Control device and fuel supply monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing a workload of a monitoring person monitoring a self oil supply using a plurality of apparatus.SOLUTION: A communication interface device 100 has: an SS-LAN control serial receiving part 102 (a first receiving part) receiving weigher information indicating a state of a weigher 120 as input information; and a sensor receiving part 106 (a second receiving part) receiving video analysis information indicating an analysis result of a video of a camera 126 shooting situations of self oil supply and / or sensor information indicating a detection result by sensors such as an ultraviolet sensor 132 and an infrared camera 138 as input information. The communication interface device determines operations to be executed by one or more of the weigher 120 which is an apparatus to be controlled, an IP speaker 144 and / or a signal light 146 on the basis of the input information received by these receiving parts, and sends control information allowing the operations to be executed by the apparatus to be controlled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for controlling controlled devices installed at a gas station.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional gas station, a monitor (employee) in the building of the gas station visually monitors the actions of users (fuelers) performing self-service fueling, or monitors them using a surveillance monitor, and operates a self-service controller (SSC) to give permission to the fuel dispenser for fueling. In recent years, the development of a system for monitoring the images of surveillance cameras by AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been progressing and is being applied to the monitoring of self-service fueling.

[0003] Here, as the prior art in the technical field related to the present invention, there are the following. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention that associates the information of each fueling point with the image of each fueling point displayed on a surveillance monitor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order to be used for monitoring self-service fueling, in addition to the above-described fuel dispenser, SSC, and surveillance camera, various devices such as an ultraviolet sensor, an infrared camera, a speaker, and a signal lamp may be installed at the gas station. In this case, the monitor needs to be familiar with the handling methods of a large number of devices, and there is a concern that the monitoring efficiency may decrease due to an increase in the work load, so a countermeasure has been demanded.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technology capable of reducing the work burden of a monitor who monitors self-fueling using a plurality of devices.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to an aspect of the present invention is configured as follows. That is, a control device having a function of communicating with a plurality of devices installed at a fueling station, a receiving unit that receives, as input information, a meter information indicating the state of a meter and a video analysis information indicating an analysis result of a video of a camera that captures the state of self-fueling, and a control unit that determines an operation to be executed on a controlled device that is a control target among the plurality of devices based on the input information received by the receiving unit and transmits control information for causing the controlled device to execute the operation.

[0008] Here, the receiving unit may be configured to include a first receiving unit that receives meter information and a second receiving unit that receives video analysis information. Further, the second receiving unit may be further configured to receive, as input information, sensor information indicating a detection result by a sensor.

[0009] The control device also has a storage unit that stores in advance first setting information defining the correspondence between input information and an event related to fueling and second setting information defining the correspondence between an event related to fueling and an operation to be executed on a controlled device, and is configured to identify an event related to fueling based on the input information received by the receiving unit and the first setting information, and determine an operation to be executed on the controlled device based on the identified event and the second setting information.

[0010] The control device may also be configured to provide an event setting screen that receives an operation of selecting an event related to fueling and an operation of selecting input information associated with the selected event related to fueling.

[0011] Further, the first setting information is prepared for each fueling lane, and the event setting screen may be configured to further receive an operation of selecting the fueling lane targeted by the first setting information.

[0012] Further, the event setting screen may be configured to further receive an operation of replicating the first setting information for the first fueling lane as the first setting information for a second fueling lane different from the first fueling lane.

[0013] Further, the control device may be configured to provide an event setting screen that receives a user operation of selecting an event related to fueling and an operation of selecting an operation to be executed on a controlled device associated with the selected event related to fueling.

[0014] Further, the second setting information is prepared for each fueling lane, and the event setting screen may be configured to further receive an operation of selecting the fueling lane targeted by the second setting information.

[0015] Further, the event setting screen may be configured to further receive an operation of replicating the second setting information for the first fueling lane as the second setting information for a second fueling lane different from the first fueling lane.

[0016] Further, the control device may be configured to provide a status display screen that displays the content of the input information received by the receiving unit.

[0017] Further, the status display screen may be configured to further display the content of the operation to be executed on the controlled device, which is determined based on the input information received by the receiving unit.

[0018] Further, the controlled devices are provided for each fueling lane, and the control device may be configured to transmit, as control information, control information for the controlled devices of an individual fueling lane or control information for the controlled devices of all fueling lanes.

[0019] Further, the controlled device can be one or more of a meter, a speaker, or a signal lamp.

[0020] Also, a fueling monitoring system according to one aspect of the present invention is configured as follows. That is, the fueling monitoring system according to the present invention is a fueling monitoring system including a plurality of devices installed at a gas station and including a camera that captures the state of self-service fueling, and a control device having a function of communicating with the plurality of devices. The control device includes a first receiving unit that receives meter information indicating the state of the meter as input information, and a second receiving unit that receives video analysis information indicating the analysis result of the video of the camera as input information, as receiving units that receive input information from one or more of the plurality of devices. Based on the input information received by the receiving unit, an operation to be executed on the controlled device that is the control target among the plurality of devices is determined, and control information for causing the controlled device to execute the operation is transmitted. The controlled device is characterized by executing an operation according to the control information transmitted from the control device.

[0021] Also, at least one of the plurality of devices is an SSC. The SSC transmits the meter information to the control device. The control device is configured to determine an operation to be executed on the meter based on the input information including the meter information, and transmit control information for causing the meter to execute the operation to the SSC.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the work burden of a monitor who monitors self-service fueling using a plurality of devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of a fueling monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fueling monitoring system in the figure includes a control device 10, an SSC 20, a camera 30, a controlled device 40, and an image processing device 50. The control device 10 has a function of communicating with a plurality of devices installed at a gas station, including the SSC 20, the camera 30, the controlled device 40, and the image processing device 50. The controlled device 40 is a device to be controlled by the control device 10, and examples include a meter used for self-service fueling, a speaker, and a signal lamp. The SSC 20 generates meter information indicating the state of the meter. The camera 30 captures the state of self-service fueling performed using the meter. The image processing device 50 analyzes the video of the camera 30 and generates video analysis information indicating the analysis result. Note that the image analysis device 50 may be inside the camera 30 or the control device 10.

[0025] The control device 10 includes a receiving unit 12 that receives the meter information and the video analysis information as input information, a control unit 14 that determines an operation to be executed by the controlled device 40, which is a control target among a plurality of devices installed at the gas station, based on the input information received by the receiving unit 12, and transmits control information for causing the controlled device 40 to execute the operation, and a storage unit 16 that stores in advance the setting information referred to by the control unit 14 when determining the operation to be executed by the controlled device 40. When the control device 10 receives the input information by the receiving unit 12, it determines the operation to be executed by the controlled device 40 based on this input information and the setting information of the storage unit 16, and transmits the control information for causing the controlled device 40 to execute the operation. The controlled device 40 executes an operation according to the control information transmitted from the control device 10.

[0026] The above is an overview of the fueling monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail while referring to more specific configuration examples. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the fueling monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fueling monitoring system of this example includes a communication interface device 100, a fuel dispenser 120, an SSC 122, a handy SSC 124, a camera 126, an image processing device 128, an ultraviolet sensor 132, a dedicated receiver 134, a contact LAN converter 136, an infrared camera 138, a foam fire extinguishing button 140, a contact LAN converter 142, an IP speaker 144, and a signal lamp 146. The communication interface device 100 corresponds to the control device 10 in FIG. 1, the SSC 122 corresponds to the SSC 20 in FIG. 1, the camera 126 corresponds to the camera 30 in FIG. 1, the fuel dispenser 120, the IP speaker 144, and the signal lamp 146 correspond to the controlled devices 40 in FIG. 1, and the image processing device 128 corresponds to the image processing device 50 in FIG. 1.

[0027] The fuel dispenser 120 is a device for fueling a vehicle with fuel such as gasoline and is operated by a user (fueler) who performs self-service fueling. The SSC 122 is a device installed in the building of the gas station and monitors the states of all the fuel dispensers 120 in the gas station and controls the operations of the fuel dispensers 120. The fuel dispenser 120 and the SSC 122 communicate with each other via an SS (Service Station)-LAN (Local Area Network) line and the communication interface device 100.

[0028] The SSC 122 identifies states such as nozzle hanging, nozzle detachment, fueling in progress, and fueling completed by periodically polling the fuel dispenser 120, and transmits fuel dispenser information indicating the state of the fuel dispenser 120 to the communication interface device 100. Further, the SSC 122 receives control information for causing the fuel dispenser 120 to execute a specific operation from the communication interface device 100 and controls the operation of the fuel dispenser 120 according to the control information. Further, the SSC 122 can also receive a user operation instructing permission or prohibition of fueling from a gas station employee and control the operation of the fuel dispenser 120 according to the operation.

[0029] The handy SSC124 is a handy terminal configured to be portable by the employees at the gas station and communicates with the communication interface device 100 via a wireless LAN line. The handy SSC124 has a function of receiving and displaying the input / output information of the SSC122 from the communication interface device 100. Also, the handy SSC124 can receive a user operation for instructing permission or prohibition of refueling from the employees at the gas station and control the operation of the meter 120 according to the operation.

[0030] The camera 126 is a device that captures the state of self-service refueling and outputs the captured data (camera video) to the image processing device 128. Also, the camera 126 can transmit the captured data to the handy SSC124 via a wireless LAN to display the camera video on the handy SSC124. The camera 126 only needs to be installed so that it can capture the actions of the refueler during self-service refueling. For example, it is installed in a posture to overlook an area including the area between the meter and the vehicle from above.

[0031] The image processing device 128 is a device that analyzes the camera video received from the camera 126 by an image processing AI using a pre-set learning model. The image processing device 128 detects the presence or absence of a vehicle or a refueler, the number of refuelers, the nozzle insertion state, the presence or absence of a portable can, etc. by analyzing the camera video. The image processing device 128 generates video analysis information indicating the analysis result of the camera video and transmits it to the communication interface device 100 via a LAN line. Also, the image processing device 128 has a function of providing the camera video and its analysis result through the WEB browser 130. Also, the image processing device 128 receives the meter information from the communication interface device 100 and also uses the meter information to analyze the camera video. For example, by configuring to analyze the image only when the meter receives the meter information indicating a predetermined state, computing resources can be saved. Note that the image processing device 128 may be built into the camera 126 or other devices.

[0032] The ultraviolet sensor 132 is a sensor for detecting flames. Sensor information indicating the detection result by the ultraviolet sensor 132 is transmitted to the dedicated receiver 134 via a dedicated wireless line. The dedicated receiver 134 transmits the sensor information received from the ultraviolet sensor 132 to the contact LAN converter 136 through a contact cable. The contact LAN converter 136 transmits the sensor information received from the ultraviolet sensor 132 via the dedicated receiver 134 to the communication interface device 100 through a LAN line.

[0033] The infrared camera 138 is a sensor for detecting a heat source such as tobacco (a heat source considered to be smoking) or a gasoline leak. Sensor information indicating the detection result by the infrared camera 138 is transmitted to the contact LAN converter 142 through a contact cable. The foam fire extinguishing button 140 is a button for activating the foam fire extinguishing device. The foam fire extinguishing button 140 activates the foam fire extinguishing device in response to a button operation and transmits sensor information indicating the detection of foam fire extinguishing to the contact LAN converter 142 through a contact cable. The contact LAN converter 142 transmits the sensor information received from the infrared camera 138 and the foam fire extinguishing button 140 to the communication interface device 100 through a LAN line.

[0034] The IP speaker 144 is a device for amplifying and outputting message voices and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the communication interface device 100 through a LAN line. The signal lamp 146 is a lighting fixture that lights up or blinks in a predetermined color such as red, yellow, green, blue, or white and operates according to a control signal transmitted from the communication interface device 100 through a LAN line.

[0035] The communication interface device 100 corresponds to the control device according to the present invention and has a function of communicating with a plurality of devices installed at a gas station. The communication interface device 100 includes an SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102, a handy SSC state management unit 104, a sensor reception unit 106, a sensor state management unit 108, an audio control unit 110, a signal lamp control unit 112, and a WEB server 114. The communication interface device 100 is realized by, for example, a computer having hardware resources such as a processor and a memory, and is configured such that the processor executes a program for realizing each function according to the present invention.

[0036] Note that the SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102 and the sensor reception unit 106 correspond to the reception unit 12 in FIG. 1, and the handy SSC state management unit 104 and the sensor state management unit 108 correspond to the control unit 14 in FIG. 1. That is, the communication interface device 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration including a first reception unit (SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102) and a second reception unit (sensor reception unit 106). By separating the reception units for information from the SS-LAN and information from other external devices in this way, the fuel supply monitoring system according to the present embodiment can be easily constructed by simply connecting the first reception unit of the communication interface device 100 to the existing SS-LAN. Thereby, the fuel supply monitoring system can be constructed without depending on the manufacturer or type of the existing SSC or the meter.

[0037] The SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102 controls and relays communication between the meter 120 and the SSC 122 via the SS-LAN line. Further, the SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102 receives the meter information transmitted from the SSC 122 and transmits the control information generated by the sensor state management unit 108 described later to the SSC 122.

[0038] The handy SSC state management unit 104 communicates with the handy SSC 124 via a wireless LAN line. Also, the handy SSC state management unit 104 exchanges data with the SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102, and manages and controls the states of the SSC 122 and the handy SSC 124, etc.

[0039] The sensor reception unit 106 receives video analysis information transmitted from the image processing device 128 and sensor information transmitted from the contact LAN converters 136 and 142. Also, the sensor reception unit 106 has a function of capturing the meter information received from the SSC 122 by the SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102 through the handy SSC state management unit 104. The sensor reception unit 106 provides the received information (meter information, video analysis information, and / or sensor information) to the sensor state management unit 108 as input information.

[0040] Based on the input information provided by the sensor reception unit 106, the sensor state management unit 108 determines the operation to be executed by the controlled device, and generates control information for causing the controlled device to execute the operation. Examples of the controlled device include one or more of the meter 120, the IP speaker 144, or the signal lamp 146.

[0041] The control information for the meter 120 is transmitted to the SSC 122 through the SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102. When the SSC 122 receives the control information from the communication interface device 100, it controls the operation of the meter 120 according to the control information. That is, the SSC 122 causes the meter 120 to execute the operation determined by the sensor state management unit 108.

[0042] The control information for the IP speaker 144 is transmitted to the IP speaker 144 via the LAN line through the voice control unit 110. When the IP speaker 144 receives the control information from the communication interface device 100, it amplifies and outputs the message voice according to the control information. The control information for the IP speaker 144 may include the voice data itself. Or, a plurality of voice data may be stored in the IP speaker 144 in advance, and the control information may include information (e.g., voice ID) for identifying the voice data.

[0043] The control information for the signal lamp 146 is transmitted to the signal lamp 146 via the LAN line through the signal lamp control unit 112. When the signal lamp 146 receives the control information from the communication interface device 100, it lights up in a predetermined color according to the control information. The control information for the signal lamp 146 may include the data of the lighting color and lighting pattern itself. Or, the signal lamp data indicating the lighting color and lighting pattern may be stored in the signal lamp 146 in advance, and the control information may include information (e.g., signal lamp ID) for identifying the signal lamp data.

[0044] Next, the operation of the sensor state management unit 108 will be described in more detail. In this example, it is assumed that input setting information and output setting information are prepared in advance for events that may occur regarding refueling (hereinafter referred to as "refueling-related events"). The input setting information is setting information that defines the correspondence between input information such as meter information, video analysis information, and sensor information and refueling-related events. The output setting information is setting information that defines the correspondence between refueling-related events and the controlled devices to be controlled and the operations to be executed on those devices. The input setting information and the output setting information may be stored in the internal memory of the communication interface device 100, or may be stored in an external memory accessible by the communication interface device 100.

[0045] Fueling-related events are broadly classified into normal, warning, or abnormal events. Normal events are those that can occur when the fueling operation is carried out normally. For example, "nozzle attached", which indicates that the nozzle is normally attached to the meter; "nozzle inserted", which indicates that the nozzle is normally inserted into the fuel inlet; "fueling permitted", which indicates that fueling is permitted by the operation of the SSC; "fueling in progress", which indicates that fueling is in progress from the meter; "fueling stopped", which indicates that fueling has ended and stopped; "fueling completed", which indicates that the nozzle has been returned to the meter, etc.

[0046] Warning events are those that result from dangerous actions that require warning the fueler. For example, "waiting for nozzle insertion", which indicates that the nozzle has come off the meter and the nozzle insertion cannot be detected even after a certain period of time; "semi-inserted insertion", which indicates that the nozzle insertion into the fuel inlet is in a semi-inserted state; "multiple people fueling", which indicates that there are multiple people in the fueling lane; "leaving during fueling", which indicates that the fueler has left the vicinity of the nozzle during fueling; "discovery of portable can", which indicates that there is a portable can in the fueling lane, etc.

[0047] Abnormal events are those that require disaster prevention measures by the employees of the gas station and are further classified into individual or simultaneous events. Individual events are those that can occur in an individual fueling lane. For example, "individual fire discovery", which indicates that a fire has been detected in the corresponding lane; "tobacco discovery", which indicates that a heat source suspected of smoking has been detected in the corresponding lane; "individual stop", which indicates that the fueling function has stopped in the corresponding lane; "leakage", which indicates that gasoline leakage has been detected in the corresponding lane; "foam fire extinguishing", which indicates that the activation of the foam fire extinguishing device has been detected in the corresponding lane, etc. Simultaneous events are those that can occur in multiple fueling lanes. For example, "simultaneous fire detection", which indicates that a fire has been detected in multiple lanes; "simultaneous tobacco discovery", which indicates that a heat source suspected of smoking has been detected in multiple lanes; "simultaneous stop", which indicates that the fueling function has stopped in multiple lanes, etc. Note that events occurring in a location not related to the lane (such as a car wash space) may also be treated as simultaneous events.

[0048] The output setting information may be set for the controlled devices of individual fueling lanes or for the controlled devices of all fueling lanes. The output setting information for controlling the controlled devices of individual fueling lanes is mainly set for abnormal events excluding normal events, warning events, and batch events. The output setting information for controlling the controlled devices of all fueling lanes is mainly set for batch events. Note that output setting information for controlling the controlled devices of all fueling lanes may be set for events other than batch events.

[0049] FIG. 3 exemplarily shows the input setting information and the output setting information summarized in one table. In the figure, one or more input information items are associated with one fueling-related event as the input setting information. Also, as the output setting information, the operations of one or more controlled devices are associated with one fueling-related event. For example, three video analysis information items and one meter information item are associated as the input setting information with the event of "half-insertion". Also, one voice control information item, one meter control information item, and one signal lamp control information item are associated as the output setting information. The method of setting the association between such fueling-related events, input setting information, and output setting information will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0050] When the sensor state management unit 108 receives input information such as meter information, video analysis information, and sensor information by the sensor reception unit 106, it identifies the fueling-related event corresponding to the input information with reference to the input setting information. Next, the sensor state management unit 108 determines the operation of the controlled device corresponding to the identified fueling-related event with reference to the output setting information. Next, the sensor state management unit 108 generates control information regarding the determined operation of the controlled device. The control information generated by the sensor state management unit 108 is transmitted through the SS-LAN control serial reception unit 102, the voice control unit 110, or the signal lamp control unit 112.

[0051] As described above, the communication interface device 100 of this example includes an SS-LAN control serial receiver 102 (first receiver) that receives meter information indicating the state of the meter 120 as input information, and video analysis information indicating the analysis result of the video of the camera 126 that captures the state of self-fueling, and / or sensor information indicating the detection result by sensors such as the ultraviolet sensor 132 and the infrared camera 138 as input information. A sensor receiver 106 (second receiver) that receives the input information, and based on the input information received by these receivers, determines an operation to be executed on one or more of the controlled devices, namely, the meter 120, the IP speaker 144, and / or the signal lamp 146, and is configured to transmit control information for causing the controlled device to execute the operation.

[0052] Therefore, since the operation according to the current situation grasped from the input information (that is, the ongoing fueling-related event) is automatically executed by the controlled device, the workload of the monitor who monitors self-fueling is reduced. In the above description, three types of information, namely, video analysis information, meter information, and sensor information, are used as input information. However, only video analysis information and meter information may be used as input information. However, in order to grasp the current situation more accurately, it is preferable to use sensor information as input information as well. In addition, information other than the above may be further included in the input information.

[0053] The communication interface device 100 of this example further has a function as a WEB server 114, and can provide a state display screen that displays the event occurrence status of each fueling lane, and an event setting screen for setting input setting information and output setting information, through the WEB browser 148. The state display screen and the event setting screen can be accessed from any terminal permitted to access the communication interface device 100.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows an example of the status display screen 200. The status display screen 200 in this figure has an overall display area 210 provided at the upper part of the screen and an individual display area 220 provided at the lower part of the screen. In the overall display area 210, the occurrence status of the refueling-related events of each of the multiple refueling lanes is displayed. In the individual display area 220, the detailed information of the refueling lane selected by the user operation from the overall display area 210 is displayed. The individual display area 220 includes an area 221 for displaying the refueling-related event occurring in the corresponding lane, an area 222 for displaying the details of the input information that is the basis for identifying the refueling-related event, and an area 223 for displaying the details of the operation to be executed on the controlled device corresponding to the refueling-related event.

[0055] By providing such a status display screen, not only can the occurrence status of the refueling-related events of each of the multiple refueling lanes in the gas station be easily grasped, but also the detailed information of each refueling lane can be confirmed as needed. Note that the status display screen is not limited to the WEB format as described above, and may be provided by a dedicated application.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows an example of the event setting screen 300. Note that FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen for setting the refueling-related event of "half-insertion" in FIG. 3. The event setting screen 300 in this figure has a setting target selection unit 310 that accepts a user operation for selecting the refueling lane and the refueling-related event to be set, an input setting unit 320 that accepts a user operation for setting the input setting information, an output setting unit 330 that accepts a user operation for setting the output setting information, and a setting button 340 that accepts a user operation for setting (updating) the input setting information and the output setting information according to the setting contents of the input setting unit 320 and the output setting unit 330.

[0057] The setting target selection unit 310 includes a lane selection unit 311, an event type selection unit 312, and an event selection unit 313. The lane selection unit 311 accepts a user operation for selecting a fueling lane to be a setting target. The event type selection unit 312 accepts a user operation for selecting a type of a fueling-related event ("normal", "warning", or "abnormal"). The event selection unit 313 displays, in a list format, fueling-related events belonging to the type selected by the event type selection unit 312, and accepts a user operation for selecting a fueling-related event from among them. The fueling lane and the fueling-related event selected by the lane selection unit 311 and the event selection unit 313 are setting targets for input setting information and output setting information.

[0058] The input setting unit 320 has an add button 321 that accepts a user operation for adding determination condition data constituting input setting information associated with a fueling-related event. Each time the add button 321 is operated, a setting unit for the determination condition data (a combined formula selection unit 322, an input information type selection unit 323, an input information selection unit 324, a determination formula selection unit 325, a status selection unit 326, and a delete button 327) is added by one row.

[0059] The combined formula selection unit 322 accepts a user operation for selecting a combined formula ("AND" (logical product) or "OR" (logical sum)) for combining the determination condition data with other determination condition data. The input information type selection unit 323 accepts a user operation for selecting a type of input information ("SSC" (metering machine information), "AI" (video analysis information), or "contact" (sensor information)). The input information selection unit 324 displays, in a list format, input information belonging to the type selected by the input information type selection unit 323, and accepts a user operation for selecting input information from among them. The status selection unit 326 accepts a user operation for selecting a status value indicating specific content of the input information selected by the input information selection unit 324. The determination formula selection unit 325 accepts a user operation for selecting a determination formula ("==" (equal), "!=" (not equal), ">" (greater than), "<=" (less than or equal to), etc.) for the value of the input information selected by the status selection unit 326. The delete button 327 accepts a user operation for deleting the determination condition data.

[0060] The output setting unit 330 has an add button 331 that accepts a user operation to add control operation data that constitutes output setting information associated with a refueling-related event. Each time the add button 331 is operated, one row is added to the setting units of the control operation data (the controlled device selection unit 332, the control operation selection unit 333, the status selection unit 334, and the delete button 335).

[0061] The controlled device selection unit 332 accepts a user operation to select a controlled device (a "SSC" (meter), "voice" (IP speaker), or "signal" (signal lamp)). The control operation selection unit 333 displays, in list form, the operations that can be executed by the controlled device selected by the controlled device selection unit 332, and accepts a user operation to select an operation to be executed by the controlled device from among them. The status selection unit 334 accepts a user operation to select a status value indicating the specific content of the operation selected by the control operation selection unit 333. The delete button 335 accepts a user operation to delete the control operation data.

[0062] The operator of the event setting screen 300 can operate the setting target selection unit 310 to select a refueling lane and a refueling-related event, operate the input setting unit 320 to input one or more determination condition data, operate the output setting unit 330 to input one or more determination condition data, and press the setting button 340 to associate the input setting information associating the refueling lane and the refueling-related event with one or more determination condition data, and the output setting information associating the refueling lane and the refueling-related event with one or more determination condition data can be set.

[0063] In addition, the event setting screen 300 also has a function of duplicating input setting information and output setting information for each fueling lane. For this function, the setting target selection unit 310 further has a source lane selection unit 314 and a duplicate button 315. The source lane selection unit 314 accepts a user operation for selecting the source fueling lane for duplication. The duplicate button 315 accepts a user operation for duplicating the input setting information and output setting information. At this time, the lane selection unit 311 is used to select the destination fueling lane for duplication.

[0064] The operator of the event setting screen 300 can operate the lane selection unit 311 to select the destination fueling lane for duplication, operate the source lane selection unit 314 to select the source fueling lane for duplication, and press the duplicate button 315 to duplicate the input setting information and output setting information for the fueling lane selected by the source lane selection unit 314 as the input setting information and output setting information for the fueling lane selected by the lane selection unit 311.

[0065] In the previous description, the input setting information and output setting information are prepared for each fueling lane. However, it may also be configured to use the same input setting information and output setting information for multiple fueling lanes. For example, individual input setting information and output setting information may be used only for fueling lanes under special conditions, and common input setting information and output setting information may be used for other fueling lanes.

[0066] Also, the input setting information and output setting information are set on the same screen (the event setting screen 300 in FIG. 5). However, the screen for setting the input setting information and the screen for setting the output setting information may be provided separately.

[0067] As described above, the present invention has been described based on one embodiment. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described herein and can be widely applied to systems with other configurations. Further, the present invention can also be provided as, for example, a method including the technical procedures related to the above processing, a program for causing a processor to execute the above processing, a storage medium that stores such a program in a computer-readable manner, and the like.

[0068] Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments, but also includes all embodiments that bring about equivalent effects to those intended by the present invention. Further, the scope of the present invention can be defined by any desired combination of specific features among all the disclosed respective features.

Industrial Applicability

[0069] The present invention can be used for monitoring self-service fueling at a gas station.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 10: Control device, 12: Receiver, 14: Control unit, 16: Storage unit, 20: SSC, 30: Camera, 40: Controlled device, 50: Image processing device, 100: Communication interface device, 102: SS-LAN control serial receiver, 104: Handy SSC status management unit, 106: Sensor receiver, 108: Sensor status management unit, 110: Voice control unit, 112: Signal light control unit, 114: WEB server, 120: Meter, 122: SSC, 124: Handy SSC, 126: Camera, 128: Image processing device, 130: WEB browser, 132: Ultraviolet sensor, 134: Dedicated receiver, 136: Contact LAN converter, 138: Infrared camera, 140: Foam fire extinguishing button, 142: Contact LAN converter, 144: IP speaker, 146: Signal light, 148: WEB browser, 200: Status display screen, 300: Event setting screen

Claims

A control device having a function of communicating with a plurality of devices installed at a gas station having one or more fueling lanes, A receiving unit that receives, as input information, meter information indicating the state of a meter and video analysis information indicating the analysis result of a video of a camera that captures the state of self-fueling, the receiving unit having a first receiving unit that receives the meter information and a second receiving unit that receives the video analysis information, A storage unit that stores in advance setting information that determines, by user operation, the correspondence between the input information and the operations to be executed by the controlled devices that are the control targets among the plurality of devices, A control unit that determines, based on the input information received by the receiving unit and the setting information stored in advance in the storage unit, the operations to be executed by the controlled devices, and transmits control information for causing the controlled devices to execute the operations, A control device characterized by comprising the above.

2. In the control device according to claim 1, The gas station has two or more of the fueling lanes, A control device characterized in that the operations to be executed by the controlled devices may differ for each fueling lane.

3. In the control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The second receiving unit further receives, as the input information, sensor information indicating the detection result by a sensor. A control device characterized by this.

4. In the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The setting information determined by user operation is first setting information that determines the correspondence between the input information and an event related to fueling, and second setting information that determines the correspondence between the event related to fueling and the operations to be executed by the controlled devices, The control unit identifies an event related to the fuel supply based on the input information received by the receiving unit and the first setting information, and determines an operation to be executed by the controlled device based on the identified event and the second setting information. A control device characterized by that.

5. In the control device according to claim 4, An event setting screen is provided that accepts an operation of selecting an event related to the fuel supply and an operation of selecting input information associated with the selected event related to the fuel supply. A control device characterized by that.

6. In the control device according to claim 5, The first setting information is prepared for each fueling lane, The event setting screen further accepts an operation of selecting a fueling lane targeted by the first setting information. A control device characterized by that.

7. In the control device according to claim 6, The event setting screen can further accept an operation of replicating the first setting information for the first fueling lane as the first setting information for a second fueling lane different from the first fueling lane. A control device characterized by that.

8. In the control device according to claim 4, An event setting screen is provided that accepts an operation of selecting an event related to the fuel supply and an operation of selecting an operation to be executed by the controlled device associated with the selected event related to the fuel supply. A control device characterized by that.

9. In the control device according to claim 8, The second setting information is prepared for each fueling lane, The event setting screen further accepts an operation of selecting a fueling lane targeted by the second setting information. A control device characterized by that.

10. In the control device according to claim 9, The control device is characterized in that the event setting screen can further receive an operation of replicating the second setting information for the first fueling lane as the second setting information for a second fueling lane different from the first fueling lane.

11. In the control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, The control device is characterized by providing a status display screen for displaying the content of the input information received by the receiving unit.

12. In the control device according to Claim 11, The status display screen of the control device is characterized by further displaying the content of the operation to be executed by the controlled device, which is determined based on the input information received by the receiving unit.

13. In the control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, The controlled device is provided for each fueling lane, The control device is characterized by transmitting, as the control information, control information for the controlled device of an individual fueling lane or control information for the controlled devices of all fueling lanes.

14. In the control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, The controlled device is characterized by being one or more of a meter, a speaker, or a signal lamp.

15. A fueling monitoring system including a plurality of devices including a camera for photographing the state of self-service fueling installed at a gas station having one or more fueling lanes, and a control device having a function of communicating with the plurality of devices. The control device uses a first receiving unit that receives weighing machine information indicating the state of the weighing machine and a second receiving unit that receives video analysis information indicating the analysis result of the video of the camera, receives the weighing machine information and the video analysis information as input information, and stores in advance setting information in which the correspondence between the input information and the operations to be executed by the controlled device, which is a control target among the plurality of devices, is determined by a user operation. Based on the received input information and the preset setting information, the control device determines the operation to be executed by the controlled device, transmits control information for causing the controlled device to execute the operation, The controlled device is characterized by executing an operation according to the control information transmitted from the control device. A fuel supply monitoring system.

16. In the fuel supply monitoring system according to claim 15, At least one of the plurality of devices is an SSC, The SSC transmits the weighing machine information to the control device, The control device is characterized by determining the operation to be executed by the weighing machine based on the input information including the weighing machine information and transmitting control information for causing the weighing machine to execute the operation to the SSC. A fuel supply monitoring system.

17. In the fuel supply monitoring system according to claim 15 or claim 16, The first receiving unit is connected to an SS-LAN line, which is a communication line between the weighing machine and an SSC that is one of the plurality of devices, and receives the weighing machine information from the SS-LAN line, The second receiving unit is connected to a LAN line different from the SS-LAN line, and is characterized by receiving the video analysis information from the LAN line. A fuel supply monitoring system.

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