RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/035056 filed Sep. 21, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a remote fuel monitoring system, a vehicle-mounted device, a vehicle, a server, a remote fuel monitoring method, a remote fuel monitoring program and storage medium for a vehicle or a machine provided with a vehicle-mounted device, particularly for a vehicle or a machine that cannot run on public roads.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to supply fuel for vehicles or machines that cannot run on public roads such as construction machines (for example, bulldozers, excavators, cranes or the like), agricultural machines (for example, cultivators, rice transplanters or the like), or generators (for example, generators for construction sites), it is necessary to transport fuel to the working site of these vehicles or machines by a refueling vehicle or the like. If the fuel of these vehicles or machines runs out, it will not be possible to work with the corresponding vehicle at the working site. Therefore, it is necessary to check the remaining fuel amount of these vehicles or machines and arrange a refueling vehicle before the fuel runs out.

For example, if multiple construction machines are used at a construction site, the refueling vehicle is arranged once or multiple times a day to refuel each construction machine. In the conventional method of arranging the refueling vehicle, the manager visually confirms the remaining fuel amount of each construction machine, determines refueling amount necessary for each construction machine according to the construction plan and instructs a fuel supply office to refuel construction machines. Therefore, working load on the manager is heavy and it is difficult to determine appropriate refueling amount for all construction machines. In addition, when refueling, each construction machine is refueled in turn by refueling amount determined in advance, so that it is necessary to suspend the work at the working site due to the refueling for each construction machine.

On the other band, for example, the fuel supply service providing system of Patent Literature 1 is an attempt to simplify the arrangement of refueling. In Patent Literature 1, it is disclosed that the remaining fuel amount of the contracted vehicle is automatically measured, information of the remaining fuel amount is transmitted to a service application system via a communication device, and when the remaining fuel amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value in a system using this service, a refueling instruction output request for refueling the contracted vehicle is output, and the manager gives a refueling instruction to the refueling vehicle for refueling the contracted vehicle based on the refueling instruction output request.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-282838

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When the system of Patent Literature 1 is used at a construction site, the operating status of each construction machine and the construction plan are not taken into consideration, and refueling instructions are given to each construction machine at different timings. Therefore, it is difficult to make an appropriate refueling plan. Further, in Patent Literature 1, it is premised that the fuel mounted on the refueling vehicle is sufficient for the refueling amount required by the contracted vehicle. Therefore, it is only considered that the contracted vehicle is fully refueled, and the refueling amount for the contracted vehicle cannot be estimated in advance. On the other hand, at the construction site, sometimes it is not possible to secure enough fuel to fully refuel all the construction machines with one refueling. In those cases, the refueling amount for each construction machine needs to be appropriately determined. However, in the system of Patent Literature 1 cannot meet such need. Further, the system of Patent Literature 1 does not consider that it is necessary to shorten the non-working time as much as possible due to the refueling all the construction machines.

In view of these conventional problems, the subject of embodiments of the present application is to provide a remote fuel monitoring system, a vehicle-mounted device, a vehicle or a machine, a server, a remote fuel monitoring method, a remote fuel monitoring program and a storage medium that can remotely monitor a remaining fuel amount, in a vehicle or a machine and make an appropriate refueling plan for each vehicle or machine according to situations.

Solution to Problem

The above subject of embodiments of the present invention can be achieved by the following configurations. That is to say, a remote fuel monitoring system of the first aspect of the present invention consists of:

a vehicle-mounted device for acquiring vehicle information including a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine; and

a server for monitoring the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine based on the vehicle information received from the vehicle-mounted device, for calculating a refueling plan including refueling time and a refueling amount for the vehicle or the machine, and for outputting a refueling command based on the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to a refueling means, and characterized in that

the server includes

an input means for inputting the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle-mounted device,

a storage means for storing information regarding the vehicle or the machine,

an analyzing means for analyzing information regarding the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine based on the vehicle information and the information stored in the storage means,

a refueling plan calculation means for calculating the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine by using the information regarding the remaining fuel amount analyzed by the analyzing means, and

an output means for outputting the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to the refueling means.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of the first aspect, the vehicle-mounted device is common regardless of the type of the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of the first or second aspect, the vehicle information includes operation information of the vehicle or the machine, and

the operation information is taken into consideration in the analysis of the remaining fuel amount in the analyzing means.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to third aspects, the information stored in the storage means includes information regarding an operation schedule of the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the analysis of the remaining fuel amount or the calculation of the refueling plan is performed by learning in the analyzing means and/or the refueling plan calculation means.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the analyzing means predicts time when the remaining fuel amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the refueling plan includes a schedule for refueling the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the server further outputs to a user terminal at least any one information of:the vehicle information,the information stored in the storage means,the information regarding the remaining fuel amount analyzed by the analyzing means, orthe information regarding the refueling plan calculated in the refueling plan calculation means.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the nineth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the vehicle information includes a refueling amount by the refueling means, and the server can grasp the refueling amount to the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring system of the tenth aspect, of the present invention is characterized in that, in the remote fuel monitoring system of any one of the first to nineth aspects, the server notifies a theft of fuel from the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a vehicle-mounted device of the eleventh aspect of the present invention which is used for remote fuel monitoring, is for acquiring vehicle information including a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine, and for transmitting the vehicle information to a server that monitors the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine based on the vehicle information, calculates a refueling plan including refueling time and a refueling amount for the vehicle or the machine and outputs a refueling command based on the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to a refueling means, and is characterized in that

the vehicle-mounted device is connected to wiring of a remaining fuel amount detector provided in the vehicle or the machine, detects an analog value or a digital value related to the remaining fuel amount, and transmits the vehicle information, which includes the detected value as information regarding the remaining fuel amount, to the server.

Further, a vehicle-mounted device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the vehicle-mounted device of the eleventh aspect, the vehicle-mounted device is common regardless of the type of the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a vehicle-mounted device of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the vehicle-mounted device of the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the vehicle information includes operation information a the vehicle or the machine.

Further, a vehicle or a machine of the fourteenth aspect of the present, invention is characterized in that, the vehicle or the machine includes the vehicle-mounted device of any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects.

Further, a server of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, which is used for remote fuel monitoring, is for monitoring a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine based on vehicle information that includes the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine and is received from a vehicle-mounted device that acquires the vehicle information, for calculating a refueling plan including refueling tune and a refueling amount for the vehicle or the machine, and for outputting a refueling command based on the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to a refueling means, and is characterized in that

the server includes

an input means for inputting the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle-mounted device,

a storage means for storing information regarding the vehicle or the machine,

an analyzing means for analyzing information regarding the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine based on the vehicle information and the information stored in the storage means,

a refueling plan calculation means for calculating the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine based on the information regarding the remaining fuel amount analyzed by the analyzing means, and

an output means for outputting the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to the refueling means.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring method of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is for monitoring a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine based on vehicle information that includes the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine and is received from a vehicle-mounted device that acquires the vehicle information, for calculating a refueling plan including refueling time and a refueling amount for the vehicle or the machine, and for outputting a refueling command based on the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to a refueling means, and is characterized in that

the remote fuel monitoring method includes

an input means for inputting the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle-mounted device,

an analyzing means for analyzing information regarding the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine based on information regarding the vehicle or the machine stored in a storage means and the vehicle information,

a refueling plan calculation means for calculating the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine based on the information regarding the remaining fuel amount analyzed by the analyzing means, and

an output means for outputting the refueling plan for the vehicle or the machine to the refueling means.

Further, a remote fuel monitoring program of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the remote fuel monitoring program is capable of operating each of the means in the remote fuel monitoring method of the sixteenth aspect with a computer.

Further, a storage medium of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the storage medium stores the remote fuel monitoring program of the seventeenth aspect.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote fuel monitoring system that remotely monitors a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine and can make an appropriate refueling plan for each of the vehicle or the machine according to situations.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use a common vehicle-mounted device regardless of the type of the vehicle or the machine. Thus, it is not necessary to separately prepare a plurality of types of vehicle-mounted devices that are different for each type of the vehicle or machine. Therefore, versatility is improved and costs can be reduced.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to analyze information regarding the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine with taking into consideration operation information of the vehicle or the machine.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to analyze the information regarding the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine with taking into consideration information regarding an operation schedule a the vehicle or the machine.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the filth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately analyze the remaining fuel amount according to situations of the vehicle or the machine and appropriately calculate the refueling plan by learning.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to predict time when the remaining fuel amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent fuel shortage and notify that the remaining fuel amount is low.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to calculate a refueling schedule for the vehicle or the machine. Thus, it is possible to appropriately manage the refueling time for each of the vehicle or the machine and shorten the non-working time for the refueling at a working site. Further, by adjusting the refueling schedule for each of the vehicle or the machine, it is also possible to refuel each of the vehicle or the machine while continuing the work at the working site.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output to a user terminal at least any one information of the vehicle information, the information stored in the storage means, the information regarding the remaining fuel amount analyzed by the analyzing means, or the information regarding the refueling plan calculated in the refueling plan calculation means, so that it is possible to provide these information for the user. For example, the information regarding the remaining fuel amount analyzed by the analyzing means includes notification of time when the remaining fuel amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the nineth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp a refueling amount for the vehicle or the machine. Thus, it is possible to record information of the refueling amount for each of the vehicle or the machine. Therefore, it is possible to use these records for fuel tax applications such as reduction and exemption applications for fuel tax.

According to the remote fuel monitoring system of the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify a theft of fuel from the vehicle or the machine. Thus, using this notification can contribute a countermeasure against thefts of fuel from the vehicles or the machine.

According to the vehicle-mounted device of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle-mounted device that remotely monitors a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine and can make an appropriate refueling plan for each of the vehicle or the machine according to situations.

According to the vehicle-mounted device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to use a common vehicle-mounted device regardless of the type of the vehicle or the machine. Thus, it is not necessary to separately prepare a plurality of types of vehicle-mounted devices that are different for each type of the vehicle or machine. Therefore, versatility is improved and costs can be reduced.

According to the vehicle-mounted device of the thirteenth aspect of the present, invention, by acquiring operation information of the vehicle or the machine with the vehicle-mounted device, it is possible to analyze information regarding the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle or the machine with taking into consideration operation information of each of the vehicle or the machine.

According to the vehicle or the machine of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle or a machine achieving the same effects as in the vehicle-mounted device of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects.

According to the server of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a server for remote fuel control that remotely monitors a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine and can make an appropriate refueling plan for each of the vehicle or the machine according to situations.

According to the remote fuel monitoring method of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote fuel monitoring method that remotely monitors a remaining fuel amount of a vehicle or a machine and can make an appropriate refueling plan for each of the vehicle or the machine according to situations.

According to the remote fuel monitoring program of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote fuel monitoring program achieving the same effects as in the remote fuel monitoring method of the sixteenth aspect.

According to the storage medium of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a storage medium storing the remote fuel monitoring program of the seventeenth aspect.

