JP7094476B2 - Out-of-gas estimation system, out-of-gas estimation program, out-of-gas estimation meter and out-of-gas estimation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a technique for processing data relating to the amount of gas used in LP gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

LP gas is loaded into a gas container such as a cylinder or a cylinder and delivered to the user's eaves. Gas containers installed by users are installed according to the amount of gas consumed, and usually multiple containers are installed, including for backup. This gas container is replaced by a delivery company before the gas runs out.
Regarding the remaining amount management of LP gas, it can be consumed by the gas consuming equipment from the gas consumption amount detected by the flow rate measuring means arranged in the gas supply path between the gas container and the gas consuming equipment and the gas remaining amount of the gas container. It is known to calculate and display the remaining time (for example, Patent Document 1).
Regarding the delivery prediction of gas containers, it is known to predict the occurrence date of gas outage using the safety factor master and calculate the scheduled delivery date in consideration of delivery efficiency and gas outage risk (for example, Patent Document 2). ..

Regarding the delivery date of the gas container, we accept the guideline data of the gas meter, update the gas remaining amount based on the gas usage amount from the previous guideline date to the next guideline date, and the daily gas usage amount of the guideline day and the past According to the predicted daily gas usage based on the rate of change in daily gas usage during the period of, the updated gas remaining amount is reduced to predict the future gas remaining amount, and this gas It is known that a delivery date is determined when the remaining amount is a predetermined date (for example, Patent Document 3). In addition, the gas usage amount is obtained from multiple pointer data of the gas meter to update the gas remaining amount, and the updated gas remaining amount is reduced based on the change in the gas usage amount by comparing the past gas usage amount of the gas container. It is known that the future remaining amount of gas is predicted and the day when the predicted remaining amount of gas becomes a predetermined value is determined as the delivery date of the gas container (for example, Patent Document 4).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-075366 Japanese Patent No. 5802225 Japanese Patent No. 5570552 Japanese Patent No. 55705553

By the way, the method of specifying the gas out date of the gas container in use by the LPG user largely depends on the guideline data once a month and the experience of the delivery staff, and the estimation accuracy of the gas outage date is poor. In a delivery system based on such human processing, the remaining amount of LPG in the gas container at the delivery destination may be larger than expected, or gas may run out, resulting in poor business efficiency and high delivery costs. There is a problem.
The introduction of smart meters is being considered to solve the problems caused by such human processing. The present inventors have obtained the finding that the estimated gas out date can be easily specified from the trend of data (gas data) on a plurality of gas usage frequently obtained from the gas container side in use. There is.

Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not disclose or suggest such requests or problems, and there is no disclosure or suggestion of a configuration or the like for solving them.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to facilitate the gas exhaustion management of the gas container and enhance the convenience of the LP gas utilization system based on the above-mentioned problems and the above-mentioned findings.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas outage estimation system of the present invention, the flow rate of gas flowing from the gas container to the gas device is frequently measured, or the remaining amount of gas in the gas container is frequently measured. A measurement unit, a data collection unit that collects time-series data from the measurement unit, a storage unit that stores past data, historical data including an estimated gas out date obtained from the data, and a gas container. The storage unit stores the historical data that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit when the remaining amount of gas reaches the reference value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container. It is provided with a calculation unit for calculating the estimated gas out date of the gas container in use by searching from the above and referring to the searched history data .
In this gas shortage estimation system, the calculation unit may correct the data based on fluctuation information including any one or two or more of gas usage transition information, user attribute information, temperature information, and meteorological information.
In this gas outage estimation system, a notification means for notifying the gas outage estimation date is further provided, the calculation unit calculates the notification time of the gas outage estimation date, and the notification means estimates the gas outage at the notification time. You may report the day .

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas outage estimation program of the present invention, it is a gas outage estimation program realized by a computer, and frequently measures the gas flow rate from the gas container to the gas device, or A function to collect time-series data from the measurement unit that frequently measures the remaining amount of gas in the gas container, a function to store past data, and a function to store historical data including the estimated date of gas outage obtained from the data. The history that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit when the remaining amount of gas in the gas container reaches the reference value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container. The computer realizes a function of searching data and calculating the estimated gas out date of the gas container in use with reference to the searched historical data.

According to one aspect of the gas outage estimation meter of the present invention, a measuring unit that frequently measures the gas flow rate flowing from the gas container to the gas device or frequently measures the remaining amount of gas in the gas container, and the measurement. A data collection unit that collects time-series data from the unit, a storage unit that stores past data, historical data including the estimated gas outage date obtained from the data, and the remaining amount of gas in the gas container as reference values. At the time of arrival or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container, the historical data that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit is searched from the storage unit, and the search is performed. It is provided with a calculation unit for calculating the estimated gas out date of the gas container in use with reference to the history data, and a reporting unit for notifying the estimated gas out date.
The gas outage estimation meter is further provided with information display means for displaying the gas outage estimation date, the calculation unit calculates the time when the gas outage estimation date is reported or displayed, and the notification unit is said to be in the time. The estimated out-of-gas date may be notified, and the information display means may display the estimated out-of-gas date at the said time.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas shortage estimation method of the present invention, the flow rate of gas flowing from the gas container to the gas device is frequently measured, or the remaining amount of gas in the gas container is frequently measured. The process of collecting gas, the data process of collecting time-series data, the process of storing past data, the process of storing historical data including the estimated gas outage date obtained from the data, and the remaining amount of gas in the gas container as the reference value. At the time of arrival or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container , the data collection unit searches for the historical data that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected, and the searched history. It includes a step of calculating the estimated out-of-gas date of the gas container in use with reference to the data.
In this gas outage estimation method, a step of displaying or notifying the gas outage estimation date may be included.

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) For example, the estimated gas outage date is calculated by comparing the time-series data frequently acquired from the gas flow rate on the LP gas user side with the data representing the past gas flow rate, so that the gas outage estimation is performed. The accuracy of day calculation can be improved.
(2) The amount of gas used can be specified from multiple data acquired in chronological order, and the accuracy of estimating the remaining amount of the gas container can be improved.

(3) Since the usage tendency and attribute information of LP gas users are inevitably reflected in the data frequently acquired from the flow rate of gas used, the use of gas containers without specifying the attribute information of LP gas users. The estimated gas out date can be calculated from the state, and the estimation accuracy is higher than the estimation process using a certain logic at the management center by collecting the data measured frequently.
(4) For frequent measurement of gas usage and calculation of estimated gas outage date, communication to the management center is only required to report the estimated gas outage date, communication frequency is low, and power consumption for data transmission is suppressed. It can extend the battery life.
(5) Since the estimated gas out date, which is the amount of information required for delivery processing, can be received from the gas meter at the management center, the amount of information processed by the management center is small, and the management center has introduced a remaining amount calculation system. It is unnecessary and can suppress the investment for system construction.

It is a figure which shows the gas out-of-gas estimation system which concerns on one Embodiment. A is a diagram showing historical data, and B is a diagram showing gas data of a gas container in use. It is a figure which shows the processing sequence of the gas outage estimation. It is a figure which shows the gas out-of-gas estimation system which concerns on Example 1. FIG. A is a diagram showing a gas meter, and B is a diagram showing the hardware of the gas outage estimation unit. A is a diagram showing a gas data table, and B is a diagram showing a history database. A is a diagram showing the hardware of the management center, and B is a diagram showing the information presentation of the management center display unit. It is a figure which shows the processing sequence of the gas outage estimation. It is a figure which shows the gas out-of-gas estimation system which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the processing sequence of the out-of-gas estimation system which concerns on Example 2. FIG.

[One Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a gas outage estimation system according to an embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
The out-of-gas estimation system 2 includes a measurement unit 4, a data collection unit 6, a data processing unit 8, a storage unit 10, and a notification unit 12. The measuring unit 4 is provided in, for example, a known gas meter 14. The data collection unit 6, the data processing unit 8, the storage unit 10, and the notification unit 12 constitute a gas outage estimation unit 16.

The gas G flows from the gas container 20 to the gas appliance 22 through the gas supply path 18. The measuring unit 4 is installed in the gas supply path 18 to measure the amount of gas used frequently (frequent meter reading), and outputs gas data as the measurement output.
The gas data is used to calculate the estimated out-of-gas date of the gas container 20 (or 20-1, 20-2). Therefore, the gas data includes, for example, the measured value of the gas flow rate, the amount of gas used, the remaining amount of gas, the output pulse of the load survey or the gas meter 14, the data indicating the amount of gas used or the remaining amount of gas as well as the measured value, the alarm information, and the like. It may be any of the pressure inside the container indicating the amount of gas used and the remaining amount of gas, or the data obtained by combining two or more of these.

The gas container 20 is provided with, for example, a gas container 20-1 for supplying the gas G to the gas appliance 22, and a gas container 20-2 for backing up the gas out of the gas container 20-1. When the gas container 20-1 runs out of gas, the switch 24 switches from the gas container 20-1 of the gas supply source to the gas container 20-2 on the backup side, and the gas from the gas container 20-2 to the gas device 22 is gas. Supply G.
The gas appliance 22 includes a plurality of gas appliances 22-1, 22-2, and the like, such as a gas appliance for burning gas G and a hot water supply appliance.

The data collection unit 6 collects a plurality of gas data frequently measured by the measurement unit 4 in chronological order. This gas data is stored and stored in the storage unit 10 in chronological order.
The data processing unit 8 is an example of a calculation unit, and compares the gas data Si of the gas container 20 currently in use with the history data Sh in the storage unit 10, and estimates the gas out of the gas container 20 in use dx. Is calculated, and the notification date dy of the estimated gas outage date dx is calculated. This report date dy is
dy = dx-N ... (1)
This is the date and time when the gas out of gas is estimated to arrive earlier than the estimated dx by N for a certain period. This period N may be any time as long as the time required for delivery preparation and delivery of the gas container 20 takes into consideration the safety factor.
The storage unit 10 stores and stores gas data Si of the gas container 20 in use, historical data Sh composed of past gas data, and the like. In the historical data Sh, in addition to the past gas data, the attribute information of the user and the gas container 20, the past estimated gas out date, the reporting date, etc. are stored in relation to the identification information or the user information of the gas container 20. It is saved.

The reporting unit 12 is connected to the management center 26 by wire or wirelessly, and notifies the management center 26 of the estimated gas out date dx, which is the processing result of the data processing unit 8, on the reporting date dy.
The management center 26 manages the user in units of the gas meter 14 and the gas outage estimation unit 16, and delivers and exchanges the gas container 20 to the user. That is, the management center 26 receives the report of the gas outage estimation date dx from the gas outage estimation unit 16, and executes the delivery process of the gas container 20 before the gas outage estimation date dx.
Regarding the gas meter 14 and the gas outage estimation unit 16, the gas outage estimation unit 16 may be integrally provided in the housing of the gas meter 14, or the gas outage estimation unit 16 may be unitized and detachably provided on the gas meter 14. , The gas meter 14 and the gas outage estimation unit 16 may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

<Example of gas data>
If, for example, the maximum value of the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20 at the time of replacement is Gmax, the detected gas usage amount is gi, and the integrated value is Σgi, the remaining amount of gas Gi at the time of detection is
Gi = Gmax-Σgi ・ ・ ・ (2)
It can be represented by (however, i = 1, 2, ..., N). Therefore, for the gas data Si, for example, either the gas usage amount gi or the gas remaining amount Gi may be used.

<Data processing of gas outage estimation system 2>
For the data processing of this out-of-gas estimation system 2, a. Collection of gas data Si, b. Accumulation of gas data Si, c. Calculation of estimated out-of-gas date dx, d. Calculation of report date dy, e. Monitoring of notification date dy and notification of estimated gas outage date dx, f. Creation and storage of historical data Sh, g. Other data processing is included.
a. Collection of gas data The data collection unit 6 continuously or discontinuously acquires and collects time-series gas data Si from the measurement unit 4.

b. Accumulation of gas data Si The gas data Si collected in the data collection unit 6 is stored in the storage unit 10 and stored. That is, the gas data Si of the gas container 20 currently in use is stored in the storage unit 10 separately from the history data Sh.
c. Calculation of Gas Outage Estimated Date dx The data processing unit 8 compares the gas data Si with the history data Sh and calculates the gas outage estimated date dx of the gas container 20 in use. The estimated gas out date dx is stored in the storage unit 10 in relation to the identification information of the gas container 20 in use.
d. Calculation of report date dy The data processing unit 8 calculates the report date dy after calculating the gas outage estimated date dx. The notification date dy is stored in the storage unit 10 in relation to the identification information of the gas container 20 in the same manner as the gas outage estimation date dx.

e. The monitoring of the reporting date dy and the reporting data processing unit 8 of the estimated gas shortage date dx measure the time and monitor the arrival of the reporting date dy. When the notification date dy arrives, the data processing unit 8 notifies the management center 26 that manages the delivery of the gas container 20, for example, by wire or wirelessly.
f. Creation and storage of history data Sh After the delivery of the gas container 20 is completed, the gas data Si in use of gas is incorporated into the history data Sh and stored when the delivery is completed or the estimated gas out date dx is notified.

g. Other processing The gas data Si may be stored in the storage unit 10 together with management information such as the usage history of the gas container 20, the reporting history of the estimated gas out date dx, and the replacement record of the gas container 20 from the reporting time.
For gas data Si, even if fluctuation information including any or two or more of gas usage transition information, user attribute information, temperature information, and meteorological information is acquired, and gas data Si is corrected using this fluctuation information. good.

<Calculation of estimated gas out date and report date>
In FIG. 2, A shows the history data Sh of a specific user with time on the horizontal axis and remaining gas on the vertical axis. This historical data Sh is an aggregate of historical data (past gas data) Sh1, Sh2, ..., Shn showing the transition of the past remaining amount of gas. As an exception, if there is no usage history, the standard gas data S0 may be used for the history data Sh. In this historical data Sh, Gmax is the maximum value of the remaining gas amount, and G0 is the minimum value of the remaining amount of gas corresponding to the out of gas. The reason why Gmax has a range is that the filling amount differs depending on the gas container 20. Regarding the estimated out-of-gas date dx, dx1, dx2, ..., Dxn indicate that the estimated out-of-gas date differs depending on the historical data Sh1, Sh2, ..., Shn. Therefore, the reporting date DIY (i = 1, 2, ..., N) of each estimated gas shortage date dxi (i = 1, 2, ..., N) is
DIY = DIY-N ・ ・ ・ (2)
Will be. This notification date DIY is stored in the storage unit 10 together with the history data Sh1, Sh2, ..., Shan.

FIG. 2B shows the transition of the gas data Si of the gas container 20 currently in use.
For the gas container 20 currently in use, in order to calculate the estimated gas out date dxi at the time point ti, the gas data Si is compared with the historical data Sh. By searching the history data Shi containing the same or the closest remaining gas value as the gas data Si based on the time point ti from the history data Sh, and referring to this history data Shi, the gas in the gas container 20 in use of gas is used. Calculate the estimated cut date dxi.
The notification date DIY of the gas outage estimated date dxi can be calculated by using the gas outage estimated date dxi and the period N.

<Processing sequence for estimating gas shortage>
FIG. 3 shows a processing sequence for estimating out of gas. The processing of this processing sequence is an example of the out-of-gas estimation method executed by using a computer.
The measuring unit 4 measures the gas flow rate flowing through the gas appliance 22, or measures the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20 (S101), and outputs the gas data Si.
The gas outage estimation unit 16 collects gas data Si from the measurement unit 4 in time series (S102), stores the gas data Si in the storage unit 10, and stores the gas data Si (S103).
For the gas container 20 in use, the gas outage estimation unit 16 monitors the transition of the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20 or the elapsed time from the start of use of the gas container 20, and the remaining amount of gas reaches the reference value or the elapsed time. Calculates the estimated out-of-gas date dx when the predetermined time is reached (S104).
In the calculation of the estimated gas out date dx, as described above, the gas data Si at the time point ti and the history data Sh of the storage unit 10 are referred to, and the remaining amount of gas corresponding to the gas data Si is obtained at the simultaneous point ti. Search the history data Shi including. By referring to the historical data Shi, the estimated gas out date dxi of the gas data Si is calculated.

After the calculation of the gas outage estimation date dx, the gas outage estimation unit 16 calculates the notification date dy, which is the date and time N days before the gas outage estimation date dx (S105).
The gas outage estimation unit 16 monitors the passage of time, waits for the arrival of the notification date dy, and notifies the management center 26 of the gas outage estimation date dx together with the identification information of the gas container 20 or the gas user (S106).
Upon receiving the notification of the estimated gas outage date dx, the management center 26 presents the estimated gas outage date dx together with the identification information of the gas container 20 or the gas user (S107), and executes the delivery process necessary for replacing the gas container 20. (S108).
In this processing sequence, the estimated gas outage date dx and the notification date dy fluctuate every day depending on the daily amount of gas used. Therefore, the estimated gas outage date dx and the notification date dy are set based on the gas data Si updated daily. It may be calculated for each day and may be continuously calculated until immediately before the notification date dy is reached.

<Effect of one embodiment>
According to one embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The estimation accuracy of the remaining amount of gas is improved, the prediction accuracy at the time of gas exhaustion and gas exchange is improved, the number of exchanges of the gas container 20 can be reduced, and the efficiency of gas container exchange can be improved.
(2) The gas container 20 having a small amount of gas remaining can be replaced, and the burden on the delivery person can be reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a gas meter according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
The gas meter 14 incorporates the above-mentioned gas outage estimation system 2 in the housing 28. A display unit 30 is arranged on the front surface of the housing 28, and this display unit 30 is an example of the notification unit 12, and includes a numerical display unit 30-1 and an information display unit 30-2. The gas flow rate is displayed on the numerical display unit 30-1. The information display unit 30-2 displays the estimated gas out date dx and the like on the notification date dy.
The gas meter 14 is provided with a communication function, and for example, information such as a gas outage estimated date dx is reported to the management center 26 via the Internet 32. A unique wireless communication line may be used instead of the Internet 32. An information terminal such as a smartphone may be used for communication between the gas meter 14 and the management center 26, but a repeater or a communication data collector may be used. The communication data collector can be configured as a relay device that collectively collects data from n terminal communication devices and collectively transmits the data to the management center 26.

<Gas meter 14>
FIG. 5A shows the system configuration of the gas meter 14. In A of FIG. 5, the same parts as those of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.
As described above, the gas meter 14 is provided with the gas shortage estimation unit 16 together with the measurement unit 4. The gas shortage estimation unit 16 is provided with a communication unit 34 in addition to the display unit 30 as an example of the notification unit 12 described above. The communication unit 34 is an example of communication means with the management center 26.

FIG. 5B shows the hardware of the out-of-gas estimation unit 16. The out-of-gas estimation unit 16 is composed of a computer, and includes a processor 36, a memory unit 38, and an input / output unit (I / O) 40.
The processor 36 executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System), a firmware program, and a gas outage estimation program in the memory unit 38, performs data processing of the gas outage estimation system 2 described above, and also performs data processing in the memory unit 38 and I. Controls functional units such as / O40.
The memory unit 38 is equipped with storage elements such as ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and RAM (Random-Access Memory), and includes a gas data table 42 and a history database 44 (FIG. 6). ) Etc. are stored.

Functional units such as a measurement unit 4, a display unit 30, and a communication unit 34 are connected to the I / O 40. Gas data is taken into this I / O 40 from the measuring unit 4 under the control of the processor 36. The estimated gas out date dx, the notification date dy, and the like, which are the calculation results of the processor 36, are output from the I / O 40 to the display unit 30 and the communication unit 34. As a result, the information display unit 30-2 (FIG. 4) of the display unit 30 displays the notification date dy and the gas outage estimated date dx.
The communication unit 34 communicates with the management center 26 by wire or wirelessly under the control of the processor 36. This communication includes a report of the estimated gas out date dx associated with the identification information of the gas meter 14 as a report to the management center 26.

<Gas data table 42 and history database 44>
A in FIG. 6 shows the gas data table 42. As an example, the gas data table 42 includes an identification information unit 46, a time information unit 48, a gas data unit 50, a gas outage estimation date unit 52, and a notification date unit 54. The identification information unit 46 stores identification information such as an ID (IDentification) that identifies the gas container 20 in use (during measurement). The time information unit 48 stores the collection timing information of the gas data Si. The gas data unit 50 stores the gas data collected at the collection timing. The calculated gas outage estimation date dx is stored in the gas outage estimation date unit 52. The reporting date dy of the estimated gas shortage date dx is stored in the reporting date unit 54.
According to the gas data table 42, the time information, the gas data, the estimated gas out date and the reporting date associated with the identification information of the gas container 20 are stored, and these can be easily grasped and recognized. ..

FIG. 6B shows the history database 44. In B of FIG. 6, the same parts as A of FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the history database 44, the above-mentioned history data Sh1, Sh2, ..., Shan (A in FIG. 2) are stored in the history data tables 44-1, 44-2, ..., 44-n. .. That is, this history database 44 is related to user information, and is an aggregate of a plurality of history data tables 44-1, 44-2, ..., 44-n.
After the delivery of the gas container 20 is completed, each gas data table 42-1, 42-2, ..., 42-n becomes a history database as history data tables 44-1, 44-2, ..., 44-n. It is composed of 44.
Depending on the user, it is assumed that the gas data does not exist when the LP gas is introduced. In this case, the history database 44 may store virtual history data as a standard value, assuming standard use by the user.

<Management Center 26>
A in FIG. 7 shows the hardware of the management center 26. The management center 26 is mainly in charge of management work such as delivery of the gas container 20. In order to realize this management, the management center 26 is provided with a computer, and includes a processor 56, a memory unit 58, a communication unit 60, an input / output unit (I / O) 62, and a display unit 64.
The processor 56 executes the program in the memory unit 58 and performs data processing. This data processing includes data processing for delivery of the gas container 20 before the estimated gas out date dx reported from the gas meter 14.

The memory unit 58 supervises the gas shortage estimation program on the gas meter 14 side, and stores the program for executing the gas delivery business. The gas data table 42, the history database 44, and the like provided by the gas meter 14 may be stored in the memory unit 58.
The communication unit 60 exchanges data with the gas meter 14 by wire or wirelessly.
A display unit 64 and an operation input unit 66 are connected to the I / O 62. The display unit 64 displays the presentation information including the estimated gas out date dx reported from the gas meter 14. The operation input unit 66 is connected to a user interface such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and a bar code input device, and is used for inputting information related to delivery management of the gas container 20. For example, when the delivery of the gas meter 14 is completed to the user, the completion result and the like are input.

<Presentation of information on the display unit 64>
FIG. 7B shows a display example of the display unit 64. The notification display table 68 is displayed on the display unit 64 when the gas meter 14 reports the estimated gas out date dx. The notification display table 68 is provided with an identification information unit 70, a notification unit 72, a user information unit 74, a gas container information unit 76, and the like.
The identification information unit 70 displays the same identification information as the identification information unit 46 of the gas data table 42. This identification information includes the ID of the gas container 20 and the like.

The reporting unit 72 displays specific information regarding the gas outage such as the estimated gas outage date dx and the notification date dy provided by the gas meter 14.
For example, a user name, a location, a telephone number, and the like are displayed in the user information unit 74 as user attribute information.
The gas container information unit 76 stores information on gas container replacement such as the previous replacement date and replacement completion of the gas container 20. When the replacement of the gas container 20 is completed, the information to that effect is displayed.

On the display screen of the report display table 68, for example, by clicking the location display of the user information unit 74, the map display window 78 is expanded. A map showing the vicinity of the user's location is displayed in the map display window 78, and the traffic information display window 80 is superimposed and displayed. The traffic information acquired on the report date dy is displayed in the traffic information display window 80.

<Gas outage estimation process>
FIG. 8 shows a processing sequence for estimating out of gas. This processing sequence includes a processing procedure on the gas meter 14 side and a processing procedure on the management center 26 side.
When delivery such as replacement of the gas container 20 is performed (S201), the gas shortage estimation unit 16 initializes the gas container 20 (S202). That is, the measurement of the gas data Si and the update of the gas data table 42 are stopped.
With the initialization as an opportunity, the measurement unit 4 of the gas meter 14 newly starts measuring the gas flow rate or the remaining amount of gas (S203), and outputs the gas data Si.

The gas outage estimation unit 16 collects gas data Si from the measurement unit 4 in chronological order (S204), stores the gas data Si in the storage unit 10, and stores the gas data Si (S205). That is, the gas data Si is written in the gas data table 42 and stored.
For the gas container 20 in use, the gas outage estimation unit 16 monitors the transition of the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20 or the elapsed time from the start of use of the gas container 20, and the remaining amount of gas reaches or elapses to the reference value. The estimated out-of-gas date dx is calculated when the time reaches the reference time (for example, the reference date) (S206).
In the calculation of the estimated gas out date dx, as described above, the gas data Si at the time point ti and the history data Shi that is the same as or similar to the gas data Si are searched from the history data table 44 of the storage unit 10. With reference to this historical data Shi, the estimated gas out date dxi of the gas data Si is calculated.

After the calculation of the gas outage estimation date dx, the gas outage estimation unit 16 calculates the notification date dy, which is the date and time N days before the gas outage estimation date dx (S207).
The gas outage estimation unit 16 monitors the passage of time, waits for the arrival of the notification date dy, and notifies the management center 26 of the gas outage estimation date dx together with the identification information of the gas container 20 or the gas user (S208).
Upon receiving the notification of the estimated gas outage date dx, the management center 26 presents the estimated gas outage date dx together with the identification information of the gas container 20 or the gas user (S209), and executes the delivery process necessary for replacing the gas container 20. (S210).

Then, the management center 26 receives the gas container replacement completion notification from the delivery manager or the gas meter 14, presents the replacement completion information to the gas container information unit 76 of the report display table 68, and then reports the report display table 68 after a predetermined time. The display of is reset (S211).

<Opportunity for calculating the estimated out-of-gas date dx>
The calculation accuracy of the estimated gas out date dx is closely related to the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20. Minimizing the remaining amount of gas depends on the calculation accuracy of the estimated gas outage date dx, and is indispensable for reducing the delivery load.
Therefore, in order to calculate the estimated gas out date dx, a reference value may be set for the time reference date from the time when the gas container 20 is used or for the remaining amount of gas in consideration of the gas use.
As the reference time for calculation, the reference date may be set from the estimated gas outage date dxi previously calculated from the start of use with reference to the history database 44.
As the reference value of the remaining gas amount, the reference value of the remaining amount of gas may be set by referring to the history database 44 and referring to the previously calculated estimated gas outage date dxi.

<Learning of estimated out-of-gas date dx and the opportunity to report it>
(1) The remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20 on the estimated date of out-of-gas dx is measured, and the measured value is stored in the history database 44 as an empirical value. If this empirical value is used to correct the estimated gas outage date dx, the relationship between the estimated gas outage date dx and the remaining amount of gas can be optimized.
(2) When determining the notification date dy, if fluctuation information such as the busy state of delivery at the management center 26 and the traffic conditions in the area where the user is located is used as a correction value, the flexibility to the delivery manager is enhanced. Will be.

<Effect of Example 1>
According to this Example 1, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Efficient because the estimated gas out date dx can be specified by grasping the remaining amount of gas by frequent measurement from the gas meter 14 that detects the flow rate of the gas used flowing from the gas container 20 arranged to the user to the gas appliance 22. An LP gas utilization system can be constructed.
(2) Unforeseen circumstances such as out of gas can be avoided, and the remaining amount of gas when replacing the gas container can be reduced, so the delivery load can be reduced and an efficient delivery system can be constructed.
(3) It is possible to grasp the remaining amount of gas and specify the estimated date of gas exhaustion on the gas meter 14 side, and to construct an efficient gas exhaustion estimation system without increasing the data processing load on the management center 26 side.

(4) On the management center 26 side, the processing of the gas outage estimation on the gas meter 14 side can be managed through communication with the gas meter 14, and the load distribution of the gas outage estimation can be achieved.
(5) It is possible to improve the delivery system that entrusts the estimation of gas shortage of conventional LP gas to the experience of meter readers and delivery staff, prevent gas shortage, improve work efficiency, and reduce work costs. can.
(6) Since the management center 26 receives the estimated gas out date calculated by the data processing on the gas meter 14 side, the amount of communication information is small and the burden of data traffic can be reduced.
(7) The estimated gas out date dx can be directly read from the display unit 30 of the gas meter 14, and the estimated out-of-gas date can be quickly recognized.

FIG. 9 shows the gas shortage estimation system 2 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same parts as A in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals.
A weather information source 82 is connected to the management center 26 which is connected to the communication unit 34 by wire or wirelessly, and the weather information is taken in from the weather information source 82. The meteorological information source 82 is an example of a fluctuation information source for collecting fluctuation information affecting the estimated gas outage date dx.
The management center 26 acquires weather information such as the season, temperature, and weather of the area where the user is located from the weather information source 82, uses communication with the communication unit 34 as fluctuation information, and provides the data processing unit 8.
As fluctuation information, changes in the weather affect the gas production rate of the gas container 20, affect the relationship between the gas flow rate and the remaining amount of gas measured by the measuring unit 4, and are closely related to the estimated gas out date dx. There is.

<Processing sequence for estimating gas shortage>
FIG. 10 shows a processing sequence for estimating gas shortage according to the second embodiment. In this processing sequence, the estimated gas out date dx is calculated using the fluctuation information including the meteorological information.
When delivery such as replacement of the gas container 20 is performed (S301), the gas shortage estimation unit 16 initializes the gas container 20 (S302).
With this initialization as an opportunity, the measuring unit 4 of the gas meter 14 newly starts measuring the gas flow rate or the remaining amount of gas, and outputs the gas data Si.

The gas shortage estimation unit 16 collects gas data Si from the measurement unit 4 in chronological order (S303), and acquires weather information of the area where the user is located from the weather information source 82 (S304). The gas outage estimation unit 16 corrects the gas data Si based on the weather information (S305), stores the gas data in the storage unit 10, and stores the gas data (S306).
As described above, for the gas container 20 in use, the gas outage estimation unit 16 monitors the transition of the remaining amount of gas in the gas container 20 or the elapsed time from the start of use of the gas container 20, and the remaining amount of gas is a reference value. Is reached, or the elapsed time reaches the reference date, and the estimated gas out date dx is calculated (S307).

The calculation of the estimated gas outage date dx (S308), the calculation of the notification date dy (S308), and the notification of the estimated gas outage date dx (S309) are as described above, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.
In Example 2, meteorological information is exemplified as fluctuation information, but even if the situation such as the user's gas usage is added to the fluctuation information or these are used as correction information to calculate the estimated gas out date dx and the notification date dy. good.

<Effect of Example 2>
According to this Example 2, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the fluctuation information of the usage amount and the fluctuation information such as the season, temperature, weather, and the situation of the gas user are used as the correction value of the gas data Si for the calculation of the estimated gas outage date dx, the estimated gas outage date dx The calculation accuracy can be improved, and the remaining amount of gas at the time of replacement can be reduced.
(2) The delivery load can be reduced and the delivery efficiency can be improved.

The estimated gas outage date dx and the notification date dy described in Example 1 or Example 2 and the mode of gas use are not limited to the description of Example 1 or Example 2.
Regarding the estimated gas outage date dx, the notification date dy, and the form of gas use, the estimated gas outage date dx and the notification date dy change every day depending on the daily gas usage, so gas is based on the gas data Si updated daily. The estimated expiration date dx and the notification date dy may be calculated for each day and may be continuously calculated until immediately before the notification date dy is reached.

<Effect of Example 3>
According to this Example 3, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Even if the amount of gas used fluctuates daily, it is possible to calculate the highly accurate gas outage estimation date dx and the notification date dy according to the fluctuation, and it is possible to construct a highly convenient gas outage estimation system.
(2) Since gas can be used until just before the gas runs out, the remaining amount of gas in the gas container can be pushed to the minimum value, the gas container with a small amount of gas can be replaced, and the load and cost of replacing the gas container can be reduced. be able to.

[Other embodiments]
(1) In the above embodiment, it is illustrated that the gas outage estimation unit 16 is provided on the gas meter 14 side, but by installing the gas outage estimation unit 16 at the relay base connecting the management center 26 and the gas meter 14. , The estimated out-of-gas date may be calculated.
(2) In the above embodiments and examples, the notification date dy is shown as the notification timing of the estimated gas outage date dx, but the notification time is not limited to the notification date dy, and the notification time, the notification time, and a certain time width It may be any of the reporting times with.

As described above, the most preferable embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the form for carrying out the invention. Needless to say, such modifications and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, since the gas meter side estimates the gas out, the burden on the management center side can be reduced, and the gas outage can be prevented in a form directly connected to the LP gas user, and an efficient LP gas utilization system is constructed. can.

2 Gas outage estimation system 4 Measurement unit 6 Data collection unit 8 Data processing unit 10 Storage unit 12, 72 Notification unit 14 Gas meter 16 Gas outage estimation unit 18 Gas supply path 20, 20-1, 20-2 Gas container 22, 22- 1, 22-2 Gas equipment 24 Switch 26 Management center 28 Housing 30, 64 Display unit 30-1 Numerical display unit 30-2 Information display unit 32 Internet 34, 60 Communication unit 36, 56 Processor 38, 58 Memory unit 40 , 62 Input / output section (I / O)
42, 42-1, 42-2 ... 42-n gas data table 44 history database 44-1, 44-2 ... 44-n history data table 46 identification information unit 48 time information unit 50 gas data unit 52 Estimated out of gas day part 54 Report day part 66 Operation input part 68 Report display table 70 Identification information part 74 User information part 76 Gas container information part 78 Map display window 80 Traffic information display window 82 Meteorological information source

Claims (8)

A measuring unit that frequently measures the gas flow rate flowing from the gas container to the gas appliance, or frequently measures the remaining amount of gas in the gas container.
A data collection unit that collects time-series data from the measurement unit,
A storage unit that stores past data, historical data including the estimated gas outage date obtained from the data, and a storage unit.
The historical data that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit when the remaining amount of gas in the gas container reaches the reference value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container. Is searched from the storage unit, and the calculation unit for calculating the estimated gas out date of the gas container in use with reference to the searched history data, and
A gas outage estimation system characterized by being equipped with. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the calculation unit corrects the data based on fluctuation information including any one or more of gas usage transition information, user attribute information, temperature information, and meteorological information. Out of gas estimation system. In addition, it is equipped with a reporting means for notifying the estimated date of out of gas.
The calculation unit calculates the notification time of the estimated gas out date, and
The gas outage estimation system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means notifies the gas outage estimation date at the notification time. It is a gas shortage estimation program realized by a computer.
A function to frequently measure the gas flow rate from the gas container to the gas appliance, or to collect time-series data from the measurement unit that frequently measures the remaining amount of gas in the gas container.
A function to store past data, historical data including the estimated gas outage date obtained from the data, and
The history that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit when the remaining amount of gas in the gas container reaches the reference value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container. A function to search for data and calculate the estimated out-of-gas out date of the gas container in use by referring to the searched historical data, and
Is an out-of-gas estimation program for realizing the above with the computer. A measuring unit that frequently measures the gas flow rate flowing from the gas container to the gas appliance, or frequently measures the remaining amount of gas in the gas container.
A data collection unit that collects time-series data from the measurement unit,
A storage unit that stores past data, historical data including the estimated gas outage date obtained from the data, and a storage unit.
The historical data that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit when the remaining amount of gas in the gas container reaches the reference value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container. Is searched from the storage unit, and the calculation unit for calculating the estimated gas out date of the gas container in use with reference to the searched history data, and
The reporting unit that reports the estimated gas out date and
A gas outage estimation meter characterized by being equipped with. Further, it is provided with an information display means for displaying the estimated date of out of gas.
The calculation unit calculates the time when the estimated gas out date is reported or displayed, and
The gas outage estimation meter according to claim 5, wherein the reporting unit reports the gas outage estimation date at the time, and the information display means displays the gas outage estimation date at the time. The process of frequently measuring the gas flow rate from the gas container to the gas appliance, or frequently measuring the remaining amount of gas in the gas container.
The process of collecting time-series data and
The process of storing past data, historical data including the estimated date of out-of-gas obtained from the data, and
The history that is the same as or similar to the time-series data collected by the data collection unit when the remaining amount of gas in the gas container reaches the reference value or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of use of the gas container. The process of searching the data and calculating the estimated gas out date of the gas container in use with reference to the searched historical data, and
A method for estimating out of gas, which comprises. The gas outage estimation method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of displaying or notifying the gas outage estimation date.

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