JP7767073B2 - Fuel supply system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply system suitable for use in filling a vehicle's fuel tank with fuel (gasoline, diesel, etc.), for example, at a gas station or the like.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a refueling system that uses an alarm installed in a refueling machine that refuels vehicles to notify vehicles (customers) of available refueling machines, thereby guiding the vehicles to the available refueling machines.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-225994

Prior art refueling systems direct vehicles to a refueling machine (fuel supply device) that is simply not refueling among multiple refueling machines within a gas station (fuel supply station). This can result in vehicles being directed to a refueling machine that is far from the location of an attendant.

In other words, with conventional technology, even if there is an available fuel tank close to the attendant, the vehicle may be directed to another available fuel tank, resulting in the vehicle stopping at a fuel tank far from the attendant's location. In this case, the attendant will need time to travel from their current location to the fuel tank in order to perform the fueling operation and confirm the fueling permission, which may reduce the efficiency of the attendant's fueling operation.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply system that can improve the efficiency of refueling operations (fuel supply operations).

One embodiment of the present invention is a fuel supply system that has a plurality of fuel supply devices and uses the fuel supply devices to supply fuel to vehicles, and that includes a guidance means for guiding the vehicle to a specific fuel supply device, an attendant detection means for detecting the position of an attendant within a fuel supply station, and a control means that controls the guidance means to guide the vehicle to a fuel supply device located near the attendant detected by the attendant detection means, and the control means controls the guidance means to guide the vehicle to a fuel supply device that is available among the fuel supply devices and located near the attendant .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, fuel supply operations can be made more efficient.

1 is a plan view showing an outline of a gas station (fuel supply station) to which a fuel supply system according to an embodiment is applied; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen (a screen displaying the current lane status of a gas station) of a mobile terminal (mobile communication terminal) carried by an attendant. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the screen of a mobile terminal carried by an attendant (a screen displaying an empty lane forecast for a gas station). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display (standby) on a guide display board. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display of the guide display board (lane guidance). 10 is a flowchart showing a control process (guidance process) performed by a management device of a gas station. 7 is a flowchart showing the control process following "A" in FIG. 6;

The following describes an embodiment of a fuel supply system, taking as an example a fuel supply system at a gas station that supplies liquid fuel such as gasoline to a vehicle fuel tank (more specifically, a self-service fuel supply system at a self-service gas station), with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each step in the flow charts shown in Figures 6 and 7 is represented by the letter "S" (for example, step 1 = "S1").

In FIG. 1, gas station 1 is a supply station (fuel supply station) for supplying fuel to a fuel supply target such as vehicle 101. Gas station 1 is also called a gas station or service station (SS), for example, and is a facility that supplies fuel to vehicles 101 such as passenger cars and trucks. At gas station 1, fuel (liquid fuel) such as regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and diesel can be supplied (refueled) to the fuel tank of vehicle 101.

Gas station 1 has two entrances/exits 2 on the road side (bottom side of Figure 1) through which vehicles 101 enter and exit. Gas station 1 is configured as a self-service gas station where customers (customers), such as the driver of vehicle 101, can fill up their vehicles with gas. A gas station office 4 is installed within the site 3 of gas station 1 as a monitoring station for managing the gas station 1.

The gas station office 4 is equipped with a management device 5 for comprehensively managing various controlled devices, including the measuring devices 6, installed within the gas station 1. The management device 5, together with the measuring devices 6, constitutes a self-service fuel supply system (gas station management system).

That is, gas station 1, which serves as a fuel supply station, is equipped with a metering machine 6 that supplies (refuels) fuel to vehicle 101. Metering machine 6 is a ground-mounted fuel supply device and is also called a fuel supply machine, refueling machine, or dispenser device. Metering machine 6 includes, for example, a substantially rectangular housing 6A, a fuel supply hose 6B extending from housing 6A, a fuel nozzle 6C provided at the tip of fuel supply hose 6B and inserted into the fuel filler opening of the fuel tank of vehicle 101, and a nozzle hanger 6D provided on metering machine 6 and on which the fuel nozzle 6C is hung.

Instruments such as a pump 6E and a flow meter (not shown) are provided within the housing 6A of the metering device 6. The metering device 6 pumps fuel from an underground tank (not shown) at the gas station 1 and supplies (supplies) the fuel to a refueling target (fuel supply target) such as a vehicle 101. That is, at the gas station 1, the metering device 6 is used to perform a refueling (supplying) operation to refuel (replenish) liquid fuel such as regular gasoline, premium gasoline, or diesel to a vehicle 101.

A plurality of fuel lanes 7 are provided within the site 3 of the gas station 1. The fuel lane 7 is a fueling area where vehicles 101 are refueled. Vehicles 101 that are refueling (replenishing) fuel stop in the fuel lane 7. In this embodiment, six fuel lanes 7 are provided within the site 3 of the gas station 1. A rectangular frame is displayed on the fuel lane 7 so that the driver of the vehicle 101 can see where the vehicle 101 is parked. In addition, each fuel lane 7 is numbered. Specifically, the fuel lanes 7 are numbered from "1" to "6" starting from the back of the gas station 1 (the side farthest from the entrance/exit 2).

Between adjacent fuel lanes 7, an island 8 on which a weighing machine 6 is installed is provided. The island 8 is formed as a stepped raised portion that rises from the ground contact surface (driving surface) on which the wheels (tires) of the vehicle 101 touch the ground. In this embodiment, three islands 8 are provided within the site 3. The first island 8, located at the farthest end of the gas station 1, is provided between fuel lanes 7 No. 1 and 7 No. 2. The first weighing machine 6 provided on the first island 8 can refuel vehicles 101 parked in fuel lanes 7 No. 1 and 7 No. 2.

The second island 8, located closer to the entrance/exit 2 than the first island 8, is located between the third fuel lane 7 and the fourth fuel lane 7. The second weighing machine 6 located on the second island 8 can refuel vehicles 101 parked in the third fuel lane 7 and vehicles 101 parked in the fourth fuel lane 7. The third island 8, located at the front end of the gas station 1 (the entrance/exit 2 side), is located between the fifth fuel lane 7 and the sixth fuel lane 7. The third weighing machine 6 located on the third island 8 can refuel vehicles 101 parked in the fifth fuel lane 7 and vehicles 101 parked in the sixth fuel lane 7. A vehicle 101 entering the site 3 from the entrance/exit 2 of the gas station 1 stops at one of the fuel lane 7 and is refueled using the weighing machine 6.

Surveillance cameras 9 are installed within the premises 3 of the gas station 1. In this embodiment, a total of three surveillance cameras 9 are installed, one for each island 8. In this case, the surveillance cameras 9 are positioned so that the images (shooting range) of the metering machines 6 installed on the islands 8, the vehicles 101 parked in the fueling lane 7, and the fuel dispensers filling the vehicles 101 are included in the images. The surveillance cameras 9 are also installed so that the images can detect, for example, the position of the attendant M within the gas station 1, the presence or absence of vehicles 101 entering the gas station 1, and the status of the vehicles 101 and the fuel dispensers while they are filling up. The surveillance cameras 9 are a means of capturing images for monitoring and confirming the vehicles 101, the attendant M, the metering machines 6, and the fuel dispensers. The surveillance cameras 9 are connected to the management device 5 in the gas station office 4.

In addition, within the site 3 of the gas station 1, guide signs 10 are provided to display the status of the fueling lane 7 to vehicles 101 refueling, i.e., vehicles 101 entering the site 3 of the gas station 1 through the entrance/exit 2. The guide signs 10 are provided at two locations facing the entrance/exit 2. In this case, the guide signs 10 are installed so that the driver of the vehicle 101 entering the site 3 through the entrance/exit 2 can see the signs from inside the vehicle 101. The guide signs 10 are display devices such as electronic bulletin boards, electronic billboards (digital signage), large monitors, etc., and are connected to the management device 5 in the gas station office 4.

The information displayed on the guide display board 10 is as shown in Figures 4 and 5, i.e., information (guidance, instructions) for the driver of the vehicle 101. Figure 4 shows a guide display board 10 on which an instruction to wait is displayed for the driver of the vehicle 101. Figure 5 shows a guide display board 10 on which an instruction to guide the vehicle 101 is displayed, i.e., an instruction to the driver to proceed to lane 5.

A management device 5 is provided within the gas station office 4. The management device 5 is configured to include, for example, a monitoring monitor 5A that displays images (video) from the surveillance camera 9, and a fuel supply information recording device 5B that controls the metering machine 6. The management device 5 corresponds to an image processing device that performs image processing to obtain necessary information from images (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9. The management device 5 also corresponds to a metering machine control device that controls whether to permit fuel supply using the metering machine 6. The management device 5 also corresponds to a display board control device that controls the display content of the information display board 10. The management device 5 also corresponds to a notification device that notifies information to a mobile terminal 11, described below.

For this purpose, the management device 5 is configured to include, for example, a computer having an arithmetic circuit (CPU) and memory. The management device 5 is connected to the weighing machine 6, surveillance camera 9, information display board 10, mobile terminal 11, etc. via wired or wireless connections. In this case, the management device 5 is connected so that it can send and receive data signals (information) and instruction signals (commands) between the weighing machine 6, surveillance camera 9, information display board 10, mobile terminal 11, etc. The memory of the management device 5 stores (contains) a processing program for executing the processing flow shown in Figures 6 and 7, which will be described below.

The mobile terminal 11 is a mobile information communication terminal (portable computer) that can be carried (carried around) by the attendant M (operator) at the gas station 1. The mobile terminal 11 corresponds to an information processing terminal capable of wireless communication, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal (tablet PC). The mobile terminal 11 is connected to the management device 5 via wireless communication, such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication or wireless LAN communication. The mobile terminal 11 is equipped with, for example, a touch panel, which is a display screen 11A that can be used for input.

The display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays information (guidance, instructions) for the attendant M at the gas station 1. For example, the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays the status of the fueling lane 7 in real time. In this case, the display screen 11A displays the availability of the fueling lane 7, the fueling status of the vehicle 101 parked in the fueling lane 7, and the like in real time. This display is performed based on a signal from the management device 5. To achieve this, the management device 5 transmits a signal corresponding to the status of the fueling lane 7 (availability, fueling status, etc.) to the mobile terminal 11 in real time or whenever the status changes. In addition, the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays a "Supply Permission (Fueling Permission)" button. When attendant M operates this button, a supply permission signal (fueling permission signal) is output from the mobile terminal 11 to the management device 5, i.e., a fueling permission signal that allows the meter 6 to refuel the fuel tank of the vehicle 101. Then, upon receiving the supply permission signal, the management device 5 sends a drive signal to the pump 6E of the metering device 6, which drives the pump 6E and enables refueling (refueling begins).

The display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays information such as that shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the display screen 11A displaying the availability of fuel lanes 7. In Figure 2, the fuel lanes 7 in which the vehicle 101 is parked, i.e., fuel lanes 7 numbered 2 and 6, are highlighted. By looking at the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11, attendant M can see the current status of the fuel lanes, i.e., that the vehicle 101 is parked in fuel lanes 7 numbered 2 and 6, and that the other fuel lanes 7 are available.

Figure 3 shows the display screen 11A displaying the available lane forecast. In other words, when vehicles 101 are parked in all fuel lanes 7 (when there are no available fuel lanes 7), the next fuel lane 7 predicted to become available is displayed on the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11. In Figure 3, fuel lane 7 number 4 is highlighted as the next fuel lane 7 predicted to become available. This allows staff member M to know the next fuel lane 7 predicted to become available by looking at the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11.

Predictions of available lanes are made, for example, by the management device 5. In this case, the management device 5 predicts available lanes from images (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9. Specifically, the management device 5 determines the progress of refueling from images (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9 and predicts the next lane to become available. For example, if it is confirmed from the captured image (video) that the fuel nozzle 6C has been inserted into the fuel filler opening or that the fuel nozzle 6C has been removed from the nozzle hanger 6D, it determines that refueling has begun, and determines that refueling is progressing faster in this fuel lane than in other fuel lanes where it is confirmed from the captured image (video) that the fuel nozzle 6C has not been inserted into the fuel filler opening or that the fuel nozzle 6C has not been removed from the nozzle hanger 6D. Furthermore, the management device 5 can predict that the next refueling lane 7 that has been open for a long time since refueling began (for example, the time elapsed since the supply permission button was operated) or a long time since refueling ended (for example, the time elapsed since the refueling nozzle 6C was returned to the nozzle holder 6D) will be the next refueling lane. The management device 5 sends a signal corresponding to the number of the lane predicted to be open next to the mobile terminal 11. As a result, the lane predicted to be open next is highlighted and displayed on the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11.

In recent years, due to personnel shortages and other factors, there has been a trend toward having a small number of attendants monitor not only the fuel dispensers but also any abnormal behavior by the dispensers. Furthermore, for example, there has been an increase in self-service gas stations that also house retail businesses such as convenience stores and coffee shops, which has resulted in an increase in the tasks (workload) of attendants. In contrast, at self-service gas stations, attendants must, for example, ensure that the fuel nozzle is securely inserted into the fuel filler opening of the vehicle's fuel tank in order to issue permission for refueling.

At this time, the attendant must move closer to the fueling lane to visually check whether the fuel nozzle is inserted. Furthermore, in gas stations operated by a small number of staff, depending on the vehicle's parked position and the attendant's current location, the attendant may have to travel a long distance to check whether the fuel nozzle is inserted, which can reduce efficiency. Furthermore, traveling such long distances places a burden on the attendant.

In contrast, the refueling system described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 uses an alarm installed in the refueling machine that refuels the vehicle to notify the vehicle (customer) of an available refueling machine, thereby guiding the vehicle to the available refueling machine. However, this refueling system simply guides the vehicle to a refueling machine (fuel supply device) that is not currently refueling, out of multiple refueling machines within a gas station (fuel supply station). As a result, there is a risk that the vehicle will be guided to a refueling machine that is far from the location of the attendant.

In other words, with conventional technology, even if there is an available fuel tank close to the attendant, the vehicle may be directed to another available fuel tank, resulting in the vehicle stopping at a fuel tank far from the attendant's location. In this case, the attendant will need time to travel from their current location to the fuel tank in order to perform the fueling operation and confirm the fueling permission, which may reduce the efficiency of the attendant's fueling operation.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the vehicle 101 is guided to a fueling lane 7 near the attendant M, so that the burden on the attendant M can be reduced and fueling can be performed efficiently even when there are only a few attendants M. To this end, the fuel supply system (self-service fuel supply system) in the embodiment is equipped with a vehicle detection means (e.g., a surveillance camera 9, more specifically, the processing of S2 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5) that detects the presence or absence of a vehicle 101 near the metering machine 6, an attendant detection means (e.g., a surveillance camera 9, more specifically, the processing of S4 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5) that detects the position of the attendant M within the gas station 1, and a guidance means (e.g., a guide sign 10, more specifically, the processing of S11 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5) that guides the vehicle 101 to the vicinity of the attendant M.

The fuel supply system (self-service fuel supply system) of the embodiment also includes a prediction means (e.g., the management device 5, more specifically, the processing of S8 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5) that predicts the next available fuel lane 7 when there are no available fuel lanes 7, and a notification means (e.g., the management device 5, more specifically, the processing of S10 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5) that notifies the prediction result to the attendant M. The configuration for guiding the vehicle 101 to the fuel lane 7 (weighing machine 6) will be described below.

Gas station 1, which is a fuel supply station, is equipped with a fuel supply system that supplies fuel to vehicle 101 using a measuring device 6. In this embodiment, gas station 1 is configured as a self-service gas station (self-service fuel supply station). Therefore, in addition to supplying fuel to vehicle 101 using a measuring device 6, gas station 1 is equipped with a self-service fuel supply system (gas station management system) that manages whether or not fuel supply to vehicle 101 is permitted by the measuring device 6. The self-service fuel supply system is configured to include a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system of gas station 1 is equipped with multiple measuring devices 6. In addition to this, the fuel supply system of gas station 1 is equipped with a guidance means, an attendant detection means, and a control means.

The guidance means guides the vehicle 101 to a specific weighing machine 6. The guidance means corresponds, for example, to the guide display board 10. More specifically, the guidance means corresponds to the guide display board 10 and the calculation circuit of the management device 5 (processing of S11 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5). Based on a command signal from the management device 5, the guide display board 10 displays information such as that shown in FIG. 5, i.e., information (guidance information) for guiding the driver of the vehicle 101 to a specific weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7). The driver of the vehicle 101 can drive the vehicle 101 by following the guidance displayed on the guide display board 10, i.e., instructions to proceed toward the specific weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7).

The attendant detection means detects the position of attendant M within the gas station 1. The attendant detection means corresponds to, for example, the surveillance camera 9. More specifically, the attendant detection means corresponds to the surveillance camera 9 and the arithmetic circuit of the management device 5 (the processing of S4 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5). The surveillance camera 9 captures images of a specific area within the gas station 1 in real time. The surveillance camera 9 is connected to the management device 5. Image data (video data) captured by the surveillance camera 9 is input to the management device 5.

The management device 5 recognizes attendant M from the images (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9. Recognizing attendant M from the captured images (video) can be done, for example, using various image recognition processing technologies that extract objects (people) from the images (video). If attendant M can be recognized from the images (video), the position of attendant M within the gas station 1 can be detected by matching it with the capture range of the surveillance camera 9. In this way, the management device 5 detects the position of attendant M based on the images (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9.

The control means controls the guidance means (guide sign 10) to guide the vehicle 101 to the weighing machine 6 located near the attendant M detected by the attendant detection means (monitoring camera 9). The control means corresponds to, for example, the management device 5. More specifically, the control means corresponds to the arithmetic circuit of the management device 5 (the processing of S5, S7, and S11 in FIG. 6 by the management device 5). The management device 5 determines the weighing machine 6 (fueling lane 7) located near the attendant M from the position of the attendant M detected by the monitoring camera 9 and the management device 5.

The management device 5 also recognizes the vehicle 101 based on the image (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9. Similar to the recognition by the attendant M, the recognition of the vehicle 101 can be performed using various image recognition processing techniques that extract objects (vehicles) from images (video). By recognizing the vehicle 101 from the image (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9, the management device 5 determines whether the vehicle 101 is parked at each weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7).

Based on these determination results, the management device 5 determines the closest weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) to the attendant M from among the weighing machines 6 (fuel filling lanes 7) where the vehicle 101 is not parked. That is, the management device 5 determines the closest available fuel filling lane 7 to the attendant M. The management device 5 displays the number of this fuel filling lane 7 on the guide display board 10 to guide the vehicle 101 to the closest available fuel filling lane 7 to the attendant M. As a result, the management device 5 performs guidance control using the guide display board 10 to guide the vehicle 101 to the closest available weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) that is located near the attendant M. Note that in the embodiment, an example is described in which the vehicle 101 is guided to the closest available weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) to the closest available weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) to the closest available attendant M. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the highest priority may be given to guiding the vehicle 101 to a weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) located near the attendant M. In other words, the vehicle 101 may be guided to a weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) located near the attendant M regardless of whether the weighing machine 6 (fuel filling lane 7) located near the attendant M is available.

Figure 5 shows an example of the display on the guide display board 10, that is, an example of the display on the guide display board 10 when the management device 5 determines that the available fuel lane 7 closest to the attendant M is number 5. In this way, the management device 5 displays the available fuel lane 7 closest to the attendant M on the guide display board 10, thereby performing guidance control to guide the vehicle 101 to the weighing machine 6 located near the attendant M.

The fuel supply system also includes a mobile terminal 11, which is a mobile communication terminal, and a notification means. The mobile terminal 11 is capable of communicating with the management device 5. That is, the mobile terminal 11 is connected to the management device 5 so that data (information) and instructions (commands) can be sent and received between them. The notification means is provided in the mobile terminal 11. The notification means notifies the attendant M that the control means (management device 5) has guided the vehicle 101. The notification means corresponds, for example, to the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11. Information from the management device 5 is displayed on the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 based on notifications from the management device 5.

When the management device 5 performs guidance control (display on the guide sign 10) to guide the vehicle 101 to the weighing machine 6 located near the attendant M, it notifies the mobile terminal 11 that the vehicle 101 has been guided. In other words, the management device 5 sends a command signal to the mobile terminal 11 to display on the display screen 11A that the vehicle 101 has been guided.

Based on a command signal from the management device 5, the mobile terminal 11 displays on the display screen 11A that the vehicle 101 has been guided. In this case, the fuel lane 7 to which the vehicle has been guided may be displayed. This allows the attendant M to know that the vehicle 101 has been guided using the mobile terminal 11. The notification means may be an audio notification, i.e., an audio output device (speaker, earphones) of the mobile terminal 11.

Furthermore, the fuel supply system of the embodiment is configured as a self-service fuel supply system (gas station management system). The self-service fuel supply system is a fuel supply system for a self-service gas station 1 in which fuel is supplied by a customer (a user such as the driver of vehicle 101; in other words, a person other than gas station 1 attendant M). The mobile terminal 11, which is a mobile communication terminal, is equipped with an output means for outputting a supply permission signal. The output means corresponds, for example, to the communication unit of the mobile terminal 11, i.e., the communication unit that outputs a command signal (supply permission signal) from the mobile terminal 11 to the management device 5. The communication unit is, for example, a communication device such as a wireless LAN circuit provided in the mobile terminal 11.

The display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays a "Supply Permission (Fueling Permission)" button for each weighing device 6 to allow fuel to be supplied (refueled). After checking the customer's (user's) preparations for refueling, attendant M presses the "Supply Permission (Fueling Permission)" button on the display screen 11A with his/her fingertip if he/she determines that the customer (user) may begin refueling. This causes the mobile terminal 11 to output a supply permission signal (refueling permission signal) to the management device 5, i.e., a refueling permission signal that allows the weighing device 6 to refuel the fuel tank of the vehicle 101.

When the control means receives a supply permission signal (refueling permission signal) from the output means (communication unit of the mobile terminal 11), it enables fuel supply by the metering device 6. The control means corresponds to, for example, the management device 5. When the management device 5 receives a supply permission signal (refueling permission signal) from the mobile terminal 11, it transmits a signal to the metering device 6 permitting fuel supply by the metering device 6. When the metering device 6 receives this signal, it enables fuel supply (refueling) by operating the lever of the refueling nozzle 6C. This allows the customer to supply fuel (refuel) to the fuel tank of the vehicle 101 by operating the lever of the refueling nozzle 6C.

Next, the control process (guidance process) performed by the management device 5 will be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

The control process (management process) shown in Figures 6 and 7 is initiated by starting the management device 5, etc. In S1, it is determined whether or not a vehicle 101 has entered the gas station 1. This determination can be made, for example, from an image (video) from the surveillance camera 9. In this case, for example, it is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle 101 has entered by image recognition processing from the image (video) from the surveillance camera 9, more specifically, from an image (video) near the entrance/exit 2 of the gas station 1. Note that the entry of a vehicle may be detected (determined) by providing a sensor (vehicle detection sensor) near the entrance/exit 2 that can detect the passage of the vehicle 101, and based on the detection signal from this sensor.

If S1 returns "NO", i.e., it is determined that the vehicle 101 has not entered, the process returns to before S1 (i.e., the start) and repeats the process of S1 (vehicle detection process). On the other hand, if S1 returns "YES", i.e., it is determined that the vehicle 101 has entered, the process proceeds to S2. In S2, the lane status, i.e., whether the refueling lane 7 is clear or not, is obtained from the image (video) of the monitoring camera 9.

Whether a fuel lane 7 is available or not can be determined by image recognition processing of images (video) from the surveillance camera 9. Alternatively, whether a fuel lane 7 is available or not can be detected (determined) based on the detection signal of a sensor (vehicle detection sensor) that can detect this, provided in each fuel lane.

Once the lane status is acquired in S2, the process proceeds to S3. In S3, vehicle entry information is sent to attendant M's mobile terminal 11. That is, the management device 5 sends a signal (vehicle entry notification signal) to the mobile terminal 11 indicating that the vehicle 101 has entered the site 3 of the gas station 1. This causes the mobile terminal 11 to display on the display screen 11A that the vehicle 101 has entered the site 3 of the gas station 1. This allows attendant M to know that the vehicle 101 has entered the site 3 of the gas station 1. Note that instead of displaying the display screen 11A, the entry of the vehicle 101 may be notified by audio output (speaker, earphones), for example.

In S4, which follows S3, the location of staff member M is obtained. Staff member M's location is determined, for example, by image recognition processing from images (video) captured by the surveillance camera 9. Note that the location information of the mobile terminal 11 may also be used to determine staff member M's location. That is, the mobile terminal 11 may transmit location information obtained from a GPS device or the like of the mobile terminal 11 to the management device 5 in real time or at predetermined intervals, and the management device 5 may then obtain staff member M's location from the location information of the mobile terminal 11. Once staff member M's location has been obtained in S4, the process proceeds to S5.

In S5, a search is made for a fueling lane 7 located closest to attendant M. That is, in S5, the fueling lane 7 located closest to attendant M is determined from among the fueling lanes 7 where no vehicle 101 is parked. If vehicles 101 are parked in all of the fueling lanes 7, it is determined that there are no available lanes. In the following S6, it is determined whether there are any available lanes. If S6 returns "YES", i.e., if there are available lanes, the process proceeds to S7. If S6 returns "NO", i.e., if it is determined that there are no available lanes, the process proceeds to S8.

In S7, the lane to be guided to is confirmed. Here, if S6 does not return a "NO" result and the process proceeds to S7, i.e., if the process proceeds to S7 without going through S8, S9, and S10 (described below), the lane to be guided to is confirmed as "the lane searched for in S5." In other words, in this case, the lane to be guided to is the refueling lane 7 closest to attendant M among the refueling lanes 7 in which vehicle 101 is not stopped. In contrast, if S6 returns a "NO" result and the process proceeds to S7, i.e., if S6 returns a "YES" result and the process proceeds to S7 after going through S8, S9, and S10 (described below), the lane to be guided to is confirmed as "the vacant lane when S6 returned a "YES" result."

In S8, an empty lane prediction is performed. That is, the next lane to become empty is predicted. This prediction is made from the current image (video) from the surveillance camera. That is, the fuel lane 7 in which the refueling operation is most advanced is determined from the image (video) from the surveillance camera 9 using image recognition processing. Note that the next empty lane may also be predicted from the time elapsed since refueling began or the time elapsed since refueling ended. That is, the longer the elapsed time, the more likely it is that the vehicle 101 will depart from the fuel lane 7. For this reason, the fuel lane 7 with the longest elapsed time may be predicted to be the next empty lane.

Once the next available lane is predicted in S8, the process proceeds to S9. In S9, a wait (stop) display is made on the information display board 10. That is, the management device 5 outputs a command signal to the information display board 10 to make it display a wait as shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the information display board 10 displays a message that there are no available lanes, i.e., a wait (stop) display. In S10 following S9, a predicted available lane notification is sent to the mobile terminal 11 of the attendant M.

That is, in S10, the management device 5 sends information (notification) about the next available lane predicted in S8 to the mobile terminal 11. As a result, if, for example, lane number 4 is predicted to be the next available lane, the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 will display the information as shown in Figure 3. Based on this display, the attendant M can move to the next available lane in advance. Once the predicted available lane notification has been sent to the mobile terminal 11 in S10, the process returns to before S6 and repeats the processing from S6 onwards.

Once the lane to be guided is confirmed in S7, the process proceeds to S11. In S11, guidance of the vehicle 101 begins. That is, in S11, the lane number is displayed on the guide display board 10. In this case, the management device 5 outputs a command signal to the guide display board 10 to display the lane number guide as shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the lane number is displayed on the guide display board 10 to the driver of the vehicle 101. The driver of the vehicle 101 can follow this display to move the vehicle 101 into the guided refueling lane 7. That is, the vehicle 101 moves into the guided refueling lane 7.

In S11, once the lane number is displayed on the guide display board 10, the process proceeds to S12. In S12, the lane number indicated on the guide display board 10 is notified (sent) to the mobile terminal 11 of the attendant M. That is, in S12, the management device 5 transmits the lane information (notification) confirmed in S7 to the mobile terminal 11. As a result, the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays the lane number indicated to the driver of the vehicle 101. Based on this display, the attendant M can move in advance to the lane where the vehicle 101 will be stopped.

In S13, which follows S12, it is determined whether the vehicle 101 has reached the guided fuel lane 7. This determination may be made by image recognition processing of the image (video) from the surveillance camera 9, or by a detection signal from a sensor (vehicle detection sensor) that can detect that the vehicle 101 has stopped in the fuel lane 7. If S13 returns "YES", i.e., if it is determined that the vehicle 101 has reached the guided fuel lane 7, the process proceeds to S14. In S14, a notification that the vehicle 101 has completed moving into the guided fuel lane 7 is sent to the mobile terminal 11. As a result, the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays a message that the vehicle 101 has reached the guided fuel lane 7. Once the notification has been sent to the mobile terminal 11 in S14, the process proceeds to S17.

On the other hand, if S13 returns "NO," i.e., if it is determined that the vehicle 101 has not reached the fuel lane 7 that it was guided to, the process proceeds to S15. In S15, it is determined whether the vehicle 101 has reached a fuel lane 7 other than the fuel lane 7 that it was guided to. This determination can also be made by image recognition processing of the image (video) from the surveillance camera 9, or by a detection signal from a sensor (vehicle detection sensor) that can detect that the vehicle 101 has stopped in the fuel lane 7.

If S15 returns "NO," i.e., it is determined that the vehicle 101 has not reached a fuel lane 7 other than the fuel lane 7 to which it was guided, the process returns to before S13 and repeats the processing from S13 onwards. On the other hand, if S15 returns "YES," i.e., it is determined that the vehicle 101 has reached a fuel lane 7 other than the fuel lane 7 to which it was guided, the process proceeds to S16. In S16, a notification that the vehicle 101 has completed moving to the fuel lane 7 other than the fuel lane 7 to which it was guided is sent is sent to the mobile terminal 11. As a result, the display screen 11A of the mobile terminal 11 displays a message that the vehicle 101 has reached a fuel lane 7 other than the fuel lane 7 to which it was guided. Once the notification has been sent to the mobile terminal 11 in S16, the process proceeds to S17.

In S17, the display of the lane number on the guide display board 10 is canceled. That is, in S17, the management device 5 outputs a command signal to the guide display board 10 to end the lane number guide display as shown in FIG. 5. This ends the guide display on the guide display board 10, for example, turning it off, and the guidance process for the vehicle 101 ends. In this case, the process returns to the start via the end and repeats the process from S1 onwards.

After vehicle 101 is guided to fueling lane 7 (metering machine 6), attendant M checks the customer's preparations for fueling. If attendant M determines that the customer may begin fueling, he or she presses the "Supply Permission (Fueling Permission)" button displayed on display screen 11A of mobile terminal 11 with his or her fingertip. This causes a supply permission signal to be sent from mobile terminal 11 to management device 5. When management device 5 receives the supply permission signal from mobile terminal 11, it enables fuel supply via the meters 6. As a result, the customer can supply (refuel) fuel to the fuel tank of vehicle 101 through the meters 6 by operating the lever on the fuel nozzle 6C.

As described above, in the embodiment, the management device 5 guides (controls guidance of) the vehicle 101 using the guide display board 10. In this case, the management device 5 guides the vehicle 101 to the fueling lane 7 (weighing machine 6) located near the attendant M detected based on the image (video) from the surveillance camera 9. Therefore, when the guide display board 10 guides the vehicle 101 to the fueling lane 7 (weighing machine 6), the vehicle 101 can be guided to a fueling lane 7 (weighing machine 6) located close to the attendant M within the gas station 1. This prevents the attendant M from traveling to a fueling lane 7 (weighing machine 6) far from his/her current location to perform the supply operation or confirm the supply permission. As a result, the efficiency of the fueling operation can be improved. In other words, the supply operation and confirmation of the supply permission can be performed by a small number of attendants M. Moreover, in the embodiment, the vehicle 101 is guided to a fueling lane 7 (weighing machine 6) that is available and located close to the attendant M. Therefore, when the guide display board 10 guides the vehicle 101 to the fuel lane 7 (weighing machine 6), the vehicle 101 can be guided to an empty fuel lane 7 (weighing machine 6) located close to the attendant M within the gas station 1.

In this embodiment, the management device 5 notifies (transmits) the lane number indicated by the guide display board 10 to the mobile terminal 11 carried by the attendant M through S12. That is, the mobile terminal 11 notifies the attendant M that the vehicle 101 has been guided. This allows the attendant M to know that the vehicle 101 will be entering the fueling lane 7 (metering machine 6) closest to him/her. This allows the attendant M to move in advance to a position that makes it easier to perform the fueling operation and check the supply permission, thereby also improving the efficiency of the fueling operation.

In this embodiment, after the vehicle 101 is guided to the fueling lane 7 (metering machine 6), the attendant M checks the customer's (user's) preparations for fueling. If the attendant M determines that the customer (user) may begin fueling, he or she presses the "Supply Permission (Fueling Permission)" button on the display screen 11A with his or her fingertip. This causes a supply permission signal to be sent from the mobile terminal 11 to the management device 5. When the management device 5 receives the supply permission signal from the mobile terminal 11, it allows fueling using the weighing machine 6.

As a result, after confirming the supplier's (customer's) preparations for supplying the guided vehicle 101, attendant M can operate the mobile terminal 11 to allow refueling using the weighing machine 6. This eliminates the need for attendant M to travel to, for example, the management device 5 installed in the gas station office 4 to operate this management device 5 when allowing refueling using the weighing machine 6. In other words, attendant M can authorize refueling without returning to the gas station office 4, which also improves the efficiency of refueling operations.

In this embodiment, the vehicle 101 is guided using a guide sign 10. This allows the driver of the vehicle 101 to visually confirm where to move in the fueling lane 7. Therefore, for example, even if the vehicle 101 is a motorcycle, or if the vehicle 101 is in a blind spot due to the pillars of the canopy or the weighing machine 6 of the fueling station 1, visibility can be ensured and the vehicle 101 can be reliably guided.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which a guide sign 10 is used as the guidance means. However, this is not limiting. For example, guidance lights such as lamps may be provided on the weighing machine 6, and the vehicles 101 may be guided by turning on these guidance lights. The guidance lights may also be embedded in the site 3. In this case, for example, guidance lights may be installed consecutively from the entrance/exit 2 of the gas station 1 toward each fueling lane 7, and the vehicles 101 may be guided toward the fueling lane 7 by flashing the guidance lights in sequence.

In addition, for example, vehicle 101 may be guided (guided) using vehicle equipment such as ETC or car navigation installed in vehicle 101, i.e., vehicle equipment capable of audio output and guidance display. Furthermore, vehicle 101 may be guided (guided) using communication equipment capable of audio output and guidance display, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal (tablet PC) owned by the driver of vehicle 101. In other words, the guidance means may be various guidance devices (guidance devices) capable of guiding (guiding) the vehicle, such as guide signs, guidance lights, vehicle equipment, and communication terminals. Furthermore, the guidance means may be visual guidance, audio guidance, or automated driving guidance using the vehicle's automated driving function.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the entry of a vehicle 101 into a gas station 1 and the status of the fuel lane 7 (whether or not the vehicle 101 is parked) are determined (detected) from images (video) from a surveillance camera 9. However, this is not limited to this. For example, a vehicle detection sensor may be installed near the entrance/exit of the gas station or the weighing machine, and the entry of a vehicle and the status of the fuel lane may be detected (determined) using the vehicle detection sensor. In other words, the status of vehicles at a gas station can be detected (determined) using various detection devices that can detect vehicles, such as surveillance cameras and vehicle detection sensors.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the position of staff member M is determined (detected) from images (video) from the surveillance camera 9. However, this is not limited to this, and staff member M's position may also be determined, for example, from the communication strength between the mobile terminal 11 carried by staff member M and the weighing machine 6. In this case, the weighing machine 6 with the highest communication strength is the weighing machine 6 located closest to staff member M. Therefore, the control means (management device 5) controls the guidance means (guidance display board 10) to guide the vehicle 101 to the weighing machine 6 with the highest communication strength.

The location of staff member M may also be determined, for example, from the location information (GPS information) of the mobile terminal 11 carried by staff member M. In this case, the management device 5 is pre-stored with the installation locations of the weighing machines 6 and the areas that staff member M can see. This allows the management device 5 to identify the location of staff member M (mobile terminal 11) and control the guidance means (guide display board 10) to guide the vehicle 101 to the weighing machine 6 corresponding to that location.

Furthermore, the location of attendant M may be determined by installing a beacon (radio wave transmitting means) within the gas station 1 and determining the communication status (communication strength) between the beacon and the portable terminal 11 carried by attendant M. That is, the portable terminal 11 transmits the communication status (communication strength) with the beacon to the management device 5. The management device 5 detects the location of attendant M (portable terminal 11) from the communication status (communication strength) between the portable terminal 11 and the beacon.

In the embodiment, a ground-mounted metering machine 6 has been described as an example of a fuel supply device. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, a suspended metering machine (fuel dispenser) that raises and lowers a fuel nozzle may also be used as the fuel supply device.

In the embodiment, a metering device 6 that supplies liquid fuel such as gasoline to a vehicle has been described as an example of the fuel supply device. However, this is not limiting, and for example, a metering device (gas supply device, gas filling device) that supplies gaseous fuel such as LPG or hydrogen gas to a vehicle may also be used as the fuel supply device.

In the embodiment, a self-service fuel station 1 has been described as an example, that is, a self-service fuel station where a customer (client) supplies fuel (refuels) as a fuel supplier (refueler). However, this is not limited to this, and the fuel station may also be a full-service fuel station where a fuel station attendant supplies fuel as a fuel supplier. A self-service fuel station is equipped with a fuel station management system (fuel station management system) that manages whether or not fuel supply is permitted by a fuel supply device. The fuel station management system (fuel station management system) corresponds to a self-service fuel supply system. A self-service fuel supply system is configured to include a fuel supply system that supplies fuel to vehicles using a fuel supply device. In contrast, a full-service fuel station may not be equipped with a fuel station management system (fuel station management system) like a self-service fuel station. However, both full-service and self-service fuel stations have in common the fact that they are equipped with a fuel supply system that supplies fuel to vehicles using a fuel supply device.

In the embodiment described above, the control means controls the guidance means to guide the vehicle to a fuel supply device located near the attendant detected by the attendant detection means. Therefore, when the guidance means guides the vehicle to a fuel supply device, it can guide the vehicle to a fuel supply device located close to the attendant within the fuel supply station. This prevents the attendant from having to travel to a fuel supply device far from their current location to perform the supply operation or confirm supply authorization. As a result, the efficiency of fuel supply operations can be improved.

According to this embodiment, the control means controls the guidance means to guide the vehicle to an available fuel supply device that is located near the attendant. Therefore, when the guidance means guides the vehicle to a fuel supply device, it can guide the vehicle to an available fuel supply device that is located near the attendant within the fuel station.

In this embodiment, the notification means of the mobile communication terminal notifies the attendant that the vehicle has been guided. This allows the attendant to know that the vehicle will be entering a fuel supply device located close to them. This allows the attendant to move in advance to a location that makes it easier to perform the supply operation and check the supply permission, which also improves the efficiency of the fuel supply operation.

According to an embodiment, the control means allows the fuel supply device to supply fuel when it receives a supply permission signal from the output means of the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, after confirming the supplier's (customer's) supply preparation work for the guided vehicle, the attendant can operate the mobile terminal to allow the fuel supply device to supply fuel. This eliminates the need for the attendant to go to a device (e.g., a management device) located in an office within the fuel station to operate the device when allowing the fuel supply device to supply fuel. In other words, the attendant can authorize fuel supply without returning to the office, thereby improving the efficiency of fuel supply operations.

1. Gas station (fuel supply station)
5 Management device (control means)
6 Measuring machine (fuel supply device)
9. Surveillance cameras (means for detecting staff)
10. Guide sign (guidance means)
11 Mobile terminal (mobile communication terminal, notification means, output means)
101 Vehicle M Staff

Claims (3)

A fuel supply system including a plurality of fuel supply devices for supplying fuel to a vehicle,
a guidance means for guiding a vehicle to a specific fuel supply device;
an attendant detection means for detecting the location of an attendant within the fuel station;
a control means for controlling the guiding means to guide the vehicle to a fuel supply device located near the attendant detected by the attendant detection means;
Equipped with
The fuel supply system is characterized in that the control means controls the guidance means to guide the vehicle to an available fuel supply device among the fuel supply devices and located near an attendant . a portable communication terminal capable of communicating with the control means;
a notification means provided in the mobile communication terminal for notifying an attendant that the control means has guided the vehicle;
2. The fuel supply system according to claim 1, further comprising: the fuel supply system is a self-service fuel supply system in which fuel is supplied by a customer;
the portable communication terminal comprises an output means for outputting a supply permission signal,
3. The fuel supply system according to claim 2 , wherein the control means enables the fuel supply device to supply fuel when the control means receives a supply permission signal from the output means.