JP7501944B2 - Gas sales forecasting system, method, program and server - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a forecasting technique for forecasting sales using indication information of a gas meter at a destination of gas supply, such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

LPG is generally delivered in cylinders by the gas company to the gas supply destination. Gas usage is managed based on guideline information obtained from the gas meter.

Regarding the prediction of gas usage, it is known that a method is used to receive guideline information from a gas meter, compare each guideline information to calculate gas usage, calculate the rate of change in past gas usage based on a comparison of multiple gas usage amounts for a specified period prior to the meter reading date of the guideline information, change the gas usage amount according to this rate of change, and predict the changed gas usage amount as the future gas usage amount (Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-254414 A

The sales of LPG provided by gas companies depend on the gas usage of the gas supply destination. This gas usage is calculated based on the guideline information of the gas meter. Once the guideline information for the current month is obtained, the gas usage for the current month is determined by subtracting the guideline information for the previous month from this guideline information. Gas sales information can be calculated by multiplying this gas usage by the fee per unit usage. In other words, gas usage and gas sales cannot be calculated unless the guideline information for the current month is determined.

In addition to this billing system, the number of gas supply destinations and the gas usage of each destination are fluid. For this reason, gas suppliers are required to predict the fluctuations in the number of gas supply destinations and their gas usage when purchasing gas. In other words, gas sales forecasts based on the gas usage of destinations are essential when purchasing gas. From the perspective of gas suppliers' management, purchasing gas without basing it on gas sales forecasts is untimely, which can lead to a deterioration in their business condition.
In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to automate gas sales management based on the gas usage amount of gas supply destinations.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the gas sales prediction system of the present invention, the system includes a meter that measures gas usage at a gas supply destination and outputs guideline information, a communication unit that sends out the guideline information, a relay unit that relays the guideline information sent by the communication unit, a guideline information source that stores the guideline information, a server that acquires the guideline information from the relay unit or the guideline information source and calculates gas usage information for each gas supply destination, and an information terminal, wherein the server, upon request from the information terminal, calculates the gas usage information and gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation times and transmits it to the information terminal, and upon request from the information terminal, calculates predicted guideline information, predicted gas usage information and predicted gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference time point to a predicted calculation time point and transmits it to the information terminal, and also generates management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the predicted gas usage information, the predicted gas sales information, and information on when a gas container replacement time is determined, and transmits the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission time arrives .

In this gas sales forecasting system, the forecast guideline information may be calculated using the progress of the guideline information and the forecast calculation time point that is set arbitrarily.

In this gas sales prediction system, the predicted gas usage information may be calculated using a transition of the gas usage information and the prediction calculation time point that is arbitrarily set.

In this gas sales prediction system, the predicted gas sales information may be calculated for each gas supply destination using the predicted gas usage information and billing information of the gas supply destination.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the gas sales forecasting method of the present invention, the method includes a step of a meter of a gas supply destination measuring a gas usage amount of the gas supply destination and outputting guideline information, a step of a communication unit sending out the guideline information, a step of a relay unit relaying the guideline information sent out by the communication unit, a guideline information source storing the guideline information, a server acquiring the guideline information from the relay unit or the guideline information source and calculating gas usage amount information for each gas supply destination, and further, a step of the server calculating the gas usage amount information for each gas supply destination using the guideline information for a calculation time period in response to a request from a connected information terminal. The method includes the steps of calculating the gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with an information terminal and transmitting them to the information terminal, and upon request from the information terminal, calculating forecast guideline information, forecast gas usage information and forecast gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference time point to a forecast calculation time point and transmitting them to the information terminal, as well as generating management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the forecast gas usage information, the forecast gas sales information and gas container replacement time information , and transmitting the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission time point arrives .

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, the program is executed by a computer and has the following functions: acquiring guideline information from a meter of a gas supply destination, or acquiring guideline information from a guideline information source that stores guideline information for the gas supply destination, and calculating gas usage information for each gas supply destination; and , upon request from an information terminal, calculating the gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation points and transmitting it to the information terminal; and, upon request from the information terminal , calculating predicted guideline information, predicted gas usage information and predicted gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference point to a predicted calculation point and transmitting them to the information terminal; and generating management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the predicted gas usage information, the predicted gas sales information, and information on the replacement time of a gas container, and causing the computer to transmit the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission point arrives .

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the server of the present invention, a server is connected via a relay unit to a communication unit that sends out guideline information of a meter installed at a gas supply destination, or to a guideline information source via the relay unit, and is also connected to an information terminal, and includes a processing unit that obtains the guideline information of the gas supply destination from the relay unit or the guideline information source, and, upon a request from the information terminal, calculates gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation points and transmits it to the information terminal, and, upon a request from the information terminal, calculates predicted guideline information, predicted gas usage information and predicted gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference point to a predicted calculation point and transmits it to the information terminal, and also generates management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the predicted gas usage information , the predicted gas sales information, and information on the replacement time of a gas container, and transmits the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission point arrives .

According to the present invention, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Gas sales management can be automated based on the gas usage volume of gas supply destinations, thereby reducing the human burden and speeding up processing.
(2) Since the predicted gas consumption and predicted gas sales information of the gas supply destination is calculated, this predicted gas sales information can be used for demand forecasting and investment information.
(3) Gas demand trends can be grasped from forecasted gas usage or forecasted gas sales information, which makes it possible to plan equipment deterioration and the timing of investments.
(4) The calculation dates for gas usage at gas supply destinations can be spread out, thereby reducing the burden of calculating forecasts of gas usage and sales.

4 is a flowchart showing a gas management process according to the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a gas management system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a gas management file group. 1A is a diagram showing a gas supply information section of a gas management file, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a history information section of the gas management file. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between guideline information and the calculation time point of gas usage. 13A is a diagram showing a transition in gas usage amount, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a transition in gas sales information. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the transition of meter information, the time of meter reading, and the time of calculation of gas usage. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for recalculating predicted gas sales information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a monitoring operation of gas usage amount. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a gas management system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating hardware of a gas supply destination terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the presentation of gas sales information on an administrator terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the presentation of gas sales information at a gas supply destination terminal. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process sequence of gas management. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure including a response process to request information from a gas supply destination terminal. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for gas management according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the presentation of gas sales information in the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a gas management process according to a fourth embodiment.

First Embodiment
Fig. 1 shows a gas management process according to a first embodiment. The configuration shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
This gas management process includes identifying the gas supply destination 10 (S101), identifying the gas management file 22 (S102), obtaining guideline information S (S103), monitoring the calculation time T of the gas usage information G (S104), calculating the gas usage information G (S105), calculating gas sales information M (S106), monitoring the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas usage information Gx (S107), calculating the predicted gas usage information Gx (S108), calculating the predicted gas sales information Mx (S109), storing in the gas management file 22 (S110), generating presentation information (S111), monitoring the time of sending the presentation information (S112), and transmitting the presentation information (S113).

Identification of gas supply destinations 10 (S101): Gas supply destinations 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-N (Fig. 2, hereinafter simply referred to as "gas supply destinations 10") are gas users such as gas consumers who have contracted with a gas company, installed gas containers 48 (Fig. 10), and consume LPG from these gas containers 48. Gas users may be either individuals or corporations (businesses). The amount of LPG used is grasped from the meter information of a gas meter 50 (Fig. 10). Thus, such gas supply destinations 10 are identified as targets for gas sales forecasting.
Identifying the gas management file 22 (S102): The gas management file 22 is created for each gas supply destination 10 to constitute a gas management database, and is used to manage gas supply and gas sales. Based on the identification of the gas supply destination 10, the management server 4 (FIG. 2) identifies the gas management file 22 for that gas supply destination 10.
Acquisition of guideline information S (S103): The guideline information S obtained by the gas meter 50 may be obtained from a communication unit 56 (FIG. 10) installed in the gas meter 50 of each gas supply destination 10, or may be obtained from the guideline information source 20 (FIG. 2). The management server 4 may acquire the guideline information S obtained from the gas meter 50 of the gas supply destination 10 at regular meter reading intervals, such as daily or monthly. This guideline information S is stored in the gas management file 22.
Monitoring the calculation time T of the gas usage information G (S104): The management server 4 has a timer function including a calendar function, monitors the calculation time T of the gas usage information G, and generates the calculation time T of the gas usage information G for each gas supply destination 10. When the calculation time T arrives, the management server 4 transitions to a calculation mode for the predicted gas usage information Gx.

Calculation of Gas Usage Information G (S105): The management server 4, which has acquired the guideline information S obtained from the gas meter 50 of the gas supply destination 10, calculates the gas usage information G of the gas supply destination 10 on a daily or monthly basis.
Calculation of gas sales information M (S106): The management server 4 calculates gas sales information M, for example, from the previous calculation time to the current calculation time, by using the gas usage amount information G. This gas sales information M is stored in the gas management file 22.
Monitoring the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas usage information Gx (S107): The management server 4 monitors the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas usage information Gx using the timer function described above, and generates the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas usage information Gx for each gas supply destination 10. When the calculation time Tx arrives, the management server 4 transitions to a calculation mode for the predicted gas usage information Gx.
Calculation of predicted gas usage information Gx (S108): The management server 4 calculates the predicted gas usage information Gx using the already obtained guideline information S. The management server 4 calculates, for example, predicted gas usage information Gx from the previous meter reading time to the current meter reading time by using the guideline information S. This predicted gas usage information Gx is stored in the gas management file 22.

Calculation of predicted gas sales information Mx (S109): The management server 4 calculates predicted gas sales information Mx for each gas supply destination 10 using the predicted gas usage amount information Gx described above and the contract fee information (billing information) set for the gas supply destination 10.
Storage in Gas Management File 22 (S110): The predicted gas sales information Mx, like the guideline information S, is stored in the gas management file 22 in association with the identification information of the gas supply destination 10.
Generation of presentation information (S111): Upon calculation of the predicted gas sales information Mx, the management server 4 generates the presentation information. This presentation information includes either or both of the predicted gas usage information Gx and the predicted gas sales information Mx associated with the identification information of the gas supply destination 10 or all the gas supply destinations 10.
Monitoring the timing of sending the presented information (S112): The management server 4 is equipped with a calendar function to monitor the timing of sending the presented information, and sends the presented information for each gas supply destination 10 based on the information stored in the gas management file 22.
Transmission of presented information (S113): This presented information is transmitted to the gas supply destination terminal 12.
The management server 4 monitors the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas sales information Mx using the timer function described above, and generates the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas sales information Mx for each gas supply destination 10. When the calculation time Tx arrives, the process may transition to a calculation mode for the predicted gas sales information Mx.

<Gas management system 2>
Fig. 2A shows the gas management system 2. The configuration shown in Fig. 2A is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
This gas management system 2 is equipped with a management server 4, an information presentation unit 6, and an information input unit 8. The management server 4 is installed at a gas utility company that manages LPG supply and gas sales for each gas supply destination 10 (=10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-N). A computer with a communication function is used for this management server 4, and executes information processing such as gas sales for each gas supply destination 10 from the acquired guideline information. This information processing involves:
These include: a) creating and updating the gas management file 22; b) managing the gas supply destinations 10; c) obtaining guideline information S-1, S-2, ..., S-N; d) generating the calculation time of gas usage; e) calculating gas usage information G-1, G-2, ..., G-N; f) calculating gas sales information M-1, M-2, ..., M-N; g) generating the predicted calculation time of predicted gas usage; h) calculating predicted gas usage information Gx-1, Gx-2, ..., Gx-N; i) calculating predicted gas sales information Mx-1, Mx-2, ..., Mx-N; j) generating presented information and presenting the information; and k) transmitting the presented information.
The information presentation unit 6 may be any information presentation device directly connected to the management server 4, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an administrator terminal 14 (B in Figure 2) that is wired or wirelessly controlled with the management server 4, as long as it is capable of sending and receiving information with the management server 4 and presenting information including the gas management file 22.
An input device such as a keyboard or a touch panel is used for the information input unit 8. This information input unit 8 is used for inputting various information including an input for identifying the gas supply destination 10, and for selecting a processing mode. The information presentation unit 6 and the information input unit 8 may be configured by an administrator terminal 14, for example.

A gas container 48 and a gas meter 50 are installed at each gas supply destination 10, and guideline information can be obtained from each gas meter 50. This guideline information may be either a meter reading by a meter reader or so-called big data from a gas meter management system.
Gas supply destination terminals 12-1, 12-2, ..., 12-N (hereinafter simply referred to as "gas supply destination terminals 12") are information terminals provided at gas supply destinations 10. In other words, each gas supply destination terminal 12 is connected to management server 4, for example, via a public line, and is capable of sending and receiving information.

<Administrator terminal 14>
2B shows an administrator terminal 14 that functions as the information presentation unit 6 and the information input unit 8. This administrator terminal 14 is capable of sending and receiving information via communication with the management server 4, and includes a monitor 16 and an operation input unit 18. The monitor 16 functions as the information presentation unit 6, and the operation input unit 18 functions as the information input unit 8. The monitor 16 may include a touch panel that functions as the operation input unit 18.

<Acquisition of guideline information S of gas supply destination 10>
The guideline information S of each gas supply destination 10 is basic information for calculating gas usage information G and gas sales information M at the gas supply destination 10. This guideline information S may be obtained from the gas supply destination 10 at the time of regular or occasional meter reading, or may be obtained from the guideline information source 20. This guideline information source 20 is a gas information management system that manages gas supply destination information and guideline information associated with the time of meter reading.

<Gas Management File 22>
3 shows gas management files 22-1, 22-2, ..., 22-N. A group of files including gas management files 22-1, 22-2, ..., 22-N (hereinafter simply referred to as "gas management file 22") created for each gas supply destination 10 constitutes a management database that stores gas management information for the gas supply destination 10.
Each gas management file 22 stores gas management information for each gas supply destination 10. In the gas management file 22 of this embodiment, a gas supply destination information section 24, a gas supply information section 26, an acquisition condition information section 28, a meter reading time information section 30, a guideline information section 32, a calculation time information section 34, a gas usage amount information section 36, a gas sales information section 38, a predicted gas usage amount information section 40, a predicted gas sales information section 42, an accumulation information section 44, and a history information section 46 are set.
The gas supply destination information section 24 stores identification information for identifying the gas supply destination 10. The gas supply information section 26 (A in FIG. 4) stores attribute information relating to gas supply at the gas supply destination 10.

The acquisition condition information section 28 stores information regarding the acquisition conditions of guideline information for the gas supply destination 10, such as the acquisition form and acquisition information, such as meter reading by a meter reader, automatic transmission of guideline information from the gas meter 50, and provision from the guideline information source 20.
The meter reading time information section 30 stores time information indicating the time of meter reading. The indicator information section 32 stores indicator information S acquired at the time of meter reading. The calculation time information section 34 stores time information indicating the calculation time of the gas usage information G, gas sales information M or predicted gas usage information Gx, and predicted gas sales information Mx.
The gas usage information section 36 stores gas usage information G calculated from the guideline information S. The gas sales information section 38 stores gas sales information M corresponding to the gas usage information G.
The predicted gas usage information section 40 stores predicted gas usage information Gx predicted from the gas usage information G. The predicted gas sales information section 42 stores predicted gas sales information Mx corresponding to the predicted gas usage information Gx.
The accumulated information section 44 stores accumulated information such as guideline information S and gas sales information M. The history information section 46 (B in FIG. 4) stores various information including abnormal gas usage, recalculation of predicted gas usage, and transmission of presented information.

A in FIG. 4 shows the gas supply information section 26 of the gas management file 22. This gas supply information section 26 has a container capacity section 26-1, a container number section 26-2, a container replacement timing section 26-3, and an average gas usage section 26-4. The container capacity section 26-1 stores capacity information of the gas containers 48 installed at the gas supply destinations 10. The container number section 26-2 stores information on the number of installed gas containers 48. The container replacement timing section 26-3 stores time information (calendar information) indicating the container replacement timing for each gas supply destination 10. The average gas usage section 26-4 stores gas usage information G indicating the average gas usage for each gas supply destination 10. The container capacity, the number of installed containers, the container replacement timing, and the average usage are reference information used to determine abnormal usage.

4B shows the history information section 46 of the gas management file 22. This history information section 46 includes an abnormality information section 46-1, a recalculation information section 46-2, and a presented information transmission record section 46-3.
In the abnormality information section 46-1, when an abnormality occurs in the amount of gas used, abnormality information including the presence or absence of the abnormality, the cause of the abnormality, the date and time of the abnormality, etc. is stored.
The recalculation information section 46-2 stores recalculation information indicating recalculation of gas usage information G, gas sales information M, predicted gas usage information Gx, and predicted gas sales information Mx when an abnormality occurs in the gas usage.
The presented information transmission recording section 46-3 stores the information presented from the management server 4 to the gas supply destination terminal 12 and transmission record information including the time of transmission.

<Transition of calculation time T of gas usage information G and guideline information S>
FIG. 5 shows the transition of the guideline information with respect to the calculation time point on the horizontal axis and the guideline information on the vertical axis.
The calculation points in time Tn-4, Tn-3, Tn-2, Tn-1, and Tn for gas usage are the current point in time Tn, and are calculated by counting backwards from Tn at regular time intervals. For example, the calculation points in time arrive in monthly intervals.
The guideline information Sn-4, Sn-3, Sn-2, Sn-1, and Sn are guideline information used to calculate the gas usage at the calculation points in time Tn-4, Tn-3, Tn-2, Tn-1, and Tn. In other words, the guideline information Sn-4, Sn-3, Sn-2, Sn-1, and Sn do not need to be information acquired at the calculation points in time Tn-4, Tn-3, Tn-2, Tn-1, and Tn.
The gas usage amount is a value obtained by subtracting the previous guideline information from the current guideline information. Therefore, the gas usage amount information Gn-3, Gn-2, Gn-1, and Gn calculated at the calculation times Tn-3, Tn-2, Tn-1, and Tn are calculated using the following formulas, respectively.
[Gn-3] = [Sn-3] - [Sn-4] ... (1)
[Gn-2] = [Sn-2] - [Sn-3] ... (2)
[Gn-1] = [Sn-1] - [Sn-2] ... (3)
[Gn] = [Sn] - [Sn-1] ... (4)

<Prediction guideline information Sx and predicted gas usage amount information Gx at prediction calculation time Tx>
In FIG. 5, if the prediction calculation time point is Tx and the prediction guideline information at this prediction calculation time point Tx is Sx, the predicted gas usage amount information Gx is calculated by the following formula.
[Gx] = [Sx] - [Sn] ... (5)

<Transition of gas usage information G>
FIG. 6A shows the transition of the gas usage information Gn with respect to the calculation time point T on the horizontal axis and the gas usage information G on the vertical axis.
Gas usage information Gn-3, Gn-2, Gn-1, and Gn indicate the results of calculations using equations (1) to (4).
Further, the predicted gas usage information Gx at the prediction calculation time Tx indicates the calculation result of the formula (5).

<Gas sales information M trends>
FIG. 6B shows the transition of the gas sales information Mn and the predicted gas sales information Mx with respect to the calculation time point T on the horizontal axis and the gas sales information M on the vertical axis.
The gas sales information Mn is calculated by multiplying the gas usage amount information Gn by the gas fee mr applied to the gas supply destination 10 .
The gas sales information Mn-3, Mn-2, Mn-1, and Mn are calculated by the following formula.
[Mn-3] = [Gn-3] x [mr] ... (6)
[Mn-2] = [Gn-2] x [mr] ... (7)
[Mn-1] = [Gn-1] x [mr] ... (8)
[Mn] = [Gn] × [mr] ... (9)
Furthermore, assuming that the predicted gas sales information at the prediction calculation time Tx is Mx, the predicted gas sales information Mx is calculated by multiplying the predicted gas usage amount information Gx by the gas fee mr in the same manner.
[Mx] = [Gx] × [mr] ... (10)

<Meter reading time tm and guideline information Sm>
7, the horizontal axis represents the meter reading time and the vertical axis represents the guideline information, showing the progress of the guideline information. The horizontal axis has the calculation times Tn and Tn-1 of the gas usage information G written in parentheses.
The pointer information S1, S2, . . . , Sm is pointer data acquired from the gas meter 50 at the meter reading times t1, t2, .
In contrast, the calculation time T does not need to coincide with the meter reading times t1, t2, . . . , tm.
Furthermore, it is sufficient that there is guideline information necessary for calculating the gas usage amount between the calculation time points, and the two or more pieces of meter reading information include a plurality of pieces of guideline information, for example, S1, S2, . . . , Sm.

<Calculation of predicted gas usage information Gx>
8 shows a process for calculating the predicted gas usage information Gx, which includes a process for recalculating the predicted gas usage information Gx when an abnormality occurs in the amount of gas usage.
The calculation process of this predicted gas usage information Gx includes obtaining guideline information S (S201), monitoring gas usage information G (S202, S203), recalculating the predicted gas usage information Gx (S204), updating the predicted gas usage information Gx (S205), recalculating the predicted gas sales information Mx (S206), updating the predicted gas sales information Mx (S207), and presenting the information (S208).

Acquisition of guideline information S (S201): The management server 4 acquires the guideline information S of the gas supply destination 10.
Monitoring of gas usage information G (S202, S203): The management server 4 monitors the gas usage information G for each gas supply destination 10 (S202) and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the gas usage information G (S203). An abnormality in the gas usage information G is determined, for example, by an extreme increase or decrease in usage. If there is no abnormality in the gas usage information G (NO in S203), the management server 4 continues to monitor the gas usage information G.

Recalculation of predicted gas usage information Gx (S204): If there is an abnormality in the gas usage information G (YES in S203), the process goes to a recalculation mode for the predicted gas usage information Gx, and the predicted gas usage information Gx is recalculated.
Updating predicted gas usage information Gx (S205): The current predicted gas usage information Gx is updated to the recalculated result.
Recalculation of predicted gas sales information Mx (S206): The predicted gas sales information Mx is recalculated using the recalculated predicted gas usage amount information Gx.
Updating predicted gas sales information Mx (S207): The stored information is updated with the recalculated predicted gas sales information Mx.
Presentation of Information (S208): Information including the predicted gas usage information Gx and predicted gas sales information Mx, which indicate the recalculation results, is re-presented.

<Abnormality Determination of Gas Usage Information G>
9A and 9B show the transition of the gas usage amount, with the horizontal axis representing the calculation time of the gas usage amount and the vertical axis representing the gas usage amount.
The gas usage information Gd indicates an abnormal value (Gd>Gav) compared to the average gas usage Gav. If the difference between the gas usage information Gd and the average gas usage Gav is ΔX, then if the difference ΔX is greater than a reference value Gref (Gref<ΔX), then it is determined that there is an abnormality.
The gas usage information Gg indicates an abnormal value (Gg<Gav) compared to the average gas usage Gav. If the difference between this gas usage information Gg and the average gas usage Gav is −ΔX, then if this difference −ΔX is smaller than the reference value −Gref (−Gref>−ΔX), then it can be determined that there is an abnormality.
If such a large fluctuation occurs in the gas usage amount information G, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the predicted gas usage amount information Gx is recalculated.

Effects of the First Embodiment
According to the first embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The gas usage, predicted gas usage, gas sales, and predicted gas sales of the gas supply destination 10 can be automatically calculated and displayed.
(2) Gas management information can be provided to the gas supply destination 10 and can be used to manage the amount of gas used at the gas supply destination 10 .
(3) Gas companies can use it for investment forecasts.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a gas management system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts as those in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
A plurality of gas containers 48-1, 48-2 provided by a gas utility are installed at each gas supply destination 10. The gas containers 48-1, 48-2 are connected to gas equipment 52 via a gas meter 50, and a switch 54 is installed between the gas containers 48-1, 48-2 and the gas meter 50, and LPG is supplied from one of the gas containers 48-1, 48-2 to the gas equipment 52. The gas equipment 52 is a gas consuming device such as a gas water heater or a gas stove.

The gas meter 50 is, for example, a microcomputer meter, and measures the amount of LPG passing through. This passing amount is guideline information S. The communication unit 56 is connected to the gas meter 50, and transmits the guideline information S provided from the gas meter 50 to a relay unit 58. The relay unit 58 is connected to a network 60 such as the Internet by wired or wireless connection. The guideline information S is provided to the guideline information source 20 through the relay unit 58.
The management server 4 can acquire the guideline information S from the gas supply destination 10 through the relay unit 58. The guideline information S can also be provided from a guideline information source 20.

The management server 4 is configured as a computer equipped with a communication function. The management server 4 is equipped with a processor 62, a storage unit 64, an input/output unit (I/O) 66, a timer 68, and a communication unit 70.
The processor 62 performs the above-mentioned information processing using a program for gas management and the like, using an OS (Operating System) in the storage unit 64. In addition to the OS, the storage unit 64 stores a program for gas management and a database including the gas management file 22. The storage unit 64 is provided with storage elements such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory) and a RAM (Random-Access Memory) as storage means for various pieces of information.
The timer 68 has a calendar function and a clock function controlled by the processor 62 and provides time information to the processor 62 .
The communication unit 70 is controlled by the processor 62 and is capable of communicating with the communication unit 56, relay unit 58, gas supply destination terminal 12, and manager terminal 14 of the gas supply destination 10 via wired or wireless connection.

<Gas supply destination terminal 12>
11 shows the hardware of the gas supply destination terminal 12. As described above, a smartphone or a tablet terminal can be used as a computer equipped with a communication function for the gas supply destination terminal 12. The gas supply destination terminal 12 includes, for example, a processor 72, a storage unit 74, an I/O 76, a communication unit 78, an information presentation unit 80, and an operation input unit 82.
The processor 72 is an example of a processing unit that processes gas management information, and transmits and receives information to and from the management server 4 and the administrator terminal 14 in order to process information such as a gas management program based on the OS in the memory unit 74. The memory unit 74 stores various programs such as the gas management program in addition to the OS. Memory elements such as ROM and RAM are used for this memory unit 74.
The I/O 76 is used for sending and receiving information between the processor 72 and the communication unit 78, the information presentation unit 80, or the operation input unit 82. The communication unit 78 may be used, for example, for communication with the management server 4 or the manager terminal 14 using a public line, as well as for communication with the communication unit 56 on the gas meter 50 side.
The information presentation unit 80 is used to present information such as the gas management file 22 provided by the management server 4 .
The operation input unit 82 is used for inputting identification information of the gas supply destination 10, inputting request information for requesting gas sales information M, and the like.

<Information Presentation by Manager Terminal 14>
12 shows information presentation by the manager terminal 14. The manager terminal 14 constitutes the information presentation unit 6 for the management server 4. On an information presentation screen 84 of the information presentation unit 6, for example, a guideline information presentation unit 86, a gas usage amount information presentation unit 88, and a gas management information presentation unit 90 are set.
The guideline information presenting section 86 presents the predicted guideline information Sx at the prediction calculation time Tx together with the transition of the guideline information S.
The gas usage information presentation unit 88 presents the predicted gas usage information Gx at the predicted calculation time Tx along with the transition of the gas usage information G for each calculation time (day).
The gas management information presentation unit 90 presents the above-mentioned gas management file 22 for each gas supply destination 10 .

<Information Presentation by Gas Supply Destination Terminal 12>
13 shows information presentation by the gas supply destination terminal 12 of the gas supply destination 10. On the information presentation screen 92 of the information presentation unit 80 of the gas supply destination terminal 12, a guideline information presentation unit 94, a gas usage amount information presentation unit 96, and a gas consumption information presentation unit 98 for presenting gas consumption information for each gas supply destination 10 are set.
The guideline information presentation unit 94 presents the predicted guideline information Sx at the predicted calculation time Tx together with the transition of the guideline information S for the corresponding gas supply destination 10 .
The gas usage information presentation unit 96 presents the transition of the gas usage information G for each calculation time point (day) of the corresponding gas supply destination 10, as well as the predicted gas usage information Gx at the predicted calculation time point Tx.
For each gas supply destination 10, the gas consumption information presentation unit 98 presents, for example, the gas usage calculation time point, the gas usage, the gas fee, the estimated gas usage calculation time point, the estimated gas usage, and the estimated gas fee.

<Gas management process>
FIG. 14 shows a process sequence of gas management using the gas management system 2.
The guideline information S of the gas supply destination 10 is transmitted from the communication unit 56 (S301) and provided to the management server 4. The guideline information source 20 can manage the guideline information S of the gas supply destination 10, and this guideline information S is also transmitted from the guideline information source 20 (S302) and provided to the management server 4.
When the management server 4 receives the guideline information S, it identifies the gas supply destination 10 (S303), identifies the gas management file 22 (S304), acquires the guideline information S (S305), and stores it in the gas management file 22 (S306).
The management server 4 manages the calculation time of the gas usage information G, and judges whether it is the calculation time of the gas usage information G (S307). If it is the calculation time of the gas usage information G (YES in S307), the gas usage information G is calculated using the acquired guideline information S (S308), and the gas sales information M is calculated (S309).

The management server 4 manages the calculation time of the predicted gas usage information Gx, and judges whether it is the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas usage information Gx (S310). If it is the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas usage information Gx (YES in S310), the predicted gas usage information Gx is calculated using the acquired guideline information S (S311), and the predicted gas sales information Mx is calculated (S312).
The gas usage amount information G, the gas sales information M, the predicted gas usage amount information Gx, and the predicted gas sales information Mx are stored in the gas management file 22 (S313), and information to be presented is generated (S314).
The management server 4 determines whether it is the time to transmit the presented information (S315), and if it is the time to transmit the presented information (YES in S315), transmits the presented information to the gas supply destination terminal 12 (S316). The gas supply destination terminal 12 acquires the presented information from the management server 4 (S317), and presents it on the information presentation screen 92 of the information presentation unit 80.

<Response process to request information from gas supply destination terminal 12>
FIG. 15 shows a processing procedure for responding to request information from the gas supply destination terminal 12 .
The gas supply destination 10 is capable of acquiring gas consumption information by using the gas supply destination terminal 12. The gas supply destination terminal 12 transmits request information for receiving gas consumption information at any time to the management server 4 (S401).
The management server 4 receives the request, calculates gas usage information G at the gas supply destination 10 that requested the provision of gas consumption information (S402), and calculates gas sales information M (S403). The management server 4 transmits gas consumption information, which is the same information as the gas sales information M, to the gas supply destination terminal 12 that issued the request for gas consumption information (S404). The gas supply destination terminal 12 acquires the gas consumption information (S405), and can display this gas consumption information on the information presentation screen 92 of the information presentation unit 80. This allows the gas user at the gas supply destination 10 to recognize the provided gas consumption information.

In addition, the gas supply destination 10 can obtain the predicted gas consumption information by using the gas supply destination terminal 12. The gas supply destination terminal 12 transmits request information for receiving the predicted gas consumption information at any time to the management server 4 (S406).
The management server 4 receives the request, calculates predicted gas usage information Gx for the gas supply destination 10 that requested the provision of the predicted gas consumption information (S407), and calculates predicted gas sales information Mx (S408). The management server 4 transmits predicted gas consumption information, which is the same information as the predicted gas sales information Mx, to the gas supply destination terminal 12 that issued the request for the predicted gas consumption information (S409). The gas supply destination terminal 12 acquires the predicted gas consumption information (S410), and can display this predicted gas consumption information on the information presentation screen 92 of the information presentation unit 80. This allows the gas supply destination 10 to recognize the predicted gas consumption information.

The management server 4 stores this information in the gas management file 22 (S411) and generates presentation information (S412). The management server 4 determines whether it is time to send the presentation information (S413), and if it is time to send the presentation information (YES in S413), it sends the presentation information to the gas supply destination terminal 12 (S414). The gas supply destination terminal 12 acquires the presentation information based on the timing management by the management server 4, separately from the information request (S415). This allows the gas supply destination 10 to recognize the presented gas usage information G, gas consumption information, predicted gas usage information Gx, and predicted gas consumption information.

<Advantages of the Second Embodiment>
According to the second embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
(2) Regardless of the form in which the guideline information S is acquired, the gas usage amount and sales information of the gas supply destination 10 can be collectively managed.
(3) A highly reliable gas management system 2 can be constructed.

Third embodiment
16 shows a process procedure of gas management according to the third embodiment. In this third embodiment, the gas management system 2 according to the second embodiment is used.
In the processing procedure according to this embodiment, the management server 4 acquires guideline information S (S501) and stores the guideline information S in the gas management file 22 (S502). The management server 4 acquires gas supply destination information (S503) and stores the gas supply destination information in the gas management file 22 (S504).

The management server 4 acquires the gas supply destination information for each item (S505), and judges whether the regular meter reading has been completed (S506). For the gas supply destination 10 for which the regular meter reading has been completed (YES in S506), the management server 4 calculates the gas usage information G and the gas sales information M using the guideline information S recorded in the regular meter reading (S507), and adds the gas sales information M to the predicted accumulated gas sales information Mxm (S508).
If the regular meter reading has not been completed (NO in S506), the management server 4 judges whether meter reading other than the regular meter reading has been completed (S509). For gas supply destinations 10 for which meter reading other than the regular meter reading has been completed (YES in S509), the difference between the predicted guideline information Sx and the guideline information S at the time of the previous regular meter reading is calculated (S510). The management server 4 records the gas sales information M at that time based on the gas rate table contracted with this gas supply destination 10 (S511), and adds this gas sales information M to the predicted accumulated gas sales information Mxm (S508).
If meter readings other than regular meter readings have not been completed (NO in S509), the gas sales information M recorded at the time of the previous regular meter reading is recorded (S512), and this gas sales information M is added to the predicted accumulated gas sales information Mxm (S508).

After processing S508, the management server 4 determines whether calculation for all gas supply destinations 10 has been completed (S513), and if such calculation has not been completed (NO in S513), returns to S504 and continues processing from S504 to S513.
When the management server 4 determines that calculations for all gas supply destinations 10 have been completed (YES in S513), it generates a list of predicted gas sales information by gas supply destination (S514), or launches a business status portal screen (S515), and returns to S501.

<Predicted gas sales information by gas supply destination 100>
17 shows the presentation of predicted gas sales information 100 by gas supply destination. This predicted gas sales information 100 is presented on the information presentation unit 6 of the management server 4, that is, on the information presentation screen 102 of the information presentation unit 6 (monitor 16) of the manager terminal 14.
This predicted gas sales information 100 includes a gas supply destination information section 104, a gas usage information section 106, a gas sales information section 108, and an accumulation information section 110. The gas supply destination information section 104 stores identification information for specifying the gas supply destination 10. The gas usage information section 106 stores gas usage information G, and the gas sales information section 108 stores gas sales information M, which is the gas usage fee corresponding to the gas usage information G. The accumulation information section 110 stores accumulation information obtained by accumulating the gas usage information G and the gas sales information M.

<Advantages of the Third Embodiment>
According to the third embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
(2) Gas management information can be used by gas suppliers to help them manage their gas business.

Fourth embodiment
18 shows a gas management process according to the fourth embodiment. This gas management process can be performed using the gas management system 2 (FIGS. 2 and 10) described above.
In this gas management process, predicted gas sales information Mx is calculated based on the accumulated gas sales information M.
The management server 4 identifies the gas supply destination 10 (S601), and accumulates (S602) the gas sales information M. The gas sales information M may be accumulated using the gas management file 22 (FIG. 3) described above.
The management server 4 monitors the calculation time T of the gas sales information M using a timer function, and judges whether it is the calculation time of the gas sales information M (S603). If it is the calculation time of the gas sales information M (YES in S603), the gas sales information M at that time is calculated (S604), and is stored in the gas management file 22.
The management server 4 then monitors the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas sales information Mx using a timer function, and judges whether it is the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas sales information Mx (S605). If it is the calculation time Tx of the predicted gas sales information Mx (YES in S605), the predicted gas sales information Mx at that time is calculated (S606), and is stored in the gas management file 22, and the information is presented (S607). This information presentation may be presented, for example, by updating the gas management file 22 and presenting it to the information presentation unit 6 of the manager terminal 14.

<Advantages of the Fourth Embodiment>
According to the fourth embodiment, any one of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
(2) Gas consumption can be predicted by accumulating sales information, which simplifies management.

As described above, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the description for carrying out the invention. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, gas supply to gas supply destinations and sales management thereof can be automated, prediction accuracy can be improved, and this can be useful for gas business management.

2 Gas management system 4 Management server 6 Information presentation section 8 Information input section 10, 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-N Gas supply destination 12, 12-1, 12-2, ..., 12-N Gas supply destination terminal 14 Administrator terminal 16 Monitor 18 Operation input section 20 Guideline information source 22, 22-1, 22-2, ..., 22-N Gas management file 24 Gas supply destination information section 26 Gas supply information section 26-1 Container capacity section 26-2 Number of containers section 26-3 Container replacement timing section 26-4 Average gas consumption section 28 Acquisition condition information section 30 Meter reading time information section 32 Guideline information section 34 Calculation time information section 36 Gas consumption information section 38 Gas sales information section 40 Predicted gas consumption information section 42 Predicted gas sales information section 44 Integration information section 46 History information section 46-1 Abnormality information section 46-2 Recalculation information section 46-3 Presentation information transmission and recording section 48, 48-1, 48-2 Gas cylinder 50 Gas meter 52 Gas equipment 54 Switch 56 Communication section 58 Relay section 60 Network 62 Processor 64 Memory section 66 Input/output section (I/O)
68 Timer 70 Communication unit 72 Processor 74 Memory unit 76 Input/output unit (I/O)
78 Communication unit 80 Information presentation unit 82 Operation input unit 84 Information presentation screen 86 Guideline information presentation unit 88 Gas usage information presentation unit 90 Gas management information presentation unit 92 Information presentation screen 94 Guideline information presentation unit 96 Gas usage information presentation unit 98 Gas consumption information presentation unit 100 Estimated gas sales information 102 Information presentation screen 104 Gas supply destination information unit 106 Gas usage information unit 108 Gas sales information unit 110 Accumulation information unit

Claims (7)

A meter that measures gas usage at a gas supply destination and outputs guideline information;
A communication unit that transmits the guideline information;
a relay unit that relays the guideline information sent by the communication unit;
a guideline information source that stores the guideline information;
a server that acquires the guideline information from the relay unit or the guideline information source and calculates gas usage information for each of the gas supply destinations;
An information terminal;
a gas sales prediction system including: in response to a request from the information terminal, the server calculates the gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation points in time , and transmits the information terminal to the information terminal; in response to a request from the information terminal, the server calculates predicted guideline information, predicted gas usage information, and predicted gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference point in time to a predicted calculation point in time, and transmits the information terminal to the information terminal; and in response to a request from the information terminal, generates management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the predicted gas usage information, the predicted gas sales information, and information on when a gas container will be replaced, and transmits the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission point in time arrives . The gas sales forecasting system according to claim 1, wherein the forecast guideline information is calculated using the progress of the guideline information and the forecast calculation time point that is set arbitrarily. 2. The gas sales forecasting system according to claim 1, wherein the predicted gas usage information is calculated using a transition of the gas usage information and the prediction calculation time point which is arbitrarily set. The gas sales forecasting system of claim 1, wherein the predicted gas sales information is calculated for each gas supply destination using the predicted gas usage information and billing information of the gas supply destination. A step in which a meter of a gas supply destination measures a gas usage amount of the gas supply destination and outputs guideline information;
a communication unit transmitting the guideline information;
a relay unit relaying the guideline information sent by the communication unit;
a guideline information source storing said guideline information;
A step in which a server acquires the guideline information from the relay unit or the guideline information source and calculates gas usage information for each of the gas supply destinations;
Furthermore, the server, in response to a request from a connected information terminal, calculates the gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation times and transmits the information to the information terminal, and in response to a request from the information terminal , calculates predicted guideline information, predicted gas usage information, and predicted gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference time point to a predicted calculation time point and transmits the information to the information terminal, and generates management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the predicted gas usage information, the predicted gas sales information, and gas container replacement time information , and transmits the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission time point arrives .
A method for predicting gas sales. A program executed by a computer,
A function of acquiring guideline information from a meter of a gas supply destination, or acquiring guideline information from a guideline information source that accumulates guideline information of the gas supply destination, and calculating gas usage information for each of the gas supply destinations;
a function of calculating the gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation times in response to a request from the information terminal, and transmitting the information to the information terminal, and calculating, in response to a request from the information terminal, forecast guideline information, forecast gas usage information, and forecast gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference time point to a forecast calculation time point , and transmitting the information to the information terminal, as well as generating management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the forecast gas usage information, the forecast gas sales information, and information on the timing of replacement of a gas container, and transmitting the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission time point arrives ;
A program for causing the computer to execute the above. A server connected via a relay unit to a communication unit that transmits indicator information of a meter installed at a gas supply destination, or connected via the relay unit to an indicator information source, and also connected to an information terminal,
A server comprising: a processing unit that acquires the guideline information of the gas supply destination from the relay unit or the guideline information source, and , upon a request from the information terminal, calculates gas usage information and gas sales information of the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal using the guideline information between calculation points and transmits it to the information terminal, and, upon a request from the information terminal, calculates predicted guideline information, predicted gas usage information and predicted gas sales information for the gas supply destination associated with the information terminal from a reference point to a predicted calculation point and transmits it to the information terminal, and also generates management information including the gas usage information, the gas sales information, the predicted gas usage information, the predicted gas sales information, and information on when to replace a gas container, and transmits the management information to the information terminal when a set transmission point arrives .

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