Control device and central control device

Abstract

The challenge is to enable it to contribute to the management of hydrogen gas containers. [Solution] The management device (86 or 201) includes an acquisition means for acquiring the measured remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) measured by the remaining amount measuring instrument (4, 5, 16, 32 or 205) from the remaining amount measuring instrument (4, 5, 16, 32 or 205), and a management means for managing the measured remaining amount acquired by the acquisition means for each hydrogen gas container (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and Central management device Place and relates thereto.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell device including a fuel cell main body and a water storage tank for storing water generated during power generation of the fuel cell main body. In such a fuel cell device, water is stored in the water storage tank by closing a drain valve to close a water discharge path, and the water stored in the water storage tank is discharged to the outside by opening the drain valve to open the water discharge path.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a fuel cell device including a hydrogen cartridge for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell main body and a fuel cell main body to which the hydrogen cartridge is attached.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses measuring the pressure and temperature inside a hydrogen tank by means of a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor provided inside the hydrogen tank in order to measure the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen tank. Since hydrogen gas has high reactivity and chemical activity, hydrogen gas reacts with the materials of the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor. Such a reaction causes a change in the characteristics of the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, resulting in a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor.

[0005] In recent years, fuel cell devices have been becoming popular, and the introduction of fuel cell devices into houses has been gradually increasing. Since hydrogen must not be interrupted in order to continuously use a fuel cell device in a house, it is necessary to regularly deliver a hydrogen gas container filled with hydrogen gas to the house and regularly collect an empty hydrogen gas container. When delivering and collecting a hydrogen gas container, it is necessary to appropriately manage the hydrogen gas container.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-009572 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-129495 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-122149 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to contribute to the management of hydrogen gas containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, this specification discloses the following control device, central control device, hydrogen gas container, and case. The following reference numerals in parentheses are referenced in Figures 1 to 14.

[0009] (Section 1) An acquisition means for acquiring the measured remaining amount of hydrogen gas in a hydrogen gas container (1) measured by a remaining amount measuring instrument (4, 5, 16, 32, or 205) from the said remaining amount measuring instrument (4, 5, 16, 32, or 205), A management means for managing the remaining amount of measurement obtained by the acquisition means for each hydrogen gas container (1), A control device (86 or 201) equipped with the following.

[0010] According to paragraph 1, the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in each hydrogen gas container (1) is managed by a control device (86 or 201).

[0011] (Section 2) The system includes a second acquisition means for acquiring a container management identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container (1) and read by the reader (85 or 205) from the reader (85 or 205), The management means manages the remaining measured quantity acquired by the acquisition means for each container management identification number acquired by the second acquisition means. The management device (86 or 201) according to claim 1.

[0012] According to claim 2, the measured remaining amount for each hydrogen gas container (1) is managed by the management device (86 or 201).

[0013] (Claim 3) A third acquisition means for acquiring, from the positioning device, the measurement position of the hydrogen gas container (1) measured by the positioning device; The management means manages the measured remaining amount and the measurement position acquired by each of the acquisition means and the third acquisition means for each container management identification number acquired by the second acquisition means. The management device (86) according to claim 2.

[0014] According to claim 3, the measured remaining amount and the measurement position for each hydrogen gas container (1) are managed by the management device (86).

[0015] (Claim 4) <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​According to Item 5, the measured remaining amount of the hydrogen gas container (1) is managed by the central management device (154) for each management device (86 or 201).

[0019] (Item 6) Transmission means for transmitting the measured remaining amount acquired by the acquisition means together with the location management identification number assigned to the management device (86 or 201) and the container management identification number acquired by the second acquisition means The management device (86 or 201) according to Item 2, comprising the above.

[0020] According to Item 6, the measured remaining amount for each hydrogen gas container (1) and each management device (86 or 201) is managed at the transmission destination of the transmission means.

[0021] (Item 7) A central management device (154) capable of communicating with the management device (86 or 201) according to Item 6, Receiving means for receiving the measured remaining amount, location management identification number, and container management identification number transmitted by the transmission means, Management means for managing the measured remaining amount received by the receiving means for each location management identification number received by the receiving means and for each container management identification number received by the receiving means, The central management device (154) comprising the above.

[0022] According to Item 7, the measured remaining amount for each hydrogen gas container (1) and each management device (86 or 201) is managed by the central management device (154).

[0023] (Item 8) Transmission means for transmitting the measured remaining amount acquired by the acquisition means together with the location management identification number assigned to the management device (86 or 201), the container management identification number acquired by the second acquisition means, and the measurement position acquired by the third acquisition means The management device (86) according to Item 3, comprising the above.

[0024] According to paragraph 8, the remaining amount and measurement location for each hydrogen gas container (1) and each control device (86) are managed at the transmission destination.

[0025] (Section 9) A central management device (154) that can communicate with the management device (86) described in paragraph 8, A receiving means for receiving the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, location management identification number, and container management identification number transmitted by the transmitting means, A management means for managing the remaining measurement amount and measurement location received by the receiving means, for each location management identification number received by the receiving means and for each container management identification number received by the receiving means, A central control device (154) equipped with the following.

[0026] According to paragraph 9, the remaining amount and measurement location for each hydrogen gas container (1) and each control device (86) are managed by the central control device (154).

[0027] (Section 10) The acquisition means acquires the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount measuring device (4, 5, 16, 32 or 205) after the hydrogen gas has been transferred from another hydrogen gas container to the hydrogen gas container (1). The control device (86 or 201) according to claim 1.

[0028] According to paragraph 10, the transfer and refilling of residual hydrogen gas between hydrogen gas containers will be realized on-site.

[0029] (Section 11) A container body (2) into which hydrogen gas is filled, A remaining amount measuring device (5) is provided on the container body (2) outside the internal space of the container body (2) and measures the remaining amount of hydrogen gas inside the container body (2), Equipped with, The remaining amount measuring device (5) is a weight sensor that measures the weight of the container body (2). Hydrogen gas container (1)

[0030] According to paragraph 11, since the remaining amount measuring device (5) is installed on the container body (2) outside the internal space of the container body (2), the remaining amount measuring device (5) is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the container body (2). Therefore, deterioration of the material of the remaining amount measuring device (5) is prevented, and a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount measuring device (5) due to hydrogen gas does not occur. Since the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) can be calculated from the weight of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1), the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) is measured by the remaining amount meter (5) even if the remaining amount meter (5) is a weight sensor.

[0031] (Section 12) A case body (11) for housing the hydrogen gas container (1) described in paragraph 11, A remaining charge indicator (19) is provided on the outer surface of the case body (11), Equipped with, The remaining amount indicator (19) displays the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount measuring device (5). Case (10).

[0032] According to paragraph 12, the user can determine the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) by looking at the remaining amount indicator (19).

[0033] (Section 13) A case body (11) that houses a hydrogen gas container (1) filled with hydrogen gas, A remaining amount measuring device (16) is provided inside the case body (11) and measures the remaining amount of hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container (1), Equipped with, The remaining amount measuring device (16) is a weight sensor that measures the weight of the hydrogen gas container (1). Case (10).

[0034] According to paragraph 13, since the remaining amount measuring device (16) is installed inside the case body (11), the remaining amount measuring device (16) is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container (1). Therefore, deterioration of the material of the remaining amount measuring device (16) is prevented, and a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount measuring device (16) due to hydrogen gas does not occur. Since the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) can be calculated from the weight of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1), the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (16) is measured by the remaining amount meter (16) even if the remaining amount meter (16) is a weight sensor.

[0035] (Section 14) A remaining charge indicator (19) is provided on the outer surface of the case body (11). Furthermore, The remaining amount indicator (19) displays the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount measuring instrument (16). Case (10) described in paragraph 13.

[0036] According to paragraph 14, the user can determine the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) by looking at the remaining amount indicator (19).

[0037] (Section 15) A case body (11) that houses a hydrogen gas container (1) filled with hydrogen gas, A remaining charge indicator (19) is provided on the outer surface of the case body (11), Equipped with, The remaining amount indicator (19) displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) as measured by the remaining amount measuring device (4 or 5) provided in the hydrogen gas container (1). Case (10).

[0038] According to paragraph 15, the user can determine the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container (1) by looking at the remaining amount indicator (19).

[0039] (Section 16) A case body (11) that houses a hydrogen gas container (1) filled with hydrogen gas, A remaining charge indicator (19) is provided on the outer surface of the case body (11), Equipped with, The remaining charge indicator (19) is a piezoelectric element whose color reversibly changes in response to changes in the pressure applied to it. Case (10).

[0040] According to paragraph 16, the weight of the hydrogen gas container (1) is applied to the remaining amount indicator (19), and as the weight of the hydrogen gas container (1) changes in accordance with the change in the amount of hydrogen gas remaining in the hydrogen gas container (1), the color of the remaining amount indicator (19) changes. Therefore, by looking at the remaining amount indicator (19), the user can understand the amount of hydrogen gas remaining in the hydrogen gas container (1). Since the remaining amount indicator (19), i.e., the piezoelectric element, is located on the outer surface of the case body (11), the piezoelectric element is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container (1). Therefore, deterioration of the piezoelectric element is prevented, and a decrease or loss of the piezoelectric function of the piezoelectric element due to hydrogen gas does not occur. In other words, there is no decrease in the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0041] The remaining amount of hydrogen gas in each container is managed by a control device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hydrogen gas container. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a case that houses a hydrogen gas container. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a case that houses a hydrogen gas container. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a case that houses a hydrogen gas container. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the stand on which the hydrogen gas container is placed. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a delivery transport machine used to transport hydrogen gas containers. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a delivery transport machine used to transport hydrogen gas containers. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a delivery vehicle used to transport hydrogen gas containers. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the blocks of the management system. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a screen displayed by a terminal device of the management system. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of a screen displayed by a terminal device of the management system. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a block diagram of the management system. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a screen displayed by the second terminal device of the management system. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an example of a screen displayed by the second terminal device of the management system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. The features and technical effects of the embodiments will be understood from the following detailed description and drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples in the drawings, as the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only.

[0044] <<Hydrogen gas container>> Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hydrogen gas container 1. Hydrogen gas container 1 is also called a hydrogen gas cylinder. Hydrogen gas is filled into hydrogen gas container 1 in a compressed state.

[0045] The hydrogen gas container 1 is filled with hydrogen gas by the supplier. The hydrogen gas container 1, once filled with hydrogen gas, is delivered from the supplier to the customer by a delivery vehicle or the like. The customer connects the hydrogen gas container 1 to a hydrogen gas appliance and supplies hydrogen gas from the container 1 to the appliance. The hydrogen gas appliance consumes the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas container 1. When the amount of hydrogen gas remaining in the hydrogen gas container 1 falls below a predetermined threshold, the hydrogen gas container 1 is delivered from the customer to the supplier by a delivery vehicle or the like. The hydrogen gas container 1 is then refilled with hydrogen gas by the supplier and delivered from the supplier to the customer. In this way, the hydrogen gas container 1 is circulated between the supplier and the customer. The delivery vehicle that transports the hydrogen gas container 1 is, for example, an automobile or a rotary-wing aircraft. The power source of the automobile may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. The rotary-wing aircraft may be a multi-wing aircraft, also known as a drone. The delivery aircraft may be operated automatically, manually by a crew, or remotely by a remote operator.

[0046] Hydrogen gas equipment includes, for example, fuel cells, hydrogen gas burners, hydrogen gas stoves, or fuel cell transporters. A fuel cell generates electricity by electrochemically reacting hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen gas container 1 with oxygen in the air. The fuel cell may be a household fuel cell installed in a house. A hydrogen gas burner generates thermal energy by burning hydrogen gas. A hydrogen gas stove generates thermal energy by burning hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas burner or hydrogen gas stove may be for household use. A fuel cell transporter has a transporter body, a fuel cell, a motor, etc., and its fuel cell generates electricity by electrochemically reacting hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen gas container 1 with oxygen in the air, and the motor is driven by that electricity to move or fly the transporter body. The fuel cell transporter may be an automobile or a rotary-wing aircraft. The fuel cell transporter may be a private aircraft. The fuel cell transporter may be automatically piloted, manually piloted by a crew, or remotely piloted by a remote operator.

[0047] Hydrogen gas is supplied from hydrogen gas container 1 to the hydrogen gas equipment, and even when the hydrogen gas is used in the hydrogen gas equipment, no carbon dioxide is emitted. Hydrogen gas container 1 contributes to promoting carbon neutrality, realizing a decarbonized society, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0048] The hydrogen gas container 1 has a container body 2, a valve 3, and remaining amount meters 4 and 5. Both of the remaining amount meters 4 and 5 may be provided on the hydrogen gas container 1, or one of them may be provided on the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0049] The container body 2 is cylindrical in shape, with the bottom of the container body 2 bulging downwards in a hemispherical shape and the top of the container body 2 bulging upwards in a hemispherical shape. Hydrogen gas is filled into the container body 2.

[0050] Valve 3 is attached to the top of the container body 2. Valve 3 can be connected to a hydrogen gas appliance that uses hydrogen gas. When valve 3 is connected to the hydrogen gas appliance, valve 3 opens, and the primary pressure of the hydrogen gas in the container body 2 supplies hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas appliance. When valve 3 is disconnected from the hydrogen gas appliance, valve 3 closes and stops the supply of hydrogen gas.

[0051] Valve 3 may have a stopper and a pressure reducing valve. When valve 3 is connected to a hydrogen gas appliance and the stopper is opened, hydrogen gas in the container body 2 is supplied to the hydrogen gas appliance sequentially through the stopper and the pressure reducing valve, and the pressure reducing valve lowers the secondary supply pressure to a level lower than the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the container body 2. The secondary supply pressure refers to the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen gas appliance after passing through the pressure reducing valve. The pressure reducing valve may maintain a constant secondary supply pressure. The pressure reducing valve may also be adjustable in terms of secondary supply pressure.

[0052] Valve 3 can also be connected to a hydrogen gas supply unit that supplies hydrogen gas. When valve 3 is connected to the hydrogen gas supply unit, or by the primary pressure from the hydrogen gas supply unit, valve 3 opens, allowing hydrogen gas to flow from the hydrogen gas supply unit to the container body 2. Valve 3 may have a check valve. When the check valve is connected to the hydrogen supply unit, the check valve opens, and hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit to the container body 2 through the check valve. Alternatively, when the check valve is connected to the hydrogen supply unit, the check valve may open due to the primary pressure from the hydrogen supply unit, and hydrogen may be supplied from the hydrogen supply unit to the container body 2 through the check valve. When the check valve is disconnected from the hydrogen supply unit, the check valve closes either as a result of this disconnection or due to the pressure of the hydrogen gas inside the container body 2.

[0053] Hydrogen gas may be transferred between the two hydrogen gas containers 1. For example, if the remaining amount and pressure of hydrogen gas inside the first hydrogen gas container 1 are lower than the remaining amount and pressure of hydrogen gas inside the second hydrogen gas container 1, the valve 3 of the first hydrogen gas container 1 is connected to the valve 3 of the second hydrogen gas container 1, opening both valves 3, and the hydrogen gas in the second hydrogen gas container 1 moves into the first hydrogen gas container 1. In this case, the hydrogen gas in the second hydrogen gas container 1 may flow through the stopper and pressure reducing valve of the valve 3 of the second hydrogen gas container 1 to the valve 3 of the first hydrogen gas container 1, and then through the check valve of the valve 3 of the first hydrogen gas container 1 to fill the inside of the first hydrogen gas container 1.

[0054] The remaining amount meters 4 and 5 measure the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2 and output a signal corresponding to the measured amount. The output signals of the remaining amount meters 4 and 5 can be either digital or analog signals.

[0055] The principle of measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen gas by the remaining amount measuring devices 4 and 5 can be anything. For example, since the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2 can be calculated from the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the container body 2, the remaining amount measuring device 4 is a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the container body 2, and a piezoresistive element or strain gauge can be used as the pressure sensor. For example, since the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2 can be calculated from the weight of the hydrogen gas in the container body 2, the remaining amount measuring device 5 is a weight sensor that detects the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1, and a load cell or strain gauge can be used as the weight sensor. Here, the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1 refers to the sum of the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1 itself and the weight of the hydrogen gas inside it.

[0056] In the example shown in Figure 1, the remaining amount meter 4, which is a pressure sensor, is installed on the valve 3. However, the remaining amount meter 4 may also be installed on the container body 2. Whether the valve 3 is connected to a hydrogen gas supply or not, the remaining amount meter 4 can measure the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2.

[0057] The remaining amount meter 5, which is a weight sensor, is installed on the container body 2 outside the internal space of the container body 2. Therefore, the remaining amount meter 5 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the container body 2. As a result, deterioration of the material of the remaining amount meter 5 is prevented, and a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount meter 5 due to hydrogen gas does not occur. In the example shown in Figure 1, the remaining amount meter 5 is installed on the outer surface of the container body 2, more specifically on the bottom surface. Therefore, when the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed vertically, the remaining amount meter 5 is sandwiched between the hydrogen gas container 1 and the place where it is placed, so that the remaining amount meter 5 can measure the amount of hydrogen gas remaining inside the container body 2. Placing the hydrogen gas container 1 vertically means that the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed in an upright position, that is, with the valve 3 at the top and the bottom surface of the container body 2 facing downwards.

[0058] The remaining amount measuring device 5 may be provided on the side of the container body 2 rather than on the bottom of the container body 2. In this case, when the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed horizontally, the remaining amount measuring device 5 is sandwiched between the hydrogen gas container 1 and the mounting surface, so that the remaining amount measuring device 5 can measure the amount of hydrogen gas remaining in the container body 2. Placing the hydrogen gas container 1 horizontally means that the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed lying down, that is, with the side of the container body 2 facing downwards. The remaining amount measuring device 5 may be embedded in the container body 2 between the inner and outer surfaces of the container body 2.

[0059] The hydrogen gas container 1 may have a communication device 6. The communication device 6 acquires the output signals of the remaining amount meter 4 or the remaining amount meter 5 or both, and transmits the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 4 or the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 5 or both wirelessly. The communication device 6 may also associate the measurement time with the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 4 or the remaining amount meter 5 or both, and transmit this data wirelessly. The measurement time may be expressed in years, months, days, hours, and minutes. Since the communication device 6 is attached to the container body 2 outside the internal space of the container body 2, the communication device 6 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the container body 2, deterioration of the material of the communication device 6 is prevented, and failure of the communication device 6 due to hydrogen gas does not occur. For example, the communication device 6 may be attached to the outer surface of the container body 2, or embedded between the inner and outer surfaces of the container body 2. Any wireless communication standard may be used for the communication device 6. For example, the wireless communication standard of the communication device 6 may be the LPWA (Low Power Wide Area-network) standard, the 3rd generation mobile communication system standard, the 4th generation mobile communication system standard, the 5th generation mobile communication system standard, the Bluetooth® standard, the Wi-Fi® standard, or the Near Field Communication (NFC) standard. The communication device 6 may be either a master unit or a slave unit. The communication device 6 may be a chip. The communication device 6 may have a built-in miniature computer. If the communication device 6 has a built-in miniature computer, the communication device 6 may have an internet connectivity function via wireless communication. If the communication device 6 has an internet connectivity function, the communication device 6 may transmit the remaining battery level measured by the battery level meter 4, the remaining battery level measured by the battery level meter 5, or both, to the destination device via the internet.

[0060] The destination of data transmitted by communication device 6 may be communication device 17, communication device 33, communication device 202, or individual management device 86, as described later, or two or more of these, or other devices. There may be multiple destinations to which data is transmitted by communication device 6.

[0061] The hydrogen gas container 1 may have a positioning device 7. Since the positioning device 7 is attached to the container body 2 on the outside of the internal space of the container body 2, the positioning device 7 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the container body 2, preventing deterioration of the material of the positioning device 7 and preventing malfunction and reduction in measurement accuracy of the positioning device 7 due to hydrogen gas. For example, the positioning device 7 may be attached to the outer surface of the container body 2, or it may be embedded between the inner and outer surfaces of the container body 2. The positioning device 7 measures the position of the hydrogen gas container 1 according to the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning method by receiving satellite waves from multiple satellites. The position measured by the positioning device 7 is represented by geographic coordinates called geocodes or map codes, specifically latitude and longitude. The positioning device 7 may output the measured position to the communication device 6. The communication device 6 may transmit the measured position in synchronization with the transmission of the remaining measurement amount. The communication device 6 may associate the measurement time with the measurement location and remaining measurement amount, and transmit this data wirelessly. The positioning device 7 may be a chip. The positioning device 7 and the communication device 6 may be integrated, especially as a single chip.

[0062] The hydrogen gas container 1 is assigned a unique identification number. The identification number may be marked on the container body 2. The identification number may be encoded as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) and marked on the container body 2. The identification number may be recorded on an RFID tag 8, and the RFID tag 8 may be attached to the container body 2 outside the internal space of the container body 2. If the communication device 6 has a built-in small computer, the small computer may store the identification number. In this case, the communication device 6 may associate the identification number with transmission data such as the remaining measured amount, and transmit the transmission data and the identification number.

[0063] <<Case>> Because the outer surface of the container body 2 of the hydrogen gas container 1 is cylindrical, when the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed horizontally, it tends to roll over, and it is difficult to stack multiple hydrogen gas containers 1 horizontally. Because the bottom of the container body 2 is hemispherical, when the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed vertically, it tends to tip over. These factors hinder the loading of many hydrogen gas containers 1 into the cargo compartment or loading platform of a delivery transport aircraft. Therefore, the hydrogen gas container 1 is not left exposed, but is housed in a case 10 as shown in Figure 2. This case 10 protects the hydrogen gas container 1 inside the case 10. This case 10 contributes to facilitating the loading of hydrogen gas containers 1.

[0064] Case 10 has a case body 11 and a lid 14. The case body 11 has a bottom portion 12 and a cylindrical portion 13. The bottom portion 12 is a polygonal flat plate, and the cylindrical portion 13 is a rectangular tube. In the example shown in Figure 2, the bottom portion 12 is a square and the cylindrical portion 13 is a regular square tube. However, the case is not limited to this, and the bottom portion 12 may be a regular polygon other than a square (for example, an equilateral triangle, a regular hexagon, or a regular octagon), and the cylindrical portion 13 may be a regular polygonal tube other than a regular square tube (for example, a regular triangular tube, a regular hexagonal tube, or a regular octagonal tube).

[0065] The cylindrical portion 13 rises from the outer edge of the bottom portion 12. The lower part of the cavity inside the cylindrical portion 13 is closed by the bottom portion 12, and the upper part of the cavity is open. The lid 14 is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 13. The bottom surface of the container body 2 is positioned above the case body 11 toward the bottom portion 12, and the container body 2 is inserted into the upper opening of the case body 11, so that the container body 2 is housed in the case body 11. When the container body 2 is housed in the case body 11, the outer circumferential surface of the container body 2 is inscribed with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 13. At the inner corner of the cylindrical portion 13, the container body 2 is separated from the cylindrical portion 13. The bottom surface of the container body 2 abuts against the bottom portion 12 of the case body 11. The valve 3 may protrude outside the case body 11 from the upper opening of the case body 11.

[0066] If the remaining amount measuring device 5 is a weight sensor located on the bottom of the container body 2, the remaining amount measuring device 5 is sandwiched between the bottom of the container body 2 and the bottom 12 of the case body 11, so the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is measured by the remaining amount measuring device 5 when the case 10 is placed upright. If the remaining amount measuring device 5 is a weight sensor located on the side of the container body 2, the remaining amount measuring device 5 is sandwiched between the side of the container body 2 and the cylindrical portion 13 of the case body 11, so the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is measured by the remaining amount measuring device 5 when the case 10 is placed horizontally.

[0067] The lid 14 may be attached to the upper end of the case body 11 so as to close the upper opening of the case body 11, and the lid 14 may be removable from the case body 11. The lid 14 may be a door type that opens and closes the upper opening of the case body 11. For example, the lid 14 may be an open / close door type cap hinged to the upper end of the case body 11, or the lid 14 may be a sliding door type cap slidably connected to the upper end of the case body 11. The lid 14 may be composed of multiple segments. Each segment may be individually hinged to the upper end of the case body 11, and the lid 14 may be a double-door type cap.

[0068] The lid 14 has a through hole 15 that penetrates the lid 14. The valve 3 protrudes outside the case body 11 through the through hole 15.

[0069] Case 10 may have a remaining amount measuring device 16. The remaining amount measuring device 16 measures the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2 housed in the case body 11 and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured remaining amount. The output signal of the remaining amount measuring device 16 may be either a digital signal or an analog signal. In the example shown in Figure 2, the remaining amount measuring device 16 is attached to the bottom 12 inside the case body 11. The remaining amount measuring device 16 may be attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 13 instead of being attached to the bottom 12 inside the case body 11.

[0070] The principle of measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen gas by the remaining amount measuring device 16 can be anything. For example, the remaining amount measuring device 16 may be a weight sensor such as a load cell or strain gauge. If the remaining amount measuring device 16 is a weight sensor attached to the bottom 12 inside the case body 11, the remaining amount measuring device 16 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the container body 2 and the bottom 12 of the case body 11, so the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is measured by the remaining amount measuring device 16 when the case 10 is placed vertically. If the remaining amount measuring device 16 is a weight sensor attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 13, the remaining amount measuring device 16 is sandwiched between the side surface of the container body 2 and the cylindrical portion 13 of the case body 11, so the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is measured by the remaining amount measuring device 16 when the case 10 is placed horizontally. Note that if the case 10 has a remaining amount measuring device 16, the hydrogen gas container 1 does not need to have a remaining amount measuring device 4 or a remaining amount measuring device 5 or both.

[0071] Since the remaining amount measuring device 16 is installed inside the case body 11, the remaining amount measuring device 16 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container 1. Therefore, deterioration of the material of the remaining amount measuring device 16 is prevented, and a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount measuring device 16 due to hydrogen gas does not occur.

[0072] Case 10 may have a communication device 17. The communication device 17 acquires the output signal of the remaining charge meter 16 and wirelessly transmits the remaining charge measured by the remaining charge meter 16. The communication device 17 may also associate the measurement time with the remaining charge measured by the remaining charge meter 16 and wirelessly transmit this data. The communication device 17 is attached to the case body 11. For example, the communication device 17 may be attached to the inner or outer surface of the case body 11, or embedded between the inner and outer surfaces of the case body 11. The communication device 17 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container 1, deterioration of the material of the communication device 17 is prevented, and failure of the communication device 17 due to hydrogen gas does not occur. The wireless communication standard of the communication device 17 may be any. For example, the wireless communication standard of the communication device 17 may be an LPWA standard, a third-generation mobile communication system standard, a fourth-generation mobile communication system standard, a fifth-generation mobile communication system standard, a Bluetooth® standard, a Wi-Fi® standard, or a short-range wireless communication standard. The communication device 17 may be either a master unit or a slave unit. The communication device 17 may be a chip. The communication device 17 may have a built-in miniature computer. If the communication device 17 has a built-in miniature computer, the communication device 17 may have an internet connectivity function via wireless communication. If the communication device 17 has an internet connectivity function, the communication device 17 may transmit the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount measuring device 16 to the destination device via the internet.

[0073] Case 10 may have a positioning device 18. The positioning device 18 is attached to the case body 11. For example, the positioning device 18 may be attached to the inner or outer surface of the case body 11, or embedded between the inner and outer surfaces of the case body 11. The positioning device 18 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container 1, preventing deterioration of the material of the positioning device 18, and preventing malfunction and reduction in measurement accuracy of the positioning device 18 due to hydrogen gas. The positioning device 18 measures the position of the case body 11 (i.e., the position of case 10) according to the GNSS positioning method by receiving satellite waves from multiple satellites. The positioning device 18 may output the measured position to the communication device 17. The communication device 17 may transmit the measured position in synchronization with the transmission of the remaining measurement amount. The communication device 17 may associate the measurement time with the measured position and remaining measurement amount and transmit these data wirelessly. The positioning device 18 may be a chip. The positioning device 18 and the communication device 17 may be integrated, or even on a single chip. The destination of data transmitted by the communication device 17 may be the communication device 6, the communication device 33 described later, the communication device 202, or the individual management device 86, or two or more of these, or other devices. The communication device 17 may have multiple destinations for data transmission.

[0074] An identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1 may be marked on the case 10. The identification number may be encoded as a barcode or a two-dimensional code and marked on the case 10. An RFID tag 20 storing the identification number may be attached to the case 10. If the communication device 17 has a built-in small computer, the small computer may store the identification number. In this case, the communication device 17 may associate the identification number with transmission data such as the remaining measured amount and transmit the transmission data and the identification number.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4, the case 10 may have a remaining amount indicator 19. The remaining amount indicator 19 is provided on the outer surface of the case body 11, particularly on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 13. The remaining amount indicator 19 is preferably thin, especially in the form of a sheet. The remaining amount indicator 19 displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 3, the remaining amount indicator 19 is an indicator, specifically a segment indicator, that displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in stages.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 4, the remaining amount indicator 19 is a light-emitting sheet, particularly an inorganic EL (Electroluminescence) sheet or an organic EL sheet, attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 13. The remaining amount indicator 19 lights up, turns off, and changes its light-emitting color. Changes in the remaining amount of hydrogen gas are expressed by such changes in the behavior of the remaining amount indicator 19. For example, the illumination of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is above a predetermined value, and the off-lighting of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is below a predetermined value. More specifically, the illumination of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that there is some hydrogen gas remaining, and the off-lighting of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that there is no hydrogen gas remaining. For example, illumination of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, blinking of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is less than the first predetermined value and equal to or greater than the second predetermined value (however, the first predetermined value is greater than the second predetermined value), and the off state of the remaining amount indicator 19 indicates that the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is less than the second predetermined value.

[0078] The remaining amount indicator 19 may be something other than an indicator or a light-emitting sheet. For example, the remaining amount indicator 19 may be a pointer that displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in a stepless manner. For example, the remaining amount indicator 19 may be a segment display that displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in steps using numbers. For example, the remaining amount indicator 19 may be a dot matrix display that displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas using icons or numerical values, in particular a monochrome, grayscale, or color liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. For example, the remaining amount indicator 19 may be an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display that displays the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in steps using illumination, extinguishing, flashing, or different illumination colors.

[0079] The remaining charge indicator 19 may use the output signal of the remaining charge measuring device 4 or the remaining charge measuring device 5 to display the remaining charge. For example, when the container body 2 of the hydrogen gas container 1 is housed in the case body 11, the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5 is connected to the remaining amount indicator 19 by wire, the output signal of the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5 is transferred to the remaining amount indicator 19, and the remaining amount indicator 19 displays the remaining amount according to the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5 based on the output signal of the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5. In this case, the signal processing circuit and drive circuit may be built into the remaining amount indicator 19, or they may be built into the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5.

[0080] For example, when the container body 2 of the hydrogen gas container 1 is housed in the case body 11, the communication device 6 is connected wirelessly to the communication device 17, the output signal of the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5 is transferred to the communication device 6, the communication device 6 transmits the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5 to the communication device 17, and the remaining amount indicator 19 displays the remaining amount according to the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5 based on the output signal of the communication device 17. In this case, the signal processing circuit and drive circuit may be built into the remaining amount indicator 19 or into the communication device 17.

[0081] The remaining charge indicator 19 may use the output signal of the remaining charge measuring instrument 32 on the stand 30, which will be described later. For example, when the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed in the case 10 and then placed together with the case 10 on the seat 31 (see Figure 5) of the stand 30 described later, the remaining amount measuring device 32 (see Figure 5) described later is connected to the remaining amount indicator 19 by wire, the output signal of the remaining amount measuring device 32 is transferred to the remaining amount indicator 19, and the remaining amount indicator 19 displays the remaining amount according to the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount measuring device 32 based on the output signal of the remaining amount measuring device 32. In this case, the signal processing circuit and drive circuit may be built into the remaining amount indicator 19 or into the remaining amount measuring device 32.

[0082] For example, when the hydrogen gas container 1 is placed in the case 10 and then placed together with the case 10 on the seat 31 of the stand 30 described later, the communication device 33 described later is connected to the communication device 17 wirelessly, the output signal of the remaining amount meter 32 described later is transferred to the communication device 33, the communication device 33 transmits the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 32 to the communication device 17, and the remaining amount indicator 19 displays the remaining amount according to the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 32 based on the output signal of the communication device 17. In this case, the signal processing circuit and drive circuit may be built into the remaining amount indicator 19 or into the communication device 17.

[0083] The remaining charge indicator 19 may use the output signal of the remaining charge measuring device 16 to display the remaining charge. For example, the remaining amount measuring device 16 measures the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2 housed in the case body 11 and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured remaining amount. This output signal is then transferred to the remaining amount indicator 19, which displays the remaining amount based on the output signal from the remaining amount measuring device 16. In this case, the signal processing circuit and drive circuit may be built into the remaining amount indicator 19 or into the remaining amount measuring device 16.

[0084] The remaining amount indicator 19 may be something other than those exemplified above. For example, the remaining amount indicator 19 may be a piezoelectric element, particularly a sheet-type piezoelectric element. A piezoelectric element is an element whose color reversibly changes depending on the pressure applied to it. Such a remaining amount indicator 19 is provided on the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 or on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 13. When the case 10 is placed with such a remaining amount indicator 19 facing downwards, the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1 is applied to the remaining amount indicator 19. As a result, the color of the remaining amount indicator 19 changes according to the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1, that is, the amount of hydrogen gas remaining. When the case 10 is lifted, the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1 is removed from the remaining amount indicator 19, and the color change of the remaining amount indicator 19 is delayed in response to the removal of the weight, so the amount of hydrogen gas remaining can be determined by the color of the remaining amount indicator 19.

[0085] Since the piezoelectric element remaining amount indicator 19 is provided on the outer surface of the case body 11, the piezoelectric element is not exposed to the hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container 1. Therefore, deterioration of the piezoelectric element is prevented, and a decrease or loss of the piezoelectric function of the piezoelectric element due to hydrogen gas does not occur. In other words, there is no decrease in the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen gas inside the hydrogen gas container.

[0086] <<Stand>> Figure 5 is a perspective view of the storage area for the hydrogen gas container 1. A stand 30, as shown in Figure 5, is installed at the storage area for the hydrogen gas container 1. The stand 30 is installed at the location where the hydrogen gas container 1 is used. Use here refers to supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas container 1, filling the hydrogen gas container 1 with hydrogen gas, transporting the hydrogen gas container 1, storing the hydrogen gas container 1, or inspecting the hydrogen gas container 1. The stand 30 is installed, for example, in hydrogen gas equipment, houses, shops, commercial facilities, factories, hydrogen filling stations, inspection stations, storage facilities, delivery transport machines, loading docks, cargo compartments, trolleys, containers, or stockyards.

[0087] The stand 30 is equipped with a seat 31, which is installed in the storage area. The seat 31 is, for example, a shelf board, table board, top board, floor board, bottom board, base board, trolley body, seat board, loading platform board, base board, wooden board, iron plate, or resin plate. The upper surface of the seat 31 is horizontal. The upper surface of the seat 31 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0088] The hydrogen gas container 1 is placed on the seat 31 either horizontally or vertically. The hydrogen gas container 1 may also be placed on the seat 31 together with the case 10 while it is inside the case 10. Retainers may be provided on or around the seat 31 to suppress movement, displacement, displacement, or tipping of the hydrogen gas container 1 or the case 10. Retainers are, for example, partitions, bulkheads, side plates, protrusions, or backing plates. The retainers are preferably installed to receive the horizontal load of the hydrogen gas container 1 or the case 10, but not the vertical load.

[0089] The base 30 may have a remaining amount measuring device 32. The remaining amount measuring device 32 is provided on the seat 31. In the example shown in Figure 5, the remaining amount measuring device 32 is attached to the upper surface of the seat 31. The remaining amount measuring device 32 may be provided inside the seat 31 between the upper and lower surfaces of the seat 31. The remaining amount measuring device 32 may be attached to the lower surface of the seat 31. Because the remaining amount measuring device 32 is provided on the seat 31, the remaining amount measuring device 32 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container 1. Therefore, deterioration of the material of the remaining amount measuring device 32 is prevented, and a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount measuring device 32 due to hydrogen gas does not occur.

[0090] The remaining amount measuring device 32 measures the amount of hydrogen gas remaining in the container body 2 of the hydrogen gas container 1 placed on the seat 31 and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured remaining amount. The output signal of the remaining amount measuring device 32 may be either a digital or analog signal.

[0091] The principle of measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen gas by the remaining amount measuring device 32 may be any, but it is preferable that the remaining amount measuring device 32 is a weight sensor such as a load cell or strain gauge. If the remaining amount measuring device 32 is a weight sensor attached to the upper surface of the seat 31, the remaining amount of hydrogen gas is measured by the remaining amount measuring device 32 because the remaining amount measuring device 32 is sandwiched between the container body 2 and the seat 31, or sandwiched between the case body 11 and the seat 31. Even if the upper surface of the seat 31 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the remaining amount of hydrogen gas can be measured by the remaining amount measuring device 32 if the angle of inclination is known.

[0092] The base 30 may have a communication device 33. The communication device 33 is provided on the seat 31. In the example shown in Figure 5, the communication device 33 is provided inside the seat 31 between the upper and lower surfaces of the seat 31. The communication device 33 may be attached to the upper, lower, or side surface of the seat 31.

[0093] The communication device 33 acquires the output signal of the remaining charge meter 32 and wirelessly transmits the remaining charge measured by the remaining charge meter 32. The communication device 33 may also associate the measurement time with the remaining charge measured by the remaining charge meter 32 and transmit this data wirelessly. The wireless communication standard of the communication device 33 may be any standard. For example, the wireless communication standard of the communication device 33 may be the LPWA standard, the 3rd generation mobile communication system standard, the 4th generation mobile communication system standard, the 5th generation mobile communication system standard, the Bluetooth® standard, or the Wi-Fi® standard. The communication device 33 may be either a master unit or a slave unit. The communication device 33 may be a chip. The communication device 33 may have a built-in miniature computer. If a miniature computer is built into the communication device 33, the communication device 33 may have an internet connectivity function via wireless communication. If the communication device 33 has an internet connectivity function, the communication device 33 may transmit the remaining charge measured by the remaining charge meter 32 to the destination device via the internet.

[0094] The destination of data transmitted by communication device 33 may be communication device 6, communication device 17, communication device 202 (described later), or individual management device 201, or two or more of these, or other devices. There may be multiple destinations for data transmitted by communication device 33.

[0095] If the base 30 is installed on a moving object such as a delivery vehicle or a trolley, the base 30 may have a positioning device 34. In the example shown in Figure 5, the positioning device 34 is installed inside the base 31 between the top and bottom surfaces. The positioning device 34 may be attached to the top, bottom, or side surface of the base 31. The positioning device 34 measures the position of the base 30 according to the GNSS positioning method by receiving satellite waves from multiple satellites. The positioning device 34 may output the measured position to the communication device 33. The communication device 33 may transmit the measured position in synchronization with the transmission of the remaining measurement amount. The communication device 33 may associate the measurement time with the measured position and remaining measurement amount and transmit these data wirelessly. The positioning device 34 may be a chip. The positioning device 34 and the communication device 33 may be integrated, especially as a single chip.

[0096] When the base 30 is fixed in place, that is, when the base 30 is installed on a stationary object (a stationary object is something that is not a moving object, such as an automobile), the communication device 33 may store the installation location of the base 30. The communication device 33 may also transmit the installation location in synchronization with the transmission of the remaining measurement amount. The communication device 33 may also associate the measurement time with the installation location and the remaining measurement amount and transmit this data wirelessly.

[0097] The base 30 may be assigned a unique identification number. The identification number of the base 30 may be marked on the seat 31. The identification number of the base 30 may be encoded as a barcode or a two-dimensional code and marked on the seat 31. If the communication device 33 has a built-in miniature computer, the miniature computer may store the identification number of the base 30.

[0098] The stand 30 may have a short-range wireless communication device 35. The short-range wireless communication device 35 is also called a reader, especially an RFID reader. When the RFID tag 8 on the hydrogen gas container 1 or the RFID tag 20 on the case 10 comes close to the short-range wireless communication device 35, the short-range wireless communication device 35 reads the identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1 from the RFID tag 8 or RFID tag 20. The stand 30 may have an optical reader instead of the short-range wireless communication device 35. An identification number in the form of a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is attached to the hydrogen gas container 1, and the optical reader reads the identification number in the form of a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. The short-range wireless communication device 35 or the optical reader may output the read identification number to a communication device 33. If the communication device 33 has a built-in small computer, the small computer identifies and recognizes the hydrogen gas container 1 placed on the stand 30 from the identification number obtained from the short-range wireless communication device 35 or the optical reader. The communication device 33 may associate an identification number with the transmission data, such as the remaining measurement amount, and transmit the transmission data and the identification number.

[0099] <<Delivery transport (1)>> Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the delivery transport machine 40. In the example shown in Figure 6, multiple stands 30 are installed in the cargo compartment 41 of the delivery transport machine 40, the seats 31 are shelves common to the multiple stands 30, and multiple remaining quantity measuring devices 32 are provided on each seat 31, with a remaining quantity measuring device 32 in each case 100, i.e., in the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0100] The lowest seat 31 may be the floorboard 42 of the cargo compartment 41 instead of a shelf. Since the remaining amount gauge 32 is mounted on the floorboard 42, the remaining amount gauge 32 is not exposed to the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container 1. Therefore, deterioration of the material of the remaining amount gauge 32 is prevented, and a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the remaining amount gauge 32 due to hydrogen gas does not occur.

[0101] <<Delivery transport (2)>> Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the delivery transport aircraft 80. The delivery transport aircraft 80 has a transport aircraft body 81, a cargo compartment 82, an antenna 84, a short-range wireless communication device 85, an individual management device 86, and a positioning device 87.

[0102] In the example shown in Figure 7, the transport aircraft body 81 is an automobile, but it may be replaced with a rotary-wing aircraft (especially a multi-wing aircraft). A cargo compartment 82 is mounted on the transport aircraft body 81. The cargo compartment 82 has an openable and closable door 83. The door 83 may be located at the rear of the cargo compartment 82.

[0103] The antenna 84 is installed in the cargo compartment 82 near the door 83. In the example shown in Figure 7, the antenna 84 is installed on the ceiling, floor, and side walls of the cargo compartment 82 near the door 83, and the opening of the door 83 is surrounded by the antenna 84. The antenna 84 is the antenna of a short-range radio communication device 85, also called a leader. That is, the antenna 84 is connected to the short-range radio communication device 85 by a signal line. The short-range radio communication device 85 may be built into an individual management device 86. The individual management device 86 is a computer terminal device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or car navigation system. The individual management device 86 may be installed in the driver's cab of the transport vehicle body 81. The individual management device 86 may be installed in the cargo compartment 82. The individual management device 86 may be portable.

[0104] When the RFID tag 8 on the hydrogen gas container 1 or the RFID tag 20 on the case 10 approaches the antenna 84, the short-range wireless communication device 85 communicates with the RFID tag 8 or RFID tag 20 via the antenna 84, and the short-range wireless communication device 85 reads the identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1 from the RFID tag 8 or RFID tag 20. The short-range wireless communication device 85 outputs the read identification number to the individual management device 86. Alternatively, the hydrogen gas container 1 may be assigned an identification number in the form of a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark), and an optical reader may read the identification number in the form of a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code, and the optical reader may output the identification number to the individual management device 86.

[0105] The individual management device 86 recognizes the presence or absence of hydrogen gas containers 1 in the cargo compartment 82 for each identification number, based on the identification number obtained from the short-range radio communication device 85. For example, if the individual management device 86 receives an odd number of acquisitions of the same identification number from the short-range radio communication device 85, the individual management device 86 recognizes that a hydrogen gas container 1 assigned to that identification number is in the cargo compartment 82. If the individual management device 86 receives an even number of acquisitions of the same identification number from the short-range radio communication device 85, the individual management device 86 recognizes that a hydrogen gas container 1 assigned to that identification number is not in the cargo compartment 82.

[0106] The delivery transport aircraft 80 may be assigned a unique identification number. The individual management device 86 can identify the delivery transport aircraft 80 by pre-storing its identification number. The identification number assigned to the delivery transport aircraft 80 can also be said to be the identification number assigned to the individual management device 86.

[0107] The positioning device 87 may be built into the individual management device 86. The positioning device 87 may be connected to the individual management device 86. The positioning device 87 measures the position of the delivery transport vehicle 80 according to the GNSS positioning method and outputs the measured position to the individual management device 86.

[0108] The individual management device 86 may receive the remaining measured amount and measurement time transmitted by the communication device 6, communication device 17, or communication device 33 for each hydrogen gas container 1. The individual management device 86 may store the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 in the cargo compartment 82, the measurement location, the remaining measured amount, and the measurement time in association with each other. The individual management device 86 may store the identification number of the delivery transport machine 80 or the individual management device 86 in association with each other. The individual management device 86 may store the identification number of the delivery transport machine 80, the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 in the cargo compartment 82, the measurement location, the remaining measured amount, and the measurement time in association with each other. As a result, the measurement location, remaining measured amount, and remaining measured amount for each hydrogen gas container 1 in the delivery transport machine 80 are managed by the individual management device 86.

[0109] The individual management device 86 may have a wireless communication device. The communication standard of the wireless communication device may be the LPWA standard, the third-generation mobile communication system standard, the fourth-generation mobile communication system standard, the fifth-generation mobile communication system standard, the Bluetooth® standard, or the Wi-Fi® standard. The individual management device 86 may have an internet connection function via the wireless communication device.

[0110] The individual management device 86 may transmit the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 located in the cargo compartment 82, its measurement location, and the remaining amount measured, in a manner that correlates them with each other. The individual management device 86 may transmit the identification number of the delivery transport machine 80 or the individual management device 86, its identification number, the hydrogen gas container 1 located in the cargo compartment 82, in a manner that correlates them with each other. The individual management device 86 may transmit the identification number of the delivery transport machine 80 or the individual management device 86, its identification number, the measurement location, and the remaining amount measured, in a manner that correlates them with each other.

[0111] As described above, the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded in the cargo compartment 82 is managed by the short-range wireless communication device 85 reading the identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1 from the RFID tag 8 or RFID tag 20.

[0112] As described above, the individual management device 86 can identify and pinpoint the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded in the cargo compartment 92 by recognizing the presence or absence of hydrogen gas container 1 in the cargo compartment 82 for each identification number based on the identification number acquired from the short-range wireless communication device 85.

[0113] As described above, each time the positioning device 87 takes a measurement, the individual management device 86 transmits the identification number assigned to the delivery transport vehicle 80 or the individual management device 86, the identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1 in the cargo compartment 82, the measurement position by the positioning device 87, the received remaining measurement amount, and the measurement time. This allows the receiving end to manage the location of each delivery transport vehicle 80 and the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded on it for each delivery transport vehicle 80.

[0114] <<Delivery transport (3)>> Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a delivery transport aircraft 90. The delivery transport aircraft 90 has a transport aircraft body 91, a cargo compartment 92, and shelves 96. The transport aircraft body 91 is an automobile, but a rotary-wing aircraft (especially a multi-wing aircraft) may be used instead of an automobile. The cargo compartment 92 is mounted on the transport aircraft body 91. The cargo compartment 92 has an openable door at the rear. In Figure 8, the door is not shown in order to make the inside of the cargo compartment 92 easier to see. The ceiling 93 inside the cargo compartment 92 is a sloped ceiling. For example, the ceiling 93 may slope downward from the side wall 94 towards the side wall 95. In this case, if a ventilation opening is provided at the upper end of the side wall 94, even if hydrogen gas leaks from the hydrogen gas container 1, the hydrogen gas will be discharged to the outside through the ventilation opening. The ceiling 93 may also slope downward from the rear to the front of the cargo compartment 92. In this case, even if hydrogen gas leaks from the hydrogen gas container 1, the hydrogen gas will be discharged to the outside through the gap at the top of the door. The ceiling 93 may slope downward from the front to the rear of the cargo compartment 92. In this case, if a ventilation opening is provided at the upper end of the front wall of the cargo compartment 92, even if hydrogen gas leaks from the hydrogen gas container 1, the hydrogen gas will be discharged to the outside through the ventilation opening. The shelf 96 is installed on the floor of the cargo compartment 92, near the door, inside the cargo compartment 92. The shelf 96 has multiple shelves 97, multiple partitions 98, and multiple back panels 99. The left and right ends of these shelves 97 are fixed to the side walls 94 and 95, respectively. These shelves 97 are arranged with vertical spacing between them. The shelves 97 slope downward from back to front. The back panels 99 are installed upright on the rear side of the shelves 97. Multiple partitions 98 are installed upright on each shelf 97. These partitions 98 are arranged on each shelf 97 with horizontal spacing between them.

[0115] The hydrogen gas container 1 is placed horizontally on a shelf 97 between adjacent partition plates 98, either while housed in a case 10 or exposed without being housed in a case 10. The bottom of the hydrogen gas container 1 rests against the back plate 99. Because the shelf 97 is inclined, the hydrogen gas container 1 is prevented from falling off the shelf 97 even if the delivery transport machine 90 is shaken.

[0116] The side wall 94 is located on the higher side of the sloped ceiling 93, and has an exhaust port at its upper end. An exhaust fan may be provided at the exhaust port. The exhaust fan blows air from inside the cargo compartment 92 through the exhaust port. Even if hydrogen leaks from the hydrogen gas container 1, the hydrogen rises to the sloped ceiling 93 and flows towards the side wall 94 due to the slope of the sloped ceiling 93. Because the exhaust port is formed at the upper end of the side wall 94, the hydrogen is released to the outside of the cargo compartment 92 through the exhaust port.

[0117] As illustrated in Figure 6, the shelf board 97 may be a common seat 31 for multiple stands 30 (see Figure 5). In other words, the remaining amount measuring device 32 may be placed on the shelf board 97 between adjacent partition boards 98. As in the example in Figure 6, the communication device 33, positioning device 34, and short-range wireless communication device 35 may be placed on the shelf board 97 between adjacent partition boards 98.

[0118] As illustrated in Figure 7, the antenna 84, the short-range radio communication device 85, and the individual management device 86 may be installed on the delivery transport aircraft 90, or the antenna 84, the optical reader, and the individual management device 86 may be installed on the delivery transport aircraft 90. The identification number assigned to the delivery transport aircraft 90 can also be said to be the identification number assigned to the individual management device 86 installed on the delivery transport aircraft 90.

[0119] <<Management System and Control Device (1)>> Figure 9 is a block diagram of the management system. The management system manages the location history of hydrogen gas container 1 and the history of the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in hydrogen gas container 1. The management system is mainly used for the collection and delivery of hydrogen gas container 1. In the collection and delivery operation, hydrogen-filled hydrogen gas container 1 is loaded onto a delivery transport vehicle (these delivery transport vehicles may be delivery transport vehicles 40, 80, or 90 shown in Figures 6, 7, or 8, or they may not be delivery transport vehicles 40, 80, or 90 shown in Figures 6, 7, or 8) at a distribution base. The delivery transport vehicles move sequentially to each storage location within the area. Delivery transport vehicle 80 delivers hydrogen gas container 1 to each storage location and collects hydrogen gas container 1 from each storage location. At the storage location, hydrogen-filled hydrogen gas container 1 is unloaded from the delivery transport vehicle, and hydrogen gas container 1 with a remaining amount of hydrogen gas below a predetermined threshold is loaded onto the delivery transport vehicle. At the storage location, hydrogen gas may be transferred between two hydrogen gas containers 1. For example, hydrogen gas may be transferred from a hydrogen gas container 1 delivered by a delivery transport to a hydrogen gas container 1 placed at the storage location. The storage location may be, for example, a house, parking lot, trailer house, shop, commercial facility, factory, inspection station or storage facility, or hydrogen gas equipment installed in such a place.

[0120] The management system includes a remaining charge meter 101, a communication device 102, a positioning device 103, a management device 104, a storage device 105, a map storage device 107, and a terminal device 109.

[0121] The remaining charge meter 101 is one of the remaining charge meters 4, 5, 16, or 32 mentioned above. If the remaining charge meter 101 is either the remaining charge meter 4 or the remaining charge meter 5, then the communication device 102 is the communication device 6. If the remaining charge meter 101 is the remaining charge meter 16, then the communication device 102 is the communication device 57. If the remaining charge meter 101 is the remaining charge meter 32, then the communication device 102 is the communication device 33. If battery level indicator 101 is battery level indicator 4 or battery level indicator 5, then positioning device 103 is positioning device 7. If battery level indicator 101 is battery level indicator 16, then positioning device 103 is positioning device 18. If battery level indicator 101 is battery level indicator 32, then positioning device 103 is positioning device 34.

[0122] The management device 104 may consist of a single computer or multiple computers capable of distributed or parallel processing. The management device 104 may also consist of a server system or a cloud computing system. An operating system (OS) is installed on the management device 104 so that it is executed by the management device 104. The OS is, for example, Windows®, Android®, iOS®, macOS®, Linux®, or Unix®. A management program is installed on the management device 104 so that it is executed by the management device 104 on the OS.

[0123] The storage device 105 is connected to the management device 104. The storage device 105 consists of a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic memory device, a NAS, a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. The storage device 105 may be connected to the management device 104 by an interface circuit, or it may be accessed by the management device 104 via a network. The storage device 105 may be built into the management device 104, or it may be external to the management device 104. The management device 104 records information in the storage device 105 and reads information recorded in the storage device 105.

[0124] The map storage device 107 is connected to the management device 104. The map storage device 107 consists of a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic memory device, a NAS, a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. The map storage device 107 may be connected to the management device 104 by an interface circuit, or it may be accessed by the management device 104 via a network. The map storage device 107 may be built into the management device 104, or it may be externally attached to the management device 104.

[0125] The map storage device 107 stores the map database 108. The map database 108 is the same as the map database 158 mentioned above.

[0126] The terminal device 109 is a computer such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop computer. The terminal device 109 may be installed in the driver's cab of a delivery transport aircraft. The terminal device 109 may be installed in the supplier's facility, for example, a building. The terminal device 109 may be installed in the customer's facility, for example, a house. The terminal device 109 may be portable. The terminal device 109 may also be the individual management device 86 described above.

[0127] The terminal device 109 has input devices such as a touch panel, mouse, touchpad, stylus, pointing device, keyboard, key, or push button. The terminal device 109 recognizes and acquires input information corresponding to the gestures made by the user to the input device.

[0128] The terminal device 109 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display device. The terminal device 109 displays various types of information using the display device.

[0129] The terminal device 109 has a communication device. The terminal device 109 is connected to the Internet 110 via the communication device. The terminal device 109 can access the management device 104 through the Internet 110. The communication between the terminal device 109 and the management device 104 may employ a secure communication protocol, such as a VPN.

[0130] The terminal device 109 has an operating system installed, as well as application programs that can run on that OS. Based on the application programs, the terminal device 109 accesses the management device 104, receives information from the management device 104, and displays the contents of the provided information on the display device.

[0131] The location history collection function, current location display function, and location history display function of the management system are as follows:

[0132] (1) Collection of location history The remaining amount measuring device 101 periodically measures the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the container body 2 of the hydrogen gas container 1 and outputs the measured remaining amount to the communication device 102.

[0133] The positioning device 103 periodically measures the position of the hydrogen gas container 1 and outputs the measured position to the communication device 33. The measurement by the positioning device 103 is synchronized with the measurement by the remaining amount measuring device 101.

[0134] Each time the communication device 102 obtains the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 101 and the measured position by the positioning device 103 from the remaining amount meter 101 and the positioning device 103, the communication device 102 associates the remaining amount measured by the remaining amount meter 101, the measured position by the positioning device 103, and the time of their measurement. The communication device 102 transmits the associated remaining amount, measured position, and measurement time, along with the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1, to the management device 104 via the internet 110.

[0135] The control device 104 receives the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, measurement time, and identification number from the communication device 102. Based on the received identification number, the control device 104 identifies and recognizes the received remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time as relating to the hydrogen gas container 1 to which that identification number was assigned.

[0136] Each time the management device 104 receives the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, measurement time, and identification number from the communication device 102, the management device 104 associates the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time with each other and records these measurements in the storage device 105. When recording, the management device 104 adds the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time to the history data 106 so that they are arranged in chronological order. In this way, each time the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, measurement time, and identification number are received, the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time are added to the history data 106, so the history data 106 is a data sequence in which the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time are arranged in chronological order.

[0137] Multiple historical data 106 are stored in the storage device 105, and each historical data 106 is assigned an identification number. When recording the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time as described above, the management device 104 adds the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, and measurement time to the historical data 106 that has the same identification number as the received identification number. In addition to the identification number, the historical data 106 may also be assigned a name that is assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0138] The unit of the remaining quantity measured in the historical data 106 may be any unit. For example, the unit of the remaining quantity measured in the historical data 106 may be the pressure, weight, or percentage of the hydrogen gas remaining in the hydrogen gas container 1. The percentage refers to the ratio of the hydrogen gas remaining in the hydrogen gas container 1 to the maximum amount of hydrogen gas that can be filled into the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0139] As described above, the location of the hydrogen gas container 1 and its history can be managed by associating the measurement location with the measurement time and accumulating it in the history data 106. The remaining amount of hydrogen gas can be managed according to the location of the hydrogen gas container 1 and its history can be managed by associating the measurement location with the measurement time and accumulating it in the history data 106.

[0140] If the measured remaining amount of hydrogen gas changes during delivery of hydrogen gas container 1, a hydrogen gas leak from hydrogen gas container 1 will be detected. Therefore, accumulating a history of the measured remaining amount will help in managing whether or not there is a hydrogen gas leak from hydrogen gas container 1.

[0141] (2) Display of current location (latest location) The user instructs the terminal device 109 to start the application program by operating its input device. The terminal device 109 then executes the application program and accesses the management device 104 based on the application program. The user may be a supplier or a consumer. The user may also be a delivery company that delivers hydrogen gas containers 1. The user may also be the driver of a delivery vehicle that transports hydrogen gas containers 1.

[0142] When a user inputs an identification number into the terminal device 109 via the application program by operating the input device of the terminal device 109, the terminal device 109 acquires the inputted identification number. Note that previously used or default identification numbers may be pre-set in the application program, and the terminal device 109 may acquire these identification numbers when the application program is started. The identification number acquired by the terminal device 109 may be the same as the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 transported by the delivery transport aircraft. The terminal device 109 may be installed on the delivery transport aircraft, carried by the driver of the delivery transport aircraft, installed on other delivery transport aircraft, carried by the driver of other delivery transport aircraft, installed at the supplier's facility, installed at the destination customer's facility, carried by the destination customer, installed at the facility of a customer that is not a destination customer, or carried by a customer that is not a destination customer. The identification number obtained by the terminal device 109 may be the same as the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 delivered to the customer, and the terminal device 109 may be installed on a delivery transport aircraft, carried by the driver of the delivery transport aircraft, installed on the supplier's facility, installed on the customer's facility, carried by the customer, installed on another customer's facility, or carried on another customer's facility. The identification number obtained by the terminal device 109 may be the same as the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 being recovered by the delivery transport aircraft, and the terminal device 109 may be installed on that delivery transport aircraft, carried by the driver of that delivery transport aircraft, installed on another delivery transport aircraft, carried by the driver of another delivery transport aircraft, installed on the supplier's facility, installed on the customer's facility from which the gas was recovered, carried by the customer from which the gas was recovered, installed on a customer's facility that was not the source of the recovery, or carried by a customer that was not the source of the recovery. The identification number obtained by the terminal device 109 may be the same as the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 located at the supplier's facility, and the terminal device 109 may be installed on a delivery transport aircraft, carried by the driver of the delivery transport aircraft, installed at the supplier's facility, installed at the customer's facility, or carried by the customer.

[0143] The terminal device 109 transmits the acquired identification number to the management device 104 via the internet 110. This transmission of the identification number corresponds to a request for the latest measurement location of the historical data 106 associated with that identification number. The control device 104 receives the transmitted identification number. Receiving such an identification number is equivalent to receiving a request for the latest measurement location. Next, the management device 104 searches among the multiple history data 106 stored in the storage device 105 for the history data 106 that has the same identification number as the received identification number. Next, the control device 104 reads the latest measurement location and remaining measurement amount from the retrieved history data 106.

[0144] Next, the management device 104 reads a map from the map database 108, with the most recent measurement location as the center of that range. Next, the management device 104 transmits the read map, the latest measurement location, and the latest remaining measurement amount to the terminal device 109. The terminal device 109 receives the transmitted map, the latest measurement location, and the latest remaining measurement amount.

[0145] Next, the terminal device 109 plots the current location marker on the geographic coordinates corresponding to the most recent measurement location in the received map. Alternatively, the management device 104 may perform such plotting and transmit the plotted map to the terminal device 109. Next, the terminal device 109 displays a map with the current location marker plotted on it on the display device, and also displays the latest remaining measurement amount. The terminal device 109 may overlay the latest remaining measurement amount on the map. The terminal device 109 may overlay the latest remaining measurement amount on the map near the location of the current location marker. The terminal device 109 may display the latest remaining measurement amount as a pop-up separate from the map. The terminal device 109 may display the latest remaining measurement amount as a pop-up within the map.

[0146] Figure 10 shows an example of an application program screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device 109. Map 120 is displayed on the application program screen. This map 120 is read from the map database 108. A current location mark 121 is plotted at the center of map 120 according to the latest measurement position, and this current location mark 121 is displayed together with map 120. The current location mark 121 identifies the location of hydrogen gas container 1. A remaining amount display area 122 is displayed superimposed on map 120 around the current location mark 121. The remaining amount display area 122 displays the latest measured remaining amount.

[0147] By viewing the map displayed on the terminal device 109, the user can determine the current location and remaining hydrogen level of the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0148] In the above description, one identification number is entered into the terminal device 109, and the current location of one hydrogen gas container 1 is displayed on the map 120 with a current location marker. Alternatively, multiple identification numbers may be entered into the terminal device 109, and the current locations of multiple hydrogen gas containers 1 may be displayed on the map 120. If multiple current location markers are concentrated at a specific location on the map 120, it can be seen that a number of hydrogen gas containers 1 equal to the number of current location markers are located at that specific location.

[0149] (3) Presentation of location history After the application program is launched, if the user inputs an identification number into the terminal device 109 by operating the input device of the terminal device 109, the terminal device 109 will acquire the input identification number.

[0150] When a user specifies a period to the terminal device 109 in an application program by operating the input device of the terminal device 109, the terminal device 109 acquires the entered period. The period may be specified by its start and end dates, or by days in calendar years, months in calendar years, or years in calendar years.

[0151] The terminal device 109 transmits the acquired identification number and specified period to the management device 104 via the internet 110. This transmission of the identification number and specified period corresponds to a request for the history of measurement locations of the history data 106 associated with that identification number. The management device 104 receives the transmitted identification number and specified period. Receiving such an identification number corresponds to accepting a request for the history of measurement locations of the history data 106 associated with that identification number. Next, the management device 104 searches among the multiple history data 106 stored in the storage device 105 for the history data 106 that has the same identification number as the received identification number.

[0152] Next, the management device 104 reads the measurement position and remaining measurement amount, which are associated with the measurement time within the specified period, from the retrieved history data 106. Next, the management device 104 reads a map from the map database 108 that includes all the measurement locations that have been read.

[0153] Next, the management device 104 transmits the read map, measurement location, and remaining measurement amount to the terminal device 109. The terminal device 109 receives the transmitted map, measurement location, and remaining measurement amount. Next, the terminal device 109 plots location markers on the received map at geographic coordinates corresponding to the measurement locations, and places lines on the map connecting these location markers in chronological order. Alternatively, the management device 104 may perform such plotting of location markers and placement of lines, and then transmit the plotted map to the terminal device 109. Next, the terminal device 109 displays a map on the display device in which location markers are plotted and lines are placed. The terminal device 109 may also overlay a specific remaining measurement amount on the map. The terminal device 109 may also overlay the remaining measurement amount on the map near the location marker.

[0154] Figure 11 shows an example of an application program screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device 109. A map 125 is displayed on the application program screen. This map 125 is read from the map database 108. Location marks 126 are plotted on the map 120 according to their measurement locations, and these location marks 126 are displayed together with the map 125. Lines 127 with arrows are placed on the map 125 to connect the location marks 126, and these lines 127 are displayed together with the map 125. When a user specifies any of the location marks 126 by operating the input device of the terminal device 109, the terminal device 109 detects this and displays a remaining charge display area 78 superimposed on the map 120 around that location mark 126. The remaining charge display area 78 displays the remaining charge corresponding to the measurement location of that location mark 126.

[0155] By viewing the map displayed on the terminal device 109, the user can understand the route taken by the hydrogen gas container 1, as well as the remaining amount of hydrogen and its history.

[0156] (4) Display of remaining battery history After the application program is launched, if the user inputs an identification number into the terminal device 109 by operating the input device of the terminal device 109, the terminal device 109 will acquire the input identification number.

[0157] When a user specifies a period to the terminal device 109 in an application program by operating the input device of the terminal device 109, the terminal device 109 acquires the entered period. The period may be specified by its start and end dates, or by days in calendar years, months in calendar years, or years in calendar years.

[0158] The terminal device 109 transmits the acquired identification number and specified period to the management device 104 via the internet 110. The management device 104 receives the transmitted identification number and specified period. Next, the management device 104 searches among the multiple history data 106 stored in the storage device 105 for the history data 106 that has the same identification number as the received identification number.

[0159] Next, the management device 104 reads the remaining measurement amount associated with the measurement time within the specified period from the retrieved history data 106.

[0160] Next, the management device 104 transmits the measurement times within the specified period and the remaining measurement amount associated with those measurement times to the terminal device 109. The terminal device 109 receives the measurement times and the remaining measurement amount.

[0161] Next, the terminal device 109 displays the received measurement time and remaining measurement amount in chronological order on the display device. The terminal device 109 may also represent the chronological series of measurement time and remaining measurement amount on the display device as a graph. The horizontal axis of the graph may represent the measurement time, and the vertical axis may represent the remaining measurement amount.

[0162] <<Management System and Control Device (2)>> Figure 12 is a block diagram of the management system. The management system manages the identification number and remaining quantity of hydrogen gas containers 1 loaded onto each delivery transport aircraft 80. The management system manages the location history of multiple delivery transport aircraft 80 (see Figure 7) and also manages the loading history of each delivery transport aircraft 80. The loading history of a delivery transport aircraft 80 refers to the history of the identification numbers of the hydrogen gas containers 1 loaded onto that delivery transport aircraft 80.

[0163] The management system manages the identification number and remaining amount of hydrogen gas containers 1 placed in each hydrogen gas container 1 storage area 200. The storage areas 200 are distributed throughout the region. Storage areas 200 may be, for example, houses, parking lots, trailer homes, shops, commercial facilities, factories, inspection facilities or storage facilities, or hydrogen gas equipment installed in such places. Each storage area 200 is assigned a unique identification number. One or more hydrogen gas containers 1 are placed in each storage area 200.

[0164] The management system comprises multiple delivery transport vehicles 80, a management device 154, a storage device 155, a map storage device 157, a terminal device 165, and multiple individual management devices 201.

[0165] As described above, each delivery transport aircraft 80 has a transport aircraft body 81, a cargo compartment 82, an antenna 84, a short-range wireless communication device 85, an individual management device 86, and a positioning device 87. The individual management device 86 can access the management device 154 via the internet 160. Communication between the individual management device 86 and the management device 154 may employ a secure communication protocol such as VPN (Virtual Private Network). The individual management device 86 can also be considered a terminal device in the management system. At the delivery base, hydrogen gas containers 1 filled with hydrogen are loaded onto the delivery transport aircraft 80. The delivery transport aircraft 80 moves sequentially to each storage location 200 within the region, delivering the hydrogen gas containers 1 to each storage location 200 and collecting the hydrogen gas containers 1 from each storage location 200. At the storage area 200, hydrogen gas containers 1 filled with hydrogen are unloaded from the delivery transport vehicle 80, and hydrogen gas containers 1 with a remaining amount of hydrogen gas below a predetermined threshold are loaded onto the delivery transport vehicle 80. At the storage area 200, hydrogen gas may be transferred between two hydrogen gas containers 1; for example, hydrogen gas may be transferred from a hydrogen gas container 1 delivered by the delivery transport vehicle 80 to a hydrogen gas container 1 placed at the storage area 200.

[0166] The individual management device 201 is installed in or located in the storage area 200. The identification number assigned to the storage area 200 can also be said to be the identification number assigned to the individual management device 201 installed or located in that storage area 200. The individual management device 201 is a computer terminal device. The individual management device 201 may be a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer. The individual management device 201 may be a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) that manages energy such as electricity, gas, or hydrogen gas in a house, etc. The individual management device 201 may be a small computer. The individual management device 201 may be a computer such as a smartphone, tablet computer, or car navigation device. The individual management device 201 may have a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device. The individual management device 201 may have a communication device. The individual management device 201 is connected to the internet 160 by the communication device. The individual management device 201 can access the management device 154 through the internet 160. Communication between the individual management device 201 and the management device 154 may employ a secure communication protocol, such as a VPN. The individual management device 201 can also be considered a terminal device in the management system.

[0167] The communication device 202 may be installed in the storage area 200. The wireless communication standard of the communication device 202 may be any. For example, the wireless communication standard of the communication device 202 may be the LPWA (Low Power Wide Area-network) standard, the 3rd generation mobile communication system standard, the 4th generation mobile communication system standard, the 5th generation mobile communication system standard, the Bluetooth® standard, the Wi-Fi® standard, or the Near Field Communication (NFC) standard. The communication device 202 may be either a master unit or a slave unit. The communication device 202 may also be a chip. If the stand 30 is installed in the storage area 200, the communication device 202 may be the communication device 33 of the stand 30.

[0168] The communication device 202 receives the remaining measurement amount and measurement time transmitted by communication device 6, communication device 17, or communication device 33, and outputs the received remaining measurement amount and measurement time to the individual management device 201. The remaining measurement amount transmitted by communication device 6 is measured by remaining amount meter 4 or remaining amount meter 5. The remaining measurement amount transmitted by communication device 17 is measured by remaining amount meter 16. The remaining measurement amount transmitted by communication device 33 is measured by remaining amount meter 32. The remaining measurement amount and measurement time measured by remaining amount meter 4, remaining amount meter 5, or remaining amount meter 32 may also be transferred to the individual management device 201 via wired connection.

[0169] One or more remaining amount measuring devices 205 may be installed in the storage area 200. The remaining amount measuring device 205 measures the remaining amount of hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container 1 placed in the storage area 200 and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured remaining amount to the individual management device 201. The output signal of the remaining amount measuring device 205 may be either a digital signal or an analog signal. If a stand 30 is installed in the storage area 200, the remaining amount measuring device 205 may be the remaining amount measuring device 32 on the stand 30.

[0170] The principle of measuring the remaining amount of hydrogen gas by the remaining amount measuring device 205 may be any. For example, the remaining amount measuring device 205 may be a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas container 1. A piezoresistive element or strain gauge may be used as the pressure sensor. The remaining amount measuring device 205 may also be a weight sensor that detects the weight of the hydrogen gas container 1. A load cell or strain gauge may be used as the weight sensor.

[0171] Antenna 204 and short-range radio communication device 203 may be installed in the storage area 200. Antenna 204 is the same as antenna 84, and short-range radio communication device 203 is the same as short-range radio communication device 85.

[0172] When the RFID tag 8 on the hydrogen gas container 1 or the RFID tag 20 on the case 10 approaches the antenna 204, the short-range wireless communication device 203 communicates with the RFID tag 8 or RFID tag 20 via the antenna 204 and reads the identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1 from the RFID tag 8 or RFID tag 20. The short-range wireless communication device 203 outputs the read identification number to the individual management device 201. An optical reader may be provided instead of the short-range wireless communication device 203. An identification number in the form of a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is attached to the hydrogen gas container 1, the optical reader reads the identification number in the form of a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code, and the optical reader outputs the identification number to the individual management device 201.

[0173] The individual management device 201 recognizes the presence or absence of hydrogen gas containers 1 in the storage area 200 for each identification number, based on the identification number obtained from the short-range wireless communication device 203 or the optical reader. For example, if the individual management device 201 receives an odd number of acquisitions of the same identification number from the short-range wireless communication device 203, the individual management device 201 recognizes that a hydrogen gas container 1 assigned to that identification number is in the storage area 200. If the individual management device 201 receives an even number of inputs of the same identification number from the short-range wireless communication device 203, the individual management device 201 recognizes that a hydrogen gas container 1 assigned to that identification number is not in the storage area 200. Alternatively, the driver of the delivery transport aircraft or the customer may operate the individual management device 201 and input the identification number of a hydrogen gas container 1 in the storage area 200 to the individual management device 201, thereby obtaining the identification number and recognizing that a hydrogen gas container 1 assigned to that identification number is in the storage area 200. The driver of the delivery transport aircraft or the customer may operate the individual control device 201 and input the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 to be removed from the storage area 200 into the individual control device 201, thereby obtaining the identification number and recognizing that the hydrogen gas container 1 to which the identification number has been assigned is not in the storage area 200.

[0174] The individual management device 201 manages the remaining amount for each hydrogen gas container 1 placed in the storage area 200. In other words, each time the individual management device 201 acquires the measured remaining amount and measurement time, it stores the measured remaining amount and measurement time in association with the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1. When storing this information, the individual management device 201 stores the measured remaining amount and measurement time in chronological order, following past measured remaining amounts and measurement times.

[0175] The individual control device 201 displays the latest remaining amount for each hydrogen gas container 1 placed in the storage area 200. In other words, each time the individual control device 201 acquires the measured remaining amount and measurement time, it associates the measured remaining amount and measurement time with the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 and updates and displays them.

[0176] Each time the individual management device 201 acquires the remaining amount and measurement time, it associates the remaining amount and measurement time with the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 and the identification number of the storage location 200 or the individual management device 201, and transmits this information to the management device 154. Hereinafter, the identification number of the storage location 200 transmitted by the individual management device 201 will be referred to as the location management identification number, and the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 transmitted by the individual management device 201 will be referred to as the container management identification number.

[0177] The management device 154 is a central management device that manages the identification number and remaining quantity of hydrogen gas containers 1 in each storage area 200 or individual management device 201. The management device 154 is a central management device that manages the identification number and remaining quantity of hydrogen gas containers 1 in each delivery transport vehicle 80 or individual management device 86. The management device 154 may consist of a single computer or multiple computers capable of distributed or parallel processing. The management device 154 may consist of a server system or a cloud computing system. An OS (Operating System) is installed on the management device 154 so that it is executed by the management device 154. The OS is, for example, Windows®, Android®, iOS®, macOS®, Linux®, or Unix®. A management program is installed on the management device 154 so that it is executed by the management device 154 on the OS.

[0178] The storage device 155 is connected to the management device 154. The storage device 155 consists of a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic memory device, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. The storage device 155 may be connected to the management device 104 by an interface circuit, or it may be accessed by the management device 154 via a network. The storage device 155 may be built into the management device 104, or it may be externally attached to the management device 154. The management device 154 records information to the storage device 155 and reads information recorded to the storage device 155.

[0179] The map storage device 157 is connected to the management device 154. The map storage device 157 consists of a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic memory device, a NAS, a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. The map storage device 157 may be connected to the management device 154 by an interface circuit, or it may be accessed by the management device 154 via a network. The map storage device 157 may be built into the management device 154, or it may be external to the management device 154.

[0180] The map storage device 157 stores a map database 158. The map database 158 consists of maps with a geographic coordinate system set. The maps are image data in vector or raster format. The maps may also be a combination of vector and raster image data. Each point on the map is assigned a geocode representing its location, specifically its latitude and longitude. The maps included in the map database 158 are road maps, administrative district maps, topographic maps, or aerial photograph maps. The maps included in the map database 158 may be multilayer maps in which road maps, administrative district maps, topographic maps, and aerial photograph maps are layered on top of each other. In the case of multilayer maps, any of the road maps, administrative district maps, topographic maps, and aerial photograph maps can be selectively displayed.

[0181] The terminal device 165 has input devices such as a touch panel, mouse, touchpad, stylus, pointing device, keyboard, key, or push button. The terminal device 165 recognizes and acquires input information corresponding to the gestures made by the user to the input device.

[0182] Terminal device 165 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display device. Terminal device 109 displays various types of information using the display device.

[0183] The terminal device 165 has a communication device. The terminal device 165 is connected to the Internet 160 via the communication device. The terminal device 165 can access the management device 104 through the Internet 160. The communication between the terminal device 165 and the management device 104 may employ a secure communication protocol, such as a VPN.

[0184] The terminal device 165 has an operating system installed, as well as application programs that can run on that OS. Based on the application programs, the terminal device 165 accesses the management device 154, receives information from the management device 154, and displays the contents of the provided information on the display device.

[0185] The location history collection function, current location display function, location history display function, remaining amount management function, remaining amount display function, and remaining amount history display function of the management system are as follows:

[0186] (1) Collection of location history The positioning device 87 periodically measures the position of the delivery transport vehicle 80. Each time a measurement is taken, the positioning device 87 outputs the measured position to the individual management device 86.

[0187] The individual management device 86 acquires the measurement position from the positioning device 87. The individual management device 86 receives the remaining measurement amount transmitted by the communication device 6, communication device 17, or communication device 33 for each hydrogen gas container 1. Each time the individual management device 86 acquires or receives the measurement position and the remaining measurement amount, it associates the identification number of the delivery transport machine 80 or the individual management device 86 with the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 in the cargo compartment 82, the measurement position, the remaining measurement amount, and the measurement time, and transmits them to the management device 154. Hereinafter, the identification number of the delivery transport machine 80 or the individual management device 86 transmitted by the individual management device 86 will be referred to as the location management identification number, and the identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1 transmitted by the individual management device 86 will be referred to as the container management identification number.

[0188] The management device 154 receives a location management identification number, a container management identification number, a measurement location, a remaining measurement amount, and a measurement time from the individual management device 86. Based on the received location management identification number, the management device 154 identifies and recognizes that the received measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time relate to the delivery transport vehicle 80 to which that location management identification number was assigned. Based on the received location management identification number and container management identification number, the management device 154 recognizes that the hydrogen gas container 1 to which that container management identification number was assigned is loaded onto the delivery transport vehicle 80 to which that location management identification number was assigned.

[0189] Each time the management device 154 receives a location management identification number, container management identification number, measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time from the individual management device 86, it associates the measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time with each other, and further associates the container management identification number and location management identification number with these measurement locations, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time, and records them in the storage device 155. When recording, the management device 154 adds the measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time to the history data 156 so that they are arranged in chronological order. In this way, each time the measurement location, remaining measurement amount, measurement time, location management identification number, and container management identification number are received, the measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time are added to the history data 156 for each container management identification number and each location management identification number, so the history data 156 is a data sequence in which the measurement location and measurement time are arranged in chronological order.

[0190] Multiple historical data 156 are stored in the storage device 155, and each historical data 156 is assigned one location management identification number and one container management identification number. The location management identification number assigned to the historical data 156 identifies it as relating to the delivery transport machine 80 or individual management device 86 that has been assigned the location management identification number. The container management identification number assigned to the historical data 156 identifies it as relating to the hydrogen gas container 1 that has been assigned the container management identification number. When recording the measurement location and measurement time as described above, the management device 154 adds the measurement location and measurement time to the historical data 156 that has been assigned the same location management identification number and container management identification number as the received location management identification number and container management identification number, respectively. In addition to the location management identification number, the historical data 156 may also be assigned a name that has been assigned to the delivery transport machine 80 or individual management device 86. In addition to the container management identification number, the history data 156 may also include the name assigned to hydrogen gas container 1.

[0191] As described above, each time the management device 154 receives the location management identification number, container management identification number, measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time transmitted by the individual management device 86, the management device 154 associates the measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time with each other and records them in chronological order in the storage device 155. In this way, the location history of the delivery transport vehicle 80, the history of the loaded hydrogen gas containers 1, and the history of the remaining amount of those hydrogen gas containers 1 are managed for each delivery transport vehicle 80.

[0192] The management device 154 may calculate the total remaining measurement amount associated with the same location management identification number and the same measurement time. The management device 154 may also calculate the total remaining measurement amount associated with the same location management identification number and the same most recent measurement time.

[0193] (2) Display of current location (latest location) When a user inputs a location management identification number into the application program by operating the input device of the terminal device 165, the terminal device 165 acquires the input location management identification number. Alternatively, a previously used or default location management identification number may be pre-configured in the application program, and the terminal device 165 may acquire that location management identification number when the application program is started.

[0194] The terminal device 165 transmits the acquired location management identification number to the management device 154 via the internet 160. The management device 154 receives the transmitted location management identification number. Next, the management device 154 searches among the multiple history data 156 stored in the storage device 155 for the history data 156 that has the same identification number as the received location management identification number. Next, the control device 154 reads the latest measurement location from the retrieved history data 156. Furthermore, the control device 154 reads the container management identification number and the latest remaining measurement amount associated with the latest measurement location from the retrieved history data 156.

[0195] Next, the management device 154 reads a map from the map database 158, with the most recent measurement location as the center of that range. Next, the management device 154 transmits the read map, the latest measurement location, the latest measurement location, and the container management identification number to the terminal device 165. The terminal device 165 receives the transmitted map, the latest measurement location, the latest remaining measurement amount, and the container management identification number.

[0196] Next, the terminal device 165 plots the current location marker on the geographic coordinates corresponding to the most recent measurement location on the received map. Alternatively, the management device 154 may perform such plotting and transmit the plotted map to the terminal device 165. Next, the terminal device 165 displays a map with the current location marker plotted on the display device, and also displays the container management identification number on the display device. The terminal device 165 may display the latest remaining measurement amount associated with each container management identification number. The terminal device 165 may overlay the container management identification number on the map. The terminal device 165 may overlay the container management identification number on the map near the location of the current location marker. The terminal device 165 may display the container management identification number as a pop-up separate from the map. The terminal device 165 may display the container management identification number as a pop-up within the map.

[0197] Figure 13 shows an example of an application program screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device 165. A map 170 is displayed on the application program screen. This map 170 is read from the map database 158. A current location mark 171 is plotted at the center of the map 170 according to the latest measurement position, and the current location mark 171 is displayed together with the map 120. The current location mark 171 identifies the location of the delivery transport vehicle 80. When the user operates the terminal device 165 and selects the current location mark 171, the terminal device 165 pops up a display area 152 overlaid on the map 170 around the current location mark 151. The display area 152 identifies the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded on the delivery transport vehicle 80 by displaying the container management identification number. When the container management identification number in the display area 152 is selected by the user, the terminal device 165 may display the latest measurement remaining amount associated with the container management identification number as a result of that selection.

[0198] By viewing the map displayed on the terminal device 165, the user can determine the latest location of the transport aircraft 80 and the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded on it.

[0199] In the above description, one location management identification number is entered into the terminal device 165, and the current location of one delivery transport vehicle 80 is displayed on the map 170 with a current location marker. Alternatively, multiple location management identification numbers may be entered into the terminal device 165, and the current locations of multiple delivery transport vehicles 80 may be displayed on the map 170.

[0200] The application program may be installed in the individual management device 86 mounted on the delivery transport aircraft 80, thereby allowing the individual management device 86 to have the same functions as the second terminal device 165.

[0201] (3) Presentation of location history After the application program is launched, if the user inputs a location management identification number into the second terminal device 165 by operating the input device of the second terminal device 165, the second terminal device 165 will acquire the input location management identification number.

[0202] When a user specifies a period to the second terminal device 165 in an application program by operating the input device of the second terminal device 165, the second terminal device 165 acquires the entered period. The period may be specified by its start and end dates, or by days in calendar years, months in calendar years, or years in calendar years.

[0203] The second terminal device 165 transmits the acquired location management identification number and specified period to the management device 154 via the internet 160. This transmission of the location management identification number and specified period corresponds to a request for the history of the measurement location and remaining measurement amount of the history data 156 associated with that location management identification number. The management device 154 receives the transmitted location management identification number and specified period. Receiving such an identification number corresponds to accepting a request for the history of the measurement location and remaining measurement amount of the history data 156 associated with that identification number. Next, the management device 154 searches among the multiple history data 156 stored in the storage device 155 for the history data 156 that has the same identification number as the received location management identification number.

[0204] Next, the management device 154 reads the measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and container management identification number associated with the measurement time within the specified period from the retrieved history data 156. Next, the control device 154 reads a map from the map database 158 that includes all the measurement locations that have been read.

[0205] Next, the management device 154 transmits the read map, measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and container management identification number to the second terminal device 165. The second terminal device 165 receives the transmitted map, measurement location, remaining measurement amount, and container management identification number. Next, the second terminal device 165 plots location markers on the received map at geographic coordinates corresponding to the measurement locations, and places lines on the map connecting these location markers in a chronological order. Alternatively, the management device 154 may perform such plotting of location markers and placement of lines, and transmit the plotted map to the second terminal device 165. Next, the second terminal device 165 displays a map on the display device in which location markers are plotted and lines are placed, and also displays the container management identification number on the display device. The second terminal device 165 may display the container management identification number overlaid on the map. The second terminal device 165 may display the container management identification number overlaid on the map near the location of the location markers. The second terminal device 165 may display the container management identification number as a pop-up separate from the map. The second terminal device 165 may display the container management identification number as a pop-up within the map.

[0206] Figure 14 shows an example of an application program screen displayed on the display device of the second terminal device 165. A map 175 is displayed on the application program screen. This map 175 is read from the map database 158. Location marks 176 are plotted on the map 175 according to their measured positions, and these location marks 176 are displayed together with the map 175. Lines 177 with arrows are placed on the map 175 to connect the location marks 176, and these lines 177 are displayed together with the map 175. When a user specifies any of the location marks 176 by operating the input device of the terminal device 165, the terminal device 165 detects this and displays a display area 178 superimposed on the map 175 around that location mark 176. The display area 178 identifies the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded onto the delivery transport vehicle 80 by displaying a container management identification number corresponding to the measured position of the location mark 176. When a container management identification number within the display area 178 is selected by the user, the terminal device 165 may display the latest remaining measured quantity associated with that container management identification number, triggered by that selection.

[0207] By viewing the map displayed on the terminal device 165, the user can understand the route taken by the transport aircraft 80 and the hydrogen gas container 1 loaded on it.

[0208] (4) Management of remaining quantity As described above, each time the individual management device 201 acquires the remaining measured amount and measurement time, it transmits to the management device 154 the location management identification number of the storage area 200 or the individual management device 201, the container management identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1, the remaining measured amount, and the measurement time in association. Alternatively, the individual management device 201 may acquire the remaining measured amount measured by the remaining amount measuring instrument after the hydrogen gas has been transferred from the hydrogen gas container 1 delivered to the storage area 200 to the hydrogen gas container 1 at the storage area 200, and each time it acquires the remaining measured amount and measurement time, it transmits to the management device 154 the location management identification number of the storage area 200 or the individual management device 201, the container management identification number of the hydrogen gas container 1, the remaining measured amount, and the measurement time in association.

[0209] The control device 154 receives the location management identification number, container management identification number, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time from the individual control device 201. Based on the received location management identification number, the control device 154 identifies and recognizes the received measurement location and measurement time as relating to the storage area 200 to which that location management identification number is assigned. Based on the received location management identification number and container management identification number, the control device 154 recognizes that the hydrogen gas container 1 to which that container management identification number is assigned is placed in the storage area 200 to which that location management identification number is assigned.

[0210] Each time the management device 154 receives a location management identification number, a container management identification number, the remaining measured amount, and the measurement time from the individual management device 201, it associates the remaining measured amount and the measurement time with each other, and further associates the container management identification number and the location management identification number with these remaining measured amounts and measurement times, and records them in the storage device 155. When recording, the management device 154 adds the remaining measured amount and measurement time to the history data 159 so that they are arranged in chronological order. In this way, each time the remaining measured amount, measurement time, location management identification number, and container management identification number are received, the remaining measured amount and measurement time are added to the history data 159 for each location management identification number and each container management identification number, so the history data 159 is a data sequence that arranges the remaining measured amount and measurement time in chronological order for each container management identification number (i.e., each hydrogen gas container 1 placed in the storage area 200). The container management identification number may be the name assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0211] Multiple historical data 159 are stored in the storage device 155, and each historical data 159 is assigned one location management identification number and one container management identification number. The location management identification number assigned to the historical data 159 identifies it as relating to the storage area 200 to which the location management identification number is assigned. When recording the remaining measured amount and measurement time as described above, the management device 154 adds the remaining measured amount and measurement time to the historical data 159 that has the same location management identification number and container management identification number as the received location management identification number and container management identification number, respectively. In addition to the location management identification number, the historical data 159 may also be assigned a name assigned to the storage area 200. In addition to the container management identification number, the historical data 159 may also be assigned a name assigned to the hydrogen gas container 1.

[0212] As described above, each time the management device 154 receives the location management identification number, container management identification number, remaining measurement amount, and measurement time transmitted by the individual management device 201, the management device 154 associates the measurement location, measurement time, and container management identification number with each other and records the time-series arrangement of the remaining measurement amount and measurement time for each fourth machine identification number in the storage device 155 in chronological order for each location management identification number. Thus, the history of the hydrogen gas container 1 placed in the storage area 200 and the history of its remaining amount are managed for each storage area 200.

[0213] (5) Display of remaining quantity When a user inputs a location management identification number into the application program by operating the input device of the terminal device 165, the terminal device 165 acquires the input location management identification number. Alternatively, a previously used or default location management identification number may be pre-configured in the application program, and the terminal device 165 may acquire that location management identification number when the application program is started.

[0214] The terminal device 165 transmits the acquired location management identification number to the management device 154 via the internet 160. The management device 154 receives the transmitted location management identification number. Next, the management device 154 searches among the multiple history data 159 stored in the storage device 155 for the history data 159 that has the same identification number as the received location management identification number. Next, the management device 154 reads the latest remaining measurement amount associated with the same most recent measurement time and the corresponding container management identification number from the retrieved history data 159.

[0215] Next, the management device 154 associates the latest remaining measured quantity with the container management identification number and transmits them to the terminal device 165. The terminal device 165 receives the latest remaining measured quantity and the container management identification number.

[0216] Next, the terminal device 165 associates the latest received remaining measurement quantities with container management identification numbers and displays them on the display device along with the acquired location management identification numbers. Furthermore, the terminal device 165 sums up the most recently received remaining measurement amounts and displays these total values ​​on the display device along with the acquired location management identification number.

[0217] (6) Display of remaining amount history After the application program is launched, if the user enters a location management identification number into the terminal device 165 by operating the input device of the terminal device 165, the terminal device 165 will acquire the entered location management identification number.

[0218] When a user specifies a period to the terminal device 165 in an application program by operating the input device of the terminal device 165, the terminal device 165 acquires the entered period. The period may be specified by its start and end dates, or by days in calendar years, months in calendar years, or years in calendar years.

[0219] The terminal device 165 transmits the acquired location management identification number and specified period to the management device 154 via the internet 160. This transmission of the location management identification number and specified period corresponds to a request for the history of the remaining measurement amount of the history data 159 associated with that location management identification number. The management device 154 receives the transmitted location management identification number and specified period. Receiving such a location management identification number corresponds to accepting a request for the history of the remaining measurement amount of the history data 159 associated with that location management identification number. Next, the management device 154 searches among the multiple history data 159 stored in the storage device 155 for the history data 159 that has the same identification number as the received location management identification number.

[0220] Next, the management device 154 reads the measurement times within the specified period from the retrieved history data 159, and also reads the remaining measurement amount and container management identification number associated with those measurement times.

[0221] Next, the management device 154 transmits the read measurement time, remaining measurement amount, and container management identification number to the terminal device 165. The terminal device 165 receives the transmitted measurement time, remaining measurement amount, and container management identification number.

[0222] Next, the terminal device 165 arranges the received measured remaining amounts in chronological order, associates these arrangements with container management identification numbers, and displays them on the display device along with the acquired location management identification numbers. Alternatively, the terminal device 165 may plot the received measured remaining amounts and their associated measurement times on a graph for each container management identification number (i.e., for each hydrogen gas container 1 placed in storage area 200) and display the graph. The horizontal axis of the graph represents time, and the vertical axis represents the remaining amount.

[0223] Furthermore, the terminal device 165 sums the remaining measurement amounts associated with the same received measurement time, arranges these total values ​​in chronological order, and displays these arrangements on the display device along with the acquired location management identification number. Alternatively, the terminal device 165 may sum the remaining measurement amounts associated with the same received measurement time, plot the total values ​​and their associated measurement times on a graph, and display the graph. The horizontal axis of the graph represents time, and the vertical axis of the graph represents the total remaining amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0224] 1. Hydrogen gas container 2. Container body 5. Battery level indicator 7. Positioning device 8 RFID tags 10 cases 11 Case body 16. Battery level indicator 18 Positioning device 19. Battery level indicator 20 RFID tags 30 Stand 31 seats 32. Battery level indicator 41 Cargo area 45 floorboards 80 transport aircraft 82 Luggage compartment 83 Doors 84 Antenna 85. Short-range wireless communication equipment (leader) 86 Individual Management Device (Terminal Device) 87 Positioning device 101 Battery level indicator 102 Communications device 103 Positioning device 104 Management device 105 Storage devices 109 Terminal device 154 Management device (central management device) 155 Storage devices 165 Terminal device (Second terminal device) 201 Individual Management Device (Terminal Device)

Claims

1. An acquisition means for obtaining the measured remaining amount of hydrogen gas in a hydrogen gas container, as measured by a remaining amount measuring device, from the said remaining amount measuring device, A second acquisition means for obtaining a container management identification number assigned to the hydrogen gas container and read by the reader from the reader, A third acquisition means for acquiring the measurement position of the hydrogen gas container measured by the positioning device from the positioning device, A management device comprising: a management means for managing the remaining measurement amount and measurement position acquired by the acquisition means and the third acquisition means, respectively, for each container management identification number acquired by the second acquisition means, A transmission means that transmits the remaining measurement amount obtained by the acquisition means together with the location management identification number assigned to the management device, the container management identification number obtained by the second acquisition means, and the measurement position obtained by the third acquisition means. A control device equipped with the following features.

2. A central management device capable of communicating with the management device described in claim 1, A receiving means for receiving the remaining measurement amount, measurement location, location management identification number, and container management identification number transmitted by the transmitting means, A management means for managing the remaining measurement amount and measurement location received by the receiving means, for each location management identification number received by the receiving means and for each container management identification number received by the receiving means, A central control system equipped with the following features.

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