Mobile device control device, mobile device control system, program, and mobile device control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a mobile vehicle control device, a mobile vehicle control system, a program, and a mobile vehicle control method that can suppress the occurrence of unnecessary stops of mobile vehicles compared to conventional methods. [Solution] The mobile device control device (100) includes: an image information acquisition unit (110) that acquires image information including a specific user waiting to board the mobile device; an estimation unit (130) that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile device based on the image information; a transport amount information acquisition unit (120) that acquires transport amount information relating to at least one of the amount of passengers and transported goods being transported by the mobile device; a determination unit (140) that determines whether or not a specific user can board the mobile device based on the amount of passengers estimated by the estimation unit (130) and the transport amount information acquisition unit (120); and a setting unit (150) that sets whether or not to stop the mobile device at the waiting location where the specific user is waiting to board, based on the determination result by the determination unit (140).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a moving body control apparatus, a moving body control system, a program, and a moving body control method. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, a method for scheduling the movement of a plurality of cars in an elevator system in a building has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The method described in Patent Document 1 combines a waiting time for existing passengers in each car and a waiting time for future passengers in each car to generate an adjusted waiting time for each car. The method described in Patent Document 1 aims to minimize the average waiting time of all passengers by allocating a car with the shortest generated adjusted waiting time to a call. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2007-521213 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Incidentally, even when a car is stopped at a floor based on a car call for the floor where a plurality of users traveling together in an elevator are waiting, depending on the number of the plurality of users, the empty space of the car may be insufficient and not all of the plurality of users can board the car. As described above, when waiting users cannot board a moving body such as a car, if an attempt is made to stop the moving body, there is a problem that unnecessary stop of the moving body occurs.

[0005] This disclosure was made in response to the recognition of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a mobile body control device, a mobile body control system, a program, and a mobile body control method that can suppress the occurrence of unnecessary stops of mobile bodies compared to conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mobile vehicle control device according to this disclosure is characterized by comprising: an image information acquisition unit that acquires image information including a specific user from a standby imaging device that images a specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle; a mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit that acquires mobile vehicle call information indicating that a specific user has called a mobile vehicle in order to stop the mobile vehicle at a standby location where the specific user is waiting; an estimation unit that estimates the amount of passengers to board the mobile vehicle when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, triggered by the acquisition of mobile vehicle call information; a transport quantity information acquisition unit that acquires transport quantity information relating to at least one of the amount of passengers and transported goods being transported by the mobile vehicle; a determination unit that determines whether or not a specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger quantity estimated by the estimation unit and the transport quantity information acquired by the transport quantity information acquisition unit; and a setting unit that sets whether or not to stop the mobile vehicle at a standby location where the specific user is waiting to board, based on the determination result by the determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unnecessary stops of moving objects compared to conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an elevator control device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an elevator control device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 11] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 12] This is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 14] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 15] This is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of the elevator control system according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device according to Embodiment 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. First, with reference to Figure 1, the elevator control system 1 as a mobile object control system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a standby imaging device 10, an elevator 40, a car information acquisition device 50 as a mobile object information acquisition device, and an elevator control device 100 as a mobile object control device, and these are connected wirelessly or by wire to enable communication with each other. Note that the standby imaging device 10, elevator 40, car information acquisition device 50, and elevator control device 100 may be connected to each other via devices or communication lines not shown to enable information communication.

[0010] The standby imaging device 10 captures a specific area including users waiting to board the elevator car (not shown) of the elevator 40 as a moving object, and generates image information. In other words, the standby imaging device 10 generates image information including users by capturing a specific area of ​​the standby floor (waiting area), which is a specific floor where users are waiting to board the elevator car of the elevator 40, corresponding to one of a plurality of stop positions predetermined in the path along which the elevator car of the elevator 40 moves. In Embodiment 1, among the multiple users waiting to board the elevator car of the elevator 40, a specific user is referred to as the "specific user," and one or more users accompanying the specific user are referred to as "accompanying users." In other words, among the multiple users waiting to board the elevator car of the elevator 40, the specific user and accompanying users form a group that boards the specific car together. In Embodiment 1, "specific user and accompanying users" are also referred to as "waiting users."

[0011] The standby imaging device 10 includes, for example, an image sensor and a lens that are not shown in the figure, and generates image information of a specific range including the whole body or a part of the body of a waiting user by converting light captured from the lens into an electrical signal via the image sensor. The image sensor is constituted by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, or the like. Note that the standby imaging device 10 may be configured by one imaging device, or may be configured by a plurality of imaging devices having mutually different imaging ranges.

[0012] Further, for example, when the car of the elevator 40 stops at a standby floor, the standby imaging device 10 captures images at a preset frame rate of the surroundings of an unillustrated elevator door that is opened for a user to board the car, thereby capturing an image of a specific range including a waiting user who is waiting to board the car of the elevator 40 at the standby floor. Further, for example, the standby imaging device 10 captures images at a preset frame rate of the surroundings of an unillustrated input device on which an input operation for calling the car of the elevator 40 to the standby floor is performed, thereby capturing an image of a specific range including a waiting user who is waiting to board the car of the elevator 40 at the standby floor. Further, for example, the standby imaging device 10 captures images at a preset frame rate of the inside of a passage leading to the stop position where the car of the elevator 40 stops at the standby floor, thereby capturing an image of a specific range including a waiting user who is waiting to board the car of the elevator 40 at the standby floor.

[0013] Note that the standby imaging device 10 may be configured to generate image information obtained by capturing an image of the specific floor with no user when no user of the elevator 40 is waiting on the specific floor to be imaged, or may be configured to generate only image information including a user waiting to board the car of the elevator 40 based on acquiring information from an unillustrated sensor that detects a user waiting to board the car of the elevator 40.

[0014] The standby imaging device 10 outputs imaging information generated by imaging to the elevator control device 100. The standby imaging device 10 may be configured to output only part of the image information among the imaging information generated by imaging to the elevator control device 100, may be configured to output all image information generated by imaging to the elevator control device 100, may be configured to output image information to the elevator control device 100 every time image information is generated by imaging, or may be configured to output one or more pieces of image information to the elevator control device 100 based on a specific trigger. For example, the standby imaging device 10 may be configured to compare a plurality of pieces of image information generated at a preset frame rate, detect a temporal change of a specific data amount or a temporal change of each pixel, and output one or more pieces of image information including image information generated when the change amount exceeds a preset threshold value to the elevator control device 100 based on the fact that the change amount exceeds the threshold value.

[0015] The elevator 40 comprises a movable car and a driving source 40a that generates a driving force for moving the car to a specific position of each floor. The elevator 40 is configured such that the car moves when the driving source 40a is controlled by the elevator control device 100.

[0016] The car information acquisition device 50 acquires information about users and conveyed objects being conveyed by the car of the elevator 40. In the first embodiment, a user conveyed by the car of the elevator 40 is referred to as a "conveyed user". Conveyed objects include luggage of conveyed users, strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, pets, guide dogs, and other items. The car information acquisition device 50 is constituted by, for example, an in-car imaging device that images the inside of the car, and acquires image information of the conveyed user riding in the car and the luggage carried by the conveyed user by imaging the inside of the car. Since the configuration of the in-car imaging device is the same as that of the standby imaging device 10, the description thereof is omitted.

[0017] The elevator car information acquisition device 50 may consist of one elevator car imaging device that images the inside of one elevator car, or it may consist of multiple elevator car imaging devices that image the inside of one elevator car, or it may consist of devices other than imaging devices. For example, the elevator car information acquisition device 50 may consist of a weight sensor that measures the weight of passengers and objects being transported in the elevator car and is configured to acquire information indicating the weight of passengers and objects being transported, or it may be configured to acquire information indicating the number of passengers being transported by sensors such as optical sensors, thermal sensors, and radar that detect passengers, or it may consist of a combination of an imaging device and one or more of these devices other than imaging devices.

[0018] Furthermore, the car information acquisition device 50 only needs to be configured to acquire information about at least one of the users and the objects being transported by the elevator car 40. For example, the car information acquisition device 50 may be configured to acquire information about the users and the objects being transported when the users and objects are being transported by the car, or to acquire information about the users and objects being transported when the users and objects are being transported by the car, or to acquire information about only one of the users and objects being transported when the users and objects are being transported by the car, or to acquire information about only the users when only the users are being transported by the car, or to acquire information about only the objects being transported when only the objects are being transported by the car.

[0019] The car information acquisition device 50 outputs the acquired information to the elevator control device 100. The car information acquisition device 50 may be configured to output only some of the acquired information to the elevator control device 100, or to output all of the acquired information to the elevator control device 100, or to output the acquired information to the elevator control device 100 each time information is acquired, or to output one or more pieces of information to the elevator control device 100 based on a specific trigger. For example, the standby imaging device 10 may compare information acquired at a preset frequency, detect a time change in a specific amount of data, and, based on the change amount exceeding a preset threshold, output one or more pieces of information to the elevator control device 100, including the information generated when the change amount exceeded the threshold.

[0020] The elevator control device 100 includes an image information acquisition unit 110, a transport volume information acquisition unit 120, an estimation unit 130, a determination unit 140, a setting unit 150, and a control unit 170.

[0021] The image information acquisition unit 110 acquires image information including the waiting user from the standby imaging device 10, which images a specific user waiting to board the elevator car 40 and any accompanying users accompanying that specific user. In other words, the image information acquisition unit 110 acquires image information including the waiting user from the standby imaging device 10, which is generated by imaging the standby floor, which is a specific floor where the waiting user is waiting to board the elevator car 40.

[0022] The image information acquisition unit 110 may be configured to acquire only a portion of the image information generated by the standby imaging device 10, or it may be configured to acquire all of the image information generated by the standby imaging device 10. For example, if there are no elevator users waiting on a specific floor that is the target of imaging by the standby imaging device 10, the unit may be configured to acquire image information of the specific floor when there are no users from the standby imaging device 10.

[0023] Furthermore, the image information acquisition unit 110 may be configured to acquire one or more image information generated by the standby imaging device 10 based on a specific trigger. For example, the image information acquisition unit 110 may be configured to acquire one or more image information generated by the standby imaging device 10 based on information acquired by the elevator control device 100 indicating that an operation button (not shown) has been operated by a specific user to call the elevator car to stop at a standby floor where the user is waiting to board the elevator car 40.

[0024] The transport volume information acquisition unit 120 acquires transport volume information from the cage information acquisition device 50 regarding the quantity of users and items being transported by the cage. For example, the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 acquires information indicating the number of users as transport volume information regarding the quantity of users and items being transported from the cage information acquisition device 50, which is composed of sensors for detecting users being transported inside the cage. Alternatively, for example, the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 acquires image information from the cage information acquisition device 50, which is composed of an in-cage imaging device, that allows for the estimation of the number of users as transport volume information regarding the quantity of users and items being transported. Alternatively, for example, the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 acquires image information from the cage information acquisition device 50 that allows for the estimation of the number of users and the size of each user, as well as the number of items being transported and the size of each item, as transport volume information regarding the quantity of users and items being transported. Furthermore, for example, the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 acquires information from the cage information acquisition device 50 as transport volume information relating to the quantity of the transported user and the transported goods, specifically information indicating the total weight of the transported user and the transported goods.

[0025] The transport volume information acquisition unit 120 is configured to acquire transport volume information relating to at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the basket. For example, it may be configured to acquire transport volume information relating to the quantity of the transported user and the transported object when the transported user and the transported object are being transported by the basket, or it may be configured to acquire transport volume information indicating the total quantity of the transported user and the transported object when the transported user and the transported object are being transported by the basket, or it may be configured to acquire transport volume information relating to only one of the transported user and the transported object when the transported user and the transported object are being transported by the basket, or it may be configured to acquire transport volume information relating to only the quantity of the transported user when only the transported user is being transported by the basket, or it may be configured to acquire transport volume information relating to only the quantity of the transported object when only the transported object is being transported by the basket.

[0026] The estimation unit 130 estimates the number of passengers when waiting passengers board the elevator car, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. For example, the estimation unit 130 is composed of a trained model that outputs the number of passengers based on the input of image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. Specifically, the estimation unit 130 is composed of a trained model that is pre-trained using a machine learning algorithm such as deep learning based on the input of image information including elevator users and information indicating the number of passengers included in the image information, and outputs the number of passengers based on the input of image information including waiting passengers. For example, the estimation unit 130 estimates the number of waiting passengers as the number of passengers when waiting passengers board the elevator car by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. Specifically, the estimation unit 130 estimates the number of waiting passengers as the number of passengers when waiting passengers board the elevator car by identifying the people included in the image information through image recognition based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110.

[0027] Furthermore, the estimation unit 130 is not limited to being composed of a trained model. For example, it may be configured to detect waiting users by detecting edges in image information and to estimate the number of waiting users based on the detection results. Alternatively, it may be configured to detect areas with changes as waiting users by comparing image information generated by imaging the waiting floor without waiting users with image information including waiting users, and to estimate the number of waiting users based on the detection results. Or, it may be configured to detect the difference between multiple images acquired consecutively by imaging at a preset frame rate and to estimate the number of waiting users based on the detection results. In short, a variety of configurations are possible for estimating the number of passengers when waiting users board the elevator car from image information.

[0028] The determination unit 140 determines whether waiting users can board the elevator car 40 based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120. In other words, the determination unit 140 determines whether all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 if the elevator car 40, which is moving toward the waiting floor where waiting users are waiting to board, were to stop at that waiting floor, based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120. For example, the determination unit 140 determines whether all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 based on the number of waiting users as passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the number of users to be transported as transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120.

[0029] Specifically, the determination unit 140 determines whether all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 by comparing the total number of waiting users estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the number of users to be transported acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 with the preset maximum number of users that can board the elevator car 40. Alternatively, the determination unit 140 may determine whether all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 by comparing the total number of waiting users estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the number of users to be transported acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 with the preset maximum number of users that can be transported, calculated based on the maximum weight that the elevator car 40 can carry.

[0030] Furthermore, when the determination unit 140 determines whether all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 based on the number of waiting users estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the number of users to be transported acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120, it may be configured to overestimate the number of waiting users or overestimate the number of users to be transported, taking into account the presence of accompanying items such as luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, pets, guide dogs, etc. that move with the waiting users, and items to be transported together with the users to be transported. For example, the determination unit 140 may be configured to determine whether all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 by comparing the number of waiting users estimated by the estimation unit 130 multiplied by a predetermined coefficient of 1 or more, the number of users to be transported acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120, and a predetermined maximum number of users that can board the elevator car 40.

[0031] The setting unit 150 sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where waiting passengers are waiting to board, based on the determination result from the determination unit 140. For example, if the determination result from the determination unit 140 determines that all waiting passengers are able to board the elevator car, the setting unit 150 sets the elevator car to stop at the waiting floor. If the determination result from the determination unit 140 determines that all waiting passengers are not able to board the elevator car, the setting unit 150 sets the elevator car to pass through the waiting floor without stopping.

[0032] The control unit 170 controls the movement of the elevator car based on the settings made by the setting unit 150. For example, the control unit 170 controls the movement of the elevator car by outputting a control signal to the drive source 40a of the elevator 40 to stop the car at a specific floor, based on the settings made by the setting unit 150. Alternatively, the control unit 170 controls the movement of the elevator car by outputting a control signal to the drive source 40a of the elevator 40 to move the car through a specific floor, based on the settings made by the setting unit 150. The control unit 170 may also be configured to output a control signal to the drive source 40a of the elevator 40 to control the movement of the elevator car, regardless of the settings made by the setting unit 150. For example, the control unit 170 may be configured to output a control signal to the drive source 40a of the elevator 40 to stop the car at a floor located at the end of the path the car can move, or it may be configured to output a control signal to the drive source 40a of the elevator 40 to stop the car.

[0033] Next, the hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing a different example of the hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100 from that shown in Figure 2. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the elevator control device 100 is composed of a computer having a processor 100a, memory 100b, and I / O port 100c, and is configured so that the processor 100a reads and executes a program stored in memory 100b.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, for example, the elevator control device 100 is comprised of a computer that executes a program, having a dedicated hardware processing circuit 100d and an I / O port 100c. The processing circuit 100d is comprised of, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each function of the elevator control device 100 is realized by these processors 100a or the dedicated hardware processing circuit 100d executing a program. Note that the elevator control device 100 may also have hardware other than those described above, such as a hardware timer.

[0035] Next, with reference to Figures 1 and 4, the details of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The processing performed by the elevator control device 100 shown in Figure 4 is a process for controlling the movement of the elevator car 40 based on the result of determining whether or not a user waiting to board the elevator car 40 can board the elevator car.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, when the elevator control device 100 starts processing, it first acquires imaging information of the waiting floor where the user is waiting (step ST01). In this process, the elevator control device 100 acquires, for example, image information generated by imaging around the elevator door of the waiting floor where the waiting user is waiting, from the waiting imaging device 10 using the image information acquisition unit 110.

[0037] After performing the processing in step ST01, the elevator control device 100 estimates the number of passengers boarding from the waiting floor (step ST03). In this process, the elevator control device 100 uses the estimation unit 130 to estimate the number of passengers boarding the elevator car based on the image information acquired in the processing of step ST01.

[0038] After performing the processing in step ST03, the elevator control device 100 acquires transport volume information (step ST04). In this process, the elevator control device 100 acquires information indicating the number of people being transported as transport volume information from, for example, the car information acquisition device 50.

[0039] When the elevator control device 100 has completed the process in step ST04, it determines whether or not users can board the elevator car based on the estimated passenger capacity and transport capacity information (step ST06). In this process, the elevator control device 100 determines whether or not all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 based on the passenger capacity estimated in the process in step ST03 and the transport capacity information obtained in the process in step ST04.

[0040] When the elevator control device 100 performs the processing in step ST06, it sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor based on the determination result (step ST07). In this process, for example, if the determination result in step ST06 is that all waiting users can board the elevator car, the elevator control device 100 sets the elevator car to stop at the waiting floor; if it is determined that not all waiting users can board the elevator car, the elevator control device 100 sets the elevator car to pass through the waiting floor without stopping.

[0041] After performing the processing in step ST07, the elevator control device 100 controls the movement of the elevator car based on the settings (step ST09). In this process, the elevator control device 100 outputs a control signal to the drive source 40a to control the movement of the elevator car, so as to move or stop the elevator car 40 based on the information set in step ST07, which indicates whether or not to stop the elevator car 40 at the standby floor.

[0042] The elevator control device 100 terminates processing after performing the processing in step ST09. The elevator control device 100 may be configured to repeat the processing from step ST01 to step ST09 described above at a preset frequency, or to perform it only when a specific trigger occurs, or to perform it only on specific floors along the path to which the elevator car 40 can move, or to perform it on each floor along the path to which the elevator car 40 can move.

[0043] As described above, the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes: an image information acquisition unit 110 that acquires image information including a specific user from a standby imaging device 10 that images a specific user waiting to board the elevator car 40; an estimation unit 130 that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110; a transport volume information acquisition unit 120 that acquires transport volume information relating to the amount of at least one of the passengers and transported goods being transported by the car; a determination unit 140 that determines whether or not the specific user can board the car based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120; and a setting unit 150 that sets whether or not to stop the car at the standby floor where the specific user is waiting to board based on the determination result by the determination unit 140. For example, the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes: an image information acquisition unit 110 that acquires image information including a specific user and accompanying users from a standby imaging device 10 that images a specific user and accompanying users who are waiting to board the elevator car 40; an estimation unit 130 that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and accompanying users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110; a transport volume information acquisition unit 120 that acquires transport volume information relating to the amount of at least one of the passengers being transported and the transported items being transported by the car; a determination unit 140 that determines whether or not the specific user and accompanying users can board the car based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit 130 and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120; and a setting unit 150 that sets whether or not to stop the car at the standby floor where the specific user and accompanying users are waiting to board based on the determination result by the determination unit 140.

[0044] Furthermore, the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a control unit that controls the movement of the elevator car based on settings made by the setting unit 150.

[0045] With this configuration, the elevator control device 100 sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at a waiting floor based on the determination result of whether or not a specific user and accompanying users can board the car. Therefore, if a specific user and accompanying users cannot board the car, it becomes possible to control the movement of the elevator car so as not to stop at a waiting floor, thereby suppressing unnecessary stops of the elevator car compared to conventional systems.

[0046] In Embodiment 1, the elevator control device 100 is configured to estimate the number of waiting users as the passenger capacity when waiting users board the elevator car by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110, but it is not limited to this. The elevator control device only needs to be configured to estimate the passenger capacity when waiting users board the elevator car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. For example, the elevator control device may be configured to estimate the required space inside the elevator car when waiting users board the elevator car as the passenger capacity when waiting users board the elevator car by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. In other words, the elevator control device may be configured to estimate the required size of the empty space when waiting users board the elevator car as the passenger capacity when waiting users board the elevator car by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. In Embodiment 1, "empty space" refers to the area within a particular elevator car that is not occupied by passengers or transported goods in a plan view. However, depending on the elevator's usage or the functions required for its control, the impact of transported items on available space may be negligible. In such cases, the impact of transported items on available space may be ignored, and any area within a particular elevator car that is not occupied by passengers may be considered available space.

[0047] For example, the required space for waiting passengers to board the elevator car is estimated by the sum of the sizes of each waiting passenger in a plan view. Alternatively, the required space for waiting passengers to board the elevator car can be estimated by the sum of the sizes of each waiting passenger in a plan view and the sizes of any accompanying objects moving with them. For example, the sizes of waiting passengers and accompanying objects in a plan view can be estimated by a pre-trained model that is trained based on inputs of image information including elevator users and accompanying objects, and information indicating the size of each user and each accompanying object in a plan view included in that image information, and outputs the sum of the sizes of waiting passengers and accompanying objects in a plan view based on inputs of image information including waiting passengers and accompanying objects.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, the elevator control device may be configured to estimate the total weight of waiting users and their associated objects as the passenger load when waiting users board the elevator car, by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. For example, the weight of waiting users and their associated objects can be estimated by a trained model that is pre-trained based on inputs of image information including elevator users and their associated objects, the weight of each waiting user, and information indicating the weight of each associated object, and outputs the total weight of waiting users and their associated objects based on inputs of image information including waiting users and their associated objects.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, the elevator control device may be configured to estimate the number of waiting users as the amount of passengers when they board the elevator car by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and to estimate the total weight of the waiting users and their associated equipment based on the number of waiting users. For example, the total weight of the waiting users and their associated equipment can be estimated by multiplying the number of waiting users by a preset total weight of typical elevator users and their associated equipment.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, the elevator control device may be configured to estimate the number of waiting users as the amount of passengers that will board the elevator car by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and to estimate the amount of empty space required when waiting users board the elevator car based on the number of waiting users. For example, if the impact of the transported items on the empty space is negligible, the amount of empty space required when waiting users board the elevator car can be estimated by multiplying the number of waiting users by the size of a typical elevator user in plan view. Also, for example, if the impact of the transported items on the empty space is not negligible, the amount of empty space required when waiting users board the elevator car can be estimated by multiplying the number of waiting users by the size of a typical elevator user in plan view and a coefficient of 1 or more that is set in advance according to the size of the luggage that a typical elevator user is carrying. Such a coefficient can be set, for example, based on statistical data of typical elevator users.

[0051] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the estimation unit 130 is configured to estimate the amount of passengers boarding the cart based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110, but the information estimated by the estimation unit is not limited to this. For example, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the amount of passengers and items that can be newly added to the cart based on the transport amount information acquired by the transport amount information acquisition unit, and the determination unit may be configured to determine whether or not a waiting passenger can board the cart based on the passenger amount estimated by the estimation unit and the amount of passengers and items that can be newly added to the cart, as estimated by the estimation unit.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the amount of users and items being transported by the basket based on the transport amount information acquired by the transport amount information acquisition unit, and the determination unit may be configured to determine whether a waiting user can board the basket based on the passenger load estimated by the estimation unit and the amount of users and items being transported by the basket estimated by the estimation unit. For example, such a determination unit can compare the passenger load estimated by the estimation unit with the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of users and items being transported by the basket from the amount of users and items being transported by the basket that can be transported by a preset basket, estimated by the estimation unit, and determine whether a waiting user can board the basket based on the comparison result. In Embodiment 1, the amount of users and items being transported by the basket is also referred to as "transport amount". Furthermore, for example, the estimation unit 130 may be configured to acquire mobile call information indicating that a specific user has called the elevator car in order to stop the car at a waiting location where a specific user is waiting, and, triggered by the acquisition of the mobile call information, estimate the number of passengers when the specific user boards the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. For example, the mobile call information indicating that a specific user has called the car is composed of a signal from an input device (not shown) in which an input operation is performed by a specific user waiting to board the elevator car 40 to call the elevator car 40 to the waiting floor. For example, such an input device is arranged around the elevator door on the waiting floor and is composed of a button, touch sensor, or touch panel for receiving input operations from the user. Alternatively, for example, the mobile call information indicating that a specific user has called the car is acquired based on a signal from an identification information reader (not shown) which is arranged around the elevator door on the waiting floor and reads identification information for identifying the elevator user from an identification card held by the specific user.For example, the estimation unit estimates the number of passengers when a specific user boards the elevator car, triggered by receiving a signal as mobile call information from an input device, or by receiving a signal as mobile call information from a reader indicating that the read identification information was the identification information of a specific user authorized to use the elevator. In Embodiment 1, such an estimation unit 130 constitutes a mobile call information acquisition unit that acquires mobile call information indicating that a user called the elevator car to stop at a waiting floor.

[0053] For example, if the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit is image information acquired by imaging inside the cage, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the number of people being transported as the transport volume by analyzing the image information acquired in this way, or to estimate the weight of the people being transported as the transport volume based on the estimated number of people, or to estimate the weight of the people being transported and the transported items as the transport volume based on the estimated number of people, or to estimate the size of the people being transported and the transported items in a plan view as the transport volume based on the estimated number of people, or to estimate the size of the empty space inside the cage as the transport volume based on the estimated number of people. Generally, if the transported items being carried by the cage are often incidental items such as luggage that move along with the people being transported by the cage, then it is possible to estimate the amount of transported items based on the number of people being transported and statistical data acquired in advance.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, if the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit is image information acquired by imaging inside the cage, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the weight of the transported users as the transport volume by analyzing the image information acquired in this way, or to estimate the weight of the transported users and transported objects as the transport volume by analyzing the image information acquired in this way, or to estimate the number of transported users as the transport volume based on the estimated weight, or to estimate the size of the transported users and transported objects in a plan view as the transport volume based on the estimated weight, or to estimate the size of the empty space inside the cage as the transport volume based on the estimated weight.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, if the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit is image information acquired by imaging inside the cage, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the size of the transported user and the transported object in a plan view as the transport volume by analyzing the image information acquired in this way, or it may be configured to estimate the size of the empty space inside the cage as the transport volume.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, if the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit is information indicating the number of people being transported from a sensor that detects people being transported in the cart, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the weight of the people being transported as the transport volume based on the information indicating the number of people being transported, or to estimate the sum of the weights of the people being transported and the transported objects as the transport volume based on the information indicating the number of people being transported, or to estimate the size of the people being transported in a plan view as the transport volume based on the information indicating the number of people being transported, or to estimate the size of the empty space in the cart as the transport volume based on the information indicating the number of people being transported.

[0057] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the setting unit 150 is configured to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor if the determination result from the determination unit 140 determines that all waiting users are able to board the elevator car, and to pass through the waiting floor without stopping if the determination result from the determination unit 140 determines that all waiting users are not able to board the elevator car, but is not limited to this. The setting unit only needs to be configured to set whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where waiting users are waiting to board, based on the determination result from the determination unit 140, and may also be configured to set whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where waiting users are waiting to board, based on the determination result from the determination unit 140 and information other than the determination result from the determination unit 140. For example, even if the determination unit 140 determines that all waiting users are able to board the elevator car, the setting unit may be configured to allow the elevator car to pass through without stopping at the waiting floor if the weight of the passengers and objects being transported in the elevator car reaches the maximum weight that the elevator car 40 can carry, based on information from a weight sensor that measures the weight of the passengers and objects being transported in the elevator car.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, the determination unit may be configured to perform both a determination based on weight to determine whether a waiting user can board the car and a determination based on available space to determine whether a waiting user can board the car, and the setting unit may be configured to stop the car at the waiting floor if both the determination result based on weight and the determination result based on available space by the determination unit 140 indicate that the waiting user can board the car, and to allow the car to pass through the waiting floor without stopping if either or both of the determination result based on weight and the determination result based on available space by the determination unit 140 indicate that none of the waiting users can board the car. Furthermore, for example, even if the determination result by the determination unit 140 indicates that none of the waiting users can board the car, the setting unit may be configured to stop the car at the waiting floor if an input operation (not shown) is performed by a passenger being transported in the car to an input device inside the car that instructs the car to stop at the waiting floor where the waiting users are waiting.

[0059] Embodiment 2. Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the elevator control system 1A as a mobile control system according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The elevator control system 1A according to Embodiment 2 differs from the elevator control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the estimation unit and the determination unit functions, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0060] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the elevator control system 1A according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 5, the elevator control system 1A according to Embodiment 2 comprises a standby imaging device 10, an elevator 40, a car information acquisition device 50, and an elevator control device 100A as a mobile body control device, and these are connected wirelessly or by wire to enable communication with each other. Note that the standby imaging device 10, elevator 40, car information acquisition device 50, and elevator control device 100A may be connected to each other via devices or communication lines not shown to enable information communication.

[0061] The elevator control device 100A includes an image information acquisition unit 110, a transport volume information acquisition unit 120, an estimation unit 130A, a determination unit 140A, a setting unit 150, and a control unit 170. The estimation unit 130A includes a passenger volume estimation unit 131 and a transport volume estimation unit 132.

[0062] The passenger volume estimation unit 131 estimates the passenger volume when waiting users board the cart based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. For example, the passenger volume estimation unit 131 estimates the size of the empty space required when waiting users board the cart as the passenger volume by analyzing the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. The details of the function by which the passenger volume estimation unit 131 estimates the size of the empty space required when waiting users board the cart are the same as the function by which the estimation unit 130 in Embodiment 1 estimates the size of the empty space required when waiting users board the cart, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0063] The transport volume estimation unit 132 estimates the amount of additional transport that can be added to the elevator car where waiting passengers are waiting to board, based on the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120. For example, the transport volume estimation unit 132 estimates the size of the empty space inside the elevator car according to the transport volume, which is the amount of passengers and goods being transported by the elevator car, based on the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120. For example, the transport volume estimation unit 132 estimates the size of the empty space inside the elevator car by analyzing the image information as transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 from the elevator car information acquisition device 50, which is composed of an elevator car imaging device.

[0064] The determination unit 140A determines whether a waiting user can board the elevator car based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130A and the amount of additional cargo that can be carried in the elevator car, estimated by the estimation unit 130A. For example, the determination unit 140A determines whether a waiting user can board the elevator car based on the size of the empty space required when a waiting user boards the elevator car, estimated by the estimation unit 130A, and the size of the empty space inside the elevator car, estimated by the estimation unit 130A. Specifically, the determination unit 140A compares the size of the empty space required when a waiting user boards the elevator car, estimated by the estimation unit 130A, with the size of the empty space inside the elevator car, estimated by the estimation unit 130A, and determines whether a waiting user can board the elevator car based on the comparison result.

[0065] The hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100A is the same as that of the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0066] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the details of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100A will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100A according to Embodiment 2. Note that some of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100A according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the processing performed by the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so the same processing as in Embodiment 1 is denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 and its description is omitted.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, when the elevator control device 100A starts processing, it first acquires imaging information of the waiting floor where users are waiting (step ST01). After performing the processing in step ST01, the elevator control device 100A estimates the number of passengers boarding from the waiting floor (step ST03). After performing the processing in step ST03, the elevator control device 100A acquires transport volume information (step ST04).

[0068] After performing the processing in step ST04, the elevator control device 100A estimates the amount of additional cargo that can be carried into the car (step ST05). In this process, the elevator control device 100A estimates the size of the available space inside the car based on, for example, the image information as cargo volume information acquired in the processing of step ST04.

[0069] When the elevator control device 100A completes the process in step ST05, it determines whether or not users can board the elevator car based on the estimated passenger capacity and the additional transport capacity (step ST16). In this process, the elevator control device 100A determines whether or not all waiting users can board the elevator car 40 based on the passenger capacity estimated in step ST03 and the additional transport capacity that can be added to the car, which was estimated in step ST05.

[0070] After completing the process in step ST16, the elevator control device 100A sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the standby floor based on the determination result (step ST07). After completing the process in step ST07, the elevator control device 100A controls the movement of the elevator car based on the setting (step ST09). After completing the process in step ST09, the elevator control device 100A terminates its operation.

[0071] As described above, the elevator control device 100A according to Embodiment 2 includes an image information acquisition unit 110 that acquires image information including a specific user and accompanying users from a standby imaging device 10 that images a specific user and accompanying users waiting to board the elevator car; an estimation unit 130A that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and accompanying users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110; a transport volume information acquisition unit 120 that acquires transport volume information relating to the amount of at least one of the passengers and transported items being transported by the car; and the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit 130A and the transport volume information acquisition unit 120. The system includes a determination unit 140A that determines whether a specific user and accompanying users can board the elevator car based on the acquired transport volume information, and a setting unit 150 that sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where the specific user and accompanying users are waiting to board, based on the determination result by the determination unit 140A. The estimation unit 130A estimates the amount of transport that can be newly added to the elevator car based on the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 140A is configured to determine whether a specific user and accompanying users can board the elevator car based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130A and the amount of transport that can be newly added to the elevator car estimated by the estimation unit 130A.

[0072] With this configuration, even if the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 does not indicate the actual quantity of passengers and goods being transported by the elevator car, the elevator control device 100A can estimate the amount of additional transport that can be added to the car based on the transport volume information and determine whether or not waiting passengers can board the car.

[0073] In Embodiment 2, the estimation unit 130A is configured to estimate the size of the empty space inside the car as a newly available transport capacity, but is not limited to this. The estimation unit only needs to be configured to estimate a newly available transport capacity based on the acquired transport capacity information. For example, the estimation unit may be configured to estimate the weight of the transported user and the transported items as a newly available transport capacity. Alternatively, for example, the estimation unit 130A may acquire mobile vehicle call information indicating that a specific user has called the car to stop it at a waiting location where that specific user is waiting, and, triggered by the acquisition of the mobile vehicle call information, estimate the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. In Embodiment 2, such an estimation unit 130A constitutes a mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit that acquires mobile vehicle call information indicating that a user has called the car to stop it at a waiting floor.

[0074] Embodiment 3. Next, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the elevator control system 1B as a mobile control system according to Embodiment 3 will be described. The elevator control system 1B according to Embodiment 3 differs from the elevator control system 1A according to Embodiment 2 in its configuration for estimating the amount of passengers based on information acquired from the input device 20, but other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 2 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0075] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the elevator control system 1B according to Embodiment 3. As shown in Figure 7, the elevator control system 1B according to Embodiment 3 comprises a standby imaging device 10, an input device 20, an elevator 40, a car information acquisition device 50, and an elevator control device 100B as a mobile body control device, and these are connected wirelessly or by wire to enable communication with each other. Note that the standby imaging device 10, the input device 20, the elevator 40, the car information acquisition device 50, and the elevator control device 100B may be connected to each other via devices or communication lines not shown to enable information communication.

[0076] The input device 20 receives input operations from users who are waiting to board the elevator car 40, in order to call the elevator car 40 to the waiting floor. For example, the input device 20 is located around the elevator door on the waiting floor and consists of buttons, touch sensors, or touch panels for receiving input operations from users. The input device 20 receives input operations from users and outputs car call information to the elevator control device 100B indicating that the user has called the elevator car to stop at the waiting floor. The input device 20 may also consist of a tablet terminal, smartphone, or other mobile device carried by the user. If the input device consists of such a mobile device, the input device outputs a signal to the elevator control device 100B indicating which waiting floor the user is waiting on, along with the car call information.

[0077] Furthermore, the input device 20 may be configured to receive input from a user who is waiting to board the elevator car 40, corresponding to the direction in which the user wishes to travel, and to output direction information indicating the direction in which the user wishes to travel, along with the car call information, to the elevator control device 100B. For example, when the elevator car 40 moves back and forth along the vertical direction, the input device 20 outputs direction information indicating the direction in which the user wishes to travel, either upward or downward, along with the car call information, to the elevator control device 100B.

[0078] The elevator control device 100B includes an image information acquisition unit 110, a transport volume information acquisition unit 120, an estimation unit 130B, a determination unit 140A, a setting unit 150, and a control unit 170. The estimation unit 130B includes a passenger volume estimation unit 131B and a transport volume estimation unit 132.

[0079] The passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquires car call information from the input device 20, and, triggered by the acquisition of car call information, estimates the passenger volume when waiting users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. For example, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquires car call information from the input device 20, and, triggered by the acquisition of car call information, estimates the passenger volume when waiting users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at the time the car call information was acquired. Specifically, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquires car call information from the input device 20, and, triggered by the acquisition of car call information, estimates the passenger volume when waiting users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at the time closest to the time the car call information was acquired. Furthermore, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B may be configured to acquire car call information from an identification information reader (not shown) that is positioned around the elevator door on the standby floor and reads identification information for identifying elevator users from an identification card held by a specific user. In addition, in Embodiment 3, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B comprises a mobile car call information acquisition unit and a mobile car call information acquisition unit that acquires mobile car call information indicating that a user has called the car to stop at the standby floor.

[0080] Furthermore, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B may be configured to estimate the passenger volume when waiting users board the elevator car based on the differences between multiple image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when elevator car call information is acquired. For example, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B may be configured to estimate the passenger volume when waiting users board the elevator car based on the difference between image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when elevator car call information is acquired and image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 before the elevator car call information was acquired. Specifically, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B estimates the passenger volume when waiting passengers board the elevator car based on the difference between the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when the elevator car call information is acquired and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at a predetermined time before the elevator car call information is acquired. It then identifies images that are not included in the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at a predetermined time before the elevator car call information is acquired, but are included in the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when the elevator car call information is acquired, as images of waiting passengers and accompanying objects moving with them.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B may be configured to estimate the passenger volume when waiting users board the elevator car based on the difference between image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 before the elevator car call information is acquired and image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 after the elevator car call information is acquired. Specifically, the passenger volume estimation unit 131B estimates the passenger volume when waiting users board the elevator car based on the difference between image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at a predetermined time before the elevator car call information is acquired and image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at a predetermined time before the elevator car call information is acquired, and images that are not included in the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at a predetermined time before the elevator car call information is acquired, but are included in the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 at a predetermined time before the elevator car call information is acquired and before the elevator car arrives at the waiting floor, treating these images as images of waiting users and accompanying objects moving with them.

[0082] The hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100B is the same as that of the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0083] Next, with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the details of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100B will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 3. Note that some of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 3 is the same as the processing performed by the elevator control device 100A according to Embodiment 2, so the same processing as in Embodiment 2 is denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 2 and its description is omitted.

[0084] As shown in Figure 8, when the elevator control device 100B starts processing, it first acquires imaging information of the waiting floor where the user is waiting (step ST01).

[0085] When the elevator control device 100B has completed the process in step ST01, it determines whether or not car call information has been input (step ST02). In this process, the elevator control device 100B determines whether or not car call information, indicating that a user has performed an input operation to stop the car at the waiting floor, has been input from the input device 20.

[0086] If no elevator call information is entered during the processing of step ST02 (NO in step ST02), the elevator control device 100B returns the process to step ST01.

[0087] If car call information is input during the processing of step ST02 (YES in step ST02), the elevator control device 100B estimates the number of passengers boarding from the waiting floor (step ST13). In this process, the elevator control device 100B estimates the number of passengers boarding the car when waiting users board, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when car call information is acquired during the processing of step ST02.

[0088] When the elevator control device 100B completes the process in step ST13, it acquires transport volume information (step ST04). When the elevator control device 100B completes the process in step ST04, it estimates the amount of transport that can be newly added to the car (step ST05). When the elevator control device 100B completes the process in step ST05, it determines whether or not a user can board the car based on the estimated passenger capacity and the amount of transport that can be added (step ST16). When the elevator control device 100B completes the process in step ST16, it sets whether or not to stop the car at the waiting floor based on the determination result (step ST07). When the elevator control device 100B completes the process in step ST07, it controls the movement of the car based on the setting (step ST09). When the elevator control device 100B completes the process in step ST09, it terminates the process.

[0089] As described above, the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 3 includes an image information acquisition unit 110 that acquires image information including a specific user and accompanying users from a standby imaging device 10 that images a specific user and accompanying users waiting to board the elevator car; an estimation unit 130A that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and accompanying users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110; a transport volume information acquisition unit 120 that acquires transport volume information relating to the amount of at least one of the transported passengers and transported goods being transported by the car; and the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit 130A and the transport volume information acquisition unit The system includes a determination unit 140A that determines whether a specific user and accompanying users can board the elevator car based on the acquired transport volume information, a setting unit that sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where the specific user and accompanying users are waiting to board based on the determination result by the determination unit 140A, and an estimated passenger volume unit 131B that acquires elevator car call information indicating that a user has called for the elevator car to stop at the waiting floor. The estimated unit 131B is configured to estimate the passenger volume when the specific user and accompanying users board the elevator car based on image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when the elevator car call information is acquired by the estimated passenger volume unit 131B.

[0090] For example, in the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 3, the estimation unit 130B is configured to estimate the passenger volume when a specific user and accompanying users board the elevator car, based on the difference between the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 when the passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquires the car call information and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 before the passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquired the car call information.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, in the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 3, the estimation unit 130B is configured to estimate the passenger volume when a specific user and accompanying users board the elevator car, based on the difference between image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 before the passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquires the car call information and image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110 after the passenger volume estimation unit 131B acquires the car call information.

[0092] With this configuration, the elevator control device 100B does not need to analyze image information acquired when a user has not called the elevator car to stop at a waiting floor. This reduces the processing load on the device and improves the accuracy of passenger volume estimation.

[0093] Embodiment 4. Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, the elevator control system 1C as a mobile control system according to Embodiment 4 will be described. The elevator control system 1C according to Embodiment 4 differs from the elevator control system 1 according to Embodiment 1 in its configuration for determining whether a waiting user can board the elevator car based on the weight of the user, etc., but other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0094] Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the elevator control system 1C according to Embodiment 4. As shown in Figure 9, the elevator control system 1C according to Embodiment 4 comprises a standby imaging device 10, an elevator 40, a car information acquisition device 50, and an elevator control device 100C as a mobile body control device, and these are connected wirelessly or by wire to enable communication with each other. The standby imaging device 10, elevator 40, car information acquisition device 50, and elevator control device 100C may be connected to each other via devices or communication lines not shown to enable information communication.

[0095] The elevator control device 100B includes an image information acquisition unit 110, a transport volume information acquisition unit 120C, a passenger weight estimation unit 130C, a determination unit 140C, a setting unit 150, and a control unit 170.

[0096] The transport volume information acquisition unit 120C acquires transport volume information indicating the weight of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the basket. For example, the transport volume information acquisition unit 120C acquires transport volume information indicating the total weight of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the basket from the basket information acquisition device 50, which is composed of weight sensors installed in the basket. The transport volume information acquisition unit 120C only needs to be configured to acquire transport volume information indicating the weight of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the basket. For example, if only the transported user is being transported by the basket, the transport volume information acquisition unit 120C acquires transport volume information indicating the weight of only the transported user, and if only the transported object is being transported by the basket, it acquires transport volume information indicating the weight of only the transported user.

[0097] The passenger weight estimation unit 130C, acting as an estimation unit, estimates the weight the elevator car receives when a waiting user boards it, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110. For example, the passenger weight estimation unit 130C is composed of a trained model that outputs the weight the elevator car receives when a waiting user boards it, based on the input of image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110.

[0098] The determination unit 140C determines whether a waiting user can board the elevator car 40 based on the weight estimated by the passenger weight estimation unit 130C, which is the weight the car receives when a waiting user boards, and the weight of the person being transported and the items being transported, which is obtained by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120C. For example, the determination unit 140C determines whether a waiting user can board the elevator car 40 by comparing the weight estimated by the passenger weight estimation unit 130C, which is the weight the car receives when a waiting user boards, with a value obtained by subtracting the weight of the person being transported and the items being transported, which is obtained by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120C, from the preset maximum weight that the elevator car 40 can transport.

[0099] The hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100C is the same as that of the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0100] Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, the details of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100C will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 4. Note that some of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100C according to Embodiment 4 is the same as the processing performed by the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so the same processing as in Embodiment 1 is denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 and its description is omitted.

[0101] As shown in Figure 10, when the elevator control device 100C starts processing, it first acquires imaging information of the waiting floor where the user is waiting (step ST01).

[0102] After performing the processing in step ST01, the elevator control device 100C estimates the passenger weight from the waiting floor (step ST23). In this process, the elevator control device 100C uses the passenger weight estimation unit 130C to estimate the passenger weight, which is the amount of weight the elevator car will receive when a waiting passenger boards the car, based on the image information acquired in the processing of step ST01.

[0103] When the elevator control device 100C performs the processing in step ST23, it acquires transport weight information (step ST14). In this process, the elevator control device 100C acquires transport weight information, which is transport volume information indicating the weight of the passengers and objects being transported by the elevator car, from the elevator car information acquisition device 50.

[0104] When the elevator control device 100C has completed the process in step ST14, it determines whether or not a user can board the elevator car based on the estimated passenger weight and transport weight (step ST26). In this process, the elevator control device 100C uses a determination unit 140C to determine whether or not a waiting user can board the elevator car of the elevator 40, based on the passenger weight estimated in the process of step ST23 and the transport weight information obtained in the process of step ST14.

[0105] When the elevator control device 100C completes the process in step ST26, it sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the standby floor based on the determination result (step ST07). When the elevator control device 100C completes the process in step ST07, it controls the movement of the elevator car based on the setting (step ST09). When the elevator control device 100C completes the process in step ST09, it terminates the process.

[0106] As described above, the elevator control device 100C according to Embodiment 4 includes an image information acquisition unit 110 that acquires image information including a specific user and accompanying users from a standby imaging device 10 that images a specific user and accompanying users waiting to board the elevator car; a passenger weight estimation unit 130C that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and accompanying users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110; a transport volume information acquisition unit 120C that acquires transport volume information regarding the amount of at least one of the passengers and transported items being transported by the car; and a transport volume information acquisition unit 12 The system includes a determination unit 140C that determines whether a specific user and accompanying users can board the elevator car based on the transport volume information acquired by the 0C, and a setting unit 150 that sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where the specific user and accompanying users are waiting to board, based on the determination result by the determination unit 140C. The passenger weight estimation unit 130C estimates the weight the elevator car will receive when the specific user and accompanying users board the elevator car as the passenger volume based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110, and the transport volume information acquisition unit 120C is configured to acquire transport volume information indicating the weight of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the elevator car.

[0107] With this configuration, the elevator control device 100C can control the movement of the elevator car so as not to stop at a waiting floor when a specific user or accompanying user is unable to board the car due to weight restrictions, thereby reducing unnecessary stops of the elevator car compared to conventional systems.

[0108] Embodiment 5. Next, with reference to Figures 11 to 13, the elevator control system 1D as a mobile control system according to Embodiment 5 will be described. The elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 5 differs from the elevator control system 1B according to Embodiment 3 in its configuration for controlling multiple elevators, but other configurations are the same. Configurations similar to those in Embodiment 3 are given the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 3 and their description is omitted.

[0109] Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 5. As shown in Figure 11, the elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 5 comprises a standby imaging device 10, an input device 20, a notification device 30, multiple elevators including a first elevator 41, a second elevator 42, ..., a mth elevator 4m, multiple car information acquisition devices including a first car information acquisition device 51, a second car information acquisition device 52, ..., a mth car information acquisition device 5m, and an elevator control device 100D as a mobile body control device, all of which are connected wirelessly or via wired connections to enable communication between them. The standby imaging device 10, input device 20, notification device 30, first elevator 41, second elevator 42, ..., mth elevator 4m, first car information acquisition device 51, second car information acquisition device 52, ..., mth car information acquisition device 5m, and elevator control device 100D may be connected to each other via devices or communication lines not shown in the diagram, where m is an integer of 2 or more.

[0110] Figure 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating the general configuration of the elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 5. Specifically, Figure 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating the general configuration of the elevator control system when m=3, as an example of the elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 5. The elevator control system 1D will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 13, using the case where m=3 as an example.

[0111] The notification device 30 notifies waiting users of information based on information from the elevator control device 100D. For example, the notification device 30 is composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a liquid crystal display panel, an organic or inorganic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, a projector, a speaker, or a combination of several of these devices, and notifies waiting users of information through the manner of light emission, images, sounds, etc. The notification device 30 may be integrally formed with an input device 20, which is composed of, for example, a touch panel.

[0112] The first elevator 41, the second elevator 42, and the third elevator 43 each have a car that can move independently of each other and can stop at the waiting floor F1 where waiting passengers are waiting to board the elevator car 40. For example, these cars are configured to move back and forth along parallel paths passing through the waiting floor F1. The details of each of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43 are the same as those of the elevator 40 according to Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0113] The first car information acquisition device 51, the second car information acquisition device 52, and the third car information acquisition device 53 are provided in accordance with each of the multiple elevators. The first car information acquisition device 51 acquires information about the users and items being transported by the car of the first elevator 41. The second car information acquisition device 52 acquires information about the users and items being transported by the car of the second elevator 42. The third car information acquisition device 53 acquires information about the users and items being transported by the car of the third elevator 43. The details of each of the first car information acquisition devices 51 to the third car information acquisition devices 53 are the same as those of the car information acquisition device 50 according to Embodiment 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0114] The elevator control device 100D includes an image information acquisition unit 110, a transport volume information acquisition unit 120D, an estimation unit 130D, a determination unit 140D, a setting unit 150D, a notification unit 160, and a control unit 170D.

[0115] The transport volume information acquisition unit 120D acquires transport volume information for each elevator car from the first elevator car information acquisition device 51 to the third elevator car information acquisition device 53, relating to the quantity of users and goods being transported by each elevator car of the first elevator car 41 to the third elevator car 43. The transport volume information acquisition unit only needs to be configured to acquire transport volume information for each elevator car relating to at least one of the quantity of users and goods being transported by each of the multiple elevator cars, including the elevator car. The transport volume information acquired for each elevator car by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120D is the same as the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120 according to Embodiment 1, so no explanation is given.

[0116] The estimation unit 130D includes a passenger capacity estimation unit 131B and a transport capacity estimation unit 132D. Based on the transport capacity information for each carriage acquired by the transport capacity information acquisition unit 120D, the transport capacity estimation unit 132D estimates the amount of additional transport capacity that can be added to each carriage where waiting passengers are waiting to board.

[0117] The determination unit 140D determines whether a waiting passenger can board each elevator car based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130D and the amount of additional transport that can be added to each elevator car, also estimated by the estimation unit 130D.

[0118] The setting unit 150D sets whether or not to stop each elevator car at the waiting floor where waiting passengers are waiting to board, based on the determination result by the judgment unit 140D. For example, based on the determination result by the judgment unit 140D, the setting unit 150D sets the elevator car closest to the waiting floor where the waiting passengers are waiting to board, among the elevator cars that can accommodate all waiting passengers, to stop at that floor, and sets the other elevator cars not to stop at that floor. Alternatively, for example, the setting unit 150D obtains direction information from the input device 20 indicating the direction in which waiting passengers wish to travel by elevator car, and based on the determination result by the judgment unit 140D and the obtained direction information, if there is one elevator car that is heading in the direction that waiting passengers wish to travel among the elevator cars that can accommodate all waiting passengers, it sets that elevator car to stop at that floor, and sets the other elevator cars not to stop at that floor. Furthermore, for example, the setting unit 150D obtains direction information from the input device 20 indicating the direction in which waiting users wish to board a car and move. Based on the determination result by the determination unit 140D and the obtained direction information, if there are multiple cars that are available for all waiting users to board and that are heading in the direction that the waiting users wish to move, the setting unit 150D sets the car closest to the waiting floor where the waiting users are waiting to board to stop at that stop floor, and prevents other cars heading in the same direction from stopping at that stop floor.

[0119] Furthermore, if there are multiple elevator cars that can accommodate all waiting passengers, the setting unit 150D may be configured to stop all of these cars at the waiting floor, or it may be configured to stop one or more of these cars at the waiting floor.

[0120] The notification unit 160 notifies waiting users via the notification device 30 of which of the multiple elevator cars from the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43 has been set by the setting unit 150D to stop at the standby floor. In other words, the notification unit 160 outputs a control signal to the notification device 30 corresponding to which of the elevator cars from the first elevator 41, the second elevator 42, and the third elevator 43 is moving toward the standby floor to stop there, thereby notifying waiting users of the elevator car in question.

[0121] The control unit 170D controls the movement of each basket based on the settings made by the setting unit 150D. The function of the control unit 170D in controlling the movement of each basket is the same as the function of the control unit 170 in Embodiment 1 in controlling the movement of the baskets, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0122] The hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100D is the same as that of the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0123] Next, with reference to Figures 11 to 13, the details of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100D will be described. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100D according to Embodiment 5. Note that some of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100D according to Embodiment 5 is the same as the processing performed by the elevator control device 100B according to Embodiment 3, so the same processing as in Embodiment 3 is denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 3 and its description is omitted.

[0124] As shown in Figure 13, when the elevator control device 100D starts processing, it first acquires imaging information of the waiting floor where users are waiting (step ST01). After performing the processing in step ST01, the elevator control device 100D determines whether or not car call information has been input (step ST02). If no car call information has been input in the processing of step ST02 (NO in step ST02), the elevator control device 100D returns to processing in step ST01. If car call information has been input in the processing of step ST02 (YES in step ST02), the elevator control device 100D estimates the number of passengers boarding from the waiting floor (step ST13).

[0125] When the elevator control device 100D performs the processing in step ST13, it acquires transport volume information (step ST24). In this process, the elevator control device 100D acquires transport volume information for each elevator car from the first elevator car information acquisition device 51 to the third elevator car information acquisition device 53, regarding the amount of passengers and goods being transported by each elevator car from the first elevator car 41 to the third elevator car 43.

[0126] After performing the processing in step ST24, the elevator control device 100D estimates the amount of additional transport that can be added to the elevator car (step ST15). In this process, the elevator control device 100D estimates the amount of additional transport that can be added to each elevator car where waiting passengers are waiting to board, based on the transport capacity information for each elevator car obtained in the processing of step ST24.

[0127] When the elevator control device 100D has completed the process in step ST15, it determines whether a user can board the elevator car based on the estimated passenger capacity and the additional transport capacity that can be added (step ST26). In this process, the elevator control device 100D determines whether a user can board each elevator car based on the passenger capacity estimated in the process in step ST13 and the additional transport capacity that can be added to each elevator car estimated in the process in step ST15.

[0128] When the elevator control device 100D performs the process in step ST26, it sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor based on the determination result (step ST17). In this process, the elevator control device 100D sets whether or not to stop each elevator car at the waiting floor where waiting passengers are waiting to board, based on the determination result in the process in step ST26.

[0129] When the elevator control device 100D completes the process in step ST17, it notifies the elevator 40 that has been set to stop at the standby floor (step ST08). In this process, the elevator control device 100D notifies the standby users of the elevator car that, among the multiple cars of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43, has been set by the setting unit 150D to stop at the standby floor in the process of step ST17.

[0130] After completing the process in step ST08, the elevator control device 100D controls the movement of the elevator car based on the settings (step ST09). After completing the process in step ST09, the elevator control device 100D terminates its operation.

[0131] As described above, the elevator control device 100D according to Embodiment 5 includes: an image information acquisition unit 110 that acquires image information including a specific user and accompanying users from a standby imaging device 10 that images a specific user and accompanying users who are waiting to board the cars of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43; an estimation unit 130D that estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and accompanying users board the car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110; a transport volume information acquisition unit 120D that acquires transport volume information relating to the amount of at least one of the passengers and transported goods being transported by the car; and a judgment unit that determines whether the specific user and accompanying users can board the car based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit 130D and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120D. The system includes a setting unit 140D and a setting unit 150D that, based on the determination result of the determination unit 140D, sets whether or not to stop the elevator car at the waiting floor where a specific user and accompanying users are waiting to board. The transport volume information acquisition unit 120D acquires transport volume information for each of the multiple elevator cars of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43, relating to the quantity of at least one of the users being transported and the items being transported. Based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130D and the transport volume information for each elevator car acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit 120D, it determines for each elevator whether or not a specific user and accompanying users can board each of the multiple elevator cars. The setting unit 150D is configured to set for each elevator whether or not to stop each of the multiple elevator cars at the waiting floor based on the determination result of the determination unit 140D.

[0132] For example, the elevator control device 100D according to Embodiment 5 includes a notification unit 160 that notifies the user of which of the multiple elevator cars has been set by the setting unit 150D to stop at the standby floor.

[0133] With this configuration, the elevator control device 100D can stop the elevator car that is available for waiting passengers at the waiting floor, thereby reducing unnecessary stops of elevator cars compared to conventional systems.

[0134] Embodiment 6. Next, with reference to Figures 14 to 16, the elevator control system 1E as a mobile control system according to Embodiment 6 will be described. The elevator control system 1E according to Embodiment 6 differs from the elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 5 in its configuration for controlling the elevator based on image information of users at multiple stopping floors where each of the multiple elevator cars stops. However, other configurations are the same, and configurations similar to those in Embodiment 5 will be given the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 5 and will not be described.

[0135] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the elevator control system 1E according to Embodiment 6. As shown in Figure 14, the elevator control system 1E according to Embodiment 6 comprises a plurality of standby imaging devices, namely a first standby imaging device 11, a second standby imaging device 12, ..., an nth standby imaging device 1n; a plurality of input devices, namely a first input device 21, a second input device 22, ..., an nth input device 2n; a plurality of notification devices, namely a first notification device 31, a second notification device 32, ..., an nth notification device 3n; a plurality of elevators, namely a first elevator 41, a second elevator 42, ..., an mth elevator 4m; a plurality of car information acquisition devices, namely a first car information acquisition device 51, a second car information acquisition device 52, ..., an mth car information acquisition device 5m; and an elevator control device 100D as a mobile body control device. These are connected wirelessly or by wire to enable communication between them. The first standby imaging device 11, the second standby imaging device 12, ..., the nth standby imaging device 1n, the first input device 21, the second input device 22, ..., the nth input device 2n, the first notification device 31, the second notification device 32, ..., the nth notification device 3n, the first elevator 41, the second elevator 42, ..., the mth elevator 4m, the first car information acquisition device 51, the second car information acquisition device 52, ..., the mth car information acquisition device 5m, and the elevator control device 100D may be connected to each other via devices or communication lines not shown in the diagram, so as to be able to communicate information. Note that n is an integer of 2 or more.

[0136] Figure 15 is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of the elevator control system 1D according to Embodiment 6. Specifically, Figure 15 is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of the elevator control system 1E according to Embodiment 6 when n=3 and m=3. Hereinafter, the elevator control system 1E will be described using the case where n=3 and m=3 as an example, with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

[0137] The first standby imaging device 11, the second standby imaging device 12, and the third standby imaging device 13 are provided in accordance with each of the multiple stopping floors F1, F2, and F3 where the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43 stop. For example, the first standby imaging device 11 captures a specific area including users waiting to board the elevator cars of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43 on stopping floor F1 and generates image information. Similarly, the second standby imaging device 12 captures a specific area including users waiting to board the elevator cars of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43 on stopping floor F2 and generates image information. Similarly, the third standby imaging device 13 captures a specific area including users waiting to board the elevator cars of the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43 on stopping floor F3 and generates image information. The details of each of the first standby imaging devices 11 to the third standby imaging device 13 are the same as those of the standby imaging device 10 according to Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted.

[0138] The first input device 21, the second input device 22, and the third input device 23 are provided to correspond to each of the multiple stopping floors F1 to F3. For example, the first input device 21 is located on stopping floor F1, the second input device 22 is located on stopping floor F2, and the third input device 23 is located on stopping floor F3, and input operations are performed by users waiting on each floor. Since each of the first input device 21 to the third input device 23 is the same as the input device 20 according to Embodiment 3, a description of each is omitted.

[0139] The first notification device 31, the second notification device 32, and the third notification device 33 are provided in accordance with each of the multiple stopping floors F1 to F3. For example, the first notification device 31 is located on stopping floor F1, the second notification device 32 is located on stopping floor F2, and the third notification device 33 is located on stopping floor F3, and they provide notifications to users waiting on each respective floor. Since each of the first notification device 31 to the third notification device 33 is the same as the notification device 30 according to Embodiment 5, their description is omitted.

[0140] The elevator control device 100E includes an image information acquisition unit 110E, an estimation unit 130E, a determination unit 140E, a setting unit 150D, a notification unit 160, and a control unit 170D.

[0141] The image information acquisition unit 110E acquires image information from the first standby imaging device 11 to the third standby imaging device 13, including the standby users at each stopping floor F1 to F3. The function of the image information acquisition unit 110E to acquire image information from each of the first standby imaging device 11 to the third standby imaging device 13 is the same as the function of the image information acquisition unit 110 in Embodiment 1 to acquire image information from the standby imaging device 10, so a description is omitted.

[0142] The estimation unit 130E estimates the change in the transport capacity of each elevator car based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110E. For example, at each stopping floor F1 to F3, the estimation unit 130E estimates the amount of passengers boarding each elevator car when waiting passengers board, and the size of the empty space inside each elevator car created when passengers disembark, and then estimates the change in the transport capacity of each elevator car based on the estimation results. Specifically, the estimation unit 130E estimates the amount of passengers boarding each elevator car when waiting passengers board, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110E, by comparing image information before and after waiting passengers board each elevator car at each stopping floor F1 to F3, and then estimates the change in the transport capacity of each elevator car based on the estimation results. Furthermore, for example, the estimation unit 130E, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110E, compares the image information before and after passengers disembark from each elevator car at each stopping floor F1 to F3 to estimate the size of the empty space inside each elevator car created when passengers disembark, and estimates the change in the transport capacity of each elevator car based on the estimation results.

[0143] The determination unit 140E determines whether a waiting user can board each of the elevators from the first elevator 41 to the third elevator 43, based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit 130E and information indicating the size of the empty space inside each elevator car as transport capacity information estimated by the estimation unit 130E. The function of the determination unit 140E to make a determination for each elevator car based on the passenger capacity and the size of the empty space inside the elevator car is the same as the process performed by the determination unit 140 in Embodiment 1, so a description is omitted. In Embodiment 6, the determination unit 140E is configured as a transport capacity information acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the size of the empty space inside each elevator car as transport capacity information relating to the quantity of at least one of the passengers being transported and the transported goods being transported by the elevator car.

[0144] The hardware configuration of the elevator control device 100E is the same as that of the elevator control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0145] Next, with reference to Figures 14 to 16, the details of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100E will be described. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100E according to Embodiment 6. Note that some of the processing performed by the elevator control device 100E according to Embodiment 6 is the same as the processing performed by the elevator control device 100D according to Embodiment 5, so the same processing as in Embodiment 5 will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 5 and will not be described.

[0146] As shown in Figure 16, when the elevator control device 100E starts processing, it first acquires imaging information for each floor (step ST11). In this process, the elevator control device 100E acquires image information including waiting users at each stopping floor F1 to F3 from the first standby imaging device 11 to the third standby imaging device 13 using the image information acquisition unit 110E.

[0147] After performing the processing in step ST11, the elevator control device 100E determines whether or not there has been a change in the amount of cargo carried by the elevator car (step ST21). In this process, the elevator control device 100E determines whether or not there has been a change in the amount of cargo carried by the elevator car by estimating the change in the amount of cargo carried by each elevator car using the estimation unit 130E based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 110E.

[0148] If there is a change in the amount of cargo the elevator car carries during the processing of step ST21 (YES in step ST21), the elevator control device 100E stores the change in the amount of cargo carried (step ST22). During this process, the elevator control device 100E stores the change in the amount of cargo carried at each stopping floor F1 to F3 for each elevator car.

[0149] If there is no change in the amount of elevator car transported during the processing of step ST21 (NO in step ST21), or if the processing of step ST22 has been performed, the elevator control device 100E determines whether or not elevator call information has been input (step ST02). If there is no elevator call information input during the processing of step ST02 (NO in step ST02), the elevator control device 100B returns to the processing of step ST01. If there is elevator call information input during the processing of step ST02 (YES in step ST02), the elevator control device 100B estimates the amount of passengers boarding from the standby floor, which is the floor from which elevator call information was input among the stopping floors F1 to F3 (step ST13).

[0150] When the elevator control device 100E performs the processing in step ST13, it acquires transport volume information (step ST34). In this process, the elevator control device 100E refers to the information stored in the processing of step ST22 and acquires the transport volume for each elevator car as transport volume information for each car.

[0151] After performing the process in step ST34, the elevator control device 100E estimates the additional transport capacity (step ST25). In other words, after performing the process in step ST34, the elevator control device 100E estimates the available space in each elevator car.

[0152] When the elevator control device 100E completes the process in step ST25, it determines whether or not a user can board the car based on the estimated passenger capacity and the additional transport capacity (step ST26). When the elevator control device 100D completes the process in step ST26, it sets whether or not to stop the car at the standby floor based on the determination result (step ST17). When the elevator control device 100D completes the process in step ST17, it notifies the elevator 40 that has been set to stop at the standby floor (step ST08). When the elevator control device 100D completes the process in step ST08, it controls the movement of the car based on the setting (step ST09). When the elevator control device 100D completes the process in step ST09, it terminates the process.

[0153] Thus, the elevator control device 100E according to Embodiment 6 can acquire the amount of cargo transported per elevator car by using an imaging device to image waiting users at stopping floors F1 to F3, making it possible to reduce the number of imaging devices required to image the inside of the elevator car.

[0154] In any of the embodiments described above, the elevator is not limited to being configured to move back and forth along the vertical direction, but may also be configured to move along a direction intersecting the vertical direction, or to move along the horizontal direction, and if it is configured to move along the horizontal direction, it is not limited to being configured to move back and forth, but may also be configured to move in one direction.

[0155] Furthermore, in any of the embodiments described above, the elevator control device may include some or all of the functions of components other than the elevator control device in the elevator control system, or some of the components of the elevator control device may be provided in other devices that are communicatively connected to the elevator control device. Furthermore, in any of the embodiments described above, the moving object whose movement is controlled by the moving object control device is not limited to an elevator car. The moving object may be any object that stops at a predetermined location (waiting area) for users to board, and may be, for example, an autonomous vehicle such as an unmanned bus or unmanned taxi that stops at a predetermined location. Furthermore, in any of the embodiments described above, the mobile vehicle control device is not limited to always estimating the passenger capacity of a specific user and accompanying users when they board the mobile vehicle based on image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. For example, the mobile vehicle control device may be configured to estimate the passenger capacity of only the specific user when there is only one user waiting to board the mobile vehicle, based on image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and to estimate the passenger capacity of the specific user and accompanying users when there are multiple users waiting to board the mobile vehicle, and to determine whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on these estimated passenger capacity. Alternatively, for example, the mobile vehicle control device may be configured to estimate the passenger capacity of only the specific user when there is only one user waiting to board the mobile vehicle, based on image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and not to estimate the passenger capacity of users when they board the mobile vehicle when there are multiple users waiting to board the mobile vehicle. Furthermore, for example, the mobile device control device may be configured to estimate the number of passengers when only one specific user among multiple users waiting to board the mobile device is to board, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, and to determine whether or not that specific user is able to board the mobile device based on the estimated number of passengers.

[0156] Furthermore, this disclosure allows for free combination of each embodiment, modification of any component of each embodiment, or omission of any component in each embodiment. [Industrial applicability]

[0157] The elevator control device described herein can be used to control an elevator to move the elevator car in a manner that suppresses unnecessary stops of the elevator car.

[0158] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0159] (Note 1) An image information acquisition unit acquires image information including a specific user from a standby imaging device that images a specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle, A mobile body call information acquisition unit acquires mobile body call information indicating that the specified user has called the mobile body in order to stop the mobile body at the waiting location where the specified user is waiting, When the mobile vehicle calling information is acquired by the mobile vehicle calling information, an estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, A transport volume information acquisition unit that acquires transport volume information relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the aforementioned mobile body, A determination unit determines whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the transport capacity information acquired by the transport capacity information acquisition unit. The system includes a setting unit that sets whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location based on the determination result from the determination unit. A mobile device control device characterized by the following features. (Note 2) The image information acquisition unit acquires image information including the specific user and the accompanying user from the standby imaging device which images the specific user and the accompanying user accompanying the specific user. The estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the specified user and the accompanying user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit. The setting unit sets whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location based on the determination result from the determination unit. A mobile device control device as described in Appendix 1, characterized by the features described herein. (Note 3) The system includes a control unit that controls the movement of the moving body based on the settings made by the setting unit. A mobile device control device as described in Appendix 2, characterized by the features described herein. (Note 4) The image information acquisition unit acquires image information from the standby imaging device, including the specific user and the accompanying user, and includes accompanying objects that move along with the user. The estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle together with the accompanying equipment, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. A mobile device control device as described in Appendix 2 or 3, characterized by the above. (Note 5) The estimation unit estimates the amount of available space inside the mobile vehicle, which is required when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, as the passenger capacity, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. A mobile device control device according to any one of the appendices 2 to 4, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device. (Note 6) The estimation unit estimates, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, the weight that the mobile vehicle receives when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle as the passenger load. A mobile device control device according to any one of the appendices 2 to 4, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device. (Note 7) The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires transport volume information indicating the weight of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the mobile body. A mobile device control device according to any one of the appendices 2 to 6, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device. (Note 8) The estimation unit estimates the amount of cargo that can be newly added to the mobile body based on the cargo volume information acquired by the cargo volume information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the specified user and the accompanying user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the additional transport capacity that can be added to the mobile vehicle, as estimated by the estimation unit. The mobile control device according to Appendix 5, characterized in that it is a mobile control device. (Note 9) The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires image information of the moving body as transport volume information from the moving body imaging device that images the inside of the moving body, The estimation unit estimates the size of the empty space inside the mobile body as the amount of transport that can be newly added to the mobile body, based on the image information as transport amount information acquired by the transport amount information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the specified user and the accompanying user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the size of the available space inside the mobile vehicle estimated by the estimation unit. A mobile control device as described in Appendix 8, characterized by the features described therein. (Note 10) The estimation unit estimates the number of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit when the mobile vehicle call information is acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit. A mobile device control device according to any one of the appendices 2 to 9, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device. (Note 11) The estimation unit estimates the number of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the difference between the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit when the mobile vehicle call information is acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit before the mobile vehicle call information is acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit. A mobile device control device as described in Appendix 10, characterized by the features described herein. (Note 12) The estimation unit estimates the number of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the difference between the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit before the mobile vehicle call information was acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit after the mobile vehicle call information was acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit. A mobile device control device as described in Appendix 10, characterized by the features described herein. (Note 13) The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires transport volume information for each of a plurality of mobile bodies, including the mobile body, that are capable of moving in different directions from one another, relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported users and transported goods being transported by each of them. Based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the transport capacity information for each mobile body acquired by the transport capacity information acquisition unit, it is determined for each mobile body whether the specific user and the accompanying user can board each of the multiple mobile bodies. Based on the determination result from the determination unit, the setting unit sets whether or not to stop each of the plurality of mobile bodies at the waiting location. A mobile device control device according to any one of the appendices 2 to 12, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device. (Note 14) The system includes a notification unit that notifies which of the plurality of mobile bodies is set by the setting unit to stop at the standby location. A mobile device control device as described in Appendix 13, characterized by the features described herein. (Note 15) A mobile device control device as described in any one of the items 2 to 14 of the appendix, The standby imaging device, The system comprises a drive source that generates a driving force for moving the moving body. A mobile control system characterized by the following features. (Note 16) Computers, Image information acquisition unit acquires image information including the specific user from a standby imaging device that images a specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle. A mobile body call information acquisition unit acquires mobile body call information indicating that the specified user has called the mobile body in order to stop the mobile body at the waiting location where the specified user is waiting. When the mobile vehicle calling information is acquired by the mobile vehicle calling information, an estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. A transport quantity information acquisition unit that acquires transport quantity information relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the aforementioned mobile body. A determination unit that determines whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit, and Based on the determination result by the determination unit, it functions as a setting unit that sets whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location. A program characterized by the following: (Note 17) A mobile object control method performed by a device comprising an image information acquisition unit, a mobile object calling information acquisition unit, an estimation unit, a transport volume information acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a setting unit, The image information acquisition unit acquires image information including the specific user from a standby imaging device that images the specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle. The mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit acquires mobile vehicle call information indicating that the specific user has called the mobile vehicle in order to stop the mobile vehicle at the waiting location where the specific user is waiting, The estimation unit, triggered by the acquisition of the mobile vehicle call information, estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires transport volume information relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported users and transported goods being transported by the mobile body. The determination unit determines whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger load estimated by the estimation unit and the transport load information acquired by the transport load information acquisition unit. The setting unit includes the step of setting whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location based on the determination result by the determination unit. A method for controlling a mobile object, characterized by the features described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0160] 1 Elevator control system (mobile control system), 1A Elevator control system (mobile control system), 1B Elevator control system (mobile control system), 1C Elevator control system (mobile control system), 1D Elevator control system (mobile control system), 1E Elevator control system (mobile control system), 1n nth standby imaging device, 2n nth input device, 3n nth notification device, 4m mth elevator, 5m mth car information acquisition device, 10 Standby imaging device, 11 1st standby imaging device, 12 2nd standby imaging device, 13 3rd standby imaging device, 20 Input device, 21 1st input device, 22 2nd input device, 23 3rd input device, 30 Notification device, 31 1st notification device, 32 2nd notification device, 33 3rd notification device, 40 Elevator, 40a Drive source, 41 1st elevator, 42 2nd elevator, 43 Third elevator, 50 Car information acquisition device, 51 First car information acquisition device, 52 Second car information acquisition device, 53 Third car information acquisition device, 100 Elevator control device (moving body control device), 100A Elevator control device (moving body control device), 100B Elevator control device (moving body control device), 100C Elevator control device (moving body control device), 100D Elevator control device (moving body control device), 100E Elevator control device (moving body control device), 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 100c I / O port, 100d Processing circuit, 110 Image information acquisition unit, 110E Image information acquisition unit, 120 Carrying volume information acquisition unit, 120C Carrying volume information acquisition unit, 120D Carrying volume information acquisition unit, 130 Estimation unit, 130A Estimation unit, 130B Estimation unit, 130C Passenger weight estimation unit, 130D Estimation unit, 130E Estimation unit, 131 Passenger load estimation unit, 131B Passenger load estimation unit (mobile object call information acquisition unit), 132 Carrying volume estimation unit, 132D Carrying volume estimation unit, 140 Judgment unit, 140A Judgment unit, 140C Judgment unit, 140D Judgment unit, 140E Judgment unit (carrying volume information acquisition unit), 150 Setting unit, 150D Setting unit, 160 Notification unit, 170 Control unit, 170D Control unit, F1 Standby floor (stopping floor, waiting area), F2 Stopping floor, F3 Stopping floor.

Claims

1. An image information acquisition unit acquires image information including a specific user from a standby imaging device that images a specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle, A mobile body call information acquisition unit acquires mobile body call information indicating that the specified user has called the mobile body in order to stop the mobile body at the waiting location where the specified user is waiting, When the mobile vehicle calling information is acquired by the mobile vehicle calling information, an estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, A transport volume information acquisition unit that acquires transport volume information relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the aforementioned mobile body, A determination unit determines whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the transport capacity information acquired by the transport capacity information acquisition unit. The system includes a setting unit that sets whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location based on the determination result from the determination unit. A mobile device control device characterized by the following features.

2. The image information acquisition unit acquires image information including the specific user and the accompanying user from the standby imaging device which images the specific user and the accompanying user accompanying the specific user. The estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the specified user and the accompanying user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit. The setting unit sets whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location based on the determination result from the determination unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

3. The system includes a control unit that controls the movement of the moving body based on the settings made by the setting unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

4. The image information acquisition unit acquires image information from the standby imaging device, including the specific user and the accompanying user, and includes accompanying objects that move along with the user. The estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle together with the accompanying equipment, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

5. The estimation unit estimates the amount of available space inside the mobile vehicle, which is required when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, as the passenger capacity, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

6. The estimation unit estimates, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit, the weight that the mobile vehicle receives when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle as the passenger load. The mobile device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

7. The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires transport volume information indicating the weight of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the mobile body. The mobile device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

8. The estimation unit estimates the amount of cargo that can be newly added to the mobile body based on the cargo volume information acquired by the cargo volume information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the specified user and the accompanying user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the additional transport capacity that can be added to the mobile vehicle, as estimated by the estimation unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

9. The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires image information of the moving body as transport volume information from the moving body imaging device that images the inside of the moving body, The estimation unit estimates the size of the empty space inside the mobile body as the amount of transport that can be newly added to the mobile body, based on the image information as transport amount information acquired by the transport amount information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether the specified user and the accompanying user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the size of the available space inside the mobile vehicle estimated by the estimation unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 8, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

10. The estimation unit estimates the number of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit when the mobile vehicle call information is acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

11. The estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the difference between the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit when the mobile vehicle call information is acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit before the mobile vehicle call information is acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 10, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

12. The estimation unit estimates the number of passengers when the specific user and the accompanying user board the mobile vehicle, based on the difference between the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit before the mobile vehicle call information was acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit and the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit after the mobile vehicle call information was acquired by the mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit. The mobile device control device according to claim 10, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

13. The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires transport volume information for each of a plurality of mobile bodies, including the mobile body, that are capable of moving in different directions from one another, relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported users and transported goods being transported by each of them. Based on the passenger capacity estimated by the estimation unit and the transport capacity information for each mobile body acquired by the transport capacity information acquisition unit, it is determined for each mobile body whether the specific user and the accompanying user can board each of the multiple mobile bodies. Based on the determination result from the determination unit, the setting unit sets whether or not to stop each of the plurality of mobile bodies at the waiting location. A mobile device control device according to any one of claims 2 to 12.

14. The system includes a notification unit that notifies which of the plurality of mobile bodies is set by the setting unit to stop at the standby location. The mobile device control device according to claim 13, characterized in that it is a mobile device control device.

15. A mobile device control device according to claim 2, The standby imaging device, The system comprises a drive source that generates a driving force for moving the moving body. A mobile control system characterized by the following features.

16. Computers, Image information acquisition unit acquires image information including the specific user from a standby imaging device that images a specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle. A mobile body call information acquisition unit acquires mobile body call information indicating that the specified user has called the mobile body in order to stop the mobile body at the waiting location where the specified user is waiting. When the mobile vehicle calling information is acquired by the mobile vehicle calling information, an estimation unit estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. A transport quantity information acquisition unit that acquires transport quantity information relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported user and the transported object being transported by the aforementioned mobile body. A determination unit that determines whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger volume estimated by the estimation unit and the transport volume information acquired by the transport volume information acquisition unit, and Based on the determination result by the determination unit, it functions as a setting unit that sets whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location. A program characterized by the following:

17. A mobile object control method performed by a device comprising an image information acquisition unit, a mobile object calling information acquisition unit, an estimation unit, a transport volume information acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a setting unit, The image information acquisition unit acquires image information including the specific user from a standby imaging device that images the specific user waiting to board a mobile vehicle. The mobile vehicle call information acquisition unit acquires mobile vehicle call information indicating that the specific user has called the mobile vehicle in order to stop the mobile vehicle at the waiting location where the specific user is waiting, The estimation unit, triggered by the acquisition of the mobile vehicle call information, estimates the amount of passengers when the specific user boards the mobile vehicle based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. The transport volume information acquisition unit acquires transport volume information relating to the quantity of at least one of the transported users and transported goods being transported by the mobile body. The determination unit determines whether the specific user can board the mobile vehicle based on the passenger load estimated by the estimation unit and the transport load information acquired by the transport load information acquisition unit. The setting unit includes the step of setting whether or not to stop the mobile body at the waiting location based on the determination result by the determination unit. A method for controlling a mobile object, characterized by the features described above.

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