Grease management device, grease management system, grease management method, and grease management display device

Abstract

Provided are an oil and grease management device, an oil and grease management method, and an oil and grease management display device that are capable of accurately managing the usage status of oil and grease. The cloud server 5, 5A serves as a frying oil management device for managing the usage status of frying oil P, and includes a data acquisition unit 50 for acquiring a measurement value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P together with time data, a measurement ratio calculation unit 51 for calculating a measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P, a measurement judgment unit 52 for determining whether the measurement ratio Rm is equal to or greater than a standard measurement ratio Rth, a waste oil judgment unit 53 for determining whether the measurement ratio AVm is equal to or greater than a waste oil standard value AVth, and a signal output unit 56 for outputting an alarm signal prompting the frying oil P to be disposed of when the measurement ratio Rm is continuously judged to be equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio Rth and the measurement value AVm is continuously judged to be equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value AVth and the number of continuous days C1 of use during which the frying oil P that has reached the point of being disposed of is continuously used becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined number C1th.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oil and grease management device for managing the usage status of oil and grease, an oil and grease management system, an oil and grease management method, and an oil and grease management display device for displaying management information related to the usage status of oil and grease. [Background technology]

[0002] Deep frying, which involves frying food ingredients using edible oil, a type of fat, is widely known as one of many cooking methods, but in order to maintain the quality of the fried food produced by deep frying, it is necessary to properly manage the quality of the edible oil used in deep frying (hereinafter referred to as "frying oil"). Therefore, it is desirable for restaurants and retail stores that serve fried foods in particular to objectively manage the degree of deterioration of the frying oil (hereinafter referred to simply as "deterioration degree") using appropriate index values ​​so as not to be influenced by the experience or subjectivity of employees (users of the frying oil).

[0003] Examples of index values ​​indicating the degree of deterioration of oils and fats (hereinafter referred to as "deterioration index values") include acid value (AV), total polar compound amount (TPM), color, viscosity increase rate, anisidine value, carbonyl value, smoke point, tocopherol content, iodine value, refractive index, amount of volatile components, and composition of volatile components. These deterioration index values ​​can be measured using various sensors, imaging devices, etc.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a colored test piece immersed in a target oil and fat and a color bar composed of multiple colors corresponding to the acid value are simultaneously photographed with a camera, RGB color information of the colored test piece and RGB color information of the color bar are calculated from the photographed content, and the acid value of the target oil and fat is measured from the calculated RGB color information of the colored test piece by referring to the acid value corresponding to the calculated RGB color information of the color bar.

[0005] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of measuring the electrostatic capacitance in oil by immersing a sensor having an electrode part in the oil, and detecting the TPM value, which indicates the amount of polar compounds (polar molecular weight) contained in the oil, from the measured value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-38207 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6395243 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In managing frying oil, particularly in a franchise chain that operates multiple stores, the headquarters that manages each store generally checks whether the frying oil is being used properly at each store on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Therefore, at each store, an employee records the deterioration index value of the frying oil measured using the method described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, and data related to the recorded deterioration index value of the frying oil is transmitted to the headquarters. Therefore, even if the deterioration index value of the frying oil is measured accurately using the method described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, if an employee makes a mistake or forgets to record the measurement value, the headquarters cannot accurately determine whether the frying oil is being used properly at that store.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an oil and grease management device, an oil and grease management method, and an oil and grease management display device that are capable of accurately managing the usage status of oil and grease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] [1] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an oil and grease management device for managing the usage status of oil and grease, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value of a deterioration index, which is an index showing a degree of deterioration of the oil, together with time data; a measurement ratio calculation unit that calculates a measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil based on the time data related to the measurement value acquired by the data acquisition unit and a predetermined measurement period that is previously set as a period for measuring the deterioration index of the oil; a measurement determination unit that determines whether the measurement ratio calculated by the measurement ratio calculation unit is equal to or greater than a reference measurement ratio that is a reference for the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil; a waste oil determination unit which determines whether the measured value is equal to or greater than a waste oil standard value which is a standard value of the deterioration index at a specified waste oil point of the oil; a continuous use day counting unit which counts the number of continuous use days during which the oil has been continuously used in a state in which it reached the waste oil point as one day when the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio and when the waste oil determination unit continuously determines that the measurement value is equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value; and a signal output unit which outputs an alarm signal to prompt the user to waste the oil when the number of continuous use days counted by the continuous use day counting unit reaches a specified number of days or more.

[0010] [2] Preferably, the grease management device according to [1] further includes a regenerative replacement counting unit that counts the number of times the grease was regenerated or replaced before it reached the waste oil point. When the waste oil determination unit determines that the measurement value is less than the waste oil standard value, it determines whether the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value previously acquired by the data acquisition unit, and when it determines that the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value, it determines whether the previous measurement value is less than the waste oil standard value. When the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio, and when the waste oil determination unit determines that the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value and that the previous measurement value is less than the waste oil standard value, the regenerative replacement counting unit counts the number of times the regenerative replacement is 1. When the number of times the regenerative replacement counted by the regenerative replacement counting unit reaches a predetermined number or more, it outputs an alarm signal to encourage the waste oil of the grease after it reaches the waste oil point.

[0011] [3] Preferably, the grease management device according to [1] above further includes a deterioration index comparison unit that, when the grease is transferred between a plurality of oil tanks and the measurement ratios in the plurality of oil tanks are determined by the measurement determination unit to be equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratios, compares the measurement value of a special oil tank that is set as the oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the grease is the highest with the measurement values ​​of other oil tanks among the plurality of oil tanks other than the special oil tank, and the deterioration index comparison unit determines whether the measurement value of the special oil tank is equal to or greater than a value obtained by adding a predetermined difference value to the measurement value of the other oil tanks, and the signal output unit outputs an alarm signal to prompt appropriate transfer of the grease when the deterioration index comparison unit determines that the measurement value of the special oil tank is less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined difference value to the measurement value of the other oil tanks.

[0012] [4] Preferably, the oil and grease management device as described in [1] above is the oil and grease management device as described in claim 1, further comprising a special oil tank reset day counting unit that counts the number of special oil tank reset days in which the degree of deterioration of the oil in a special oil tank set as the oil tank in which the value of the deterioration index of the oil is the highest is reset to a degree of deterioration corresponding to new oil when the oil and grease are transferred between multiple oil tanks, and the special oil tank reset day counting unit counts the special oil tank reset day number as one day when the measurement judgment unit judges that the measurement ratios in the multiple oil tanks are each equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio and the measurement value of the special oil tank acquired by the data acquisition unit becomes the value of the deterioration index corresponding to new oil, and the signal output unit outputs an alarm signal to prompt appropriate transfer of the oil and grease when the special oil tank reset day number counted by the special oil tank reset day counting unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined reset number of days.

[0013] [5] Preferably, in the oil and grease management device described in [1], the signal output unit outputs an alarm signal to prompt appropriate measurement of the deterioration index of the oil and grease when the measurement judgment unit judges that the measurement ratio is less than the standard measurement ratio.

[0014] [6] Preferably, in the oil and grease management device described in [1], the measurement and judgment unit further judges whether the measurement value is increasing over time based on the measurement value and the time data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and the signal output unit outputs an alarm signal to notify that the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil and grease is recognized to be erroneous when the measurement and judgment unit judges that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio but the measurement value is not increasing over time.

[0015] [7] The present invention also provides an oil and fat management system for managing the usage status of oils and fats, comprising: a measuring device for measuring a deterioration index which is an index showing a deterioration degree of the oil and fats; an oil and fat management device for determining and managing the usage status of the oil and fats based on a measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil measured by the measuring device; and an oil and fat management notification device for issuing a notification in accordance with a notification signal output from the oil and fat management device, wherein the oil and fat management device acquires the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil measured by the measuring device together with time data, and calculates a measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil and fats based on the time data related to the acquired measurement value and a predetermined measurement period that is preset as a period for measuring the deterioration index of the oil and fats, and the calculated measurement ratio is The method determines whether the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil is equal to or greater than a standard measurement ratio that serves as a reference for the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil, determines whether the obtained measurement value is equal to or greater than a waste oil standard value that serves as a reference value for the deterioration index at a specified waste oil point of the oil, and if it is determined that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio and that the measurement value is continuously determined to be equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value, counts the number of continuous days of use that the oil has been used continuously since it reached the time of waste oil as one day, and if the counted number of continuous days of use reaches or exceeds a specified number of days, outputs an alarm signal to the oil management alarm device to encourage the waste oil of the oil, and the oil management alarm device issues an alarm to encourage the waste oil of the oil in accordance with the alarm signal output from the oil management device.

[0016] [8] Preferably, in the grease management system described in [7], when the grease management device determines that the calculated measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio, and determines that the acquired measurement ratio is less than the previous measurement ratio acquired last time and that the previous measurement ratio is less than the waste oil standard value, it counts the number of times the grease was regenerated or replaced before reaching the waste oil point as one, and when the counted number of times the grease was regenerated or replaced reaches a predetermined number or more, it outputs an alarm signal to the grease management alarm device to encourage the waste of the grease after the waste oil point is reached, and the grease management alarm device issues an alarm to encourage the waste of the grease after the waste oil point is reached in accordance with the alarm signal output from the grease management device.

[0017] [9] Preferably, in the grease management system described in [7], when the grease is transferred between multiple oil tanks, the grease management device, when determining that the measurement ratios in the multiple oil tanks are each equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio, compares the measurement value of a special oil tank set as the oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the grease is highest with the measurement value of other oil tanks among the multiple oil tanks other than the special oil tank, and when the measurement value of the special oil tank is less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined difference value to the measurement value of the other oil tanks, outputs an alarm signal to the grease management alarm device to encourage appropriate transfer of the grease, and the grease management alarm device issues an alarm to encourage appropriate transfer of the grease in accordance with the alarm signal output from the grease management device.

[0018]

[10] Preferably, in the grease management system described in [7], when the grease is transferred between a plurality of oil tanks, the grease management device determines that the measurement ratios in the plurality of oil tanks are each equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio, and when the measurement value of a special oil tank set as the oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the grease is the highest becomes the deterioration index value corresponding to new oil, counts the special oil tank reset days, during which the deterioration degree of the grease in the special oil tank is reset to the deterioration degree corresponding to new oil, as one day, and when the counted special oil tank reset days becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined reset number of days, outputs an alarm signal to encourage appropriate transfer of the grease, and the grease management alarm device issues an alarm to encourage appropriate transfer of the grease in accordance with the alarm signal output from the grease management device.

[0019]

[11] Preferably, in the grease management system described in [7], when the grease management device determines that the calculated measurement ratio is less than the standard measurement ratio, it outputs an alarm signal to prompt appropriate measurement of the deterioration index of the grease, and the grease management alarm device issues an alarm to prompt appropriate measurement of the deterioration index of the grease in accordance with the alarm signal output from the grease management device.

[0020]

[12] Preferably, in the grease management system described in [7], the grease management device further determines whether the measurement value is increasing over time based on the acquired measurement value and the time data, and if it determines that the calculated measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio but the measurement value is not increasing over time, outputs an alarm signal to notify that there is an error in the measurement value of the deterioration index of the grease, and the grease management alarm device issues an alarm that there is an error in the measurement value of the deterioration index of the grease in accordance with the alarm signal output from the grease management device.

[0021]

[13] Preferably, the grease management system described in [7] further includes a terminal held by an administrator who manages the usage status of the grease, and the grease management device is characterized in that it outputs an alarm signal to the terminal to alert the administrator at least when the counted number of days of continuous use reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of days.

[0022]

[14] The present invention also relates to a method for managing usage conditions of greases and oils using a measuring device for measuring a deterioration index which is an index showing a deterioration degree of greases and oils, an grease management device which determines and manages usage conditions of the greases and oils based on a measurement value of the deterioration index of the greases measured by the measuring device, and an grease management notification device which issues a notification in accordance with a notification signal output from the grease management device, the method including: a measurement step in which the measuring device measures the deterioration index of the grease; a data acquisition step in which the grease management device acquires the measurement value of the deterioration index of the greases measured in the measurement step together with time data; a measurement ratio calculation step in which the grease management device calculates a measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the greases and oils based on the time data related to the measurement value acquired in the data acquisition step and a predetermined measurement period which is preset as a period for measuring the deterioration index of the grease; and a reference measurement ratio calculation step in which the measurement ratio calculated in the measurement ratio calculation step serves as a reference for the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the grease. a measurement ratio determination step in which the grease management device determines whether the measurement value acquired in the data acquisition step is equal to or greater than a waste oil standard value, which is a standard value for the deterioration index at a specified waste oil point of the grease; a continuous use day counting step in which the grease management device counts as one day the number of continuous use days during which the grease has been continuously used in a state in which it has reached the waste oil point of time when the measurement ratio is determined to be equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio in the measurement ratio determination step and the measurement value is continuously determined to be equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value in the waste oil determination step; a signal output step in which the grease management device outputs an alarm signal to the grease management alarm device to encourage the waste oil of the grease when the number of continuous use days counted in the continuous use day counting step is equal to or greater than a specified number of days; and an alarm step in which the grease management alarm device issues an alarm to encourage the waste oil of the grease in accordance with the alarm signal output in the signal output step.

[0023]

[15] Preferably, in the grease management method according to

[14] , the grease management device further includes a regeneration and replacement counting step of counting the number of times that the grease was regenerated or replaced before the grease reached the waste oil point, and in the waste oil determination step, when the grease management device determines that the measurement value acquired in the data acquisition step is less than the waste oil reference value, it determines whether or not the measurement value is less than a previous measurement value acquired last time in the data acquisition step, and when the grease management device determines that the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value, it determines whether or not the previous measurement value is less than the waste oil reference value, and in the regeneration and replacement counting step, the grease management device If the measurement ratio is determined to be equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio in the ratio determination step, and if the measurement value is determined to be less than the previous measurement value and the previous measurement value is determined to be less than the waste oil standard value in the waste oil determination step, the number of regeneration replacements is counted as one, and in the signal output step, the grease management device outputs an alarm signal to encourage the waste of oil from the time when the grease reaches the time when it is to be wasted, when the number of regeneration replacements counted in the regeneration replacement number counting step is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and in the alarm step, the grease management alarm device issues an alarm to encourage the waste of oil from the time when the grease reaches the time when it is to be wasted, in accordance with the alarm signal output in the signal output step.

[0024]

[16] The present invention also provides a grease management display device that displays management information of greases in accordance with a signal output from a grease management device that determines and manages the usage status of the greases based on a measurement value of a deterioration index, which is an index showing the degree of deterioration of the greases, and includes a display unit that displays a plurality of objects, and a display control unit that controls the display unit, wherein the display unit includes a ranking display area that displays a ranking of the superiority or inferiority of the usage status of the greases, and a comment display area that displays comments addressed to an administrator managing the usage status of the greases, and wherein, when a display signal encouraging the waste disposal of the greases is output from the grease management device, the display control unit displays an object indicating the inferiority in the ranking display area and displays a warning encouraging the waste disposal of the greases in the comment display area.

[0025]

[17] Preferably, in the grease management display device described in

[16] , the display control unit, when a display signal encouraging the disposal of the grease after the time for disposal of the grease is reached, displays in the rank display area an object indicating a rank that is superior to the lowest rank, and displays in the comment display area a notice encouraging the disposal of the grease after the time for disposal of the grease is reached.

[0026]

[18] Preferably, in the grease management display device described in

[16] , the display control unit is characterized in that when the ranking to be displayed in the ranking display area is superior to the ranking in a specified period of the past, an object indicating an increase is displayed in the ranking display area, when the ranking to be displayed in the ranking display area is inferior to the ranking in the specified period of the past, an object indicating a decrease is displayed in the ranking display area, and when the ranking to be displayed in the ranking display area is the same as the ranking in the specified period of the previous past, an object indicating maintenance is displayed in the ranking display area.

[0027]

[19] Preferably, in the grease management display device described in

[16] , when displaying the grease management information in a plurality of stores, the display on the display unit includes a simple display that extracts and displays the lowest usage status of the grease in each of the plurality of stores and comments directed to the manager, and a detailed display that displays all of the usage status of the grease in each of the plurality of stores and comments directed to the manager, and the display control unit switches the display on the display unit from the simple display to the detailed display when a switch signal to the detailed display is input while the display unit is in the simple display, and switches the display on the display unit from the detailed display to the simple display when a switch signal to the simple display is input while the display unit is in the detailed display. Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, the usage status of oils and fats can be accurately managed. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of each embodiment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part of a kitchen where deep-frying is performed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a frying oil management system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a cloud server. [Figure 4] 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a cloud server and a management terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by a cloud server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the content displayed on the display unit of the management terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the display content in a simplified display mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a continuation of the display contents shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display contents in the detailed display of the "Center South Sea Breeze Area" shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display contents in the detailed display of “Center Minami Green Park” shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display contents in the detailed display of “Center Minami Garden Place” shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 11] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display contents in the detailed display of “Center Minami Sakura Hills” shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display contents in the detailed display of “Center Minami Niconico Danchi” shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 13] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display contents in the detailed display of “Center Minami Future Base” shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 14] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a display process executed by a display control unit of the management terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a display switching process executed by a display control unit of the management terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 11 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a cloud server and a management terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by a cloud server according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the contents displayed on the display unit of the management terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each showing a display example of rank A and rank B. [Figure 19] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the content displayed on the display unit of the management terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each showing a display example of rank C. [Figure 20] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of the content displayed on the display unit of the management terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each showing an example of displaying an out-of-rank item. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Below, we will explain one aspect of the oil and fat management device, oil and fat management system, oil and fat management method, and oil and fat management display device according to each embodiment of the present invention, which manages the usage of edible oil used when cooking fried foods such as fried chicken, croquettes, and fried chicken in chain stores such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants.

[0031] In the following description, cooking fried foods is referred to as "deep-frying", the fat or oil (edible oil) used in deep-frying is referred to as "deep-frying oil", and the ingredients to be deep-fryed are referred to as "fried ingredients".

[0032] (Regarding fried cooking) First, an example of an environment in which deep-frying is performed will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a part of a kitchen where deep-frying is performed.

[0034] For example, in retail stores such as convenience stores and supermarkets, and restaurants such as family restaurants, deep-frying is performed in kitchens provided within the stores to provide freshly prepared fried foods to customers. In the kitchen shown in Fig. 1, for example, three electric fryers X, Y, and Z are installed as cooking equipment used for deep-frying. Note that the number of fryers installed in the kitchen is determined by the size of the store and the number of types of fried foods provided at the store, and is not necessarily limited to three.

[0035] Each of the three fryers X, Y, and Z includes an oil tank 11 for storing frying oil P and a housing 12 for accommodating the oil tank 11. A side surface of the housing 12 is provided with a plurality of setting switches 12A for setting the temperature of the frying oil P and the contents of the frying process according to the type of frying food Q.

[0036] When deep frying, the cook first puts ingredients Q into the fry basket 2 having a handle 20, and hooks the handle 20 onto the upper end of the housing 12 so that the ingredients Q in the fry basket 2 are submerged in the frying oil P. At the same time, or around the same time, the cook operates one of the multiple setting switches 12A that corresponds to the type of ingredients Q to be deep-fried.

[0037] Next, each fryer X, Y, Z determines which setting switch 12A has been operated by the cook, and when the frying time corresponding to the operated setting switch 12A has elapsed, it notifies the cook that the frying is complete. At the same time, the frying basket 2 containing the fried food (fried food Q after frying) automatically rises from the oil tank 11, and the fried food is lifted from the state where it was immersed in the frying oil P.

[0038] Methods for notifying the user when the fried food is done include, for example, outputting a buzzer sound from a speaker installed in each fryer X, Y, Z, or displaying the information on a monitor installed on a wall or the like near each fryer X, Y, Z.

[0039] When the cook senses that the deep-frying is completed, he or she lifts up the fry basket 2 and removes the fried food. In this case, the fry basket 2 may be automatically lifted from the oil tank 11 by providing a drive mechanism on each of the fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0040] In order to ensure the quality of fried foods provided to customers, it is necessary to manage the quality of the frying oil P used in deep-frying. Therefore, store employees and cooks periodically measure a deterioration index, which is an index showing the degree of deterioration of the frying oil P (hereinafter simply referred to as "degree of deterioration"), and, for example, if the measured deterioration index of the frying oil P is equal to or greater than the waste oil reference value, which is the reference value of the deterioration index at a specified time point when the frying oil P is wasted, the frying oil P is wasted and replaced with new oil.

[0041] Examples of deterioration indicators of frying oil P include the acid value (AV) of frying oil P, the polar compound content (PC) of frying oil P, the color of frying oil P, the viscosity of frying oil P, the viscosity increase rate of frying oil P, the anisidine value of frying oil P, the carbonyl value of frying oil P, the smoke point of frying oil P, the tocopherol content of frying oil P, the iodine value of frying oil P, the refractive index of frying oil P, the amount of volatile components of frying oil P, the composition of volatile components of frying oil P, the flavor of frying oil P, the amount of volatile components of fried foods fried with frying oil P, the composition of volatile components of fried foods fried with frying oil P, and the flavor of fried foods fried with frying oil P. All of these are parameters that change with the heating time of frying oil P.

[0042] Each deterioration index of the frying oil P can be measured using a measuring device such as a camera or a sensor. For example, to measure the acid value of the frying oil P, a test paper that measures the acid value from the color change of the part where the frying oil P is dropped, or a measuring device that can directly measure the acid value of the frying oil P by immersing it in the frying oil P, etc. are used. In addition, to measure the amount of polar compounds in the frying oil P, a measuring device that can directly measure the amount of polar compounds contained in the frying oil P by immersing it in the frying oil P, etc. are used. In addition, to measure the amount and composition of volatile components in the frying oil P and the amount and composition of volatile components of fried foods fried in the frying oil P, a general-purpose gas sensor (for example, a semiconductor gas sensor or a quartz crystal resonator gas sensor) etc. are used.

[0043] Other methods of measuring each deterioration index include, for example, a method of using image recognition technology to determine the type and number of foods fried in frying oil P from an image taken by a camera, and estimating each deterioration index based on the correlation between the type and number of foods and each deterioration index, a method of measuring the spectrum of frying oil P using a spectrometer, and estimating each deterioration index based on the correlation between the spectrum of frying oil P and each deterioration index, and a method of estimating each deterioration index based on the correlation between the number of times setting switches 12A of fryers X, Y, and Z have been operated (i.e., the number of times frying has been performed) and each deterioration index.

[0044] In addition, the measurement of the deterioration index of frying oil P is not necessarily limited to using the above-mentioned measuring device or utilizing the above-mentioned measuring method, and any known measuring device or method may be used.

[0045] (Configuration of Frying Oil Management System 3) Next, the configuration of the frying oil management system 3 that manages the usage of the frying oil P will be described with reference to FIG.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the frying oil management system 3.

[0047] The frying oil management system 3 is a system that centrally manages the usage of frying oil P at each store, for example, in a chain of multiple stores such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and family restaurants, and is composed of, for example, a store terminal 4 installed in each store, a cloud server 5 that executes a program that manages the usage of frying oil P at each store, a management terminal 6 that allows an administrator managing the frying oil P (for example, the headquarters manager of the company that operates the chain stores) to check the usage of frying oil P at each store, and a mobile terminal 7 held by the administrator.

[0048] The cloud server 5 is connected to each of the store terminals 4, the management terminal 6, and the mobile terminals 7 of each store directly or indirectly via a communication network such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate information with each other.

[0049] The store terminal 4 of each store manages data related to the measurement value of the deterioration index of frying oil P being used in each fryer X, Y, Z. For example, the store terminal 4 is communicatively connected to an AV measurement sensor 8 for measuring the acid value of the frying oil P, and acquires the measurement value AVm measured by the AV measurement sensor 8.

[0050] In each store, an employee periodically measures the acid value of the frying oil P stored in each fryer X, Y, and Z using the AV measurement sensor 8. For example, when a store employee measures the acid value of the frying oil P stored in the fryer X using the AV measurement sensor 8, the store terminal 4 acquires the measurement value AVm output from the AV measurement sensor 8, associates it with the fryer X, and stores it.

[0051] The store terminal 4 and the AV measuring sensor 8 do not necessarily need to be connected to be able to communicate with each other, and if the store terminal 4 and the AV measuring sensor 8 are not connected to be able to communicate with each other, the measurement value AVm measured by the AV measuring sensor 8 may be read into the store terminal 4 via an external device, or may be directly input to the store terminal 4 by a store employee. If the AV measuring sensor 8 is connected to be able to communicate with the cloud server 5, data related to the measurement value AVm may be output from the AV measuring sensor 8 directly to the cloud server 5 without going through the store terminal 4.

[0052] The cloud server 5 is one aspect of a frying oil management device that determines and manages the usage status of the frying oil P based on the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P measured by the AV measurement sensor 8. Note that the frying oil management device does not necessarily have to be the cloud server 5 constructed on a communication network, and may also be, for example, a server device installed in a headquarters center that has jurisdiction over multiple stores.

[0053] The management terminal 6 is one aspect of a frying oil management display device (frying oil management notification device) that displays management information on the frying oil P in accordance with a signal output from the cloud server 5. A manager who manages the frying oil P can search for a store for which he or she wishes to check the usage status of the frying oil P on the management terminal 6, and can check the usage status of the frying oil P at that store and comments to the manager. The specific display contents displayed on the management terminal 6 will be described later.

[0054] The mobile terminal 7 receives the notification signal regarding the usage of the frying oil P output from the cloud server 5, particularly the notification signal indicating that there is a problem with the usage of the frying oil P, and alerts the manager by displaying text or notifying with sound, etc. For example, the mobile terminal 7 alerts the manager with a message such as "The frying oil P in the fryer X at the XX store has been continuously used beyond the point at which it was discarded. Please check the tally report on the management terminal 6 and provide guidance to the XX store."

[0055] (Hardware configuration to realize the functions of cloud server 5) Next, the hardware configuration for realizing the functions of cloud server 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the cloud server 5. As shown in FIG.

[0057] A computer that realizes the functions of cloud server 5 (for example, a computer owned by a company that provides a cloud system) includes, as hardware components, a central processing unit (CPU) 50A, a random access memory (RAM) 50B, a read only memory (ROM) 50C, a hard disk drive (HDD) 50D, and an interface (I / F) 50E. These components are connected to each other via a common bus 50F.

[0058] The CPU 50A is a computing means and controls the overall operation of the cloud server 5.

[0059] The RAM 50B is a volatile storage medium that allows high speed reading and writing of information, and is used, for example, as a working area when the CPU 50A processes management information.

[0060] The ROM 50C is a read-only non-volatile storage medium, and stores programs such as firmware.

[0061] The HDD 50D is a non-volatile storage medium that is capable of reading and writing information and has a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), control programs for executing various information processes (described later), and application programs.

[0062] The HDD 50D can be substituted with any type of device, for example, a solid state drive (SSD), as long as it is a non-volatile storage medium that can store and manage information.

[0063] The I / F 50E is a connection interface with a communication network, and is connected to the store terminals 4 of each store, the management terminal 6, the mobile terminals 7, and the like.

[0064] The cloud server 5 having such a hardware configuration is an information processing device that realizes processing functions by the calculation functions of the CPU 50A, based on control programs stored in the ROM 50C and control programs and application programs loaded into the RAM 50B from a storage medium such as the HDD 50D.

[0065] Execution of these information processes configures a software control unit including various functional modules in the cloud server 5. A functional block that realizes the functions of the cloud server 5 is configured by combining the software control unit configured in this manner with hardware resources including the above configuration.

[0066] The store terminal 4, management terminal 6, and mobile terminal 7 of each store each have the same hardware configuration as the above. In addition, if the frying oil management device is configured as a server device rather than a cloud, the server device will have the above hardware configuration.

[0067] Hereinafter, the functions of cloud server 5, the functions of management terminal 6, and the display contents displayed on management terminal 6 will be described for each embodiment.

[0068] [First embodiment] Cloud server 5 and management terminal 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0069] (Functional configuration of cloud server 5 and management terminal 6) First, the functional configuration of cloud server 5 and the functional configuration of management terminal 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of cloud server 5 and management terminal 6 according to the first embodiment.

[0071] The cloud server 5 includes a data acquisition unit 50, a measurement ratio calculation unit 51, a measurement determination unit 52, a waste oil determination unit 53, a number of days of continuous use counting unit 54, a regeneration and replacement counting unit 55, a signal output unit 56, and a memory unit 57.

[0072] The data acquisition unit 50 acquires the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P together with time data output from the store terminal 4. Note that the "time data" may be date and time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second) or only the date (year / month / day).

[0073] The measurement ratio calculation unit 51 calculates the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P based on the time data acquired by the data acquisition unit 50 and a predetermined measurement cycle that is set in advance as a cycle for measuring the acid value of the frying oil P. The "predetermined measurement cycle" is specifically the frequency with which store employees measure the acid value of the frying oil P stored in each of the fryers X, Y, and Z, and is set appropriately depending on the size and sales of the store, the type and amount of the fried food Q fried in the frying oil P, etc., such as once every three days or once a week.

[0074] The measurement determination unit 52 determines whether the measurement ratio Rm calculated by the measurement ratio calculation unit 51 is equal to or greater than a reference measurement ratio Rth, which is the reference for the measurement ratio of the acid value of the fried oil P. Note that the "reference measurement ratio Rth" is specifically the minimum measurement ratio required to maintain the quality of the fried oil P, and is appropriately set by, for example, the head office that oversees each store or the operating company that develops each store, such as 80% or 90%. Therefore, the measurement determination unit 52 can confirm whether the store employees are regularly and properly measuring the acid value of the fried oil P.

[0075] Further, based on the measured value AVm of the acid value of the fried oil P and the time data acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the measurement determination unit 52 determines whether the measured value AVm of the acid value of the fried oil P increases with the passage of time. Usually, the acid value of the fried oil P increases with the passage of time. Therefore, if the measured value AVm of the acid value of the fried oil P measured by the AV measurement sensor 8 does not increase with the passage of time, there is a high possibility that the measurement is not being performed correctly. Therefore, the measurement determination unit 52 can confirm whether the method of measuring the acid value of the fried oil P is incorrect or whether the AV measurement sensor 8 is malfunctioning.

[0076] The waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the measured value AVm of the acid value of the fried oil P acquired by the data acquisition unit 50 is equal to or greater than the waste oil reference value AVth of the fried oil P. That is, the waste oil determination unit 53 can confirm whether the fried oil P has reached the waste oil point.

[0077] Further, when the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the measured value AVm of the acid value of the fried oil P is less than the waste oil reference value AVth of the fried oil P (AVm < AVth), it determines whether the measured value AVm is less than the previous measured value AVmp previously acquired by the data acquisition unit 50. Then, when the measured value AVm is less than the previous measured value AVmp (AVm < AVmp), the waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth.

[0078] As described above, usually, the acid value of the frying oil P increases as time passes. Therefore, the latest measured value AVm will not be less than the previous measured value AVmp. When the latest measured value AVm is less than the previous measured value AVmp and the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth, it is considered that the frying oil P has been regenerated or replaced. In this way, the waste oil determination unit 53 can also determine the possibility that the frying oil P has been regenerated or replaced with new oil at a stage before reaching the waste oil point.

[0079] Note that "regeneration" means passing the deteriorating frying oil P through a filter to remove fried scraps, etc., passing the frying oil P through a filtering agent to make it in a state close to new oil (filtration), adding new oil to the amount of the frying oil P that has been absorbed by the frying seeds Q and decreased, or removing a part of the deteriorated frying oil P as waste oil and adding new oil (topping up). Also, "replacement" means replacing the deteriorating frying oil P with new oil or oil in a state equivalent to new oil.

[0080] In this embodiment, the waste oil determination unit 53 further makes a determination to distinguish whether the frying oil P has been regenerated or replaced. Specifically, when the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the current measured value AVm is less than the previous measured value AVmp (AVm < AVmp) and the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp < AVth), it then determines whether the previous measured value AVmp is greater than or equal to the value obtained by adding an arbitrary difference β to the current measured value AVm.

[0081] This arbitrary difference β is the difference between the previous measured value AVmp and the current measured value AVm (a parameter quantitatively indicating how far apart the previous measured value AVmp and the current measured value AVm are), and is appropriately set according to the actual usage situation of the frying oil P in each store, for example, 1.0, etc.

[0082] When the previous measurement value AVmp is greater than or equal to (the current measurement value AVm + β) (AVmp ≧ AVm + β), the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been replaced. For example, if the previous measurement value AVmp is greater than or equal to (the current measurement value AVm + 1.0) (AVmp ≧ AVm + 1.0), the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been replaced.

[0083] On the other hand, when the previous measurement value AVmp is less than (the current measurement value AVm + β) (AVmp < AVm + β), the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been regenerated. For example, if the previous measurement value AVmp is less than (the current measurement value AVm + 1.0) (AVmp < AVm + 1.0), the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been regenerated.

[0084] Note that the cloud server 5 does not necessarily need to clearly distinguish whether the frying oil P has been regenerated or replaced. At least when the measurement value AVm is less than the previous measurement value AVmp (AVm < AVmp), and the previous measurement value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp < AVth), it may be determined that either regeneration or replacement has been performed on the frying oil P.

[0085] When it is determined by the measurement determination unit 52 that the measurement ratio Rm is greater than or equal to the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm ≧ Rth), and it is continuously determined by the waste oil determination unit 53 that the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P is greater than or equal to the waste oil reference value AVth (AVm ≧ AVth), the continuous use days counting unit 54 counts the continuous use days C1 in which the frying oil P has been continuously used in the state of reaching the waste oil point as "1 day".

[0086] Specifically, when the determination of AVm≥AVth in the waste oil determination unit 53 is consecutive twice, the continuous use days counting unit 54 counts the continuous use days C1 as "C1 = 1 day"; when it is consecutive three times, it counts as "C1 = 2 days"; when it is consecutive four times, it counts as "C1 = 3 days", and so on. Therefore, when the determination of AVm≥AVth is made only once in the waste oil determination unit 53, since it corresponds to the case where the frying oil P reaches the waste oil point for the first time, the continuous use days counting unit 54 does not count the continuous use days C1.

[0087] When the measurement determination unit 52 determines that the measurement ratio Rm is greater than or equal to the reference measurement ratio Rth, and the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P is less than the previous measured value AVmp (AVm < AVmp), and the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp < AVth), the regeneration / exchange times counting unit 55 counts the regeneration / exchange times C2 of the frying oil P being regenerated or exchanged in the state where it does not reach the waste oil point as "1 time".

[0088] In this embodiment, when the waste oil determination unit 53 further determines that the previous measured value AVmp is greater than or equal to (the current measured value AVm + β) (AVmp≥AVm + β), the regeneration / exchange times counting unit 55 counts the exchange times C21 of the frying oil P being exchanged with new oil or oil in a state equivalent to new oil in the state where it does not reach the waste oil point as "1 time" as the regeneration / exchange times C2.

[0089] On the other hand, when the waste oil determination unit 53 further determines that the previous measured value AVmp is less than (the current measured value AVm + β) (AVmp < AVm + β), the regeneration / exchange times counting unit 55 counts the regeneration times C22 of the frying oil P being regenerated in the state where it does not reach the waste oil point as "1 time" as the regeneration / exchange times C2.

[0090] When the continuous use days C1 counted by the continuous use days counting unit 54 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of days C1th (C1≥C1th), the signal output unit 56 outputs a first display signal to the management terminal 6.

[0091] This first display signal includes information on the measurement ratio Rm (≥ Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (determination that the measurement can be performed correctly), the continuous use days C1 (≥ C1th) counted by the continuous use days counting unit 54, the regeneration / exchange count C2 counted by the regeneration / exchange count unit 55, the rank (C) of the frying oil P, and information related to a comment prompting the waste of the frying oil P. That is, the first display signal is an aspect of a notification signal prompting the waste of the frying oil P.

[0092] Note that the information related to the regeneration / exchange count C2 included in the first display signal does not affect the rank "C" of the frying oil P (when the continuous use days C1 ≥ C1th, the rank of the frying oil P becomes "C" regardless of the regeneration / exchange count C2), so C2 ≥ C2th or C2 < C2th may be acceptable.

[0093] Here, the "predetermined number of days C1th" is the number of continuous use days when it is difficult to maintain the quality of the fried food fried with the frying oil P, and is appropriately set by, for example, the head office that oversees each store or the operating company that develops each store, such as 3 days or 5 days.

[0094] Also, when the regeneration / exchange count C2 counted by the regeneration / exchange count unit 55 is equal to or more than a predetermined number of times C2th (C2 ≥ C2th), the signal output unit 56 outputs a second display signal to the management terminal 6.

[0095] This second display signal includes information on the measurement ratio Rm (≥ Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (determination that the measurement can be performed correctly), the continuous use days C1 (< C1th) counted by the continuous use days counting unit 54, the regeneration / exchange count C2 (≥ C2th) counted by the regeneration / exchange count unit 55, the rank (B) of the frying oil P, and information related to a comment prompting the waste of the frying oil P after reaching the waste oil time point. That is, the second display signal is an aspect of a notification signal prompting the waste of the frying oil P after reaching the waste oil time point.

[0096] Further, when the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been replaced, the signal output unit 56 outputs a second-1 display signal as the second display signal, and when the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been regenerated, the signal output unit 56 outputs a second-2 display signal as the second display signal to the management terminal 6, respectively.

[0097] Here, the "predetermined number of times C2th" is the number of regeneration exchanges that can be judged as wasting the still usable frying oil P. For example, it is appropriately set by the head office that oversees each store or the operating company that develops each store, such as once or three times. When the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been replaced, the predetermined number of times C21th for replacement is used as the predetermined number of times C2th, and when the waste oil determination unit 53 determines that the frying oil P has been regenerated, the predetermined number of times C22th for regeneration is used as the predetermined number of times C2th, respectively.

[0098] In addition, when the measurement determination unit 52 determines that the measurement ratio Rm is 0 (zero) (Rm = 0), that is, when it is determined that the acid value of the frying oil P has not been measured, the signal output unit 56 outputs a third display signal to the management terminal 6.

[0099] This third display signal includes information on the measurement ratio Rm (=0) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (aggregation not possible because it cannot be determined), the continuous use days count C1 in the continuous use days count unit 54 (aggregation not possible), the regeneration exchange count C2 in the regeneration exchange count unit 55 (aggregation not possible), the rank (outside) of the frying oil P, and a comment related to prompting the measurement of the acid value of the frying oil P.

[0100] In addition, when the measurement determination unit 52 determines that the measurement ratio Rm is less than the reference measurement ratio Rth and not 0 (zero) (0 < Rm < Rth), the signal output unit 56 outputs a fourth display signal to the management terminal 6.

[0101] This fourth display signal includes information regarding the measurement ratio Rm (<Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (aggregation not possible because determination cannot be made), the continuous usage days count C1 in the continuous usage days counting unit 54 (aggregation not possible), the playback replacement count C2 in the playback replacement count unit 55 (aggregation not possible), the rank of the frying oil P (outside), and a comment prompting daily measurement of the acid value of the frying oil P.

[0102] That is, the third display signal and the fourth display signal are each an aspect of a notification signal that prompts appropriate measurement of the acid value of the frying oil P.

[0103] Also, when the measurement ratio Rm in the measurement determination unit 52 is greater than or equal to the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm≧Rth) and it is determined that the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P has not increased over time, the signal output unit 56 outputs a fifth display signal to the management terminal 6.

[0104] This fifth display signal includes information regarding the measurement ratio Rm (≧Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (determination that measurement is not being performed correctly), the continuous usage days count C1 in the continuous usage days counting unit 54 (aggregation not possible), the playback replacement count C2 in the playback replacement count unit 55 (aggregation not possible), the rank of the frying oil P (outside), and a comment indicating a problem with the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P. That is, the fifth display signal is an aspect of a notification signal that notifies that an error is recognized in the measured value of the acid value of the frying oil P.

[0105] Also, when there are no particular problems with the management of the usage status of the frying oil P and the usage status of the frying oil P is being appropriately managed, the signal output unit 56 outputs a sixth display signal to the management terminal 6.

[0106] This sixth display signal includes the measurement ratio Rm (≥ Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (determination that the measurement can be correctly performed), the continuous use days count C1 (< C1th) counted by the continuous use days counting unit 54, the reproduction / exchange count C2 (< C2th) counted by the reproduction / exchange count unit 55, the rank (A) of the frying oil P, and information related to a comment indicating that the frying oil P can be correctly managed. That is, the sixth display signal is an aspect of a notification signal for notifying that the frying oil P can be correctly managed.

[0107] Regarding the ranking of the usage status of the frying oil P (the rank of the frying oil P), that is, regarding rank A, rank B, rank C, and out of rank, it will be described later.

[0108] In the present embodiment, when there are particularly significant problems in the usage status of the frying oil P, that is, when the frying oil P in a state where it has reached the waste oil time point is continuously used, the signal output unit 56 outputs a caution signal for prompting the waste oil of the frying oil P to the mobile terminal 7. Thereby, the administrator of the frying oil P can know in real time that it is necessary to improve the usage status of the frying oil P.

[0109] Note that the signal output unit 56 may similarly output not only a caution signal for prompting the waste oil of the frying oil P but also other caution signals (such as a caution signal for prompting the waste oil after the waste oil time point of the frying oil P and a caution signal for prompting the appropriate measurement of the acid value of the frying oil P) to the mobile terminal 7.

[0110] For example, when the signal output unit 56 outputs a caution signal for prompting the waste oil after the waste oil time point of the frying oil P to the mobile terminal 7, the mobile terminal 7 gives a caution to the administrator with content such as "The frying oil P of the fryer Y in the XX store has been wasted before reaching the waste oil time point. Please check the aggregation report on the management terminal 6 and give guidance to the XX store."

[0111] Also, for example, when the signal output unit 56 outputs a warning signal to the mobile terminal 7 encouraging proper measurement of the acid value of the frying oil P, the mobile terminal 7 issues a warning to the manager stating, "The acid value of the frying oil P in the fryer Z at the XX store has not been measured properly. Please check the summary report on the management terminal 6 and provide guidance to the XX store."

[0112] The memory unit 57 stores the predetermined measurement period, the reference measurement ratio Rth, the waste oil reference value AVth, the previous measurement value AVmp, the predetermined number of days C1th, and the predetermined number of times C2th, as described above. The previous measurement value AVmp stored in the memory unit 57 is updated when the latest measurement value AVm is acquired by the data acquisition unit 50. When the waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the frying oil P has been recycled or replaced, the memory unit 57 stores the predetermined number of times C21th for replacement and the predetermined number of times C22th for regeneration as the predetermined number of times C2th.

[0113] The management terminal 6 includes a display unit 61 that displays a plurality of objects including characters and symbols, and a display control unit 62 that controls the display unit 61. When the display control unit 62 acquires various display signals (alert signals) output from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display predetermined characters and symbols according to the acquired display signals at predetermined positions. The contents displayed on the display unit 61 and the contents of the control processing executed by the display control unit 62 will be described later.

[0114] (Processing executed in cloud server 5) Next, the flow of processing executed within cloud server 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0115] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the cloud server 5 according to the first embodiment.

[0116] In the cloud server 5, first, the data acquisition unit 50 acquires the measurement value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P measured by the AV measurement sensor 8 (measurement step) and output from the store terminal 4, together with time data (step S501; data acquisition step).

[0117] Next, the measurement ratio calculation unit 51 calculates the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P based on the time data related to the measurement value AVm acquired in step S501 and a predetermined measurement period stored in the memory unit 57 (step S502; measurement ratio calculation step).

[0118] Next, the measurement determination unit 52 determines whether or not the measurement ratio Rm calculated in step S502 is equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio Rth stored in the storage unit 57 (step S503; measurement ratio determination step).

[0119] If it is determined in step S503 that the measurement ratio Rm is greater than or equal to the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm≧Rth) (step S503 / YES), the measurement and judgment unit 52 then determines whether the measurement value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P is increasing over time based on the measurement value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P acquired in step S501 and the time data (step S504).

[0120] If it is determined in step S504 that the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P is increasing over time (step S504 / YES), the waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P is greater than or equal to the waste oil standard value AVth stored in the memory unit 57 (step S505; waste oil determination step).

[0121] If it is determined in step S505 that the measured acid value AVm of the frying oil P is equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value AVth (AVm≧AVth) (step S505 / YES), the waste oil determination unit 53 then determines whether the current determination of AVm≧AVth is the same as the previous determination and is a consecutive determination (step S506).

[0122] When it is determined in step S506 that the determination of AVm ≥ AVth has been made continuously (step S506 / YES), the continuous use days counting unit 54 counts the continuous use days C1 (step S507; continuous use days counting step).

[0123] Then, when the continuous use days C1 counted in step S507 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of days C1th stored in the storage unit 57 (C1 ≥ C1th) (step S508 / YES), the signal output unit 56 outputs a first display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 and an attention signal prompting waste oil of frying oil P to the mobile terminal 7, respectively (step 509; signal output step), and the processing in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0124] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S506 that the determination of AVm ≥ AVth is made for the first time (step S506 / NO), and when it is determined in step S508 that the continuous use days C1 is less than the predetermined number of days C1th (C1 < C1th) (step S508 / NO), the signal output unit 56 outputs a sixth display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 (step S500), and the processing in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0125] Also, when it is determined in step S505 that the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVm < AVth) (step S505 / NO), subsequently, the waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P is less than the previous measured value AVmp (step S510; waste oil determination step).

[0126] When it is determined in step S510 that the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P is less than the previous measured value AVmp (AVm < AVmp) (step S510 / YES), further, the waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (step S511; waste oil determination step).

[0127] In step S511, when it is determined that the previous measurement value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp < AVth) (step S511 / YES), in this embodiment, subsequently, the waste oil determination unit 53 determines whether the previous measurement value AVmp is greater than or equal to (the current measurement value AVm + β) (step S511A).

[0128] In step S511A, when it is determined that the previous measurement value AVmp of the acid value of the fried oil P is greater than or equal to (the current measurement value AVm + β) (AVmp ≥ AVm + β) (step S511A / YES), the regeneration replacement count unit 55 counts the replacement count C21 (step S512A; regeneration replacement count step).

[0129] Then, when the replacement count C21 counted in step S512A is greater than or equal to a predetermined replacement count C21th stored (C21 ≥ C21th) (step S513A / YES), the signal output unit 56 outputs a second-1 display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 (step S514A; signal output step), and the processing in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0130] On the other hand, in step S511A, when it is determined that the previous measurement value AVmp of the acid value of the fried oil P is less than (the current measurement value AVm + β) (AVmp < AVm + β) (step S511A / NO), the regeneration replacement count unit 55 counts the regeneration count C22 (step S512B; regeneration replacement count step).

[0131] Then, when the regeneration count C22 counted in step S512B is greater than or equal to a predetermined regeneration count C22th stored (C22 ≥ C22th) (step S513B / YES), the signal output unit 56 outputs a second-2 display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 (step S514B; signal output step), and the processing in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0132] When it is determined in step S510 that the measured acid value AVm of the frying oil P is greater than or equal to the previous measured value AVmp (AVm≥AVmp) (step S510 / NO), and when it is determined in step S511 that the previous measured value AVmp is greater than or equal to the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp≥AVth) (step S511 / NO), when it is determined in step S513A that the number of replacements C21 is less than the predetermined number of replacements C21th for replacement (C21<C21th) (step S513A / NO), and when it is determined in step S513B that the number of regenerations C22 is less than the predetermined number of regenerations C22th for regeneration (C22<C22th) (step S513B / NO), the process proceeds to step S500, and the signal output unit 56 outputs a sixth display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6, and the process in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0133] Also, when it is determined in step S503 that the measurement ratio Rm is less than the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm<Rth) (step S503 / NO), subsequently, the measurement determination unit 52 determines whether the measurement ratio Rm is 0 (zero) (step S515).

[0134] When it is determined in step S515 that the measurement ratio Rm is 0 (Rm = 0) (step S515 / YES), the signal output unit 56 outputs a third display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 (step S516), and the process in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0135] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S515 that the measurement ratio Rm is not 0 (Rm≠0) (step S515 / NO), the signal output unit 56 outputs a fourth display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 (step S517), and the process in the cloud server 5 ends.

[0136] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S504 that the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P does not increase over time (step S504 / NO), the signal output unit 56 outputs a fifth display signal to the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 (step S518), and the processing in the cloud server 5 is terminated.

[0137] (Example of display on display unit 61) Next, the display contents displayed on the display unit 61 of the management terminal 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0138] FIG. 6 is an example of the display contents displayed on the display unit 61 of the management terminal 6 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing the display contents in a simplified display. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the continuation of the display contents shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display contents in a detailed display of "Center Minami Umikaze Area" shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the display contents in a detailed display of "Center Minami Green Park" shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the display contents in a detailed display of "Center Minami Garden Place" shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the display contents in a detailed display of "Center Minami Sakura Hills" shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the display contents in a detailed display of "Center Minami Niconico Housing Complex" shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display contents in a detailed display of "Center Minami Future Base" shown in FIG. 7.

[0139] The display contents displayed on the display unit 61 of the management terminal 6 can be changed as appropriate by the administrator. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the administrator can narrow down the search to the name of the company (X store) to be confirmed and the location of the store owned by that company to be confirmed (wide area: Kanto East, narrow area: Center South), and further set the period to be confirmed (January 20, 2023 to February 20, 2023) to perform a search.

[0140] In this case, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display the usage status of frying oil P at each store and comments (improvement comments) for the manager based on various display signals acquired during the one month period from January 20, 2023 to February 20, 2023 at X-ya's stores located in Center Minami in east Kanto (six stores in Figures 6 to 13: Center Minami Garden Place store, Center Minami Green Park store, Center Minami Umikaze Area store, Center Minami Niconico Danchi store, Center Minami Mirai Kichi store, and Center Minami Sakuragaoka store).

[0141] The display on the display unit 61 of the management terminal 6 includes a simplified display shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, and a detailed display shown in Fig. 8 to 13. The simplified display and the detailed display are switched by clicking on the "flyer details" icon shown in each of Figs. 6 to 13.

[0142] The simple display extracts and displays the worst usage of frying oil P in each store and comments to the manager. On the other hand, the detailed display displays all usage of frying oil P in each store and comments to the manager. That is, the simple display displays the usage and comments for the frying oil P in the fryer that is determined to have the worst usage among the frying oil P in fryers X, Y, and Z, while the detailed display displays the usage and comments for all frying oil P in fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0143] Specifically, the "usage status of frying oil P" refers to information relating to the "measurement ratio (Rm) of the acid value of frying oil P," "whether the measurement of the acid value of frying oil P was performed correctly (correctness of the measurement of the acid value of frying oil P)," "the number of days that frying oil P continued to be used even after it was discarded (number of days of continued use of frying oil P C1)," and "the number of times that frying oil P was recycled and replaced when it was below the discard oil standard value (number of times that frying oil P was recycled and replaced C2)."

[0144] In addition, in Figures 6 to 13, the number of times C2 the frying oil P has been regenerated and replaced is shown, and this is an example of the display on the display unit 61 when there is no distinction between whether the frying oil P has been regenerated or replaced. However, when there is a distinction between whether the frying oil P has been regenerated or replaced, the number of times C21 the frying oil P has been replaced and the number of times C22 the frying oil P has been regenerated are shown in the column for the number of times C2 the frying oil P has been replaced.

[0145] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 to 13, in the detailed display, the display unit 61 also displays the standard measurement ratio Rth (e.g., 80%), the predetermined number of days C1th (e.g., 3 days), and the predetermined number of times C2th (e.g., 1 time).

[0146] In addition, the display unit 61 includes a ranking display area that displays the ranking (rank) of the usage of the frying oil P, and a comment display area that displays comments (improvement comments) for the administrator who manages the usage of the frying oil P.

[0147] In this embodiment, the ranking display area is located to one side of each store name (left side in Figs. 6 and 7) in the simplified display, and to one side of the fryer No. (fryer name) column (left side in Figs. 8-13) in the detailed display. The comment display area is located to the other side of each store (right side in Figs. 6 and 7) in the simplified display, and to one side of the column for the usage status of frying oil P (to the right of the column for the number of times the oil was recycled and replaced when it was below the waste oil standard value in Figs. 8-13). Note that the ranking display area and the comment display area do not necessarily have to be located in the positions shown in Figs. 6-13.

[0148] In this embodiment, the grades of frying oil P are of four types: "A", "B", "C", and "out of grade", and in the order from the most excellent to the worst, they are "A", "B", "C", "out of grade". On the display unit 61, the grade corresponding to the worst display signal among various display signals acquired by the display control unit 62 from the cloud server 5 during the period to be confirmed is displayed. For example, when the display control unit 62 has acquired the first display signal corresponding to grade "C" and the second display signal corresponding to grade "B" during the set one-month period, grade "C" is displayed on the display unit 61.

[0149] When the grade of frying oil P is "A", for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P is equal to or higher than the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm≧Rth), the acid value of frying oil P is correctly measured (the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P increases with the passage of time), the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P are less than the predetermined days C1th (C1<C1th), and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P are less than the predetermined times C2th (C2<C2th).

[0150] Therefore, when the grade of frying oil P is "A", it means that there are no problems with both the usage status of frying oil P and the measured value AVm measured by the AV measurement sensor 8 during the set one-month period (when it can be judged as normal), that is, the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62 from the cloud server 5 during the set one-month period is only the sixth display signal. At this time, the improvement comment is, for example, "The oil management is being done correctly!".

[0151] When the grade of frying oil P is "B", for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P is equal to or higher than the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm≧Rth), the acid value of frying oil P is correctly measured (the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P increases with the passage of time), the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P are less than the predetermined days C1th (C1<C1th), and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P are equal to or more than the predetermined times C2th (C2≧C2th).

[0152] Therefore, the frying oil P is ranked "B" when there is a problem with the number of regeneration / replacement times C2 in the usage of the frying oil P during the set one month, i.e., when the display signals acquired by the display control unit 62 from the cloud server 5 during the set one month are only the second display signal (2-1 display signal, 2-2 display signal) or a combination of the second display signal and a display signal (6th display signal) for a rank of "A." In this case, the improvement comment is, for example, "Please stop regenerating and replacing oil below the waste oil standard value."

[0153] A case in which frying oil P is ranked "C" is when, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the measured acid value ratio Rm of the frying oil P is equal to or greater than the reference measured ratio Rth (Rm≧Rth), the acid value of the frying oil P is measured correctly (the measured acid value AVm of the frying oil P increases over time), and the number of continuous days of use C1 of the frying oil P is equal to or greater than a specified number of days C1th (C1≧C1th).

[0154] When the rank of frying oil P is "C", as described above, even if the display control unit 62 acquires a second display signal corresponding to rank "B", the rank "C" is displayed on the display unit 61, and therefore it is not affected by the number of times C2 that frying oil P is regenerated and replaced. Therefore, in Fig. 10, although the number of times C2 that frying oil P is regenerated and replaced is 1, which is the same as the predetermined number C2th (C2 = C2th = 1), the rank is "C".

[0155] Therefore, the rank of frying oil P is "C" when there is a problem with the number of continuous days of use C1 of frying oil P in the usage status of frying oil P during the set one month, that is, when the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62 from the cloud server 5 during the set one month is only the first display signal, or when the display signal is a combination of the first display signal and display signals (second display signal, sixth display signal) for which the rank is "A" or "B". In this case, the improvement comment is, for example, "When it is time to discard the oil, discard it."

[0156] When the rank of frying oil P is "out of rank", there are the following three patterns. First, when the rank of frying oil P is "out of rank", for example, as shown in Fig. 11, the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P is 0 (zero) (Rm = 0), it is impossible to judge the correctness of the measurement of the acid value of frying oil P, and it is impossible to total the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P.

[0157] This corresponds to the case where the acid value of frying oil P has not been measured at all during the set one month, that is, the display signal obtained by the display control unit 62 from the cloud server 5 during the set one month is only the third display signal. At this time, the improvement comment is, for example, "Let's make a measurement".

[0158] Next, when the rank of frying oil P is "out of rank", for example, as shown in Fig. 12, the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P is greater than 0 and less than the reference measurement ratio Rth (0 < Rm < Rth), it is impossible to judge the correctness of the measurement of the acid value of frying oil P, and it is impossible to total the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P.

[0159] This corresponds to the case where the acid value of frying oil P is measured during the set one month but not at a predetermined measurement period, that is, the display signal obtained by the display control unit 62 from the cloud server 5 during the set one month is only the fourth display signal. At this time, the improvement comment is, for example, "Let's measure every day".

[0160] And when the rank of frying oil P is "out of rank", for example, as shown in Fig. 13, the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P is greater than or equal to the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm ≥ Rth), the acid value of frying oil P is not measured correctly (the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P does not increase with the passage of time), and it is impossible to total the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P.

[0161] This corresponds to a case where the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P measured by the AV measuring sensor 8 is highly likely to be incorrect (when the AV measuring sensor 8 is broken or the measurement method is incorrect), that is, when the only display signal that the display control unit 62 obtains from the cloud server 5 during the set one month period is the fifth display signal. In this case, the improvement comment is, for example, "The measured value seems to be incorrect."

[0162] In this way, the improvement comments displayed in the comment display area correspond to the ranks of the frying oil P displayed in the ranking display area. Note that, since there are three possible usage patterns for cases in which the frying oil P is ranked "out of rank," the manager checks the content of each item indicating the usage of the frying oil P and the content of the improvement comments to determine which pattern it is.

[0163] In this embodiment, the display unit 61 simply displays "Unranked" for all three patterns in which the rank of the frying oil P corresponds to "Unranked", but since there are no particular restrictions on how the frying oil P is ranked, it may also be displayed as, for example, "Unranked (1)," "Unranked (2)," and "Unranked (3)" to distinguish the three patterns that correspond to "Unranked".

[0164] Here, it is preferable to make comments other than those corresponding to rank "A" stand out (for example, by displaying them in red) at least in the simplified display so that they are easily noticed by the administrator, as shown by the sand and hatching in Figures 6 and 7. Furthermore, since the scale (seriousness) of the problem occurring with respect to frying oil P differs between ranks "B" and "C," for example, it is even better to display the comments corresponding to rank "B" in a different color (for example, orange) from the comments corresponding to rank "C" in a different color (for example, red).

[0165] In this embodiment, the ranking display area of ​​the display unit 61 displays arrows (↑, →, ↓) as objects indicating the relationship between the ranking currently displayed in the ranking display area and the ranking previously displayed.

[0166] Specifically, if the ranking currently displayed in the ranking display area is superior to the ranking displayed last time (for example, from C to A or from unranked to B), an "↑ (up arrow)" will be displayed in the ranking display area as an object indicating an increase (for example, see Figure 9).

[0167] Furthermore, if the ranking currently displayed in the ranking display area is lower than the ranking displayed last time (for example, going from A to B or from C to unranked), a "↓ (down arrow)" will be displayed in the ranking display area as an object indicating a decline (for example, see Figures 10, 12, and 13).

[0168] Furthermore, if the ranking currently displayed in the ranking display area is the same as the ranking previously displayed (for example, from A to A or from unranked to unranked), a "→ (horizontal arrow)" is displayed in the ranking display area as an object indicating maintenance (for example, see Figures 8 and 11).

[0169] With regard to the objects indicating increase, decrease, and maintenance that are displayed in the ranking display area, in this embodiment, the results of a comparison between the ranking displayed currently and the ranking displayed previously are displayed, but this is not limited to this and may be, for example, a comparison between the ranking displayed currently and the ranking displayed two times previously, or a comparison between the ranking displayed currently and a ranking from a certain week in the past. In other words, it is sufficient that the results of a comparison between the ranking displayed currently and the ranking from a specified period in the past that is arbitrarily set by the administrator are displayed.

[0170] In the simplified display shown in Figures 6 and 7, for example, the columns for the usage status of frying oil P displayed on display unit 61 are, from left to right, "measurement ratio Rm of acid value of frying oil P," "whether the acid value of frying oil P was measured correctly," "number of days the oil continued to be used after it was discarded," and "number of times the oil was regenerated and replaced when it was below the discarded oil standard value."

[0171] In addition, in the detailed display shown in Figures 8 to 13, the display columns of the display unit 61 are, from left to right, "Rank of frying oil P," "Name of fryer (fryer No.)," "Measurement ratio Rm," "Whether the acid value of frying oil P was measured correctly," "Number of days the oil was still in use after it was discarded," "Number of times the oil was regenerated and replaced when it was below the discarded oil standard value," and "Improvement comments for the manager."

[0172] The display position of each display item in such a display unit 61 does not have to be as shown in each of Figures 6 to 13. For example, in a detailed display, "Improvement comments for administrator" may be located between "Flyer name (Flyer No.)" and "Measurement ratio Rm".

[0173] Furthermore, the expression of comments and the types of objects displayed on display unit 61 do not have to be as shown in Figures 6 to 13, and there are no particular limitations as long as the display content is in accordance with each display signal output from cloud server 5.

[0174] In the "Center-Minami Kaifu Area" store shown in Figure 8, the rank of frying oil P is "A" for all fryers X, Y, and Z. Therefore, in the simplified display shown in Figure 6, the "Center-Minami Kaifu Area" store displays the usage status and comments for fryer Y, which has the lowest measured ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P (90%) among fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0175] At the "Center Minami Green Park" store shown in Figure 9, the frying oil P in fryer X is ranked "B", the frying oil P in fryer Y is ranked "A", and the frying oil P in fryer Z is ranked "B". Therefore, in the simplified display shown in Figure 6, at the "Center Minami Green Park" store, the usage status and comments for fryer X, which has a continuous usage period C1 of 1 day among fryers X, Y, and Z, are displayed.

[0176] In the "Center Minami Garden Place" store shown in Figure 10, the frying oil P in fryer X is ranked "B", the frying oil P in fryer Y is ranked "C", and the frying oil P in fryer Z is ranked "A". Therefore, in the simplified display shown in Figure 6, the "Center Minami Garden Place" store displays the usage status and comments for fryer Y, which is the lowest ranking (C) among fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0177] In the "Center Minami Sakura Hills" store shown in Figure 11, the frying oil P in fryer X is ranked "unranked", the frying oil P in fryer Y is ranked "B", and the frying oil P in fryer Z is ranked "unranked". In this store, fryers X and Z are ranked the same, "unranked", but fryer X has not had its frying oil P measured for its acid value, so it can be said that its frying oil P management is worse than that of fryer Z. Therefore, in the simplified display shown in Figure 7, the "Center Minami Sakura Hills" store displays the usage status and comments for fryer X, which is the worst ranked (unranked) of fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0178] Here, the relative merits of the three patterns in which the frying oil P will be ranked "out of rank" are, from least to most favorable, when the acid value of the frying oil P has not been measured (when a third indication signal is output from cloud server 5), when the acid value of the frying oil P has not been measured at a specified measurement interval (when a fourth indication signal is output from cloud server 5), and when the measured value of the acid value of the frying oil P is found to be erroneous (when a fifth indication signal is output from cloud server 5).

[0179] In the "Center Minami Nico Nico Danchi" store shown in Figure 12, the rank of frying oil P in fryer X is "A", the rank of frying oil P in fryer Y is "A", and the rank of frying oil P in fryer Z is "unranked". Therefore, in the simplified display shown in Figure 7, the "Center Minami Nico Nico Danchi" store displays the usage status and comments for fryer Z, which is the lowest ranked (unranked) of fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0180] In the "Center Minami Mirai Kichi" store shown in Figure 13, the rank of frying oil P in fryer X is "A", the rank of frying oil P in fryer Y is "unranked", and the rank of frying oil P in fryer Z is "C". Therefore, in the simplified display shown in Figure 7, the "Center Minami Mirai Kichi" store displays the usage status and comments for fryer Y, which is the lowest ranked (unranked) of fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0181] (Processing executed by the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6) Next, the flow of the process executed by the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0182] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of a display process executed by the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of a display switching process executed by the display control unit 62 of the management terminal 6 according to the first embodiment.

[0183] The main process among the processes executed by the display control unit 62 is the display process shown in Fig. 14. First, as shown in Fig. 14, the display control unit 62 acquires each display signal (first to sixth display signals) output from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5 (step S601).

[0184] Next, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P for each fryer X, Y, and Z obtained in step S601, the accuracy of the measurement of the acid value of the frying oil P, the number of days C1 of continuous use of the frying oil P, and the number of times C2 the frying oil P has been regenerated and replaced (step S602).

[0185] Furthermore, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display the ranking and the comment based on the display signal acquired in step S601 (step S603). Note that, with regard to the processes of steps S602 and S603, the process of step S603 does not necessarily have to be performed after the process of step S602, and both processes may be performed simultaneously, or the process of step S602 may be performed after the process of step S603.

[0186] Specifically, when the display control unit 62 receives a sixth display signal from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display the rank "A" and a comment saying "Oil management is being done correctly!". When the display control unit 62 receives a second display signal from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display the rank "B" and a comment saying "Do not regenerate or replace oil below the waste oil standard value." When the display control unit 62 receives a first display signal from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display the rank "C" and a comment saying "When it is time to waste oil, waste it."

[0187] Furthermore, when the display control unit 62 receives a third display signal from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display the comments "out of rank" and "take a measurement." Furthermore, when the display control unit 62 receives a fourth display signal from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display the comments "out of rank" and "take a measurement every day." Furthermore, when the display control unit 62 receives a fifth display signal from the signal output unit 56 of the cloud server 5, it causes the display unit 61 to display the comments "out of rank" and "the measurement value seems to be incorrect."

[0188] Next, in this embodiment, the display control unit 62 compares the ranking displayed on the display unit 61 in step S603 with the ranking displayed previously (step S604), and if the ranking has increased, causes "↑" to be displayed on the display unit 61 (step S605), and the display processing in the display control unit 62 ends.

[0189] In addition, if the ranking displayed on the display unit 61 in step S603 is lower than the ranking displayed previously, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display "↓" (step S606), and the display processing in the display control unit 62 ends.

[0190] Furthermore, if the ranking displayed on the display unit 61 in step S603 is the same as the ranking displayed previously, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display "→" (step S607), and the display processing in the display control unit 62 ends.

[0191] In the display switching process, as shown in Fig. 15, the display control unit 62 first acquires a switching signal input by clicking the "flyer details" icon (step S611). Next, the display control unit 62 determines whether or not switching is from simple display to detailed display based on the switching signal acquired in step S611 (step S612).

[0192] If it is determined in step S612 that the display is to be switched from simple to detailed (step S612 / YES), the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display the usage status and comments of frying oil P in all of fryers X, Y, and Z (step S613), and the display switching process in the display control unit 62 ends.

[0193] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S612 that the switch is not from simple display to detailed display, in other words, that the switch is from detailed display to simple display (step S612 / NO), the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 61 to display the usage status and comments of frying oil P of the fryer that is the lowest ranking among fryers X, Y, and Z (step S614), and the display switching process in the display control unit 62 ends.

[0194] As described above, the cloud server 5 acquires the measured value AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P measured by the AV measurement sensor 8 along with time data and manages the usage of the frying oil P. Therefore, for example, if a store employee makes a mistake or forgets to record the measured value of the acid value of the frying oil P measured by the AV measurement sensor 8, it is possible to avoid a situation where the headquarters is unable to accurately determine the usage of the frying oil P in the store, and it is possible to accurately manage the usage of the frying oil P.

[0195] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cloud server 5 outputs an alarm signal (second display signal) not only when the frying oil P that has reached the point of being discarded is still being used, but also when the frying oil P is regenerated or replaced before it reaches the point of being discarded, thereby making it possible to prevent the waste of frying oil P that can still be used from being discarded, and also to review the costs associated with the frying oil P.

[0196] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the management terminal 6 displays the usage status of the frying oil P in a ranking, and also displays the degree of change in the current ranking compared to the previous ranking. Therefore, by looking at the management terminal 6, the manager can check at a glance what the usage status of the frying oil P is, and can also understand whether the current usage status of the frying oil P is improving or worsening.

[0197] In this embodiment, since the display on the display unit 61 of the management terminal 6 can be switched between a simple display and a detailed display, particularly in a case where a large number of stores are operated, the manager can first check an overview of the usage of the frying oil P at each store in the simple display, and then switch to the detailed display to check the usage of the frying oil P at a store of interest. This makes it possible to quickly and efficiently manage the usage of the frying oil P even in a case where there are a large number of stores.

[0198] [Second embodiment] Next, a cloud server 5A and a management terminal 6A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 20. In Figures 16 to 20, components common to those described for the cloud server 5 and the management terminal 6 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0199] Fig. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of a cloud server 5A and a management terminal 6A according to the second embodiment. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the cloud server 5A according to the second embodiment.

[0200] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, frying oil P is transferred between multiple oil tanks (for example, between fryers X, Y, and Z). For example, when three fryers X, Y, and Z are installed in a store, the transfer of frying oil P means moving (adding oil) a part of frying oil P from fryer X to fryer Y and from fryer Y to fryer Z so that the acid value of frying oil P becomes highest in the order of fryers X, Y, and Z. At this time, fryer Z becomes a special oil tank (final tank) set as an oil tank in which the acid value of frying oil P becomes highest.

[0201] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cloud server 5A needs to manage the usage status of the frying oil P in each of the fryers X, Y, and Z, as well as manage the transfer of the frying oil between the fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0202] As shown in FIG. 16, the cloud server 5A includes a data acquisition unit 50, a measurement ratio calculation unit 51, a measurement determination unit 52, a waste oil determination unit 53, a number of days of continuous use counting unit 54, a regeneration and replacement counting unit 55, a signal output unit 56A, and a memory unit 57A, as well as a deterioration index comparison unit 58 and a final tank reset days counting unit 59.

[0203] When the measurement judgment unit 52 judges that the measurement ratios Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P in fryers X, Y, and Z (multiple oil tanks) are each equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio Rth, the deterioration index comparison unit 58 compares the measurement value AVm3 of the acid value of the frying oil P in fryer Z, which is the final tank, with the measurement value AVm2 of the acid value of the frying oil P in fryer Y, which is an oil tank other than the final tank (the tank before the final tank).

[0204] In this embodiment, the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines whether the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the fryer Z is greater than or equal to the value (AVm2 + α) obtained by adding a predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in the fryer Y.

[0205] This "predetermined difference value α" corresponds to the difference obtained by subtracting the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P of fryer Y from the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P of fryer Z. It is a threshold value for determining how close AVm3 is to AVm2 when AVm3 > AVm2, and is appropriately set by the head office that oversees each store or the operating company that deploys each store.

[0206] Further, when the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P of fryer Z is less than the value (AVm2 + α) obtained by adding the predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P of fryer Y (AVm3 < AVm2 + α), it further determines whether the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P of fryer Z is the acid value corresponding to new oil (for example, acid value 0.0).

[0207] Note that the "acid value corresponding to new oil" does not necessarily have to be exactly an acid value of 0.0. It may include an error as long as it is within the range of the acid value when the frying oil P is in a state corresponding to new oil.

[0208] When the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P of fryer Z is the acid value corresponding to new oil (AVm3 = 0.0), the final tank reset days counting unit 59 counts the final tank reset days (special oil tank reset days) Cr, in which the degree of deterioration of the frying oil P of fryer Z is reset to the degree of deterioration corresponding to new oil, as "1 day".

[0209] In this embodiment, the signal output unit 56A outputs the 7th and 8th display signals to the management terminal 6A in addition to the 1st to 6th display signals. In this embodiment, each of the 1st to 6th display signals further includes information related to "whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank" and "the number of days Cr until the acid value of the final tank becomes 0.0".

[0210] Specifically, when the number of days Cr of the final tank reset counted by the final tank reset days counting unit 59 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reset days Crth (Cr ≧ Crth), the signal output unit 56A outputs a seventh display signal to the management terminal 6A.

[0211] Here, the "predetermined reset days Crth" is the number of days when the degree of deterioration of the frying oil P in the final tank (fryer Z) is reset to the degree of deterioration of new oil (= 0.0) or the degree of deterioration corresponding to new oil, and is appropriately set by the head office that oversees each store or the operating company that develops each store, such as 1 day or 2 days.

[0212] The seventh display signal includes the measurement ratio Rm (≧ Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (determination that the measurement can be made correctly), whether the acid value of the final tank is higher (lower) than that of the previous tank, the number of days Cr (≧ Crth) when the acid value of the final tank becomes 0.0, the continuous use days C1 (< C1th) in the continuous use days counting unit 54, the regeneration exchange times C2 (< C2th) in the regeneration exchange times counting unit 55, the rank (C) of the frying oil P, and information related to a comment prompting appropriate transfer of the frying oil P between oil tanks.

[0213] In addition, when the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the fryer Z is not equal to the acid value corresponding to new oil (AVm3 ≠ 0.0), the signal output unit 56A outputs an eighth display signal to the management terminal 6A.

[0214] Here, "when the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the fryer Z is not equal to the acid value corresponding to new oil (AVm3 ≠ 0.0)" specifically means that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the fryer Z is less than the value obtained by adding a predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in the fryer Y (AVm2 + α) and is not equal to the acid value corresponding to new oil.

[0215] This includes the case where the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in fryer Z is less than the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in fryer Y (AVm3 < AVm2), the case where the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in fryer Z is the same as the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in fryer Y (AVm3 = AVm2), and the case where the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in fryer Z is higher than the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in fryer Y (AVm3 > AVm2) but is infinitely close to the measured value AVm2 (AVm3 - AVm2 < α).

[0216] The eighth display signal includes the measured ratio Rm (≥ Rth) acquired by the data acquisition unit 50, the determination result in the measurement determination unit 52 (determination that the measurement can be performed correctly), whether the acid value of the final tank is higher (lower) than that of the previous tank, the number of days Cr (< Crth) when the acid value of the final tank becomes 0.0, the continuous use days C1 (< C1th) in the continuous use days counting unit 54, the regeneration exchange times C2 (< C2th) in the regeneration exchange times counting unit 55, the rank (C) of the frying oil P, and information related to a comment prompting appropriate transfer of the frying oil P between the oil tanks.

[0217] Therefore, both the seventh display signal and the eighth display signal are an aspect of the notification signal for prompting appropriate transfer of the oil tank. That is, in the cloud server 5A, when it is determined that either the final tank reset days Cr is equal to or greater than the predetermined reset days Crth (Cr ≥ Crth), and the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in fryer Z is less than the value obtained by adding the predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in fryer Y (AVm3 < AVm2 + α), a warning is given to the administrator to prompt appropriate transfer of the oil tank.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 17, in the cloud server 5A according to the present embodiment, first, the data acquisition unit 50 acquires the measured acid value AVm of the frying oil P in each oil tank (fryers X, Y, Z) together with the time data (step S521).

[0219] Next, the measurement ratio calculation unit 51 calculates the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P in each oil tank based on the time data of each oil tank acquired in step S521 and the predetermined measurement period for each oil tank stored in the memory unit 57A (step S522).

[0220] Next, the measurement determination unit 52 determines whether or not the measurement ratio Rm calculated in step S522 is equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio Rth for all oil tanks (step S523).

[0221] If it is determined in step S523 that the measurement ratio Rm is greater than or equal to the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm≧Rth) for all oil tanks (step S523 / YES), the measurement and judgment unit 52 then determines whether the measurement values ​​AVm of the acid value of the frying oil P obtained in step S521 for all oil tanks are increasing over time (step S524).

[0222] If it is determined in step S524 that the measured acid value AVm of the frying oil P in all oil tanks is increasing over time (step S524 / YES), the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines whether the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank (fryer Z) is greater than or equal to the value (AVm2+α) obtained by adding a predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in the previous tank (fryer Y) (step S540).

[0223] If it is determined in step S540 that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank is equal to or greater than the value (AVm2+α) obtained by adding a predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in the previous tank (step S540 / YES), the deterioration index comparison unit 58 then determines whether the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank is equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value AVth (step S525).

[0224] When it is determined in step S525 that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank is equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value AVth (AVm≧AVth) (step S525 / YES), the process proceeds to step S526.

[0225] Since the processing after step S526 in the cloud server 5A is the same as the processing after step S506 in the cloud server 5 in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Specifically, step S526 corresponds to step S506, step S527 corresponds to step S507, step S528 corresponds to step S508, step S529 corresponds to step S509, and step S520 corresponds to step S500. Although the output of the attention signal to the mobile terminal 7 is not shown in step S529, the signal output unit 56A may output an attention signal to the mobile terminal 7 as in step S509.

[0226] If it is determined in step S525 that the measured value AVm3 of the acid value of the frying oil P in the final tank is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVm3 < AVth) (step S525 / NO), the waste oil determination unit 53 then determines whether the measured value AVm3 of the acid value of the frying oil P in the final tank is less than the previous measured value AVmp (step S530).

[0227] If it is determined in step S530 that the measured value AVm3 of the acid value of the frying oil P in the final tank is less than the previous measured value AVmp (AVm3 < AVmp) (step S530 / YES), the waste oil determination unit 53 further determines whether the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (step S531).

[0228] If it is determined in step S531 that the previous measured value AVmp is less than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp < AVth) (step S531 / YES), the regeneration replacement count unit 55 counts the regeneration replacement count C2 (step S532).

[0229] Then, when the number of regeneration replacements C2 counted in step S532 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number C2th (C2 ≥ C2th) (step S533 / YES), the signal output unit 56A outputs a second display signal to the management terminal 6A (step S534), and the processing in the cloud server 5A ends.

[0230] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S530 that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank is equal to or greater than the previous measured value AVmp (AVm3 ≥ AVmp) (step S530 / NO), when it is determined in step S531 that the previous measured value AVmp is equal to or greater than the waste oil reference value AVth (AVmp ≥ AVth) (step S531 / NO), and when it is determined in step S533 that the number of regeneration replacements C2 is less than the predetermined number C2th (C2 < C2th) (step S533 / NO), the signal output unit 56A outputs a sixth display signal to the management terminal 6A (step S520), and the processing in the cloud server 5A ends.

[0231] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, the determination step related to the separation between the regeneration and replacement of the frying oil P (the step corresponding to step S511A in the first embodiment) is omitted. Therefore, the regeneration replacement count unit 55 simply counts the number of regeneration replacements C2 in step S532. However, similar to the first embodiment, the cloud server 5A may perform a determination related to the separation between the regeneration and replacement of the frying oil P after the processing in step S531, and count the number of replacements C21 or the number of regenerations C22 as the number of regeneration replacements C2.

[0232] Also, when it is determined in step S540 that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank (fryer Z) is less than the value obtained by adding a predetermined difference value α to the measured acid value AVm2 of the frying oil P in the previous tank (fryer Y) (AVm3 < AVm2 + α) (step S540 / NO), subsequently, the deterioration index comparison unit 58 determines whether the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank (fryer Z) is equal to the acid value corresponding to the new oil (=0.0) (step S541).

[0233] In step S541, when it is determined that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank (fryer Z) is 0.0 (AVm3 = 0.0) (step S541 / YES), the final tank reset days counting unit 59 counts the final tank reset days Cr (step S542).

[0234] Then, when the final tank reset days Cr counted in step S542 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reset days Crth (Cr ≧ Crth) (step S543 / YES), the signal output unit 56A outputs a seventh display signal to the display control unit 62A (step S544), and the process in the cloud server 5A ends.

[0235] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S541 that the measured acid value AVm3 of the frying oil P in the final tank (fryer Z) is not 0.0 (AVm3 ≠ 0.0) (step S541 / NO), and when the final tank reset days Cr is less than the predetermined reset days Crth (Cr < Crth) in step S543 (step S543 / NO), the signal output unit 56A outputs an eighth display signal to the display control unit 62A (step S545), and the process in the cloud server 5A ends.

[0236] Also, when it is determined in step S523 that the measurement ratio Rm for all the oil tanks is less than the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm < Rth) (step S523 / NO), the process proceeds to step S535.

[0237] The processes after step S535 in the cloud server 5A are the same as the processes after step S515 in the cloud server 5 in the first embodiment, so the description is omitted. Specifically, step S535 corresponds to step S515, step S536 corresponds to step S516, and step S537 corresponds to step S517, respectively.

[0238] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S524 that the measured acid value AVm of the frying oil P for all oil tanks has not increased over time (step S524 / NO), similar to the case of step S504 / NO in the first embodiment, the signal output unit 56A outputs a fifth display signal to the management terminal 6A (step S538), and processing in the cloud server 5A ends.

[0239] Next, an example of the content displayed on the display unit 61A of the management terminal 6A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0240] FIG. 18 is an example of the content displayed on the display unit 61A of the management terminal 6A according to the second embodiment, showing display examples of rank "A" and rank "B". FIG. 19 is an example of the content displayed on the display unit 61A of the management terminal 6A according to the second embodiment, showing a display example of rank "C". FIG. 20 is an example of the content displayed on the display unit 61A of the management terminal 6A according to the second embodiment, showing a display example of "unranked".

[0241] In the display examples of the display unit 61A shown in Figures 18 to 20, the items related to the usage status of the frying oil P are, from left to right, "measurement ratio Rm," "whether the acid value of the frying oil P was measured correctly," "whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank," "the number of days until the acid value of the final tank becomes 0.0 (number of days for final tank reset Cr)," "the number of days that the oil continued to be used even after it was discarded (number of days of continued use C1)," and "the number of times that the oil was regenerated and replaced when it was below the discarded oil standard value (number of times of regeneration and replacement C2)."

[0242] Regarding the item of "whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank", when the seventh display signal and the eighth display signal are output from the cloud server 5A to the management terminal 6A, it is displayed as "low", and when the first display signal, the second display signal, and the sixth display signal are output from the cloud server 5A to the management terminal 6A, it is displayed as "high". When the third display signal, the fourth display signal, and the fifth display signal are output from the cloud server 5A to the management terminal 6A, the item of "whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank" becomes "unaggregatable".

[0243] As in this embodiment, when the frying oil P is transferred between the fryers X, Y, and Z, since it can be considered that the frying oil P is shared among the fryers X, Y, and Z, the display unit 61A displays the worst usage status and comments when the usage status of the frying oil P of each of the fryers X, Y, and Z is summarized.

[0244] At the "Center South Seaside Area" store shown in FIG. 18, within the set one month (see FIG. 6), for the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P (=85%≥Rth), whether the acid value of the frying oil P can be measured correctly (〇), whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank (high), the reset days Cr of the final tank (=0 days<Crth), the continuous use days C1 of the frying oil P (=2 days<C1th), and the regeneration replacement times C2 of the frying oil P (=0 times<C2th), since all items are cleared, the rank "A" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0245] Therefore, at the "Center South Seaside Area" store shown in FIG. 18, within the set one month, it can be said that the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A is only the sixth display signal.

[0246] At the "Center South Green Park" store shown in Fig. 18, within the set one-month period, for the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P (=95%≧Rth), whether the acid value of frying oil P can be correctly measured (〇), whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank (higher), the reset days Cr of the final tank (=0 days < Crth), and the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P (=1 day < C1th), all are cleared. However, since the number of regeneration replacements C2 of frying oil P is 1 time and is equal to or more than the predetermined number of times C2th (C2≧C2th), the rank "B" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0247] Therefore, at the "Center South Green Park" store shown in Fig. 18, within the set one-month period, the display signal obtained by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A can be said to be either only the second display signal or a combination of the second display signal and the display signal (the sixth display signal) when the rank is "A".

[0248] At the "Center South Sea Breeze Area" store shown in Fig. 19, within the set one-month period, for the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P (=90%≧Rth), whether the acid value of frying oil P can be correctly measured (〇), and the reset days Cr of the final tank (=0 days < Crth), all are cleared. However, since the number of regeneration replacements C2 of frying oil P is 1 time and is equal to or more than the predetermined number of times, and at the same time (C2≧C2th), the acid value of the final tank is lower than that of the previous tank, and the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P is 4 days and is equal to or more than the predetermined number of days C1th (C1≧C1th), the rank "C" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0249] Therefore, at the "Center South Sea Breeze Area" store shown in Fig. 19, within the set one-month period, the display signal obtained by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A can be said to be either only the three types of display signals of the first display signal, the second display signal, and the eighth display signal or a combination of the three types of display signals of the first display signal, the second display signal, and the eighth display signal and the display signal (the sixth display signal) when the rank is "A".

[0250] As described above, when the display control unit 62A acquires a plurality of display signals corresponding to different ranks from the cloud server 5A within the set one-month period, the lowest-ranked signal is displayed on the display unit 61A. Therefore, in the case of the "Center South Nanhai Wind Area" store shown in Fig. 19, the first display signal and the eighth display signal corresponding to rank "C", which are inferior to the second display signal corresponding to rank "B", are prioritized, and rank "C" is displayed on the display unit 61A. The comment displayed in the display area of the display unit 61A is, for example, "Let's thoroughly comply with the waste oil timing and manage the oil transfer" based on both the first display signal and the eighth display signal.

[0251] At the "Center South Green Park" store shown in Fig. 19, within the set one-month period, the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P (=90%≧Rth), whether the acid value of frying oil P can be correctly measured (〇), the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P (=0 days<C1th), and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P (=0 days<C2th) are all clear. However, since the final tank reset days Cr is 1 day and is equal to or more than the predetermined reset days Crth (Cr≧Crth), rank "C" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0252] Therefore, at the "Center South Green Park" store shown in Fig. 19, within the set one-month period, the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A is either only the seventh display signal or a combination of the seventh display signal and the display signal (the sixth display signal) when the rank is "A".

[0253] In addition, at the "Center South Green Park" store shown in Fig. 19, when the regeneration and replacement times C2 is not zero (C2≠0), the display signals acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A within the set one-month period are either only the second display signal and the seventh display signal or a combination of the second display signal and the seventh display signal and the display signal (the sixth display signal) when the rank is "A".

[0254] In this case, the display control unit 62A causes, for example, a comment such as "Let's thoroughly manage the transfer of oil" to be displayed in the comment display area. Note that "Lower" is displayed in the column "Is the acid value of the final tank higher than that of the previous tank?" of the display unit 61A.

[0255] Note that when the display control unit 62A has acquired both the first display signal and the seventh display signal from the cloud server 5A within the set one month period, for the continuous use days C1 of the fried oil P to be equal to or more than a predetermined number of days C1th (C1 ≥ C1th), like the "Center South Nanhai Wind Area" store shown in FIG. 19, the display control unit 62A causes, for example, a comment such as "Let's thoroughly observe the waste oil timing and manage the transfer of oil" to be displayed in the comment display area.

[0256] At the "Center South Garden Place" store shown in FIG. 19, within the set one month period, for the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of the fried oil P (= 95% ≥ Rth), whether the acid value of the fried oil P can be correctly measured (〇), whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank (Higher), the final tank reset days Cr (= 0 days < Crth), and the regeneration replacement times C2 of the fried oil P (= 0 days < C2th), they are cleared. However, since the continuous use days C1 of the fried oil P is 5 days and is equal to or more than the predetermined number of days C1th (C1 ≥ C1th), the rank "C" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0257] Therefore, at the "Center South Garden Place" store shown in FIG. 19, within the set one month period, it can be said that the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A is either only the first display signal or a combination with the display signal (the sixth display signal) when the first display signal and the rank is "A".

[0258] In addition, in the "Center Minami Garden Place" store shown in FIG. 19, when the number of regenerative exchanges C2 is not 0 (zero) (C2 ≠ 0), the display signals that the display control unit 62A acquires from the cloud server 5A during the set month will either be only two types of display signals, the first display signal and the second display signal, or a combination of two types of display signals, the first display signal and the second display signal, and a display signal with a rank of "A" (sixth display signal).

[0259] In this case, the display control unit 62A displays, for example, a comment such as "When it's time to discard the oil, discard it" in the comment display area.

[0260] Thus, in this embodiment, there are three patterns in which the rank of the frying oil P is "C." Therefore, similar to the case in which the rank of the frying oil P is "unranked," the manager checks the contents of each item indicating the usage status of the frying oil P and the contents of the improvement comments, and determines which of the three patterns it is.

[0261] In addition, in this embodiment, the display unit 61A simply displays "C" for all three patterns of frying oil P that correspond to the rank "C," but since there are no particular restrictions on how the frying oil P is ranked, other ranks such as "C(1)," "C(2)," and "C(3)" may also be displayed to distinguish the three patterns that correspond to the rank "C."

[0262] At the "Center Minami Sakuragaoka" store shown in Figure 20, the measurement percentage Rm of the acid value of the frying oil P during the set month period is 0%, so the items of whether the acid value of the frying oil P was measured correctly, whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank, the number of days Cr for the final tank to be reset, the number of days C1 that the frying oil P has been continuously used, and the number of times C2 the frying oil P has been regenerated and replaced cannot be tallied, and "Not ranked" is displayed on display unit 61A.

[0263] This corresponds to the case where the acid value of frying oil P has not been measured at all during the set one-month period, that is, the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A during the set one-month period is only the third display signal.

[0264] At the "Center South Niconico Complex" store shown in FIG. 20, since the measurement ratio Rm of the acid value of frying oil P is 20% and less than the reference measurement ratio Rth (Rm < Rth), whether the acid value of frying oil P can be accurately measured, whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank, the final tank reset days Cr, the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P, and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P cannot be tabulated, and "Out of Rank" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0265] This corresponds to the case where the acid value of frying oil P has not been measured at a predetermined cycle during the set one-month period, that is, the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A during the set one-month period is only the fourth display signal.

[0266] At the "Center South Future Base" store shown in FIG. 20, since the acid value of frying oil P cannot be accurately measured (the measured value AVm of the acid value of frying oil P does not increase with the passage of time), whether the acid value of the final tank is higher than that of the previous tank, the final tank reset days Cr, the continuous use days C1 of frying oil P, and the regeneration and replacement times C2 of frying oil P cannot be tabulated, and "Out of Rank" is displayed on the display unit 61A.

[0267] This corresponds to the case where an error is recognized in the measured value of the acid value of frying oil P during the set one-month period, that is, the display signal acquired by the display control unit 62A from the cloud server 5A during the set one-month period is only the fifth display signal.

[0268] As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to achieving the same operations and effects as those in the first embodiment, it is also possible to accurately manage the transfer of frying oil P among the fryers X, Y, and Z.

[0269] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modified examples are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of this embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of this embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of this embodiment with another configuration.

[0270] For example, in the above embodiment, the display content displayed on the display units 61, 61A of the management terminals 6, 6A is limited to the one month period from January 20, 2023 to February 20, 2023, but this period can be set as appropriate to any period that the administrator wishes to check.

[0271] In the above embodiment, the management of the usage of frying oil P in a chain store with multiple stores has been described as an example, but the store does not necessarily have to be a chain store with multiple stores.

[0272] In addition, in the above embodiment, the acid value (AV) was used as an example of a deterioration indicator of frying oil P, but it does not necessarily have to be the acid value, and any deterioration indicator that can be measured with a specific numerical value will suffice. [Explanation of symbols]

[0273] 3: Frying oil management system (oil and fat management system) 5, 5A: Cloud server (oil management device) 6, 6A: Management terminal (oil management display device, oil management notification device) 8: AV measurement sensor (measuring device) 50: Data acquisition section 51: Measurement ratio calculation unit 52: Measurement judgment section 53: Waste oil determination section 54: Continuous use days count section 55: Regeneration exchange count section 56, 56A: Signal output section 58: Deterioration index comparison section 59: Final tank reset day count unit 61,61A: Display section 62, 62A: Display control unit AVm, AVm2, AVm3: Measurement values AVmp: Previous measured value AVth: Waste oil standard value C1: Number of days of continuous use C1th: Predetermined number of days C2: Number of regeneration exchanges C2th: A given number of times Cr: Last tank reset days (special oil tank reset days) Crth: Predetermined reset days P: Frying oil (oil and fat) Rm: Measurement ratio Rth: Reference measurement ratio

Claims

1. An oil and grease management device for managing the usage status of oil and grease, A data acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value of a deterioration index, which is an index indicating the degree of deterioration of the oil and fat, together with time data; A measurement ratio calculation unit that calculates a measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil based on the time data related to the measurement value acquired by the data acquisition unit and a predetermined measurement period that is preset as a period for measuring the deterioration index of the oil; A measurement determination unit that determines whether the measurement ratio calculated by the measurement ratio calculation unit is equal to or greater than a reference measurement ratio that is a reference for the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil and fat; A waste oil determination unit that determines whether the measurement value acquired by the data acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a waste oil reference value that is a reference value of the deterioration index at a predetermined time point of waste oil of the oil and fat; a continuous use days counting unit that counts the number of continuous use days that the oil and fat have been continuously used since the time of the waste oil disposal as one day when the measurement and determination unit determines that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio and the waste oil determination unit continuously determines that the measurement value is equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value; and a signal output unit that outputs a notification signal for prompting the user to discard the oil and fat when the number of continuous use days counted by the continuous use day count unit reaches a predetermined number of days or more. An oil and grease management device.

2. The oil and grease management device according to claim 1, The method further includes a regeneration / exchange counting unit that counts the number of times the oil is regenerated or exchanged before the oil is disposed of, The waste oil determination unit includes: When it is determined that the measured value is less than the waste oil standard value, it is determined whether or not the measured value is less than the previous measured value previously acquired by the data acquisition unit; When it is determined that the measured value is less than the previous measured value, it is determined whether or not the previous measured value is less than the waste oil standard value; The regenerative exchange count unit When the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio, and the waste oil determination unit determines that the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value and that the previous measurement value is less than the waste oil reference value, the number of regeneration and replacement times is counted as one; The signal output unit is When the number of regeneration / replacement times counted by the regeneration / replacement times counting unit reaches a predetermined number or more, a notification signal is output to prompt the user to discard the oil after the time of discarding the oil. An oil and grease management device.

3. The oil and grease management device according to claim 1, When the oil or fat is transferred between a plurality of oil tanks, a deterioration index comparison unit that compares the measurement value of a special oil tank that is set as an oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the oil is the highest with the measurement value of other oil tanks other than the special oil tank among the plurality of oil tanks when the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratios in the plurality of oil tanks are equal to or higher than the reference measurement ratios; The deterioration indicator comparison unit determining whether the measurement value of the special oil tank is equal to or greater than the measurement value of the other oil tanks plus a predetermined difference value; The signal output unit is When the deterioration index comparison unit determines that the measurement value of the special oil tank is less than the measurement value of the other oil tank plus a predetermined difference value, it outputs a notification signal to prompt the appropriate transfer of the oil and grease. An oil and grease management device.

4. The oil and grease management device according to claim 1, When the oil or fat is transferred between a plurality of oil tanks, The method further includes a special oil tank reset day counting unit that counts the number of days for resetting the deterioration degree of the oil in the special oil tank set as the oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the oil is the highest to a deterioration degree corresponding to that of new oil, The special oil tank reset day counting unit is When the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratios in the plurality of oil tanks are equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratios, and the measurement value of the special oil tank acquired by the data acquisition unit is equal to the deterioration index value corresponding to the new oil, the special oil tank reset days are counted as one day; The signal output unit is When the number of days to reset the special oil tank counted by the special oil tank reset day counting unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined reset number, a notification signal is output to prompt the appropriate transfer of the oil and fat to the tank. An oil and grease management device.

5. The oil and grease management device according to claim 1, The signal output unit is When the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratio is less than the reference measurement ratio, it outputs a notification signal to prompt an appropriate measurement of the deterioration index of the oil. An oil and grease management device.

6. The oil and grease management device according to claim 1, The measurement and determination unit is Further determining whether the measurement value increases over time based on the measurement value and the time data acquired by the data acquisition unit; The signal output unit is When the measurement determination unit determines that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio but that the measurement value has not increased over time, it outputs a notification signal notifying that the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil or fat is found to be erroneous. An oil and grease management device.

7. An oil and fat management system for managing the usage status of oil and fat, A measuring device for measuring a deterioration index which is an index indicating the degree of deterioration of the oil and fat; An oil and grease management device that determines and manages the use status of the oil and grease based on the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil and grease measured by the measurement device; An oil and grease management notification device that issues a notification according to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, The oil and grease management device includes: The measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil and fat measured by the measuring device is obtained together with time data, Calculating a measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil based on the time data related to the acquired measurement value and a predetermined measurement period set in advance as a period for measuring the deterioration index of the oil; Determine whether the calculated measurement ratio is equal to or greater than a reference measurement ratio that is a reference for the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil or fat, Determine whether the acquired measurement value is equal to or greater than a waste oil reference value, which is a reference value of the deterioration index at a predetermined time point of waste oil of the oil and fat; When it is determined that the measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio and that the measurement value is continuously equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value, the number of continuous days of use in which the oil and fat were continuously used after the time of waste oil is counted as one day; When the counted number of days of continuous use reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of days, a notification signal for prompting the disposal of the grease is output to the grease management notification device; The oil and grease management notification device includes: According to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, a notification is given to encourage the disposal of the oil and grease. An oil and fat management system.

8. The oil and fat management system according to claim 7, The oil and grease management device includes: When it is determined that the calculated measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio, and when it is determined that the acquired measurement value is less than the previous measurement value acquired last time and that the previous measurement value is less than the waste oil standard value, the number of times that the oil is regenerated or replaced before reaching the waste oil point is counted as one, When the counted number of times of regeneration and replacement is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, a notification signal is output to the oil and grease management notification device to prompt the oil and grease to be disposed of after the time of disposal of the oil and grease is reached; The oil and grease management notification device includes: According to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, a notification is given to encourage the disposal of the oil and grease when the oil and grease are disposed of. An oil and fat management system.

9. The oil and fat management system according to claim 7, When the oil or fat is transferred between a plurality of oil tanks, The oil and grease management device includes: When it is determined that the measurement ratios in the plurality of oil tanks are equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio, the measurement value of a special oil tank that is set as the oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the oil is the highest is compared with the measurement values ​​of other oil tanks among the plurality of oil tanks other than the special oil tank; When the measurement value of the special oil tank is less than a value obtained by adding a predetermined difference value to the measurement value of the other oil tanks, a notification signal is output to the oil management notification device to prompt the appropriate transfer of the oil and grease to another tank; The oil and grease management notification device includes: According to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, a notification is given to encourage the appropriate transfer of the oil and grease to a tank. An oil and fat management system.

10. The oil and fat management system according to claim 7, When the oil or fat is transferred between a plurality of oil tanks, The oil and grease management device includes: When it is determined that the measurement ratios in the plurality of oil tanks are equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio, and when the measurement value of a special oil tank that is set as the oil tank in which the deterioration index value of the oil is the highest is a deterioration index value corresponding to new oil, the number of special oil tank reset days during which the deterioration degree of the oil in the special oil tank has been reset to a deterioration degree corresponding to new oil is counted as one day; When the counted number of days to reset the special oil tank is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of days to reset, a notification signal is output to prompt the appropriate transfer of the oil and fat to another tank; The oil and grease management notification device includes: According to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, a notification is given to encourage the appropriate transfer of the oil and grease to a tank. An oil and fat management system.

11. The oil and fat management system according to claim 7, The oil and grease management device includes: When it is determined that the calculated measurement ratio is less than the reference measurement ratio, a notification signal is output to prompt an appropriate measurement of the deterioration index of the oil and fat, The oil and grease management notification device includes: According to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, a notification is given to encourage appropriate measurement of the deterioration index of the oil and grease. An oil and fat management system.

12. The oil and fat management system according to claim 7, The oil and grease management device includes: determining whether the measurement value is increasing over time based on the acquired measurement value and the time data; When it is determined that the calculated measurement ratio is equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio but that the measurement value has not increased over time, a notification signal is output to notify that the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil or fat is found to be erroneous; The oil and grease management notification device includes: According to the notification signal output from the oil and grease management device, a notification is given that the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil and grease is found to be erroneous. An oil and fat management system.

13. The oil and fat management system according to claim 7, The system further includes a terminal owned by an administrator who manages the usage status of the oil and fat, The oil and grease management device includes: When the number of counted continuous use days reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of days, a notification signal is output to the terminal to call attention to the number of counted continuous use days. An oil and fat management system.

14. A method for managing the use of oil and fat by using a measuring device for measuring a deterioration index which is an index showing the degree of deterioration of oil and fat, an oil and fat management device for determining and managing the use of the oil and fat based on a measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil and fat measured by the measuring device, and an oil and fat management notification device for issuing a notification according to a notification signal output from the oil and fat management device, A measurement step in which the measurement device measures the deterioration indicator of the oil and fat; A data acquisition step in which the oil and grease management device acquires the measurement value of the deterioration index of the oil measured in the measurement step together with time data; A measurement ratio calculation step in which the oil and grease management device calculates a measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil based on the time data related to the measurement value acquired in the data acquisition step and a predetermined measurement period that is preset as a period for measuring the deterioration index of the oil and grease; A measurement ratio determination step in which the oil and grease management device determines whether the measurement ratio calculated in the measurement ratio calculation step is equal to or greater than a reference measurement ratio that is a reference for the measurement ratio of the deterioration index of the oil and grease; A waste oil determination step in which the oil and grease management device determines whether the measurement value acquired in the data acquisition step is equal to or greater than a waste oil reference value that is a reference value of the deterioration index at a predetermined waste oil point of time of the oil and grease; a continuous use days counting step of counting the number of continuous use days during which the grease has been continuously used since the time of the waste oil, as one day, when the measurement ratio is determined to be equal to or greater than the standard measurement ratio in the measurement ratio determination step and the measurement value is continuously determined to be equal to or greater than the waste oil standard value in the waste oil determination step; A signal output step in which the oil and grease management device outputs a notification signal to the oil and grease management notification device when the number of continuous use days counted in the continuous use day count step becomes a predetermined number of days or more, to the oil and grease management notification device; The oil and fat management notification device includes a notification step of issuing a notification to encourage the disposal of the oil and fat in accordance with the notification signal output in the signal output step. A method for managing oils and fats.

15. The oil and fat management method according to claim 14, The grease management device further includes a regeneration / replacement counting step of counting the number of times the grease is regenerated or replaced before the grease reaches the waste oil point; In the waste oil determination step, When the oil and fat management device determines that the measurement value acquired in the data acquisition step is less than the waste oil standard value, it determines whether the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value acquired last time in the data acquisition step, When the oil and grease management device determines that the measurement value is less than the previous measurement value, it determines whether the previous measurement value is less than the waste oil standard value, In the regenerative replacement count step, When the measurement ratio is determined to be equal to or greater than the reference measurement ratio in the measurement ratio determination step, and the measurement value is determined to be less than the previous measurement value and the previous measurement value is determined to be less than the waste oil reference value in the waste oil determination step, the number of regeneration and replacement times is counted as 1; In the signal output step, When the number of regeneration / replacement counted in the regeneration / replacement count step is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the oil / grease management device outputs a notification signal to prompt the oil / grease to be disposed of at the time of disposal, In the notification step, The oil and grease management notification device issues a notification to encourage the disposal of the oil and grease when the oil and grease reaches the disposal time according to the notification signal output in the signal output step. A method for managing oils and fats.

16. Displaying management information of the grease according to a notification signal output from the grease management device according to claim 1, A display unit that displays a plurality of objects; A display control unit that controls the display unit, The display unit is A ranking display area for displaying the ranking of the usage status of the oil and fat; a comment display area for displaying a comment for an administrator who manages the usage status of the oil and fat, The display control unit is When a display signal for encouraging the disposal of the oil and fat is output from the oil and fat management device, an object indicating the lowest rank is displayed in the rank display area, and a warning for encouraging the disposal of the oil and fat is displayed in the comment display area. An oil and grease management display device.

17. The grease management display device according to claim 16, The display control unit is When the display signal for encouraging the disposal of the oil and fat after the time for disposal of the oil and fat is output from the oil and fat management device, an object showing a ranking that is more important than the lowest ranking is displayed in the ranking display area, and a notice for encouraging the disposal of the oil and fat after the time for disposal of the oil and fat is displayed in the comment display area. An oil and grease management display device.

18. The grease management display device according to claim 16, The display control unit is When the ranking to be displayed in the ranking display area is superior to the ranking in a predetermined period of the past, an object indicating an increase is displayed in the ranking display area; when the ranking to be displayed in the ranking display area is lower than the ranking in the past during the predetermined period, an object indicating a decline is displayed in the ranking display area; If the ranking to be displayed in the ranking display area is the same as the ranking in the past predetermined period, an object indicating maintenance is displayed in the ranking display area. An oil and grease management display device.

19. The grease management display device according to claim 16, In the case of displaying the management information of the fats and oils in a plurality of stores, The display on the display unit is A simplified display for extracting and displaying the worst-case usage status of the grease in each of the plurality of stores and a comment for the manager; A detailed display that displays all of the usage status of the oils and fats in each of the plurality of stores and comments to the manager, The display control unit is When the display unit is in the simplified display state and a switching signal to the detailed display is input, the display on the display unit is switched from the simplified display state to the detailed display state; When the display unit is in the detailed display state, if a switching signal to the simplified display is input, the display on the display unit is switched from the detailed display state to the simplified display state. An oil and grease management display device.

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