Method, system, program, recording medium and server for managing gas delivery

Abstract

To avoid the influence of temperature changes on the replacement timing of a gas cylinder.SOLUTION: A processing unit acquires guideline information at an acquisition frequency of at least a day or several days, calculates gas consumption for each delivery destination (21), sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for gas consumption, determines an abnormal usage if the gas consumption is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold, determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal by setting a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, determines that the scheduled delivery date is abnormal if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after the recalculation, calculates the number of days to increase or decrease the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days to increase or decrease.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management technology for, for example, LP (Liquefied Petroleum) gas delivered in cylinders. [Background technology]

[0002] LP gas is supplied by delivery of gas cylinders filled with LP gas. Gas usage is calculated based on the gas meter reading. The scheduled gas cylinder replacement date is calculated based on the gas usage and is usually set to avoid unforeseen circumstances such as the LP gas in the gas cylinder becoming unusable. With regard to gas supply management, it is known to obtain information from a gas meter installed at a supply destination, calculate the amount of gas used at the supply destination, and predict the scheduled delivery date of a gas container (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Regarding LP gas delivery management, gas consumption areas that require one or two gas deliveries per year are extracted as small-volume gas consumption areas based on the average gas consumption amount in the gas consumption area and the capacity of the LP gas cylinder. It is known to set the delivery period for annual gas delivery work to small-volume gas consumption areas so that it is, for example, summer, when the delivery frequency in the gas delivery frequency distribution is the lowest, thereby leveling the gas delivery frequency throughout the year (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] W02018 / 056436 publication [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-13415 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Gas consumption is affected by seasonal variations between summer, winter, spring, and autumn, as well as by temperature changes within each season. In other words, gas consumption tends to increase on cold days and decrease on hot days, and this is reflected in gas consumption. The scheduled replacement date for each gas cylinder at each delivery destination is calculated based on the amount of gas used at each delivery destination as calculated using the guideline information. The frequency of obtaining guideline information varies among delivery destinations, such as delivery destinations equipped with gas meters that can obtain guideline information on a daily basis, and delivery destinations that can only obtain guideline information on a monthly or replacement date basis. If guideline information is obtained infrequently, even if gas usage increases on low-temperature days or decreases on high-temperature days, such fluctuations in gas usage cannot be detected from the guideline information before the gas replacement date. Even if such fluctuations were detected, it would be impossible to reflect them in the gas replacement date in the delivery schedule. As a result, unexpected situations can arise if gas usage exceeds the remaining gas before the replacement date, and if gas usage is low, the remaining gas on the replacement date will be high, which places a burden on the deliverer. Therefore, when a delivery destination that does not obtain guideline information frequently is included, there is a problem in that it is always necessary to be mindful of temperature fluctuations and, if necessary, to adjust the gas cylinder replacement date.

[0006] The inventors have discovered that since frequently obtained guideline information and the daily gas usage calculated from this guideline information contain information on fluctuations due to temperature, utilizing this fluctuation information is effective for replacing gas cylinders.

[0007] Therefore, based on the above problem or the above knowledge, an object of the present invention is to avoid the influence of temperature changes on the timing of gas cylinder replacement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the gas delivery management method of the present invention includes the steps of: a management server acquiring guideline information at least once a day or every few days and calculating gas usage for each delivery destination; the management server setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage and determining that the usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold; the management server setting a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage and determining whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, the management server recalculating the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination; if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ, the management server determining that the status is abnormal and calculating the number of days to increase or decrease the scheduled delivery date; and the management server generating delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the number of days to increase or decrease. In this gas delivery management method, the management server may further revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in the number of days according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date. In this gas delivery management method, the management server may further set the upper and lower thresholds with an allowable fluctuation range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%. In this gas delivery management method, when the management server acquires guideline information at least daily, the method may include a step of setting the upper or lower threshold based on the gas usage of the previous day and determining whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the gas delivery management system of the present invention includes a communication unit that acquires guideline information at a frequency of at least one day or every few days, and a processing unit that calculates gas usage for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage, and determines that the usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations that exhibit the abnormal usage and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, and if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination, and if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, determines that the abnormality exists, calculates the number of days that will be increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the increased or decreased number of days.

[0010] In this gas delivery management system, the processing unit may further revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination. In this gas delivery management system, the processing unit may further set the upper and lower thresholds so that the allowable fluctuation range of the gas usage amount is at least ±20%. In this gas delivery management system, when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the upper or lower threshold may be set based on the gas usage of the previous day, and it may be determined whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer, and causes the computer to execute the following functions: acquiring guideline information via a communication unit at least once a day or every few days; calculating gas usage for each delivery destination; setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage, and determining that the gas usage is abnormal if the gas usage is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold; setting a threshold for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage and determining whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculating the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination; determining that the scheduled delivery date is abnormal if there is a difference between the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation; and calculating the number of days that will be increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date, and generating delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the increased or decreased number of days. This program may further include a function of revising the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in the number of days depending on the amount of gas used at the delivery destination. This program may further include a function for setting the upper and lower thresholds with an allowable fluctuation range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%. In this program, when guideline information is acquired at least daily, the program may include a function for setting the upper or lower threshold based on the gas usage of the previous day and determining whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal.

[0012] To achieve the above object, one aspect of a recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium storing the program.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the server of the present invention, the server is provided with: a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least daily or every few days; and a processing unit that calculates gas usage for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage, and determines that the gas usage is abnormal if it is above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations that exhibit the abnormal usage and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, and if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination, and if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ, determines that it is abnormal, calculates the number of days to increase or decrease the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each delivery destination by adding the increased or decreased number of days. In this server, the processing unit may further revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination. In this server, the processing unit may further set the upper and lower thresholds with an allowable fluctuation range of the gas usage amount of at least ±20%. In this server, when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, the upper or lower threshold may be set based on the gas usage of the previous day, and it may be determined whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained. (1) The effect of temperature changes on the timing of gas cylinder replacement can be avoided. (2) The amount of gas used can be calculated using guideline information acquired at least every few days, and the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder can be calculated from this amount of gas used. (3) For example, a delivery system can be constructed that can set the gas usage before the calculation of the gas usage as a threshold value to determine whether the gas usage is abnormal, and when the number of delivery destinations for the abnormal usage is abnormal, the scheduled delivery date for the delivery area can be recalculated and delivery instruction information can be presented, and the scheduled delivery date can be automatically corrected according to temperature changes in the delivery area. (4) Even for delivery destinations where guideline information is not frequently obtained, the scheduled delivery date can be adjusted in accordance with temperature fluctuations, reducing the risk of unforeseen circumstances during gas cylinder delivery and the amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinder, thereby reducing the burden on delivery personnel. (5) The burden of adjusting delivery schedules based on manual monitoring of low and high temperature days can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a gas delivery management system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating hardware of a gas distribution management system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a delivery destination classification database. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a delivery area management database. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery destination management database. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gas usage amount management database. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery destination status management database. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scheduled delivery date management database. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a gas delivery management process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for automatically correcting a threshold value or calculating a scheduled delivery date. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for acquiring the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date. [Figure 12]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for revising a scheduled delivery date for a specific delivery destination. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of delivery instruction information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [One embodiment] Fig. 1 shows a gas delivery management system 2 according to one embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. This gas delivery management system 2 is constructed as a network system using computers equipped with communication functions. This management system 2 includes a management server 4, a management terminal 6, a printer 8, and multiple deliverer terminals 10.

[0017] The management server 4, management terminal 6, and printer 8 are installed in the management center 12. The management server 4 acquires guideline information and performs processes such as calculating gas usage amounts and issuing gas delivery instructions. The management terminal 6 is used for information processing such as inputting and outputting management information for the delivery destination 20, and includes an information presentation unit 7 and an information input unit 9. The information input unit 9 may include a touch panel on the information presentation screen of the information presentation unit 7. The printer 8 is used to print out a delivery instruction slip, which is an example of delivery instruction information.

[0018] The deliverer terminal 10 is an information terminal carried by a gas cylinder delivery person 14, and is used to receive delivery instruction information and manage the exchange of such information. The delivery destinations 20 include, for example, delivery destination 21, which has installed therein a gas meter 16 equipped with an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication function and capable of acquiring guideline information on a daily basis, and delivery destination 22, which has installed therein a gas meter 18 that does not have such a function. The gas meter 16 has an LPWA transmission unit 17 that transmits guideline information.

[0019] The guideline information from the gas meter 16 is notified to the management server 4 via the base station 24 and the network 26. Therefore, the delivery destination 21 can calculate the gas usage amount from the guideline information acquired on a daily basis, and can grasp the increase or decrease in gas usage amount that depends on daily temperature changes. In addition, the delivery destination 21 can accurately predict the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder. In contrast, at the delivery destination 22, for example, a meter reader obtains guideline information on a regular or irregular basis, and can only grasp the amount of gas used at intervals between meter readings, and is unable to grasp the increase or decrease in the amount of gas used that is dependent on daily temperature changes.

[0020] <Gas Delivery Management System 2 Hardware> Fig. 2 shows the hardware of the gas delivery management system 2. In Fig. 2, the same parts as in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals. The management server 4 is equipped with a processor 28, a memory unit 30, an input / output (I / O) unit 32, and a communication unit 34. The processor 28 executes various programs, such as a gas delivery management program, stored in the memory unit 30, and performs information processing for gas delivery management.

[0021] The storage unit 30 is an example of a recording medium that stores various programs, and includes a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), etc., and is capable of storing and reading data under the control of the processor 28. In addition to an operating system (OS), the storage unit 30 also stores a gas delivery management program and a database (DB) that stores various data necessary for gas delivery management. The DB includes a delivery destination classification DB 46-1 (FIG. 3), a delivery area management DB 46-2 (FIG. 4), a delivery destination management DB 46-3 (FIG. 5), a gas usage amount management DB 46-4 (FIG. 6), a delivery destination status management DB 46-5 (FIG. 7), a scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6 (FIG. 8), etc.

[0022] Under the control of the processor 28, the I / O 32 links with the management terminal 6 and also with the printer 8 to send and receive information. Under the control of the processor 28, the communication unit 34 communicates with the deliverer terminal 10 as well as with a weather information source to receive big data such as weather information.

[0023] The management terminal 6 includes a processor 36, a memory unit 38, and an input / output unit 40, and is connected to an information presentation unit 7 and an information input unit 9. The processor 36 executes various programs, such as a gas delivery management program, stored in the memory unit 38, and works in conjunction with the management server 4 to perform information processing for gas delivery management.

[0024] The storage units 30 and 38 are examples of recording media for storing various programs, and are provided with ROM, RAM, etc., and store various information required for managing gas delivery under the control of the processor 36. The information presentation unit 7 is used to present the various acquired information, gas cylinder delivery instruction information, etc. The information input unit 9 is used to input management information necessary for gas delivery, such as delivery destination information.

[0025] <Delivery destination classification DB46-1> FIG. 3 shows the delivery destination classification DB 46-1. As mentioned above, the delivery destinations 20 can be classified into delivery destinations 21 and 22 where the gas meter 16 or gas meter 18 is installed, as well as into general household, commercial, industrial, and other categories according to the gas use attributes.

[0026] "General household use" is, for example, a destination where gas is consumed for daily life. "Commercial use" is, for example, a destination where gas is consumed for business purposes, such as a store. "Industrial use" is a destination where gas is consumed for production, such as manufacturing. "Other" is a destination where gas is consumed for educational institutions, government offices, etc. In this delivery destination classification DB 46-1, delivery destinations 20 are classified into delivery destination attribute categories 50 such as general household, business, industrial, and others.

[0027] <Delivery Area Management DB46-2> FIG. 4 shows the delivery area management DB 46-2. Delivery destinations 20 are sorted by delivery personnel and assigned to multiple delivery areas A1, A2, ..., An. Each delivery area A1, A2, ..., An represents a delivery destination 20 that belongs to a delivery personnel. Therefore, the delivery area sorting table 52 has a delivery area section 54, a general household section 56, a business section 58, an industrial section 60, and an other section 62.

[0028] The delivery area section 54 stores area information assigned to the delivery person. The general household section 56 stores delivery destination information representing the aforementioned "general household" delivery destination 20. The business section 58 stores delivery destination information representing the aforementioned "business" delivery destination 20. The industrial section 60 stores delivery destination information representing the aforementioned "industrial" delivery destination 20. The other section 62 stores delivery destination information representing the aforementioned "other" delivery destination 20.

[0029] <Delivery destination management DB46-3> 5 shows an example of the delivery destination management DB 46-3. The delivery destination management DB 46-3 stores delivery information such as a scheduled delivery date associated with delivery destination information. This delivery destination management DB 46-3 includes a delivery destination management file 66. This delivery destination management file 66 includes a delivery destination information section 68, an attribute information section 70, a delivery area information section 72, a delivery information section 74, a guideline information section 76, a usage amount information section 78, a related information section 80, a history information section 82, and the like.

[0030] The delivery destination information section 68 stores identification information for identifying the delivery destination 20, such as name, title, and address. The attribute information section 70 stores attribute information for identifying the attribute classification of the supply form, such as general household use, commercial use, industrial use, and others. The delivery area information section 72 stores area information indicating the delivery area, identification information of the delivery person in charge of delivery, and the like. The delivery information section 74 has a scheduled delivery date section 74-1 and a delivery date section 74-2. The scheduled delivery date section 74-1 stores scheduled information indicating the scheduled delivery date of the gas cylinder for each delivery destination 20. The delivery date section 74-2 stores date information indicating the delivery date of the gas cylinder for each delivery destination 20. If this scheduled delivery date is revised, the revised scheduled delivery date is stored.

[0031] The indicator information unit 76 stores indicator information acquired from the gas meters 16, 18 for each delivery destination 20. In this case, for the gas meter 16, daily indicator information is stored. In contrast, for the gas meter 18, indicator information for each meter reading date is stored. The usage information section 78 stores the gas usage calculated from the indicator information acquired from the gas meters 16, 18 for each delivery destination 20. For delivery destination 21 among delivery destinations 20, the gas usage on a daily basis is stored. On the other hand, for delivery destination 22 among delivery destinations 20, the gas usage on a meter reading date basis is stored. Related information such as device information related to gas usage is stored in the related information section 80. History information such as revisions to scheduled delivery dates is stored in the history information section 82.

[0032] <Gas Usage Management DB46-4> 6 shows an example of the gas usage amount management DB 46-4. The gas usage amount management DB 46-4 stores gas usage amount information of the delivery destination 21 equipped with the gas meter 16. The gas usage management DB 46-4 includes a gas usage management file 84. The gas usage management file 84 includes a delivery destination information section 86, a current day usage section 88, a previous day usage section 90, an increase / decrease amount section 92, a threshold section 94, and a determination information section 96.

[0033] The delivery destination information section 86 stores identification information and delivery area information for the delivery destination 21. The current day usage section 88 stores usage information representing the amount of gas usage calculated from the guideline information acquired on the current day. The previous day usage section 90 stores usage information representing the amount of gas usage calculated from the guideline information acquired on the previous day. The increase / decrease amount section 92 stores a gas amount that represents the increase / decrease in the gas usage of the day relative to the gas usage of the previous day, as a result of comparing the gas usage of the previous day and the gas usage of the current day.

[0034] The threshold section 94 stores threshold information representing a threshold Sth for determining whether the gas usage on the current day is abnormal compared to the gas usage on the previous day. This threshold Sth is automatically set by adding an allowable increase or decrease to the gas usage on the previous day. If the gas usage on that day increases or decreases beyond the threshold value Sth, the gas usage is determined to be an abnormal usage, and the determination information section 96 stores determination information and alert information indicating the determination result.

[0035] <Shipping destination status management DB46-5> 7 shows an example of the delivery destination status management DB 46-5. The delivery destination status management DB 46-5 stores status information on the gas usage of the delivery destination 21, such as whether the gas usage is abnormal. This delivery destination status management DB 46-5 includes a delivery destination status management file 98. This delivery destination status management file 98 includes a delivery area information section 100, an abnormal delivery destination number section 102, a threshold section 104, and a judgment information section 106.

[0036] Area information indicating a delivery area is stored in the delivery area information section 100. Numerical information indicating the number of abnormal delivery destinations for each delivery destination area is stored in the number of abnormal delivery destinations section 102. The threshold section 104 stores threshold information that indicates the ratio of the number of abnormal delivery destinations to the total number of delivery destinations 21 in a delivery area, for example, 50% of the number of delivery destinations. The determination information unit 106 stores determination information indicating whether the number of abnormal delivery destinations exceeds a threshold Nth, and also stores alert information suggesting that the delivery schedule be revised if the threshold Nth is exceeded.

[0037] <Scheduled Delivery Date Management DB46-6> 8 shows an example of the scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6. The scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6 stores scheduled delivery information that is applied to all delivery destinations 20, including delivery destinations 21 and 22. This scheduled delivery date management DB 46-6 includes a scheduled delivery date management file 108. This scheduled delivery date management file 108 includes a delivery destination information section 110, an original scheduled delivery date section 112, a revised scheduled delivery date section 114, an increase / decrease in the number of days section 116, and a delivery instruction section 118. The delivery destination information section 110 stores delivery destination information representing all delivery destinations 20 including delivery destinations 21 and 22.

[0038] The pre-revision scheduled delivery date section 112 stores information about the scheduled delivery date before revision. The revised scheduled delivery date section 114 stores information about the revised scheduled delivery date that is applied to each delivery destination 20 as a result of the abnormal usage amount determination. The increase / decrease days section 116 stores information on the increase / decrease days when the delivery date before revision is changed to the revised delivery date. When the revised scheduled delivery date is established, delivery instruction unit 118 stores delivery instruction information based on the newly formulated delivery schedule.

[0039] <Gas distribution management process> 9 shows an example of a gas delivery management process. This management process is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. This management process is executed by the gas delivery management system 2, where S indicates a specified process and the number attached to S indicates an example of a sequence.

[0040] This management process includes segmenting delivery destinations 20 (S101), dividing delivery destinations 20 (S102), setting a threshold Sth (S103), setting a threshold Nth (S104), obtaining guideline information m (S105), calculating gas usage Si (S106), obtaining gas usage St for the day (S107), determining whether there is an abnormality in gas usage St (S108), calculating the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S109), determining whether there is an abnormality in the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S110), issuing an alert (S111), revising the scheduled delivery date (S112), generating and issuing delivery instruction information (S113), presenting the information (S114), calculating the number of days to increase or decrease the scheduled delivery date (S115), revising the scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 20 (S116), and generating and issuing delivery instruction information (S117).

[0041] Segmentation of delivery destinations 20 (S101): The management server 4 acquires delivery destination information indicating the delivery destinations 20 of the gas cylinders, and segments the delivery destinations 20 according to the delivery destination attribute classifications 50. Dividing delivery destinations 20 (S102): Once the delivery person 14 has been determined, the management server 4 divides the delivery destinations 20 into delivery areas each of which is responsible for the delivery person 14. In other words, the delivery destinations 20 are divided into a plurality of delivery areas A1, A2, ..., An (Figure 4).

[0042] Setting of threshold value Sth (S103): The management server 4 sets a threshold value Sth for determining whether gas usage is abnormal. Abnormal usage can be determined by, for example, setting 1.2 times yesterday's gas usage as the standard and setting the upper threshold value SthH as 0.8 times that amount as the lower threshold value SthL. This makes it possible to estimate the trend in gas usage by calculating the increase or decrease from yesterday's gas usage.

[0043] Setting of threshold value Nth (S104): The management server 4 sets a threshold value Nth for determining the number of delivery destinations with abnormal usage. This threshold value Nth may be set, for example, to the ratio of the number of abnormal delivery destinations n to all delivery destinations N whose gas usage depends on temperature changes, for example, 50%. In other words, if the number of delivery destinations whose gas usage has increased or decreased from the previous day's gas usage is 50% or more of the total number of delivery destinations, it can be determined that the increase or decrease in gas usage depends on temperature changes in that delivery area (for example, that region).

[0044] Acquisition of guideline information m (S105): The management server 4 acquires the daily guideline information m from the gas meter 16 via the communication unit . Calculation of gas usage amount Si (S106): The management server 4 calculates the daily gas usage amount Si of each delivery destination 21 using the acquired guideline information m. Acquisition of gas usage amount St for the day (S107): The management server 4 acquires the gas usage amount St for the day.

[0045] Determining whether the gas usage amount St is abnormal (S108): The management server 4 determines whether the gas usage amount St for that day is abnormal. Calculating the number of abnormal delivery destinations (S109): The management server 4 detects delivery destinations for which the gas usage amount St has become abnormal, that is, abnormal delivery destinations, and calculates the number of abnormal delivery destinations. Determining whether the number of abnormal delivery destinations is abnormal (S110): The management server 4 determines whether the number of abnormal delivery destinations is equal to or greater than the threshold value Nth. Issuing an alert (S111): When the number of delivery destinations with abnormal usage exceeds the threshold Nth, the management server 4 generates and issues an alert indicating that the planned delivery date and delivery schedule will be revised.

[0046] Revision of scheduled delivery date (S112): If the number of abnormal delivery destinations is equal to or greater than the threshold Nth, the management server 4 determines that the increase or decrease in gas usage has been affected by temperature changes, and recalculates and revises the scheduled delivery date for each delivery destination 20 in the delivery area. Creation and issuance of delivery instruction information (S113): After recalculating the scheduled delivery date, the management server 4 creates and issues delivery instruction information. Presentation of information (S114): The management server 4 presents to the information presentation unit 7 various presentation information that has been acquired up to the generation and issuance of the delivery instruction information.

[0047] Calculation of the number of days to be increased or decreased in the scheduled delivery date (S115): The management server 4 compares the scheduled delivery date before recalculation with the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, and calculates the number of days to be increased or decreased in the scheduled delivery date. Revision of scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 20 (S116): The management server 4 obtains the scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 20, which calculates gas usage on a meter reading date basis, and revises the scheduled delivery date taking into account the increase or decrease in the scheduled delivery date. Creation and issuance of delivery instruction information (S117): The management server 4 creates and issues delivery instruction information including the revised scheduled delivery date.

[0048] <Gas consumption St abnormality detection> 10 shows an example of a process for determining an abnormality in the gas usage amount St. This process includes automatic setting of a threshold value Sth that serves as a criterion for determining an abnormality and the process for determining the abnormality.

[0049] The processing steps for determining an abnormality include obtaining the gas usage Sy (S201), calculating the threshold value Sth (S202), obtaining guideline information mt (S203), calculating the gas usage St (S204), determining abnormal usage (S205, S206), revising the scheduled delivery date (S207), issuing delivery instruction information (S208), and maintaining the scheduled delivery date (S209).

[0050] Acquisition of gas usage Sy (S201): The management server 4 acquires the gas usage Sy of the previous day calculated from the daily guideline information. This gas usage Sy is the gas usage of the previous day, which is the standard for determining whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal or not. Calculation of threshold value Sth (S202): The threshold value Sth for determining whether the gas usage St of the day is abnormal is based on the gas usage Sy of the previous day. Abnormal usage includes both abnormal increases and decreases. Therefore, an upper threshold value SthH and a lower threshold value SthL are set for the threshold value Sth. If the allowable increase / decrease range of gas usage Si is, for example, ±20%, the upper threshold value SthH and lower threshold value SthL can be calculated using the gas usage Sy of the previous day as the base using the following formula. SthH=Sy×1.2 (1) SthL=Sy×0.8 (2)

[0051] Acquisition of guideline information mt (S203): The management server 4 acquires guideline information mt for each delivery destination 21 for the day. Calculation of gas usage amount St (S204): The management server 4 calculates the gas usage amount St for the day using each guideline information mt acquired from the delivery destination 21.

[0052] Determining abnormal usage amount (S205, S206): The management server 4 determines whether the gas usage amount St is equal to or greater than the upper threshold value SthH. If the gas usage amount St is not equal to or greater than the upper threshold value SthH (NO in S205), the management server 4 determines whether the gas usage amount St is equal to or less than the lower threshold value SthL (S206). Revision of scheduled delivery date (S207): If the gas usage amount St is equal to or greater than the upper threshold SthH (YES in S205) or equal to or less than the lower threshold SthL (YES in S206), the management server 4 revises the scheduled delivery date.

[0053] Issuance of delivery instruction information (S208): When the scheduled delivery date is revised, the management server 4 issues delivery instruction information. Maintaining scheduled delivery date (S209): If the gas usage amount St is less than the upper threshold SthH (NO in S205) and the gas usage amount St is greater than the lower threshold SthL (NO in S206), the management server 4 maintains the current scheduled delivery date.

[0054] <Increase or decrease in estimated delivery date> 11 shows an example of the process for determining whether the scheduled delivery date has increased or decreased. This process includes obtaining the scheduled delivery date before revision (S301), obtaining the recalculated scheduled delivery date (S302), comparing the scheduled delivery dates before and after recalculation (S303), and calculating the number of days increased or decreased (S304). Obtaining the original scheduled delivery date (S301): When an abnormal amount of usage is determined, the management server 4 obtains the original scheduled delivery date. Acquisition of recalculated scheduled delivery date (S302): The management server 4 acquires the recalculated scheduled delivery date. Comparison of scheduled delivery dates before and after recalculation (S303): Management server 4 compares the current scheduled delivery date with the recalculated scheduled delivery date, and determines whether or not they differ. Calculation of increase or decrease in number of days (S304): If the current scheduled delivery date and the recalculated scheduled delivery date are the same (NO in S303), there is no need to calculate the increase or decrease in number of days. If the current scheduled delivery date and the recalculated scheduled delivery date are different (YES in S303), the management server 4 calculates the increase or decrease in number of days between the current scheduled delivery date and the recalculated scheduled delivery date.

[0055] <Revision of estimated delivery date for delivery address 22> 12 shows an example of a process for revising the scheduled delivery date for the delivery destination 22. This revision process includes obtaining the gas usage amount between meter reading dates (S401), calculating the scheduled delivery date (S402), and revising the scheduled delivery date (S403). Acquisition of gas usage amount during meter reading date (S401): When revising the scheduled delivery date of the delivery destination 22, the management server 4 acquires the gas usage amount during the meter reading date of the delivery destination 22. Calculation of scheduled delivery date (S402): The management server 4 calculates the scheduled delivery date using the gas usage amount between meter reading dates at the delivery destination 22. Revision of scheduled delivery date (S403): When the scheduled delivery date for delivery destination 21 (=21-1, 21-2, ..., 21-N: Figure 1) is revised and the number of days to be increased or decreased is identified, management server 4 revise the scheduled delivery date by adding the number of days to be increased or decreased according to the amount of gas used by the delivery destination to the scheduled delivery date currently applied to delivery destination 22 (=22-1, 22-2, ..., 22-N: Figure 1). The number of days to be increased or decreased can be calculated by calculating a value according to the amount of gas used, which differs for each delivery destination.

[0056] <Output of delivery instruction information 120> Fig. 13 shows a container replacement slip, which is an example of the delivery instruction information 120. The form shown in Fig. 13 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this form. This delivery instruction information 120 is issued based on the revision of the scheduled delivery date. This delivery instruction information 120 presents delivery destination information 122, scheduled delivery date information 124, delivery person information 126, etc. The delivery destination information 122 contains the address and name of the delivery recipient. The scheduled delivery date information 124 contains the predicted date. The delivery person information 126 contains the name of the delivery person, the name of the retailer to which the delivery person belongs, etc.

[0057] <Effects of the embodiment> (1) A threshold can be set based on the gas usage of the previous day to determine whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal. When the number of delivery destinations with abnormal usage is abnormal, the scheduled delivery date for the delivery area can be recalculated and delivery instruction information can be presented. A delivery system can be constructed that can automatically correct the scheduled delivery date according to temperature changes in the delivery area. (2) Even for scheduled delivery dates set for destinations for which daily guideline information cannot be obtained, such as meter reading dates, corrections can be made in accordance with the automatic correction of scheduled delivery dates for destinations with high delivery frequencies. (3) Even for delivery destinations where guideline information is not frequently obtained, the scheduled delivery date can be adjusted in accordance with temperature fluctuations, reducing the risk of unforeseen circumstances during gas cylinder delivery and the amount of gas remaining in the gas cylinder, thereby reducing the burden on delivery personnel. (4) The effect of temperature fluctuations on gas supply can be avoided. (5) The burden of adjusting delivery schedules based on manual monitoring of low and high temperature days can be reduced.

[0058] Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, guideline information is obtained on a daily basis and gas usage is calculated on a daily basis, but gas usage may be calculated on a daily basis and abnormal usage determined by comparing it with the gas usage before the calculation. As explained above, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above description, and it goes without saying that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention as set forth in the claims or disclosed in the description for implementing the invention, and such modifications and changes are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] According to the gas delivery management of the present invention, the scheduled delivery date at a delivery destination where guideline information is obtained less frequently can be revised in accordance with the increase or decrease in the scheduled delivery date set at a delivery destination where guideline information is obtained more frequently, thereby improving the accuracy of calculating the scheduled delivery date regardless of the frequency of delivery, and enabling the construction of a highly convenient delivery system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 2 Gas distribution management system 4 Management Server 6 Management terminal 7 Information presentation section 8 Printers 9 Information input section 10. Delivery terminal 12 Management Center 14 Delivery Personnel 16 Gas meter 17 LPWA transmitter 18 Gas meter 20 Delivery Destination 21-1, 21-2,..., 21-N, 22-1, 22-2,..., 22-N Delivery address 24 base station 26 Network 28 processors 30 Storage section 32 Input / output section (I / O) 34 Communications Department 36 processors 38 Memory section 40 Input / output section 46-1 Delivery destination classification DB 46-2 Delivery Area Management DB 46-3 Delivery destination management DB 46-4 Gas usage management database 46-5 Delivery Destination Status Management DB 46-6 Delivery Schedule Management DB 50 Delivery destination attribute classification 52 Delivery area sorting table 54 Delivery Area Department 56 General household department 58 Business Department 60 Department of Industry 62 Other Departments 66 Delivery destination management file 68 Delivery Information Department 70 Attribute information section 72 Delivery Area Information Department 74 Delivery Information Department 74-1 Estimated Delivery Date 74-2 Delivery date section 76 Guidelines Information Department 78 Usage Information Department 80 Related Information Department 82 History Information Department 84 Gas usage management file 86 Delivery Information Department 88 Today's usage section 90 Previous day's usage part 92 Increase / decrease section 94 Threshold section 96 Judgment Information Department 98 Destination status management file 100 Delivery Area Information Department 102 Abnormal delivery destinations 104 Threshold section 106 Judgment Information Department 108 Delivery Schedule Management File 110 Delivery Information Department 112 Pre-revision delivery schedule 114 Revised delivery schedule 116 Increase / Decrease Days 118 Delivery instruction department 120 Shipping instruction information 122 Shipping Information 124 Estimated Delivery Date Information 126 Delivery Personnel Information

Claims

1. a step in which the management server acquires guideline information at least once a day or every few days and calculates the gas usage amount for each delivery destination; the management server setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, and determining that the gas usage amount is abnormal if it is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold; a step in which the management server sets a threshold value for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage amount and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; a step in which the management server recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the number of delivery destinations is abnormal; a step in which the management server determines that an abnormality has occurred if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ, and calculates the number of days increased or decreased by the scheduled delivery date; a step of generating delivery instruction information in which the management server revise the scheduled delivery date for each of the delivery destinations by adding the number of days increased or decreased; A method for managing gas delivery, comprising:

2. The gas delivery management method of claim 1 further comprises a step in which the management server revise the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in the number of days depending on the amount of gas used at the delivery destination.

3. The gas delivery management method according to claim 1, further comprising a step in which the management server sets the upper and lower thresholds with an allowable increase or decrease in the gas usage amount of at least ±20%.

4. The gas delivery management method described in claim 1, characterized in that when the management server acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, it includes a step of setting the upper threshold or the lower threshold based on the previous day's gas usage amount and determining whether the gas usage amount on that day is abnormal.

5. a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least once a day or every few days; a processing unit that calculates the gas usage amount for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, determines that the usage amount is abnormal if the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations that exhibit the abnormal usage amount and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, determines that the number is abnormal, calculates the number of days that have increased or decreased the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date for each delivery destination has been revised by adding the increased or decreased number of days; A gas distribution management system comprising:

6. The gas delivery management system according to claim 5, further characterized in that the processing unit revises the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in the number of days depending on the amount of gas used at the delivery destination.

7. 6. The gas delivery management system according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit sets the upper and lower thresholds so that the allowable fluctuation range of the gas usage amount is at least ±20%.

8. The gas delivery management system described in claim 5, characterized in that when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, it sets the upper threshold or the lower threshold based on the gas usage of the previous day and determines whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal.

9. A program to be executed by a computer, A function of acquiring guideline information by a communication unit at least once a day or every few days; A function to calculate gas usage for each delivery destination, a function of setting an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, and determining that the gas usage amount is abnormal if it is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold; a function of determining whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal by setting a threshold value for the number of delivery destinations exhibiting the abnormal usage amount; If the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, a function of recalculating the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination; a function of determining that an abnormality has occurred if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation and the scheduled delivery date after recalculation differ; a function of calculating the number of days to be added or subtracted from the scheduled delivery date and generating delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date is revised for each of the delivery destinations by adding the number of days to be added or subtracted; A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

10. The program according to claim 9 , further comprising a function of revising the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination.

11. 10. The program according to claim 9, further comprising a function for setting the upper and lower thresholds to an allowable increase or decrease range of the gas usage amount by at least ±20%.

12. The program of claim 9, further comprising a function for setting the upper or lower threshold based on the gas usage of the previous day and determining whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal when guideline information is acquired at least daily.

13. A recording medium storing the program according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. a communication unit that acquires guideline information at least once a day or every few days; a processing unit that calculates the gas usage amount for each delivery destination, sets an upper threshold and a lower threshold for the gas usage amount, determines that the usage amount is abnormal if the gas usage amount is equal to or greater than the upper threshold or equal to or less than the lower threshold, sets a threshold for the number of delivery destinations that exhibit the abnormal usage amount and determines whether the number of delivery destinations is abnormal, recalculates the scheduled delivery date set for each delivery destination if the scheduled delivery date before recalculation differs from the scheduled delivery date after recalculation, determines that the number is abnormal, calculates the number of days that have increased or decreased the scheduled delivery date, and generates delivery instruction information in which the scheduled delivery date for each delivery destination has been revised by adding the increased or decreased number of days; A server comprising:

15. The server according to claim 14 , further characterized in that the processing unit revises the scheduled delivery date by adding an increase or decrease in days to the scheduled delivery date according to the amount of gas used at the delivery destination.

16. 15. The server according to claim 14, wherein the processing unit further sets the upper and lower thresholds so that the allowable fluctuation range of the gas usage amount is at least ±20%.

17. The server described in claim 14, characterized in that when the processing unit acquires guideline information at least at a daily acquisition frequency, it sets the upper threshold or the lower threshold based on the gas usage of the previous day and determines whether the gas usage of the day is abnormal.

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