueling permission request was issued, i.e., in the event of a breakdown in the refueling management device 30, the gas station attendant acting as the work supervisor can switch the switch 70 (70-1, 70-2) to allow the customer to operate the refueling nozzle 13 of the refueling machine 10 to perform the self-service refueling work, as described below.

[0119] In the illustrated self-service refueling system 1, the gas station attendant switches 70 (70-1, 70-2) to change the state in which the refueling management device 30 is connected to the SS-LAN5 via the switch 70-1 and to the POS-LAN6 via the switch 70-2 to a state in which the no-down unit 60 is connected to the SS-LAN5 via the switch 70-1 and to the POS-LAN6 via the switch 70-2. The gas station attendant also installs the management device terminal 40 in the terminal installation section 63 and starts up the no-down unit 60.

[0120] When the no-down unit 60 is started, its SSC function unit 61 acquires the current or latest work status and operating status of each of the refueling machines 10 (10-1 to 10-n) as shown in Figure 3, which are stored in the management device terminal 40 installed in the terminal installation unit 63, using short-range wireless data communication such as Bluetooth or data communication via a wired connection between the two, and defaults the current or latest work status and operating status of each of the refueling machines 10 (10-1 to 10-n).

[0121] Thereafter, until the failure of the refueling management device 30 is restored and the gas station attendant switches 70 (70-1, 70-2) to switch the no-down unit 60 from a state in which it is connected to the SS-LAN 5 via the switch 70-1 and to the POS-LAN 6 via the switch 70-2 to a state in which the refueling management device 30 is connected to the SS-LAN 5 via the switch 70-1 and to the POS-LAN 6 via the switch 70-2, the SSC function unit 61, as a substitute for the refueling management device 30, communicates with the POS terminal 20 via the SS-LAN conversion unit 62 and with each of the other management device terminals 40 via the wireless communication unit 38, and executes the refueling work management processing described in Figures 4 to 10 with each management device terminal 40.

[0122] In this case, the operation input from the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40 installed in the terminal installation unit 63 is treated as an operation input from the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30, and the display of the screen operation unit 41 of the management device terminal 40 replaces the display unit 32 of the refueling management device 30. Therefore, by operating the management device terminal 40 installed in the terminal installation unit 63 of the no-down unit 60, as in the case of the operation unit 31 of the refueling management device 30, the refueling permission operation of the refueling machine 10 can be performed even if the refueling machine 10 is not located in the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling machine 10 in the refueling work area E in the refueling permission waiting state, and a simultaneous emergency stop can be performed for all the refueling machines. As a result, even if a breakdown occurs in the refueling management device 30, the customer can perform a self-service refueling operation by operating the refueling nozzle himself.

[0123] Also, the terminal installation section 63 of the no-down unit 60 may be provided with an installation confirmation sensor that detects that the management device terminal 40 is installed. With such a configuration that the installation confirmation sensor is provided, when the management device terminal 40 installed in the terminal installation section 63 is taken out while the no-down unit 60 is in an operational state, the operation input from the screen operation section 41 of the management device terminal 40 in the taken-out state can be made to be unable to perform the refueling permission operation of the refueling machine 10 in a state where the refueling machine 10 is not located in the refueling permission possible area P of the refueling work area E in the refueling permission waiting state. Also, the switching of the switch 70 (70-1, 70-2), which was performed manually, can be automatically performed according to the installation of the management device terminal 40 for the terminal installation section 63 based on the detection output of the installation confirmation sensor. Also, if a barcode reader that reads a barcode attached to the management device terminal 40 is used as the installation confirmation sensor, it is possible to make the SSC function section 61 of the no-down unit 60 function only in a specific management device terminal 40 that has been determined in advance.

[0124] The fuel supply system of the present disclosure is configured as described above, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the method of communication between the SSC function unit 61 of the no-down unit 60 and the management device terminal 40 installed in the terminal installation unit 63 is not limited to short-distance data communication, and may be communication using the wireless communication unit 38, for example.

[0125] Also, when the management device terminal 40 is installed in the terminal installation section 63 of the no-down unit 60, the SSC function section 61 may be configured to instruct the refueling machine 10 connected to the on-site refueling machine network and management device terminals 40 other than those installed in the terminal installation section 63 to switch the destination of refueling permission requests and refueling result information, and the destination of confirmation of the occurrence of a permission request and refueling permission, etc. from the refueling management device 30 to the no-down unit 60. In this case, the no-down unit 60 can be connected to the SS-LAN5 of the on-site refueling machine network and the POS-LAN6 of the on-site sales management network without going through the switch 70 (70-1, 70-2).

[0126] In addition, in the fuel supply system shown in the figure, the POS terminal 20 and the refueling management device 30 exist separately, but the POS terminal 20 and the refueling management device 30 may be integrated by incorporating the functions of the refueling management device 30 into the POS terminal 20.In this case, if the no-down unit 60 is given the functions of both the POS terminal 20 and the refueling management device 30, even if a breakdown occurs in the refueling management device 30, the customer can operate the refueling nozzle themselves to perform self-service refueling operations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1 Self-service fuel supply system (fuel supply system), 3 Gas station office, 5 SS-LAN (in-house tanker network), 6 POS LAN (internal sales management network) 7 Image data dedicated signal line, 8 Beacons, 10 (10-1~10-n) Refueling machine (fuel supply machine), 11 Tanker housing, 12 hose, 13 Refueling nozzle (fuel supply nozzle), 14 Nozzle Hanger, 15 Display, 16 Setting device (lubrication operation setting device), 17 Fuel payment device, 18 Ticket issuing device, 20 POS terminals, 30 Fuel supply management device (fuel supply permission device), 31 Operation section, 32 Display section, 38 Radio Communication Division, 40 Management device terminal (portable permission terminal), 41 Screen operation section 50 Monitoring equipment; 51 Surveillance cameras, 52 Camera Switcher 53 Monitor equipment, 54 monitor displays, 60 No Down Units, 61 SSC function section (fuel supply permission function section), 62 SS-LAN conversion unit, 63 Terminal Installation Department (Mobile Permission Terminal Installation Department), 70(70-1,70-2) switch, E Refueling work area (refueling work point).

Claims

1. A fuel supply enabler; A fuel supply device connected to the fuel supply permission device through a network; a portable permission terminal installation unit in which a portable permission terminal of the fuel supply permission device is detachably installed; a sensor that detects that the portable-enabled terminal is installed in the portable-enabled terminal installation section; a fuel supply permission function unit that executes supply operation management of the fuel supply machine using the portable permission terminal in response to a detection result by the sensor; A fuel supply system including a unit having the

2. A fuel supply system as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the fuel supply permission device is malfunctioning, the sensor detects that the portable permission terminal device is installed in the portable permission terminal installation section, and thereby permits the transmission of a fuel supply permission signal to the fuel supply machine using the portable permission terminal.

3. The fuel supply system described in claim 1, characterized in that, when the sensor detects that the portable permission terminal is not installed in the portable permission terminal installation section, the portable permission terminal can execute a fuel supply permission operation only for the fuel supply machine that is predetermined based on the current location of the portable permission terminal.

4. The fuel supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the fuel supply permission device is malfunctioning and the portable permission terminal is installed in the portable permission terminal installation unit, the fuel supply permission function unit of the unit notifies each fuel supply machine and other portable permission terminal via the network that the portable permission terminal is the destination of fuel supply permission requests and the source of fuel supply permission on behalf of the fuel supply permission device.

5. A fuel supply permission device; A fuel supply machine; a unit having a portable permission terminal installation section in which a portable permission terminal of the fuel supply permission device is detachably installed; a first network communicatively connecting the fuel supply permitter and the fuel supply machine; a second network communicatively connecting the unit and the fuel supply; a switching unit that switches between the first network and the second network, The unit includes a fuel supply permission function section that executes supply operation management of the fuel supply machine using the portable permission terminal according to a switching result by the switching section.

Images