Control method, control device, control system, and recording medium

Abstract

In the present invention, at least one computer acquires fellow passenger information pertaining to the number of fellow passengers of a vehicle using a parking facility. Before the vehicle enters an area where a pallet is arranged in the parking facility, the computer uses an image captured by an imaging device capable of imaging a person exiting from a vehicle stopped at an exiting position at which a fellow passenger of the vehicle exits, so as to detect whether the number of fellow passengers as identified by the fellow passenger information has exited from the vehicle at the exiting position. The computer disables the next operation if such exiting is not detected, and enables the next operation if the exiting is detected.

Description

Control Method, Control Device, Control System, and Recording Medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control method and the like.

[0002] For example, there are various parking lots such as mechanical parking lots. In the operation of parking facilities, it is necessary to ensure safety. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a mechanical parking lot capable of storing a vehicle that has entered the boarding and alighting room into the parking room, the position of a person is tracked using an image captured in the boarding and alighting room, and based on the tracking information, a technique for determining whether or not to perform a closing operation of closing the entrance / exit door is described. For example, in Patent Document 2, a technique for a parking lot administrator to check whether there is a person left in the vehicle is described.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-178688, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-106703

[0004] By the way, there is still a desire to be able to ensure safety more in the operation of parking facilities.

[0005] An example of the object of the present disclosure is to provide a control method and the like that can improve the safety in a parking facility.

[0006] The control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is such that at least one computer acquires passenger information regarding the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility, and before the vehicle enters a region where a pallet is placed in the parking facility, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of imaging a person getting off the vehicle parked at a getting-off position where the passengers of the vehicle get off, at the getting-off position, it is detected whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has got off, and if the getting-off is not detected, the next operation is invalidated, and if the getting-off is detected, the next operation is validated, and the process is executed.

[0007] A control device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition means for acquiring passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; a detection means for detecting whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at a disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters an area in the parking facility where pallets are placed; and a control means for disabling the next operation if disembarking has not been detected, and enabling the next operation if disembarking has been detected.

[0008] A control system in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: an operating device installed outside an area where pallets are placed in a parking facility and capable of performing operations related to pallets; and a control device, the control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using the parking facility; a detection means for detecting whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information has disembarked at a disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters the area; and a control means for disabling the next operation by the operating device if disembarking has not been detected, and enabling the next operation by the operating device if disembarking has been detected.

[0009] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes at least one computer to perform the following processes: acquire passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; detect whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using images captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility; disable the following operation if disembarking has not been detected; and enable the following operation if disembarking has been detected.

[0010] Each program may be stored on a non-temporary storage medium that is readable by at least one computer.

[0011] This disclosure makes it possible to improve safety in parking facilities.

[0012] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a parking facility. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a control system including a control device. This is an explanatory diagram showing a drop-off location. This is a block diagram showing an example of a control device configuration. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user database. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detecting the number of passengers who have dropped off by face detection. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detecting the number of passengers who have dropped off by person detection. This is a flowchart showing an example of a control device operation. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a control system including a control device. This is a block diagram showing an example of a control device configuration. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user database. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example where the drop-off of a registered number of passengers is not detected. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that can accept notifications and safety confirmations. This is an explanatory diagram showing example 1 where a screen that can accept the next operation is displayed after safety confirmation. This is an explanatory diagram showing example 2 where a screen that can accept the next operation is displayed after safety confirmation. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example where the drop-off of a registered number of passengers is detected. This is an explanatory diagram showing example 1 where a screen that can accept the next operation is displayed when the drop-off of a registered number of passengers is detected. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen that allows the next operation when the disembarkation of a registered number of passengers is detected. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of driver facial recognition being performed after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the operating device when facial recognition is performed after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detecting the driver's disembarkation and exit. This is a flowchart (1) showing an example of the operation of the control device. This is a flowchart (2) showing an example of the operation of the control device. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a disembarkation position being set up so that passengers disembark before the vehicle stops on the turntable. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a disembarkation position being set up so that passengers disembark on the turntable. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a disembarkation position in a two-tiered pit parking facility with an underground structure. This is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 1 of the control system. This is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 2 of the control system. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a code being displayed on the driver's terminal. This is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 3 of the control system. This is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 4 of the control system. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the computer hardware configuration.

[0013] Embodiments of the control method, control device, control system, program, and non-temporary recording medium for recording the program according to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosed technology.

[0014] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a parking facility. In Figure 1, parking facility 7 is, for example, a mechanical parking system. Mechanical parking systems include, for example, a two-tiered above-ground system, a two-tiered pit system, a lift-and-traverse system, a vertical circulation system, and an elevator system. Note that mechanical parking systems may be other than those listed here.

[0016] In Figure 1, the parking facility 7 includes, for example, a parking tower 70. The parking facility 7 may also include a parking ticket issuing device. The parking tower 70 has a vehicle storage area, an entrance / exit door 72, an operating device 71, and a passenger compartment 73. The entrance / exit door 72 is the door to the passenger compartment 73. The entrance / exit door 72 is sometimes also called a gate or shutter. The entrance door and the exit door may be separate, but here, as an example, we will explain using an entrance / exit door 72 where the entrance door and the exit door are the same as the door to the passenger compartment 73. The passenger compartment 73 is an example of an area where pallets 74 are temporarily placed in order to load vehicles onto them. For example, the passenger compartment 73 has a space in the center where pallets 74 are placed. The vehicle storage area stores the vehicles placed on the pallets 74.

[0017] The mechanical parking system raises and lowers a pallet 74 on which vehicles can be placed between a passenger compartment 73 and a vehicle storage compartment where vehicles can be stored.

[0018] Here, we will briefly explain the process when using the mechanical parking system. First, let's explain the process of entering the parking space. An empty pallet 74 is called to the passenger compartment 73 by operating the control device 71. When the pallet 74 arrives in the passenger compartment 73, the entrance / exit door 72 is opened by operating the control device 71, and the vehicle enters the passenger compartment 73. The vehicle is then placed on the pallet 74 in the passenger compartment 73. When the driver or other person exits the passenger compartment 73, the entrance / exit door 72 is closed by operating the control device 71. The pallet 74 is then stored in the vehicle storage area of ​​the parking facility 7. This is how the parking process is carried out.

[0019] Next, let's explain the process of departing the vehicle. When a vehicle is to be departing, it is removed from the vehicle storage area along with the pallet 74 on which it is loaded by operating the control device 71. The pallet 74 with the vehicle is then placed in the passenger compartment 73. When the pallet 74 with the vehicle arrives in the passenger compartment 73, the entrance / exit door 72 is opened by operating the control device 71. The vehicle loaded on the pallet 74 is then driven out of the passenger compartment 73 by the driver. This completes the departure process.

[0020] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a control system including a control device. In Figure 2, the control system 1 comprises a control device 10, an operating device 71, and an imaging device 75. The control device 10 is connected to the operating device 71, the imaging device 75, etc. via a communication network. Before a vehicle enters the area where the pallet 74 is placed in the parking facility 7, the control device 10 uses images captured by the imaging device 75, which is capable of capturing images of people getting out of the vehicle at the passenger disembarkation position p1, to detect whether the number of passengers identified by passenger information have disembarked at the disembarkation position p1.

[0021] For example, in the parking facility 7 shown in Figure 1, the area where the pallet 74 is placed is the boarding / alighting area 73. Here, we will explain using the case where the area where the pallet 74 is placed is the boarding / alighting area 73 as an example, but the area where the pallet 74 is placed is not limited to the boarding / alighting area 73. Furthermore, the parking facility 7 is not limited to a mechanical parking system equipped with a boarding / alighting area 73, but may also be a mechanical parking system for an apartment building, etc.

[0022] The operating device 71 is, for example, an example of a device for receiving vehicle entry and exit operations. The operating device 71 is installed, for example, outside the passenger compartment 73 in the parking facility 7. The operating device 71 includes, for example, an input device that can be operated by users of the parking facility 7. The operating device 71 also includes, for example, an output device that outputs information. For example, the output device may be a display, a lamp, a speaker, etc. The operating device 71 may also include an input / output device in which the input device and output device are integrated, such as a touch panel display.

[0023] Furthermore, the operating device 71 may be composed of multiple devices. For example, it is desirable that the operating device 71 be a device that is easier for users to operate. The operating device may be composed of, for example, a simple device such as an existing control panel and an edge terminal with high operability. The edge terminal may be an easy-to-operate device such as one equipped with a touch panel display. For example, the edge terminal may be a smartphone or a tablet-type device. This makes it possible to construct a highly operable control system 1 simply by installing an edge terminal on an existing parking facility 7. Furthermore, the operating device 71 may also include an existing control panel and an edge terminal, as well as a user terminal 60.

[0024] The imaging device 75 is positioned to capture images of a person disembarking from a vehicle stopped at the disembarking position p1. The imaging device 75 may be installed approximately horizontally or approximately vertically to the ground, as long as it can capture images that allow for the identification of the person disembarking from the vehicle. For example, the imaging device 75 may capture images of the person disembarking from the vehicle from the side, from above, or from below. Thus, the installation position of the imaging device 75 is not particularly limited. The imaging device 75 may also be capable of capturing images of the vehicle's license plate. The number of imaging devices 75 is not particularly limited. For example, an example in which multiple imaging devices 75 are installed will be described later with reference to the drawings. Note that the imaging device 75 is just one example, and other sensors such as infrared sensors and optical sensors may be used as devices to detect a person disembarking from a vehicle stopped at the disembarking position p1.

[0025] The type of communication network is not particularly limited, and may consist of multiple communication networks, such as wired or wireless. In other words, the configuration of the communication network to which the control device 10 is connected to the operating device 71, imaging device 75, etc., is not particularly limited.

[0026] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the disembarking position p1. The disembarking position p1 is a guideline position for passengers to disembark. For example, the vehicle stops just before the disembarking position p1. The disembarking position p1 is located in the space in front of the passenger compartment 73, which is the area where the pallet 74 is placed.

[0027] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing one example configuration of the control device 10. The control device 10 comprises an acquisition unit 101, a detection unit 103, and a control unit 105.

[0028] The acquisition unit 101 acquires passenger information regarding the number of passengers in the vehicle. The passenger information only needs to be information that can identify the number of passengers. For example, the passenger information may be information indicating the number of passengers. For example, the passenger information may be information indicating the number of passengers, including passengers and the driver. The passenger information may further include information representing the attributes of the passengers. Information representing attributes may include information such as age, gender, and wheelchair use. In addition, the passenger information may include information about persons who enter the passenger compartment 73 together with the driver. Information about persons who enter the passenger compartment 73 together with the driver will be described later.

[0029] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire additional license plate information. In addition, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire additional biometric information of at least one of the driver and / or passengers.

[0030] There are various methods by which the acquisition unit 101 can acquire passenger information. For example, the user may register the number of passengers in advance. The user here may be the driver of the vehicle, passengers, or applicant. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire passenger information through an operation via the user's terminal. The type of the user's terminal is not particularly limited and may include a PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, tablet device, HMD (Head Mounted Display), etc. When information regarding license plates is to be acquired, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire information regarding license plates through an operation via the user's terminal. More specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may accept text input of information regarding license plates. Or, more specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire information regarding license plates by detecting information regarding license plates from an image in which the license plate has been captured. For example, the acquisition unit 101 associates the acquired number of passengers in a vehicle with the acquired license plate information. Specifically, as a linking process, for example, the acquisition unit 101 can associate the acquired number of passengers in a vehicle with the acquired license plate information and store it in a storage device or the like. In addition, if the acquisition unit 101 acquires biometric information of at least one of the driver and passengers, it can do so via the user's terminal. The acquisition unit 101 can then further associate the biometric information with the passenger information.

[0031] Alternatively, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire passenger information by detecting the number of occupants from images captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images inside the vehicle. For example, the imaging device capable of capturing images inside the vehicle may be a device installed inside the vehicle. For example, the imaging device capable of capturing images inside the vehicle may be a drive recorder. The drive recorder may be rented out to users by the operating company of the parking facility 7. For example, by installing the rented drive recorder inside the vehicle and using it, the location of the drive recorder capable of capturing images inside the vehicle can be determined by the GPS (Global Positioning System) function of the drive recorder. For this reason, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire passenger information by detecting the number of occupants from images of the inside of the vehicle when entering a building or the like that which has a parking facility 7. In such a case, the acquisition unit 101 may acquire information regarding license plates detected from images captured by an imaging device installed in the parking facility 7 when entering the parking facility 7. This imaging device is installed to capture the license plates of vehicles when entering the parking facility 7. For example, this imaging device may be installed in a parking ticket issuing device. For example, the acquisition unit 101 associates the number of occupants detected from the image of the vehicle taken by the drive recorder when the vehicle passes near the imaging device, with information about the license plate taken from the image taken by the imaging device, based on the location of the drive recorder. Specifically, as a linking process, for example, the acquisition unit 101 may associate the number of occupants in the vehicle with the information about the license plate taken from the image, based on the location of the drive recorder, and store it in a storage device or the like. In addition, if the acquisition unit 101 acquires biometric information of at least one of the driver and passengers, it may also detect biometric information of at least one of the driver and passengers from the image of the vehicle taken by the drive recorder when the vehicle passes near the imaging device. The acquisition unit 101 can then further link biometric information with the passenger information.

[0032] The control device 10 may manage the information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 in a database or the like. A user database (DataBase) containing passenger information will be explained using Figure 5. The control device 10 may have the user database, or a database server or the like different from the control device 10 may have the user database.

[0033] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user database. User database 1000 stores information such as the date of use, user ID (IDidentifier), number of passengers, and license plate information, associating them with each other. The date of use is the date on which parking facility 7 is used. The date of use may be more detailed, such as the date and time of use. The date of use may be more detailed, such as the time of use, such as from 2 PM to 4 PM on September 9, 2024. The user ID is an example of identification information that identifies a user. The user ID may be, for example, a membership number. In other words, user database 1000 may also be called a membership database.

[0034] The user database 1000 may also store biometric information of users such as the driver and passengers. Furthermore, the user database 1000 may have more detailed information about persons who enter the passenger compartment 73 together with the driver. The information about persons who enter the passenger compartment 73 together with the driver only needs to be information that can identify whether there are passengers who enter the passenger compartment 73 while remaining in the vehicle, as will be described later.

[0035] Furthermore, the user DB 1000 may also store information regarding the vehicle type, vehicle size, and parking fee payment. Information regarding vehicle size may include, for example, information regarding the vehicle's width and height. This size information may be used to determine where to store the vehicle in the vehicle storage area. The method of parking fee payment is not particularly limited and may include credit card, IC (Integrated Circuit) card payment, code payment, bank transfer, or payment at a convenience store. For example, the information regarding parking fee payment only needs to be the information necessary for at least one of these payment methods. For example, payment may be made at least at the time of entry or exit.

[0036] Before a vehicle enters the passenger compartment 73 in the parking facility 7, the detection unit 103 uses images captured by an imaging device 75 capable of capturing images of people getting out of the vehicle at the passenger drop-off position p1 to detect whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information have gotten out of the vehicle at the drop-off position p1.

[0037] Here, the detection unit 103 compares the license plate information detected from the image captured by the imaging device 75 of the vehicle stopped at the disembarking position p1 with the license plate information registered in the user database 1000. This allows the detection unit 103 to search the user database 1000 for information on license plates that are presumed to be the same. The detection unit 103 then obtains the number of passengers associated with the retrieved license plate information. For example, the detection unit 103 may detect the number of people who disembarked from the vehicle as captured by the imaging device 75. A person who disembarked from the driver's side door of the vehicle is the driver, and a person who disembarked from a door other than the driver's side door is a passenger.

[0038] The detection unit 103 then compares the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000 (excluding the driver) with the number of detected passengers to determine if the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000 (excluding the driver) has disembarked. If the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000 (excluding the driver) matches the number of detected passengers, the detection unit 103 determines that the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000 (excluding the driver) has disembarked. If the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000 (excluding the driver) does not match the number of detected passengers, the detection unit 103 determines that the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000 (excluding the driver) has not disembarked.

[0039] In addition, the number of passengers may be retrieved from the user database 1000 using the user ID. For example, the user ID is entered via the operating device 71. The detection unit 103 then compares the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000, excluding the driver, with the number of passengers detected, to determine whether the number of passengers obtained from the user database 1000, excluding the driver, has disembarked. In addition, facial information of the driver and passengers may have been obtained in advance. An example of how the number of passengers is retrieved from the user database 1000 in such a case will be described later in the second embodiment.

[0040] Multiple imaging devices 75 may be used by the detection unit 103 to more accurately detect whether the passengers have disembarked. The multiple imaging devices 75 may be arranged, for example, so that they can image the vehicle from different directions. Here, for example, an example in which the detection unit 103 uses multiple imaging devices 75 to perform face detection and an example in which it performs person detection will be described.

[0041] Figure 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of detecting the number of passengers who have exited a vehicle by face detection. In Figure 6A, four imaging devices 75, numbered 75-1 to 75-4, are installed. In Figure 6A, an edge device 76 connected to the multiple imaging devices 75 via a communication network may also be provided in the parking facility 7. The four imaging devices 75 are positioned horizontally to the ground and can capture images of the faces of people exiting a vehicle. For example, "horizontal to the ground" may also be referred to as "lateral to the person" to enable the capture of the person's face. A configuration of four imaging devices 75, one in the front, one in the back, one in the left, and one in the right, may be used to capture images of the faces of people exiting a vehicle from all directions. When four imaging devices 75 are used in the front, one in the back, one in the left, and one in the right,

[0042] For example, the edge device 76 may have a face detection function and a function to count the number of passengers who have disembarked. The edge device 76 detects a person's face information from an image captured by one of the four imaging devices 75. The edge device 76 then assigns a temporary ID to the detected face information. The edge device 76 then counts the number of passengers who have disembarked. This prevents the same passenger from being counted multiple times, even if the same passenger is captured by multiple different imaging devices 75. In this case, the edge device 76 may identify a person who has disembarked from the driver's seat using face information and not count the driver as a passenger.

[0043] The edge device 76 may also transmit the counted number of passengers to the control device 10 via the communication network. The detection unit 103 compares the number of passengers who have disembarked obtained from the edge device 76 with the number of passengers obtained by subtracting the driver from the total number of passengers registered in the user database 1000, to detect whether the number of passengers identified from the total number of passengers registered in the user database 1000 has disembarked.

[0044] Here, an example in which the edge device 76 has a face detection function and a function of counting the number of passengers who have got off the vehicle has been described. However, the detection unit 103 may have these functions.

[0045] FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detecting the number of passengers who have got off the vehicle by person detection. In FIG. 6B, two imaging devices 75, i.e., imaging devices 75-1 to 75-2, are installed. In FIG. 6B, an edge device 76 connected to the plurality of imaging devices 75 via a communication network may be further provided in the parking facility 7. The two imaging devices 75 are provided in a horizontal direction with respect to the ground and can image a person coming out of the vehicle. A configuration of two imaging devices 75 may be used so that the entire periphery of the vehicle can be imaged. Note that the use of two imaging devices 75 is an example, and it is not particularly limited as long as it is one or a plurality of imaging devices 75.

[0046] For example, the edge device 76 may have a person detection function and a function of counting the number of passengers who have got off the vehicle. The edge device 76 detects a passenger from an image captured by any one of the two imaging devices 75. Then, the edge device 76 assigns a temporary ID to the detected passenger. Then, the edge device 76 counts the number of passengers who have got off the vehicle. Thereby, even if the same passenger is imaged by different imaging devices 75, the same passenger can be prevented from being double-counted. At this time, the edge device 76 may identify a person who has got off the driver's seat and not count the driver as a passenger.

[0047] Then, the edge device 76 may transmit the counted number of passengers to the control device 10 via a communication network. The detection unit 103 compares the number of passengers who have got off the vehicle obtained from the edge device 76 with the number of passengers (excluding the driver) registered in the user DB 1000 to detect whether the passengers whose number is registered in the user DB 1000 (excluding the driver) have got off the vehicle.

[0048] Here, an example in which the edge device 76 has functions of detecting a person and counting the number of passengers who have gotten off has been described, but the detection unit 103 may have these functions.

[0049] Next, the control unit 105 controls various devices of the parking facility 7. The control unit 105 has a function of controlling the operating device 71. Also, the control unit 105 has a function of controlling the pallet 74. The control unit 105 has a function of controlling the entrance / exit door 72. The function of controlling the operating device 71, the function of controlling the pallet 74, and the function of controlling the entrance / exit door 72 may be realized by different functional units, respectively. However, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that the control unit 105 has these functions.

[0050] For example, when the control unit 105 does not detect the getting off of the number of passengers specified by the passenger information, it invalidates the next operation. When the control unit 105 detects the getting off of the number of passengers specified by the passenger information, it validates the next operation. Here, as a device equipped with an input device capable of operations such as the next operation, the operating device 71 is taken as an example. Specifically, for example, when the control unit 105 does not detect the getting off of the number of passengers specified by the passenger information, it invalidates the next operation by the operating device 71. When the control unit 105 detects the getting off of the number of passengers specified by the passenger information, it validates the next operation by the operating device 71. Note that the device equipped with an input device capable of operations such as the next operation is not limited to the operating device 71 and may be a device other than the operating device 71. As a device other than the operating device 71, it may be a terminal of a user such as a driver. Here, the next operation is an operation of calling the pallet 74 or an operation of permitting entry into the area where the pallet 74 is arranged. For example, when the area where the pallet 74 is arranged is the boarding / alighting room 73 and there is an entrance / exit door 72 in front of the boarding / alighting room 73, the operation of permitting entry into the boarding / alighting room 73 may be an operation for opening the entrance / exit door 72. As a method of accepting the next operation, in addition to an operation on the input device provided in the operating device 71 or the user's terminal, biometric authentication may be used.

[0051] <Example of a passenger entering the passenger compartment 73 with the driver> Here, for example, a small child or a person requiring assistance may enter the passenger compartment 73 with the driver while remaining in the vehicle. Therefore, the passenger information may include information about a person entering the passenger compartment 73 with the driver. The information about a person entering the passenger compartment 73 with the driver only needs to be information that can identify whether there is a passenger entering the passenger compartment 73 while remaining in the vehicle. The passenger information may include information about a person entering the passenger compartment 73 with the driver. For example, this information may include information indicating the attributes of the passenger. Information indicating the attributes of the passenger may, for example, be information indicating whether the passenger is entering the passenger compartment 73 with the driver. The attributes of the passenger may be information indicating whether they are a child, or whether they require assistance such as being in a wheelchair. Also, information that can identify whether there is a passenger entering the passenger compartment 73 while remaining in the vehicle may be information indicating the number of passengers entering the passenger compartment 73 with the driver.

[0052] The detection unit 103 may also detect whether a number of passengers, obtained by subtracting the number of passengers who enter the passenger compartment 73 together with the driver, as identified by the passenger information, from the total number of passengers identified by the passenger information, have disembarked from the vehicle at the disembarking position p1.

[0053] For example, if the control unit 105 does not detect that a number of passengers has disembarked equal to the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who have disembarked equal to the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 74 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 74 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 733 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 73 minus the number of passengers who are scheduled to enter the passenger compartment 74 minus the number of

[0054] (Flowchart) Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 10. First, the acquisition unit 101 acquires passenger information regarding the number of passengers in the vehicle (step S101). In Figure 5, the passenger information acquired is the number of passengers, including the driver and other passengers.

[0055] Before the vehicle enters the passenger compartment 73, the detection unit 103 uses the image captured by the imaging device 75 to detect whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 (step S102). If the number of passengers is obtained, the number of passengers is the number of passengers minus the driver.

[0056] If the control unit 105 does not detect that the number of passengers specified by the passenger information have disembarked, it disables the next operation, and if it detects that the number of passengers specified by the passenger information have disembarked, it enables the next operation (step S103). In step S103, if the device that can perform the operation is the operating device 71, the control unit 105, for example, if it does not detect that the number of passengers specified have disembarked, disables the next operation by the operating device 71, and if it detects that the number of passengers specified have disembarked, it enables the next operation by the operating device 71. Then the control device 10 terminates the process shown in Figure 7.

[0057] In order to further ensure safety in the operation of parking facility 7, which is equipped with a mechanical multi-story parking system, an operator is stationed on-site to support drivers and others in entering and exiting parking facility 7. For example, the reason for stationing an operator on-site is to comply with the guidelines published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ("Guidelines for Safety Measures for Mechanical Multi-Story Parking Systems," 2016, [online], Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, [Accessed August 15, 2024], Internet, <https: / / www.mlit.go.jp / common / 001145272.pdf>).

[0058] Thus, it is desirable to ensure greater safety in the operation of the parking facility 7. For example, it is dangerous for passengers to enter areas where pallets 74 are placed, such as the boarding / alighting compartment 73. For this reason, it is desirable for passengers to disembark before the vehicle enters the boarding / alighting compartment 73. In the first embodiment, the control device 10 uses images captured by an imaging device 75 capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle parked at a disembarking position p1 to detect whether the number of passengers identified by the acquired passenger information have disembarked before the vehicle enters the area where pallets 74 are placed. The control device 10 then disables the following operation if disembarking is not detected, and enables the following operation if disembarking is detected. For example, if it is not detected that passengers have disembarked before the vehicle enters the area where pallets 74 are placed, such as the boarding / alighting compartment 73, there is a possibility that passengers may enter the pallets 74. In such a case, the control device 10 can prevent the following operation from being performed. As a result, the control device 10 can deter passengers from entering areas where pallets 74 are located, such as the passenger boarding / alighting compartment 73. Therefore, the control device 10 can improve safety in the parking facility 7. For example, by ensuring greater safety, it becomes possible to operate the parking facility 7 without human intervention.

[0059] (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, an example of the processing of the operating device 71 when the control device does not detect that all passengers have disembarked will be described. In the second embodiment, an example of the processing of the control device when it detects that the driver has left the passenger compartment 73 will be described. In the second embodiment, an example of the processing of the control device when it detects that there is no one in the passenger compartment 73 will be described. To the extent that the description of the second embodiment does not become unclear, explanations that overlap with the above description will be omitted.

[0060] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a control system including a control device. In Figure 8, the control system 2 comprises a control device 20, an operating device 71, an imaging device 75, an imaging device 77, and a user terminal 60. The control device 20 is connected to the operating device 71, imaging device 75, imaging device 77, and the user terminal 60 via a communication network. The functions and installation locations of the control device 20, operating device 71, and imaging device 75 may be the same as those of the control device 10, operating device 71, and imaging device 75 shown in Figure 2.

[0061] The operating device 71 may further include an imaging device 711. The imaging device 711 is, for example, an example of a sensor for acquiring biometric information for biometric authentication. The biometric authentication may be facial recognition, iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, palm print, finger vein recognition, ear acoustics, or a combination thereof. The biometric authentication is used to identify the user. The process of identifying the user may be a process of identifying the driver by inputting a user ID by the driver, or a method other than biometric authentication may be used as the process of identifying the user. In the second embodiment, facial recognition is given as an example of biometric authentication, so the operating device 71 includes the imaging device 711 as described above. The imaging device 711 may be built into the operating device 71 or attached to the operating device 71 externally.

[0062] Furthermore, the operating device 71 may be equipped with a code reader, a short-range wireless communication reader, or other reading devices. The code reader may also be an imaging device 711.

[0063] The imaging device 77 is positioned to capture images of the interior of the passenger compartment 73, for example. The imaging device 77 is used, for example, to detect whether there are any people inside the passenger compartment 73. There may also be multiple imaging devices 77. Multiple imaging devices 77 may be installed at different positions from each other to capture images of vehicles placed on the pallet 74, people disembarking from vehicles, and people entering the passenger compartment 73, capturing images of the interior of the passenger compartment 73 from different directions. Note that the imaging device 77 is just an example, and other sensors such as infrared sensors and optical sensors may be used to detect whether there are any people inside the passenger compartment 73. The imaging device 77 may be positioned to capture images of both the interior of the passenger compartment 73 and the exterior of the passenger compartment 73. The imaging device 77 may be capable of capturing images of vehicles and people entering the passenger compartment 73 from the outside. The imaging device 77 may also be switchable between an orientation capable of capturing images of the interior of the passenger compartment 73 and an orientation capable of capturing images of the exterior of the passenger compartment 73. Furthermore, the imaging device 77 and the imaging device 75 may be the same device.

[0064] The user's terminal 60 may have an application program pre-installed that can output information from the control device 20 or send information to the control device 20. For example, the user's terminal 60 may access a website that can connect to the control device 20 via the communication network NT. The type of user's terminal 60 is not particularly limited and may include a PC (Personal Computer), smartphone, tablet, etc. The user's terminal 60 may have, for example, a function that can output codes. The user's terminal 60 may also have a function that enables short-range wireless communication.

[0065] The type of communication network is not particularly limited, and may consist of wired or wireless connections, and may be composed of multiple communication networks. In other words, the configuration of the communication network to which the control device 20 is connected to the operating device 71, imaging device 75, imaging device 77, etc., is not particularly limited.

[0066] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing one example configuration of the control device 20. The control device 20 comprises an acquisition unit 201, a detection unit 203, a control unit 205, a matching unit 207, a region detection unit 209, and an output unit 211. The control device 20 further comprises a matching unit 207 and a region detection unit 209 in addition to the control device 10 shown in Figure 4. The acquisition unit 201 may have the acquisition unit 101 shown in Figure 4 as its basic function. The detection unit 203 may have the detection unit 103 shown in Figure 4 as its basic function. The control unit 205 may have the control unit 105 shown in Figure 4 as its basic function.

[0067] Here, the matching unit 207 has the function of biometrically authenticating a person. In the second embodiment, facial recognition will be used as an example of biometric authentication. The output unit 211 has the function of outputting to various terminals such as the user's terminal 60.

[0068] First, the acquisition unit 201 acquires passenger information regarding the number of passengers in the vehicle and facial information of the driver operating the vehicle. Similar to the example of acquiring passenger information as described in the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire the driver's facial information via the user's terminal 60. That is, the driver's facial information may be registered in advance by the user's operation before using the parking facility 7. Similar to the example of acquiring passenger information as described in the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire the driver's facial information detected from images captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images inside the vehicle. The user DB in which the information acquired by the acquisition unit 201 is stored will be explained with reference to Figure 10.

[0069] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user database. User database 2000 stores driver facial information in addition to user database 1000 shown in Figure 5. User database 2000 stores information such as usage date, user ID, number of passengers, driver facial information, and license plate information in association with each other. Driver facial information is an example of biometric information used for driver biometric authentication. Driver facial information may be a facial image of the driver, or information on facial features obtained from the facial image of the driver, and is not particularly limited as long as it is information that enables facial authentication. Furthermore, user database 2000 may also store biometric information of passengers.

[0070] The control device 20 may have the user DB 2000, or a database server or the like, different from the control device 20, may have the user DB 2000.

[0071] As described in the first embodiment, for example, the detection unit 203 uses the image captured by the imaging device 75 to detect whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 before the vehicle enters the passenger compartment 73.

[0072] An example of the detection method by the detection unit 203 is as described in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the number of passengers may be retrieved from the user DB 2000 by matching information regarding license plates.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the driver's biometric information may be registered in the user database 2000. Let's explain using the example where the biometric information is facial information. The driver may or may not get out of the vehicle. In such a case, the matching unit 207 identifies the driver by comparing the driver's facial information detected from the image of the driver captured by the imaging device 75 with the driver's facial information registered in the user database 2000. The image captured by the imaging device 75 may be an image of the driver when they get out of the vehicle, or an image of the driver while they are inside the vehicle. Here, the matching unit 207 can search the user database 2000 for facial information that is estimated to be the face of the same person by comparing the driver's facial information detected from the image captured by the imaging device 75 with the facial information of each driver registered in the user database 2000. The detection unit 203 then obtains the number of passengers associated with the retrieved facial information from the user database 2000. For example, the detection unit 203 may also detect the number of passengers who have gotten out of the vehicle from the image captured by the imaging device 75. As mentioned above, a passenger is a person who exits the vehicle through a door other than the driver's door. The detection unit 203 may then detect whether the number of passengers obtained from the user database 2000, excluding the driver, has exited the vehicle by comparing the number of passengers obtained from the user database 2000 with the number of passengers detected.

[0074] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, biometric authentication may be performed in the operating device 71. Let's take the case where the biometric authentication is facial recognition as an example. The matching unit 207 authenticates the driver by comparing the facial information obtained from the driver's facial image captured by the imaging device 711 provided in the operating device 71 with each facial information registered in the user DB 2000. Here, the matching unit 207 only needs to search the user DB 2000 for the facial information of the person captured by the operating device 71. If the matching unit 207 finds facial information of the driver that is presumed to be the same person as the face captured by the operating device 71, it determines that authentication is successful. On the other hand, if the matching unit 207 does not find facial information of the driver that is presumed to be the same person as the face captured by the operating device 71, authentication is unsuccessful. The detection unit 203 then obtains the number of passengers associated with the facial information that was successfully authenticated in the user DB 2000. Next, for example, the detection unit 203 may detect the number of people (passengers) who have exited the vehicle through doors other than the driver's door from the image captured by the imaging device 75. Then, the detection unit 203 may detect whether the number of passengers identified by the user database 2000 has exited the vehicle by comparing the number of passengers obtained from the user database 2000 (excluding the driver) with the number of passengers detected.

[0075] In some cases, the biometric information of passengers may be registered in the user database 2000. Facial recognition will be used as an example of biometric authentication. In such cases, the matching unit 207 authenticates the passenger by comparing the passenger's facial information detected from the passenger's image captured by the imaging device 75 with the facial information registered in the user database 2000. Here, the matching unit 207 searches the user database 2000 for the passenger's facial information detected from the passenger's image captured by the imaging device 75. Then, the detection unit 203 obtains the number of passengers associated with the retrieved facial information from the user database 2000. For example, the detection unit 203 may detect the number of people (passengers) who alighted from a door other than the driver's door of the vehicle from the image captured by the imaging device 75. Then, the detection unit 203 detects whether the number of passengers alighted by comparing the number of passengers obtained from the user database 2000 excluding the driver with the number of people detected. Furthermore, the process of detecting the passenger's facial information from the image and the process of detecting whether the passenger has exited the vehicle may be performed at the same time.

[0076] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the number of passengers may be retrieved from the user database 2000 using the user ID. For example, the operating device 71 may obtain the user ID via the driver's terminal. The output unit 211 outputs information readable by the operating device, including identification information that identifies the driver, to the driver's terminal. The identification information that identifies the driver here may be the user ID. The output method may be screen display or output via short-range wireless communication. The information readable by the operating device may also be information indicating that the driver's biometric authentication was successful.

[0077] For example, if the output method is screen display, this information may be, for example, a code. The code may be a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, or a combination of both. When the operating device 71 reads a code from the driver's terminal, the detection unit 203 obtains the number of passengers associated with the user ID contained in the read code from the user DB 2000. The control unit 205 then detects the disembarkation of passengers according to the number of passengers registered in the user DB 2000. For example, the detection unit 203 may detect the number of people (passengers) who disembarked from a door other than the driver's door of the vehicle from the image captured by the imaging device 75. The detection unit 203 then detects whether the number of passengers has disembarked by comparing the number of passengers obtained from the user DB 2000 excluding the driver with the number of people detected. Note that the process of reading a code from the driver's terminal in the operating device 71 and the process of detecting whether passengers have disembarked from the vehicle may be performed at the same time.

[0078] Next, as described in the first embodiment, if the control unit 205 does not detect that any passengers have disembarked, it disables the following operation.

[0079] For example, the control unit 205 will issue a notification if the number of passengers obtained from the user DB 2000 is not detected to have disembarked at the disembarking position p1. The notification method is not particularly limited and may include displaying a notification screen, outputting a notification sound, lighting a notification lamp, or a combination thereof. The notification recipient may be the operating device 71. The notification recipient is not limited to the operating device 71, but may be an output device other than the operating device 71, or a combination of the operating device 71 and an output device other than the operating device 71. For example, the output device other than the operating device 71 may be a device attached to the parking facility 7, or a device of the administrator, and is not particularly limited.

[0080] Furthermore, if the control unit 205 receives a safety confirmation input when it does not detect that any passengers have disembarked from the number of passengers obtained from the user DB 2000, it may enable the following operation. Specifically, for example, if the control unit 205 receives a safety confirmation input via the operating device 71 when it does not detect that any passengers have disembarked from the number of passengers, it may enable the following operation. As mentioned above, various operations such as various inputs may be performed via devices other than the operating device 71. This allows the driver to perform a safety confirmation before being permitted to enter the passenger compartment 73 of the vehicle.

[0081] Furthermore, if the disembarkation of passengers with the corrected number of passengers obtained from the user DB 2000 is not detected, the control unit 205 may accept a correction to the number of passengers. The detection unit 203 determines whether the disembarkation of passengers with the corrected number of passengers has been detected. If the disembarkation of passengers with the corrected number of passengers is detected, the control unit 205 enables the following operation. If the disembarkation of passengers with the corrected number of passengers is not detected, the control unit 205 leaves the following operation disabled.

[0082] Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, when the control unit 205 detects that a passenger has disembarked at the disembarkation position p1, based on the number of passengers obtained from the user DB 2000, it enables the following operation. At this time, the control unit 205 may notify the operating device 71 that a passenger has disembarked at the disembarkation position p1. The notification method is not particularly limited and may include displaying a notification screen, outputting a notification sound, lighting a notification lamp, or a combination thereof.

[0083] Here, we will explain specific examples using diagrams of cases where the disembarkation of passengers is not detected and cases where the disembarkation of passengers is detected.

[0084] Figure 11A is an explanatory diagram showing an example where the disembarkation of a passenger is not detected for a registered number of passengers. As shown in Figure 10, the registered number of passengers for user ID "x001" is 4, so the registered number of passengers is 3.

[0085] For example, in Figure 11A, the detection unit 203 detects that two passengers have disembarked from the image captured by the imaging device 75. Therefore, the detection unit 203 does not detect that the three passengers, who are the registered number of passengers, have disembarked.

[0086] Figure 11B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen capable of receiving notifications and safety confirmations. Figure 11B shows an example of a screen displayed on the operating device 71. For example, the control unit 205 notifies the driver if it has not detected that the registered number of passengers have disembarked. In Figure 11B, the operating device 71 displays a screen on which a notification is given. For example, in Figure 11B, the notification reads, "It appears that passengers are still inside the vehicle. Is it safe?" In addition, the notification screen in Figure 11B also has a safety button that can accept input for safety confirmation. The driver taps the safety button after confirming that it is safe. When the safety button is tapped, the control unit 205 recognizes that it has received input for safety confirmation via the operating device 71 and enables the next operation.

[0087] Figure 11C is an explanatory diagram showing Example 1, in which a screen that can accept the next operation is displayed after safety confirmation. In Figure 11C, the control unit 205 displays a screen that can accept the next operation on the operating device 71. In Figure 11C, the next operation is the operation to call the pallet 74. The screen that can accept the next operation has a pallet 74 call button. The pallet 74 call button is a button that corresponds to the operation to call the pallet 74. The driver taps the pallet 74 call button. When the pallet 74 call button is tapped, the control unit 205 calls the pallet 74.

[0088] Figure 11D is an explanatory diagram showing Example 2, in which a screen that can accept the next operation is displayed after safety confirmation. In Figure 11D, the control unit 205 displays a screen that can accept the next operation on the operating device 71. In Figure 11C, the next operation is to open the entrance / exit door 72. The screen that can accept the next operation has a button to open the entrance / exit door 72. The button to open the entrance / exit door 72 is a button that corresponds to the operation to open the entrance / exit door 72. The driver taps the button to open the entrance / exit door 72. When the button to open the entrance / exit door 72 is tapped, the control unit 205 opens the entrance / exit door 72.

[0089] If pallet 74 has already arrived at the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 may, after receiving a safety confirmation, accept the operation to open the entry / exit door 72 as shown in Figure 11D. Alternatively, if pallet 74 has not yet arrived at the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 may accept the operation to call pallet 74 as shown in Figure 11C, and after pallet 74 arrives at the passenger compartment 73, accept the operation to open the entry / exit door 72 as shown in Figure 11D.

[0090] Next, we will explain a specific example of what happens when a passenger disembarks, based on the number of passengers obtained from the user database 2000.

[0091] Figure 12A is an explanatory diagram showing an example where the disembarkation of a passenger with a registered number of passengers was detected. The registered number of passengers is 3. As shown in Figure 10, the registered number of passengers for user ID "x001" is 4, so the number of passengers is 3.

[0092] For example, in Figure 12A, the detection unit 203 detects from the image captured by the imaging device 75 that three passengers, which is the registered number of passengers, have disembarked.

[0093] Figure 12B is an explanatory diagram showing Example 1, in which a screen capable of accepting the following operation is displayed when the disembarkation of a registered number of passengers is detected. In Figure 12B, the control unit 205 displays a screen capable of accepting the following operation on the operating device 71. In Figure 12B, the following operation is the operation to call the pallet 74. The screen capable of accepting the following operation has a pallet call button. The pallet call button is a button that corresponds to the operation to call the pallet 74. The driver taps the pallet call button. When the pallet call button is tapped, the control unit 205 calls the pallet 74. The control method for calling the pallet 74 can be the use of existing technology, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0094] Figure 12C is an explanatory diagram showing Example 2, in which a screen that can accept the next operation is displayed when the disembarkation of a registered number of passengers is detected. In Figure 12C, the control unit 205 displays a screen that can accept the next operation on the operating device 71. In Figure 12C, the next operation is to open the entrance / exit door 72. The screen that can accept the next operation has a button to open the entrance / exit door 72. The button to open the entrance / exit door 72 is a button that corresponds to the operation to open the entrance / exit door 72. The driver taps the button to open the entrance / exit door 72. When the button to open the entrance / exit door 72 is tapped, the control unit 205 opens the entrance / exit door 72. The control method for opening the entrance / exit door 72 can be done using existing technology, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0095] If pallet 74 has already arrived at the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 may accept an operation to open the loading / unloading door 72, as shown in Figure 12C. Alternatively, if pallet 74 has not yet arrived at the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 may accept an operation to call pallet 74, as shown in Figure 12B, and after pallet 74 arrives at the passenger compartment 73, accept an operation to open the loading / unloading door 72, as shown in Figure 12C.

[0096] Thus, when the control unit 205 receives an operation from the operating device 71 to enter the passenger compartment 73, it calls up the pallet 74 and controls the vehicle so that it can enter the passenger compartment 73 after the pallet 74 has arrived at the passenger compartment 73.

[0097] Furthermore, the control unit 205 may also notify if, after detecting that the registered number of passengers have disembarked, there is an opening or closing of a vehicle door other than the driver's seat. The notification method is not particularly limited and may include displaying a notification screen, outputting a notification sound, lighting a notification lamp, or a combination thereof. The notification recipient may be the operating device 71, an output device other than the operating device 71, or a combination of the operating device 71 and an output device other than the operating device 71. For example, the output device other than the operating device 71 may be a device installed in the parking facility 7. Also, since the notification may be sent to the manager of the parking facility 7, the notification recipient may be the manager's device.

[0098] Furthermore, if biometric authentication of the driver is performed, the control unit 205 may, if the biometric authentication of the driver is successful and the disembarkation of the number of passengers obtained from the user DB 2000 is detected at the disembarkation position p1, recognize that the following operation has been accepted and perform the processing corresponding to the following operation.

[0099] In this case, the user may not have registered the number of passengers or may have changed the number of passengers. In such cases, the user may register or change the number of passengers using the operating device 71.

[0100] For example, the acquisition unit 201 acquires passenger information regarding the number of passengers riding in the vehicle based on the user's operation of the operating device 71. More specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire passenger information by receiving input of the number of passengers based on the user's operation of the operating device 71. If the user is a member and has a user ID, the acquisition unit 201 may register the acquired passenger information in the user DB 2000, associating it with a pre-registered user ID. If the user does not have a user ID, the acquisition unit 201 may register the acquired passenger information in the user DB 2000, associating it with a temporary user ID.

[0101] The detection unit 203 may then detect whether the number of passengers who have disembarked has disembarked by comparing the number of passengers who have disembarked, as detected from the image captured by the imaging device 75, with the number of passengers acquired by the operating device 71.

[0102] Similarly, if there is a change in the number of passengers, the acquisition unit 201 can, for example, acquire passenger information regarding the changed number of passengers through the user's operation of the operating device 71. The detection unit 203 may then detect whether the passengers of the changed number have disembarked by comparing the number of passengers who have disembarked, as detected from the image captured by the imaging device 75, with the changed number of passengers acquired by the operating device 71. In addition, similar to the example of the operating device 71, if the user has not registered the number of passengers or has changed the number of passengers, the user may register or change the number of passengers at the parking facility 71 via the user's terminal 60.

[0103] Furthermore, the subsequent processing of the control unit 205 and other components may be the same as described above, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0104] <Example of detecting the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 using biometric authentication at the operating device 71> After the entry / exit door 72 is opened, the vehicle enters the passenger compartment 73 and is placed on the pallet 74. Next, the process after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet 74 will be described. For example, biometric authentication by the operating device 71 located outside the passenger compartment 73 may be used to detect that the driver has left the passenger compartment 73.

[0105] First, let's explain an example where biometric authentication is performed in the operating device 71. The matching unit 207 performs biometric authentication of the driver in the operating device 71. The example of biometric authentication being performed in the operating device 71 is just one example, and the device in which biometric authentication is performed is not particularly limited, as long as it is a device located outside the passenger compartment 73 and biometric authentication is possible when the driver is not inside the passenger compartment 73. For example, it may be an edge device other than the operating device 71 included in the operating device. In this case, the edge device is equipped with a sensor capable of acquiring biometric information from the user for biometric authentication. For example, the matching unit 207 performs biometric authentication of the driver by matching the driver's biometric information detected by the sensor in the operating device 71 with the driver's biometric information that has been registered in advance. The driver's biometric information that has been registered in advance may be the driver's biometric information acquired via the user's terminal 60 as described above, or it may be the driver's biometric information detected by a sensor attached to the vehicle. More specifically, let's explain using the example of facial recognition as the biometric authentication.

[0106] Figure 13A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which facial recognition of the driver is performed after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet 74. The driver drives the vehicle into the passenger compartment 73 and places it on the pallet 74. After the vehicle is placed on the pallet 74, the driver gets out of the vehicle. Then the driver exits the passenger compartment 73. As shown in Figure 13A, at this point the entry / exit door 72 is still open. The driver stands in front of the operating device 71 and undergoes facial recognition.

[0107] Figure 13B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen of the operating device 71 when facial recognition is performed after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet 74. In Figure 13B, the operating device 71 displays an instruction to "Please take a picture of your face." The operating device 71 also displays a frame for taking a picture of the face. For example, the driver can take a picture of their face by positioning their face within the frame, allowing the imaging device 711 on the operating device 71 to capture the face. For example, the matching unit 207 performs facial recognition of the driver by matching the facial information obtained from the driver's face image captured by the imaging device 711 on the operating device 71 with the driver's facial information registered in the user DB 2000.

[0108] Next, the control unit 205 accepts an instruction to park the vehicle if biometric authentication is successful and the detection unit 203 detects that the number of passengers at the disembarking position p1 has disembarked. The instruction to park the vehicle is, for example, an instruction to close the entry / exit door 72, an instruction to store the pallet 74 in the vehicle storage, or an instruction in combination thereof. As a result, the control unit 205 closes the entry / exit door 72. The control unit 205 also stores the pallet 74 in the vehicle storage. Since existing technologies can be used for these control methods, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0109] The control unit 205 notifies the driver if biometric authentication is successful and the detection unit 203 has not detected that any passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1. Here, the case where the detection unit 203 has not detected that any passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 is, for example, when a passenger enters the passenger compartment while remaining in the vehicle with the driver. In such a case, the safety check performed when opening the entrance / exit door 72 may be performed again when closing the entrance / exit door 72. The notification method is not particularly limited and may include displaying a notification screen, outputting a notification sound, lighting a notification lamp, or a combination thereof. The notification recipient may be the operating device 71, an output device other than the operating device 71, or a combination of the operating device 71 and an output device other than the operating device 71. For example, the output device other than the operating device 71 may be a device installed in the parking facility 7. Notification may also be given to the manager of the parking facility 7. In this case, the output device other than the operating device 71 may be the manager's device.

[0110] When the control unit 205 receives a safety confirmation input from the driver, it assumes that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle. The instruction to park is as described above. The safety confirmation input example may be the same as the safety confirmation input example performed before entering the passenger compartment 73. This allows the driver to perform a safety confirmation again. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve safety at the parking facility 7.

[0111] When the control unit 205 receives an instruction to bring a vehicle into the storage area, it closes the entrance / exit door 72 and moves the pallet 74 on which the vehicle is placed into the vehicle storage area.

[0112] For example, the control unit 205 may refuse to accept the order to put the item into storage if biometric authentication fails. Alternatively, the control unit 205 may output to the operating device 71 that biometric authentication failed.

[0113] Furthermore, whether a vehicle is placed on the pallet 74 may be detected by a weight sensor or the like provided beneath the pallet 74, or by an imaging device 77 capable of imaging the interior of the area where the pallet 74 is placed. The control unit 205 may then activate biometric authentication after it has been detected that a vehicle has been placed on the pallet 74.

[0114] <Example of detecting the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 by biometric authentication on the driver's terminal 60> Next, we will explain an example in which, after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet 74, the driver exits the passenger compartment 73 and biometric authentication is performed on the driver's terminal 60. As mentioned above, biometric authentication is not particularly limited, but as with the other examples, we will explain using facial recognition as an example.

[0115] The matching unit 207 performs biometric authentication of the driver at the driver's terminal 60. Specifically, for example, the matching unit 207 may authenticate the driver by comparing the driver's face information detected from an image of the driver captured by an imaging device provided in the driver's terminal 60 with the driver's face information registered in the user DB 2000. Here, if the driver's terminal 60 has a matching unit 207 and transmits the matching result to the control device 20, the driver's face information may be registered in the driver's terminal 60 in advance. The matching unit 207 provided in the driver's terminal 60 may then authenticate the driver by comparing the face information registered in the driver's terminal 60 with the driver's face information detected from a newly captured image of the driver.

[0116] The output unit 211 outputs information readable by the operating device, including identification information that identifies the driver, to the driver's terminal 60 when the driver's biometric authentication is successful. The identification information here may be the aforementioned user ID. The output method may be screen display or output via short-range wireless communication. The information readable by the operating device may be information indicating that the driver's biometric authentication was successful.

[0117] For example, if the output method is screen display, this information may be, for example, a code. The code may be a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, or a combination of both. The control unit 205 reads the code information from the driver's terminal 60 in the operating device 71, and if it detects that the registered number of passengers have disembarked, it accepts the operation to park the vehicle. On the other hand, if the control unit 205 reads the code information from the driver's terminal 60 in the operating device 71, and it has not detected that the registered number of passengers have disembarked, it accepts the safety confirmation input in the operating device 71. An example of accepting the safety confirmation input is as described above. Then, when the control unit 205 accepts the safety confirmation input, it accepts the operation to park the vehicle. The control unit 205 reads the code information, and if it has not detected that the registered number of passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 by the detection unit 203, it may notify the driver. The notification method may be the same as in the example where biometric authentication is performed on the operating device 71, or the notification may be sent to the driver's terminal 60.

[0118] The safety confirmation input may be performed via the driver's terminal 60. For example, if the driver's biometric authentication is successful and the detection unit 203 has not detected the disembarkation of the registered number of passengers at the disembarkation position p1, the output unit 211 accepts the safety confirmation input from the driver's terminal 60. The example of accepting the safety confirmation input may be the same as the example of accepting the safety confirmation input in the operating device 71. When the output unit 211 accepts the safety confirmation input, it outputs information that can be read by the operating device and includes identification information that identifies the driver to the driver's terminal. For example, if the driver's biometric authentication is successful and the detection unit 203 has detected the disembarkation of the registered number of passengers at the disembarkation position p1, the output unit 211 outputs information that can be read by the operating device 71 and includes identification information that identifies the driver to the driver's terminal 60. The output method may be the same as the example of performing the safety confirmation in the operating device 71. When the control unit 205 reads information from the driver's terminal at the operating device, it recognizes that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle. If a safety check is performed at the driver's terminal 60, the information readable by the operating device may also include information indicating that the safety check has been completed.

[0119] When the control unit 205 receives an instruction to bring a vehicle into the storage area, it closes the entrance / exit door 72 and moves the pallet 74 on which the vehicle is placed into the vehicle storage area.

[0120] When biometric authentication is performed via the driver's terminal 60, it is expected that the driver will perform biometric authentication via the driver's terminal 60 while inside the passenger compartment 73. Therefore, after successful biometric authentication, the control device 20 can read information including the driver's identification information from the driver's terminal 60 via the operating device 71, thereby allowing the driver to exit the passenger compartment 73. The output unit 211 may also be configured to output information including the driver's identification information for a predetermined period of time after successful biometric authentication. This allows the control device 20 to perform biometric authentication near the operating device 71. In other words, the control device 20 can allow the driver to perform biometric authentication using the driver's terminal 60 when there is a higher probability that the driver is not inside the passenger compartment 73.

[0121] <Example of detecting the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 using the driver's terminal 60 and operating device 71> Furthermore, an example will be described in which, for example, after the vehicle has been placed on the pallet 74, the driver exits from the passenger compartment 73, and the operating device 71 reads information including identification information that identifies the driver from the driver's terminal 60.

[0122] The output unit 211 outputs information readable by the operating device, including identification information to identify the driver, to the driver's terminal 60. The identification information here may be the same as in the example described above. The output method may be screen display, as in the example described above, or output via short-range wireless communication.

[0123] For example, the output example for screen display and the output example for short-range wireless communication may be the same as the example in which the driver's terminal 60 detects the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 using biometric authentication. Also, the input for safety confirmation may be performed on the driver's terminal 60, similar to the example in which the driver's terminal 60 detects the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 using biometric authentication, or it may be performed by the operating device 71. The example of the process in which the control unit 205 receives an instruction to park the vehicle may also be the same as the example in which the driver's terminal 60 detects the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 using biometric authentication.

[0124] <Example of detecting the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73 using a sensor> Next, if the parking operation is performed while a person remains inside the passenger compartment 73, there is a risk of the person being trapped inside the passenger compartment 73 or the pallet 74 starting to move. Therefore, safety can be further ensured if the parking operation is performed when there are no people such as a driver entering the passenger compartment 73.

[0125] The area detection unit 209 uses an image captured by an imaging device 77 capable of imaging the inside of the area where the pallet 74 is placed to detect whether there is a person inside the area.

[0126] The control unit 205 enables the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle if there is no person in the area where the pallet 74 is placed, and disables the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle if there is a person in the area.

[0127] Furthermore, in order to more accurately detect whether the driver has left the area where the pallet 74 is placed, it may be possible to detect whether there is a person inside the area after detecting that the driver has gotten out. The area detection unit 209 uses an image captured by an imaging device 77 capable of imaging the inside of the area where the pallet 74 is placed to detect that the driver has gotten out of the vehicle by opening and closing the doors from the vehicle. Then, after detecting that the driver has gotten out of the vehicle, the area detection unit 209 detects whether there is a person inside the area.

[0128] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of detecting the driver's alighting and exiting the vehicle. The area detection unit 209 uses the image captured by the imaging device 77 to detect that the driver has alighted from the vehicle by opening and closing the doors. After detecting that the driver has alighted from the vehicle, the area detection unit 209 may track the driver to detect the driver's exit from the passenger compartment 73. The area detection unit 209 may also detect whether there is a person inside the passenger compartment 73.

[0129] Furthermore, the area detection unit 209 may detect the number of people who have left the passenger compartment 73 using an image captured by an imaging device 77 capable of imaging the interior of the passenger compartment 73. If the control unit 205 has not detected that all passengers have disembarked, it will activate the instruction to park the vehicle if the sum of the number of people who have left the passenger compartment 73 and the number of passengers who disembarked at the disembarking position p1 is equal to the number of passengers in the vehicle. On the other hand, if the control unit 205 has not detected that all passengers have disembarked, it will deactivate the instruction to park the vehicle if the sum of the number of people who have left the passenger compartment 73 and the number of passengers who disembarked at the disembarking position p1 is less than the number of passengers in the vehicle.

[0130] The control unit 205 may issue a notification when it detects that a person is inside the passenger compartment 73. The notification method is not particularly limited and may include displaying a notification screen, outputting a notification sound, lighting a notification lamp, or a combination thereof. The notification recipient may be the operating device 71, an output device other than the operating device 71, or a combination of the operating device 71 and an output device other than the operating device 71. For example, the output device other than the operating device 71 may be a device installed in the parking facility 7, or an output device installed inside the passenger compartment 73. In addition, since the notification may be sent to the manager of the parking facility 7, the notification recipient may be the manager's device.

[0131] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 205 may also notify if it detects that a person is inside the passenger compartment 73 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle became able to enter the passenger compartment 73. For example, the predetermined time can be any typical time required from the time the entry / exit door 72 is opened until the driver exits the passenger compartment 73, and can be set as appropriate.

[0132] Furthermore, a combination of cases may be made in which biometric authentication is performed after the driver has left the passenger compartment 73 and in which it is detected that there is no person inside the passenger compartment 73.

[0133] For example, the verification unit 207 may perform biometric authentication of the driver on the operating device 71 when it is detected that there is no person inside the passenger compartment 73. For example, the screen of the operating device 71 shown in Figure 13B may be displayed when it is detected that there is no person inside the passenger compartment 73.

[0134] (Flowchart) Figures 15 and 16 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the control device 20. Here, the operation of the control device 20 is explained along with the movement of the person.

[0135] First, the acquisition unit 201 acquires passenger information and the driver's facial information (step S201). In step S201, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire passenger information and the driver's facial information by operating the driver's terminal 60 before the parking facility 7 is used. Alternatively, in step S201, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire passenger information and the driver's facial information using images captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of the vehicle's interior.

[0136] First, when the vehicle arrives at the parking facility 7, it stops at the drop-off position p1. Then, passengers are asked to get off the vehicle at the drop-off position p1 where the vehicle has stopped. The detection unit 203 detects that the passengers have gotten off at the drop-off position p1 (step S202). In step S202, the detection unit 203 detects whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information have gotten off the vehicle.

[0137] The detection unit 203 determines whether it has detected that all passengers have disembarked (step S203). If it has not detected that all passengers have disembarked (step S203: No), the control unit 205 disables the operation to call the pallet 74 (step S204), and the control unit 205 determines whether it has received a safety confirmation input (step S205). If the control unit 205 has not received a safety confirmation (step S205: No), the detection unit 203 returns to step S203. If it has detected that all passengers have disembarked (step S203: Yes), or if the control unit 205 has received a safety confirmation input (step S205: Yes), the control unit 205 enables the operation to call the pallet 74 (step S206).

[0138] When the driver who has disembarked from the vehicle becomes eligible to call the pallet 74, he performs the operation to call the pallet 74 on the operating device 71. The control unit 205 receives the operation to call the pallet 74 (step S207). Then, the control unit 205 calls the pallet 74 (step S208). When the pallet 74 is placed in the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 enables the operation to open the entry / exit door 72.

[0139] When the pallet 74 is placed in the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 activates the operation to open the entry / exit door 72. When the operation to open the entry / exit door 72 is activated, the driver performs the operation to open the entry / exit door 72 on the operating device 71. The control unit 205 accepts the operation to open the entry / exit door 72 (step S209). Then, the control unit 205 opens the entry / exit door 72 (step S210).

[0140] When the loading / unloading door 72 opens, the driver places the vehicle into the passenger compartment 73 and places the vehicle on the pallet 74. The driver gets out of the vehicle and exits the passenger compartment 73. Then, the driver goes in front of the operating device 71 and undergoes biometric authentication. The matching unit 207 performs biometric authentication of the driver by comparing the driver's facial information captured by the imaging device 711 provided on the operating device 71 with the driver's facial information registered in the user database 2000 (step S211).

[0141] Then, the matching unit 207 determines whether biometric authentication was successful (step S212). If biometric authentication is unsuccessful (step S212: No), the matching unit 207 returns to step S211. If biometric authentication is successful (step S212: Yes), the detection unit 203 determines whether it has detected that all passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 (step S213). If it has detected that all passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 (step S213: No), the control unit 205 accepts a safety confirmation input (step S214). If the safety confirmation input has not been accepted (step S214: No), the control unit 205 returns to step S214.

[0142] If it is detected that all passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1 (step S213: Yes), or if the control unit 205 receives a safety confirmation (step S214: Yes), the control unit 205 closes the entry / exit door 72 (step S215). Then, the control unit 205 places the pallet 74 into the vehicle storage (step S216). The control device 20 then completes the series of processes shown in Figures 13 and 14.

[0143] Furthermore, in Figures 15 and 16, before biometric authentication is performed, the area detection unit 209 may detect the driver's exit from the vehicle placed on the pallet 74 using an image captured by an imaging device 77 capable of imaging the interior of the passenger compartment 73. When the area detection unit 209 detects the driver's exit, it detects whether there is a person inside the passenger compartment 73. The area detection unit 209 determines whether there is a person inside the passenger compartment 73. If there is a person inside the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 disables biometric authentication. If there is no person inside the passenger compartment 73, the control unit 205 enables biometric authentication. Then, as shown in Figure 16, in step S211, the matching unit 207 may perform biometric authentication.

[0144] The operation to call up pallet 74 and the operation to open the loading / unloading door 72 may be performed as a single operation. Steps S207 and S209 may be the same step. For example, when the control unit 205 receives this operation, it should call up pallet 74, and when pallet 74 is placed in the loading / unloading compartment 73, it should open the loading / unloading door 72.

[0145] In the second embodiment described above, the control device 20 notifies the operating device 71 if it does not detect that the registered number of passengers have disembarked. Then, when the control device 20 receives a safety confirmation input from the operating device 71, it activates the following operation. This allows the driver or other personnel to confirm safety. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance safety. Furthermore, it becomes possible to operate the parking facility 7 without human intervention.

[0146] Furthermore, if the control device 20 has not detected any passengers disembarking from the registered number of passengers, and accepts a correction to the number of passengers, it will enable the following operation when it detects that passengers with the corrected number of passengers have disembarked. This makes it possible to distinguish between cases where there has been a change in the number of passengers and cases where no passengers have disembarked.

[0147] Furthermore, after the vehicle is placed on the pallet 74, the control device 20 performs biometric authentication of the driver using the operating device 71 located outside the area where the pallet 74 is placed. The control device 20 then determines that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle if the authentication is successful and the registered number of passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1. The control device 20 can detect that the driver has left the passenger compartment 73 by performing biometric authentication of the driver using the operating device 71 located outside the passenger compartment 73. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect that there is no driver inside the passenger compartment 73 using biometric authentication. Thus, the control device 20 can park the vehicle placed on the pallet 74 after confirming that the driver is in a safe location and that the passengers have disembarked. Therefore, it is possible to enhance safety with a simple configuration.

[0148] Furthermore, the control device 20 notifies the driver if authentication is successful and no passengers matching the registered number of passengers have disembarked at the disembarking position p1. When the control device 20 receives a safety confirmation input via the operating device 71, it indicates that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle. This allows the driver to park the vehicle placed on the pallet 74 after performing a safety check.

[0149] This concludes the description of the second embodiment. Furthermore, the second embodiment is not limited to the example described above and can be modified in various ways. For example, the second embodiment may be used in a modified form. Modification 1 and Modification 2 are given below.

[0150] <Modification 1> The disembarking position p1 is located in the space in front of the entrance / exit door 72. In this case, there may be a turntable in front of the entrance / exit door 72. An example of the disembarking position p1 in such a case will be explained.

[0151] Figure 17A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a disembarking position p1 is set up so that passengers disembark before the vehicle stops on the turntable. In Figure 17A, a turntable 78 is provided in the space in front of the entrance / exit door 72. In Figure 17A, passengers can disembark before the vehicle is placed on the turntable 78.

[0152] For example, after the passengers have disembarked, the driver places the vehicle onto the turntable 78. The turntable 78 rotates with the vehicle on it so that it can enter the passenger compartment 73.

[0153] Figure 17B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a disembarking position p1 is set up on the turntable 78 so that passengers can disembark. In Figure 17A, the turntable 78 is provided in front of the entrance / exit door 72. In Figure 17B, the vehicle is placed on the turntable 78 so that passengers can disembark.

[0154] For example, after the passengers disembark, the driver places the vehicle on the turntable 78, and after the passengers disembark, the turntable 78 rotates with the vehicle on it so that the vehicle is facing in a direction that allows it to enter the passenger compartment 73.

[0155] If a turntable 78 is installed, the next operation performed by the control panel, which allows operations related to the pallet 74, may be an operation to rotate the turntable 78 so that the vehicle placed on the turntable 78 is oriented to enter the passenger compartment 73. For example, the control unit 205 may disable the operation to rotate the turntable 78 if it has not detected that a pre-registered number of passengers have disembarked, and enable the operation to rotate the turntable 78 if it has detected that a pre-registered number of passengers have disembarked.

[0156] <Modification 2> In the first and second embodiments, a parking facility in which a passenger compartment 73 is located as the area where the pallets are arranged, as shown in Figure 1, was used as an example for the explanation. For example, the control device 20 may be applied to a mechanical parking system used in condominiums, etc., which does not have a passenger compartment 73, as described above.

[0157] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a disembarking position p1 in a two-tiered pit-type parking facility with an underground structure. In the parking facility shown in Figure 18, the entrance / exit door 72 may be called a gate or the like. In Figure 18, the gate and operating device 71 are omitted. The disembarking position p1 is located in the space in front of the area 79 where the pallets 74 are placed. The imaging device 75 is installed in a position that allows imaging of a person disembarking from a vehicle stopped at the disembarking position p1.

[0158] This concludes the explanation of the modified examples. Furthermore, each embodiment and each modified example may be combined as appropriate.

[0159] Furthermore, the configuration of the control devices 10 and 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the functional units of the control devices 10 and 20 may be implemented by a single device. Alternatively, for example, each functional unit of the control devices 10 and 20 or each database may be implemented by different devices and configured as a system. For example, the functional units of the control devices 10 and 20 may be made up of multiple devices. For example, a system may be implemented that includes a database server containing each database and devices having each functional unit. A system may be implemented that includes a device equipped with some of the functional units of the control device 20 and another device equipped with other parts of the functional units of the control device 20. The number of devices is not particularly limited.

[0160] Thus, the configurations for realizing the control devices 10 and 20, and the configurations for realizing the control systems 1 and 2, are not particularly limited. For example, examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the configuration of a control system 2 different from the control system 2 shown in Figure 8 are shown.

[0161] Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 1 of the control system 2. For example, Figure 19 shows an example in which the control device 20 is implemented in an existing mechanical parking system. The aforementioned control device 20 is distinguished into multiple devices. The control device 20 is realized by, for example, a control device 50-1, an existing control unit 50-2, and a database server 50-3. The communication networks NT1, NT2, NT3, NT4 are not particularly limited to wired or wireless and may be composed of multiple communication networks.

[0162] For example, an existing mechanical parking facility is equipped with an existing control unit 50-2 and an existing operation panel 51. The existing control unit 50-2 controls, for example, the opening and closing of the entrance / exit doors 72 and controls the pallets. Also, as mentioned above, the operating device 71 is equipped with the existing operation panel 51 and an edge terminal 52. The edge terminal 52 may be a smartphone, tablet, or the like, as mentioned above. This makes it possible to construct a highly operable control system 2 simply by installing an edge terminal 52 in an existing parking facility 7. The edge terminal 52 is equipped with various sensors such as an imaging device 711 and a fingerprint sensor, and is capable of acquiring biometric information used for biometric authentication. For example, the database server 50-3 has various databases such as the user DB 2000. The control device 50-1 has an acquisition unit 201, a detection unit 203, a matching unit 207, some functions of the control unit 205, and an area detection unit 209. The existing control unit 50-2 may have some functions of the control unit 205.

[0163] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 2 of the control system 2. In Figure 20, a user terminal 60 is added compared to the configuration example 1 in Figure 19. As mentioned above, the user is, for example, a driver. For example, the driver's terminal 60 may be used when opening the entry / exit door 72, or when closing the entry / exit door 72.

[0164] Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a code is displayed on the driver's terminal 60. For example, the driver's terminal 60 logs into a website or the like through the driver's operation and displays a code that includes the driver's user ID. The edge terminal 52 included in the operating device 71 then reads the code using the reader provided on the edge terminal 52. As mentioned above, the reading of the code from the driver's terminal 60 may be used when opening the entry / exit door 72 or when closing the entry / exit door 72.

[0165] As explained in Figure 20, when the control device 50-1 obtains the driver's user ID via the operating device 71, it can use various information associated with the driver's user ID from the user DB 2000 held by the database server 50-3.

[0166] Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 3 of the control system 2. In Figure 22, the control device 1 is not connected to the communication network NT3. That is, the control device 1 and the existing control unit 50-2 are not connected to the database server 50-3 via a communication network or the like. Therefore, the control device 50-1 obtains information about the user registered in the user DB via the user's terminal 60. Similar to the example shown in Figure 21, the driver's terminal 60 displays a code. However, the code here includes passenger information registered in the user DB. Furthermore, the code may also include information about the license plate. Thus, since the control device 50-1 cannot access the database server 50-3, and instead obtains information registered in the user DB via the driver's terminal 60, the code may include various types of information registered in the user DB. The edge terminal 52 included in the operating device 71 reads the code using a reader provided in the edge terminal 52. For example, if the passenger information is the number of passengers, the acquisition unit 201 of the control device 50-1 acquires the number of passengers via the operating device 71. The detection unit 203 then compares the number of passengers (excluding the driver) with the number of passengers who have disembarked from the vehicle. The subsequent processing is the same as that described in the first embodiment and the second child mobile phone, so it will be omitted here.

[0167] Figure 23 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example 4 of the control system 2. Figure 23 illustrates an example in which the control device 20 is composed of a control device 50-1, an existing control unit 50-2, a database server 50-3, and a control device 50-4. For example, the control device 50-4 has a detection unit 203 and an output unit 211. The control device 50-1 and the existing control unit 50-2 each have a control unit 205. In configuration example 4, the control device 50-1 and the existing control unit 50-2 are not connected to the control device 50-4 and the database server 50-3 via a communication network or the like. For example, the control device 50-1 cannot access the user DB 2000, and the control device 50-2 cannot directly transmit detection results from the detection unit 203 to the control device 50-1. For this reason, in the example of Figure 23, the control device 50-1 obtains detection results via the user's terminal 60 to determine whether the number of passengers, excluding the driver from the registered number of passengers, have disembarked.

[0168] Specifically, for example, the driver operates the driver's terminal 60 to display a code in order to open the entry / exit door 72. At this time, if the output unit 211 detects that the number of passengers equal to the registered number of passengers minus the driver has disembarked, it displays a code on the driver's terminal 60 that includes information indicating that passengers have disembarked at the disembarkation position p1. The information indicating that passengers have disembarked is, for example, information indicating permission to open the entry / exit door 72. The edge terminal 52 included in the operating device 71 reads the code using the reader provided on the edge terminal 52. Then, when the control unit 205 of the control device 50-1 obtains information indicating that passengers have disembarked via the edge terminal 52, it enables the following operation. Alternatively, when the control unit 205 of the control device 50-1 obtains information indicating that disembarkation has been detected via the edge terminal 52, it may perform processing corresponding to the following operation. That is, the control unit 205 calls up a pallet or controls the opening of the entry / exit door 72. On the other hand, the control unit 205 of the control device 50-1 will disable the next operation unless it obtains information indicating that a passenger has disembarked via the edge terminal 52.

[0169] On the other hand, if the output unit 211 has not detected that the number of passengers equal to the registered number of passengers minus the driver has disembarked, it outputs information to the driver's terminal 60 prompting the driver to input a safety confirmation. When the output unit 211 receives the safety confirmation input via the driver's terminal 60, it displays a code on the driver's terminal 60 that includes information indicating that a safety confirmation has been performed. Alternatively, the control unit 205 of the control device 50-1 will not perform the processing corresponding to the next operation unless it obtains information indicating that passengers have disembarked via the edge terminal 52. In the case where the code includes information indicating that a safety confirmation has been performed, the explanation of the processing by the control unit 205 will be omitted, similar to the case where the code includes information indicating that disembarkation has been detected.

[0170] In addition, while examples 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the other configurations show an example where the operating device 71 includes an existing control panel 51 and an edge terminal 52, as mentioned above, the operating device 71 may be a single device or multiple devices, and is not particularly limited.

[0171] For example, the edge device 76 may have at least some of the functional parts of the control devices 10 and 20. The edge device 76 may have the detection units 103 and 203 of the control devices 10 and 20. Also, for example, the operating device 71 may have at least some of the functional parts of the control devices 10 and 20. For example, the operating device 71 may have a verification unit 207. The control unit 205 of the control device 20 may perform various controls as described above based on the verification result of the verification unit 207 of the operating device 71. Also, for example, the user's terminal 60 may have at least some of the functional parts of the control devices 10 and 20. The user's terminal 60 may have a verification unit 207 and an output unit 211. The control unit 205 of the control device 20 may perform various controls as described above based on the verification result of the verification unit 207 of the user's terminal 60.

[0172] Furthermore, the various databases are merely examples, and they may contain other information or omit some of it. Also, the various databases may be divided into multiple databases. For example, user databases 1000 and 2000 may consist of two databases: a member database and a member profile database.

[0173] Furthermore, the process of generating information to be displayed on the operating device 71 may be performed by a functional unit of the control devices 10 and 20, such as the control unit 205. Alternatively, this process may be performed by the operating device 71. That is, the operating device 71 may generate screen information to be displayed on the operating device 71 based on data received from the control devices 10 and 20, and display the screen based on the screen information. Furthermore, the process of generating information to be displayed on the user's terminal 60 may be performed by a functional unit of the control device 20, such as the output unit 211. Alternatively, this process may be performed by the user's terminal 60. That is, the user's terminal 60 may generate screen information to be displayed on the user's terminal 60 based on data received from the control device 20, and display the screen based on the screen information.

[0174] Furthermore, the user interface in each embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications are possible.

[0175] (Example of computer hardware configuration) Next, we will explain an example of a hardware configuration when each device, such as the control devices 10 and 20, the operating device 71, and the user terminal 60, is implemented using a computer.

[0176] Figure 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a computer hardware configuration. For example, some or all of each device can be implemented using any combination of computer 80 and program as shown in Figure 24.

[0177] Computer 80 includes, for example, a processor 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, and a storage device 804. Computer 80 also includes a communication interface 805 and an input / output interface 806. Each component is connected, for example, via a bus 807. The number of components is not particularly limited, and each component may be one or more.

[0178] The processor 801 controls the entire computer 80. The processor 801 can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), a quantum processor, or a combination thereof, and is not particularly limited.

[0179] The computer 80 also includes a ROM 802, a RAM 803, and a storage device 804. The storage device 804 can be, for example, a semiconductor memory such as flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). For example, the storage device 804 stores the OS (Operating System) program, application programs, and programs according to each embodiment. Alternatively, the ROM 802 stores application programs and programs according to the embodiment. The RAM 803 is used as a work area for the processor 801.

[0180] The processor 801 also loads programs stored in the storage device 804, ROM 802, etc. Then, the processor 801 executes each process coded in the program. The processor 801 may also download various programs via the communication network NT. Furthermore, the processor 801 functions as part or all of the computer 80. The processor 801 may also execute processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0181] The communication interface 805 is connected to a communication network NT, such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network), via a wireless or wired communication line. The communication network NT may be composed of multiple communication networks NT. This allows the computer 80 to connect to external devices and external computers 80 via the communication network NT. The communication interface 805 manages the interface between the communication network NT and the internal workings of the computer 80. Furthermore, the communication interface 805 controls the input and output of data from external devices and external computers 80.

[0182] Furthermore, the input / output interface 806 is connected to at least one of the input device, output device, and input / output device. The connection method may be wireless or wired. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mice, and microphones. Examples of output devices include display devices, lighting devices (such as lamps), and audio output devices. Examples of input / output devices include touch panel displays. The input device, output device, and input / output device may be built into the computer 80 or attached to the computer 80 externally. That is, for example, the computer 80 may have input devices such as keyboards and mice. The computer 80 may have output devices such as displays. The computer 80 may also have input devices, output devices, and input / output devices.

[0183] The hardware configuration of computer 80 is an example. Computer 80 may have some of the components shown in Figure 24. Computer 80 may have components other than those shown in Figure 24. For example, computer 80 may have a drive device. The processor 801 may read programs and data stored on a recording medium mounted on the drive device or the like into RAM 803. Examples of non-temporary tangible recording media include optical discs, flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

[0184] Furthermore, the computer 80 may have various sensors (not shown). The type of sensor is not particularly limited. Also, the computer 80 may be equipped with an imaging device capable of capturing images or videos.

[0185] This concludes the description of the hardware configuration of each device. Furthermore, there are various variations in how each device can be implemented. For example, each device may be implemented by any combination of different computers and programs for each component. Alternatively, the multiple components of each device may be implemented by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0186] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be implemented using application-specific circuits. Alternatively, some or all of the components of each device may be implemented using general-purpose circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be implemented using a combination of application-specific circuits and general-purpose circuits. These circuits may also be a single integrated circuit, or they may be divided into multiple integrated circuits. These multiple integrated circuits may be connected via a bus or the like.

[0187] Furthermore, if some or all of the components of each device are implemented by multiple computers or circuits, these computers or circuits may be centrally located or distributed.

[0188] The control methods described in each embodiment may be implemented by computers such as control devices 10 and 20.

[0189] Each program described in each embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or USB memory. Each program is then executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer. Furthermore, each program may be distributed via a communication network NT.

[0190] Each component of the control device 10 and each component of the control device 20 described above may be implemented using dedicated hardware, such as a computer. Alternatively, each component may be implemented using software. Alternatively, each component may be implemented using a combination of hardware and software.

[0191] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. The structure and details of the present disclosure may include embodiments that apply various modifications that can be grasped by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may include embodiments that combine or substitute the matters described herein as appropriate. For example, matters described using a particular embodiment may be applied to other embodiments to the extent that they do not cause a contradiction. For example, although several operations are described sequentially in the form of a flowchart, the order in which they are described does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing an embodiment, the order of the operations can be changed to the extent that it does not impair the content.

[0192] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows. However, some or all of the above embodiments are not limited to the following.

[0193] (Note 1) A control method that performs the following steps: at least one computer acquires passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; before the vehicle enters the area in the parking facility where pallets are placed, the computer uses an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people getting out of the vehicle at a drop-off position where passengers are dropped off to detect whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information have gotten out of the vehicle at the drop-off position; if the drop-off is not detected, the next operation is disabled; and if the drop-off is detected, the next operation is enabled.

[0194] (Note 2) The control method described in Note 1, wherein the next operation is the operation to call the pallet or the operation to permit entry into the area.

[0195] (Note 3) The control method described in Note 1, wherein the process for controlling the following operation includes notifying the driver if disembarkation is not detected, and enabling the following operation when a safety confirmation input is received.

[0196] (Note 4) The control method described in any of Notes 1 to 3, wherein in the process that controls the following operation, if a disembarkation has not been detected, the correction of the number of passengers is accepted, and if the disembarkation of a passenger of the corrected number of passengers is detected, the following operation is enabled.

[0197] (Note 5) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein an operating device capable of performing operations related to the pallet is located outside the area, and at least one computer performs biometric authentication of the driver at the operating device, and if the biometric authentication is successful and the disembarkation is detected, it executes a process in which it has received an instruction to park the vehicle.

[0198] (Note 6) The control method described in Note 5, wherein at least one computer notifies if the biometric authentication is successful and the vehicle has not been disembarked, and when it receives a safety confirmation input via the operating device, it executes a process that indicates it has received an instruction to park the vehicle.

[0199] (Note 7) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein an operating device capable of performing operations related to the pallet is located outside the area, and at least one computer performs biometric authentication of the driver at the driver's terminal, outputs information readable by the operating device, which includes identification information that identifies the driver, to the terminal if the biometric authentication is successful, and the operating device reads the information from the terminal and detects that the vehicle has been dropped off, and executes a process in which it determines that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle.

[0200] (Note 8) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein an operating device capable of performing operations related to the pallet is located outside the area, and at least one computer performs biometric authentication of the driver at the driver's terminal, and if the biometric authentication is successful and the disembarkation is detected, outputs information readable by the operating device, which includes identification information that identifies the driver, to the terminal, and when the operating device reads the identification information from the terminal, it executes a process that indicates that an operation to instruct the vehicle to enter the depot has been received.

[0201] (Note 9) The control method described in any of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the acquisition process involves accepting registration of the number of passengers in the vehicle before using the parking facility, thereby acquiring information indicating the number of passengers as passenger information.

[0202] (Note 10) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the acquisition process involves detecting the number of passengers in the vehicle from an image of the vehicle's interior taken by an imaging device capable of imaging the interior of the vehicle when it enters the parking facility, thereby acquiring information indicating the number of passengers as passenger information.

[0203] (Note 11) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 10, wherein the acquisition process acquires information relating to the license plate attached to the vehicle in association with the passenger information, and the detection process detects whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information associated with the information relating to the license plate attached to the vehicle detected from the image captured by the imaging device has disembarked.

[0204] (Note 12) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 11, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises at least four imaging apparatuses capable of imaging the vehicle from different directions, and the detection process involves comparing the number of passengers who have disembarked from the vehicle, which is detected based on facial information of passengers who have disembarked from the vehicle obtained from images captured by at least one of the four imaging apparatuses, with the number of passengers identified by the passenger information, to detect whether the specified number of passengers have disembarked.

[0205] (Note 13) The control method according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein at least one computer detects whether there is a person in the area using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, and if there is no person in the area, enables the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle, and if there is a person in the area, disables the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle.

[0206] (Note 14) The control method described in Note 13, wherein the process for detecting whether a person is in the area includes detecting that the driver has exited the vehicle by opening and closing the vehicle door, using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, and then detecting whether a person is in the area after detecting that the driver has exited the vehicle.

[0207] (Note 15) The control method according to Note 13 or 14, wherein in the process of detecting whether there is a person in the area, the number of people who have left the area is detected using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, and in the process of controlling the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle, if it has not been detected that all passengers have disembarked, the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle is enabled if the sum of the number of people who have left the area and the number of passengers who disembarked at the disembarking position is equal to the number of passengers in the vehicle as identified by the passenger information.

[0208] (Note 16) The control method according to Note 5, wherein at least one computer detects whether there is a person in the area using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, performs processing, and in the biometric authentication process, if there is no person in the area, the operating device performs the biometric authentication of the driver.

[0209] (Note 17) A control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; a detection means for detecting whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position where passengers of the vehicle are to be disembarked before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility; and a control means for disabling the next operation if disembarking has not been detected, and enabling the next operation if disembarking has been detected.

[0210] (Note 18) A control system comprising: an operating device installed outside the area where pallets are placed in a parking facility and capable of performing operations related to pallets, wherein the control device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using the parking facility; a detection means for detecting whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information have disembarked at the disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position where passengers of the vehicle are disembarked before the vehicle enters the area; and a control means for disabling the next operation by the operating device if disembarking has not been detected, and enabling the next operation by the operating device if disembarking has been detected.

[0211] (Note 19) The control system according to Note 18, further comprising a driver's terminal, wherein the control device comprises a first control device and a second control device, the first control device comprises the acquisition means and the detection means, the second control device comprises the control means, the first control device comprises output means for outputting information to the driver's terminal that is readable by the operating device and indicates that the disembarkation has been detected, and the control means of the second control device enables the next operation when information indicating that the disembarkation has been detected is received from the driver's terminal via the operating device.

[0212] (Note 20) The control system according to Note 19, wherein the output means, when disembarking is not detected, receives input for safety confirmation via the driver's terminal and outputs information indicating that the safety confirmation has been performed, and the control means, when it obtains information indicating that the safety confirmation has been performed from the driver's terminal via the operating device, enables the next operation.

[0213] (Note 21) A non-temporary recording medium readable by the computer, which records a program that causes at least one computer to perform the following actions: acquire passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; detect whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility; disable the next operation if disembarking is not detected; and enable the next operation if disembarking is detected.

[0214] (Note 22) A program that causes at least one computer to perform the following operations: acquire passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; detect whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position where passengers of the vehicle are to be disembarked before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility; disable the following operation if disembarking has not been detected; and enable the following operation if disembarking has been detected.

[0215] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 to 16, which are dependent on Appendice 1 above, may also be dependent on Appendices 17, 18, 21, and 22 in the same way as those described in Appendices 2 to 16. Moreover, not limited to Appendices 17, 18, 21, and 22, some or all of the configurations described as appendices may also be dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, without departing from the embodiments described above.

[0216] 1, 2 Control System 10, 20 Control Device 50-1, 50-4 Control Device 50-2 Existing Control Unit 50-3 Database Server 51 Existing Control Panel 52 Edge Terminal 60 Terminal 7 Parking Facility 70 Parking Tower 71 Operating Device 72 Entrance / Exit Door 73 Passenger / Alighting Compartment 74 Pallet 75, 75-1, 75-2, 75-3, 75-4 Imaging Device 76 Edge Device 77 Imaging Device 78 Turntable 79 Area 80 Computer 101, 201 Acquisition Unit 103, 203 Detection Unit 105, 205 Control Unit 207 Verification Unit 209 Area Detection Unit 711 Imaging Device 801 Processor 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 Storage Device 805 Communication Interface 806 Input / Output Interface 807 Bus 1000, 2000 User DB NT, NT1, NT2, NT3, NT4 Communication Network p1 Disembarking Position

Claims

1. A control method that performs the following steps: at least one computer acquires passenger information regarding the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility, the computer uses an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people getting out of the vehicle at a drop-off position to detect whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information have gotten out of the vehicle at the drop-off position; if the drop-off is not detected, the next operation is disabled; and if the drop-off is detected, the next operation is enabled.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the subsequent operation is a call operation for the pallet or an operation to permit entry into the area.

3. The control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the process for controlling the next operation provides notification if the disembarkation is not detected, and enables the next operation when a safety confirmation input is received.

4. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the process that controls the next operation, if a passenger has not been detected to have disembarked, a correction to the number of passengers is accepted, and if the disembarkation of a passenger of the corrected number of passengers is detected, the next operation is enabled.

5. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operating device capable of performing operations related to the pallet is located outside the area, and at least one computer performs biometric authentication of the driver at the operating device, and if the biometric authentication is successful and the disembarkation is detected, it performs a process of accepting an operation to instruct the vehicle to enter the parking area.

6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein at least one computer notifies if the biometric authentication is successful and the vehicle has not been disembarked, and when it receives a safety confirmation input via the operating device, it executes a process that determines that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle.

7. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operating device capable of performing operations related to the pallet is located outside the area, and at least one computer performs biometric authentication of the driver at the driver's terminal, outputs information readable by the operating device, which includes identification information that identifies the driver, to the terminal if the biometric authentication is successful, and the operating device reads the information from the terminal and detects that the vehicle has been dropped off, and executes a process in which it determines that it has received an instruction to park the vehicle.

8. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operating device capable of performing operations related to the pallet is located outside the area, and at least one computer performs biometric authentication of the driver at the driver's terminal, and if the biometric authentication is successful and the disembarkation is detected, outputs information readable by the operating device, which includes identification information that identifies the driver, to the terminal, and when the operating device reads the identification information from the terminal, it performs a process that indicates it has received an instruction to park the vehicle.

9. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the acquisition process involves accepting registration of the number of passengers in the vehicle before using the parking facility, thereby acquiring information indicating the number of passengers as passenger information.

10. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the acquisition process involves detecting the number of passengers in the vehicle from an image of the vehicle's interior taken by an imaging device capable of imaging the interior of the vehicle when it enters the parking facility, thereby acquiring information indicating the number of passengers as passenger information.

11. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the acquisition process acquires information relating to the license plate attached to the vehicle in association with the passenger information, and the detection process detects whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information associated with the information relating to the license plate attached to the vehicle detected from the image captured by the imaging device has disembarked.

12. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises at least four imaging apparatuses capable of imaging the vehicle from different directions, and the detection process involves comparing the number of passengers who have disembarked from the vehicle, detected based on facial information of passengers who have disembarked from the vehicle obtained from images captured by at least one of the four imaging apparatuses, with the number of passengers identified by the passenger information, to detect whether the specified number of passengers have disembarked.

13. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one computer detects whether there is a person in the area using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, and if there is no person in the area, enables the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle, and if there is a person in the area, disables the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle.

14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the process for detecting whether a person is present in the area includes detecting that the driver has exited the vehicle by opening and closing the vehicle door, using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, and detecting whether a person is present in the area after detecting that the driver has exited the vehicle.

15. The control method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein in the process of detecting whether there are people in the area, the number of people who have left the area is detected using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, and in the process of controlling the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle, if it has not been detected that all passengers have disembarked, the operation of the instruction to park the vehicle is enabled if the sum of the number of people who have left the area and the number of passengers who disembarked at the disembarking position is equal to the number of passengers in the vehicle as identified by the passenger information.

16. The control method according to claim 5, wherein at least one computer detects whether there is a person in the area using an image captured by the imaging device capable of imaging the inside of the area, performs processing, and in the biometric authentication process, if there is no person in the area, the operating device performs the biometric authentication of the driver.

17. A control device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; a detection means for detecting whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility; and a control means for disabling the next operation if disembarking has not been detected, and enabling the next operation if disembarking has been detected.

18. A control system comprising: an operating device installed outside the area where pallets are placed in a parking facility and capable of performing operations related to pallets, wherein the control device includes: an acquisition means for acquiring passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using the parking facility; a detection means for detecting whether the number of passengers identified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using an image captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle that has stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters the area; and a control means for disabling the next operation by the operating device if disembarking has not been detected, and enabling the next operation by the operating device if disembarking has been detected.

19. A control system according to claim 18, further comprising a driver's terminal, wherein the control device comprises a first control device and a second control device, the first control device comprises an acquisition means and a detection means, the second control device comprises a control means, the first control device comprises an output means that, when disembarking is detected, outputs information readable by the operating device to the driver's terminal, the control means of the second control device enables the next operation when information indicating that disembarking has been detected is received from the driver's terminal via the operating device.

20. A non-temporary recording medium readable by the computer, which records a program that causes at least one computer to perform the following actions: acquire passenger information relating to the number of passengers in a vehicle using a parking facility; detect whether the number of passengers specified by the passenger information has disembarked at the disembarking position, using images captured by an imaging device capable of capturing images of people disembarking from a vehicle stopped at a disembarking position before the vehicle enters the area where pallets are placed in the parking facility; disable the next operation if disembarking is not detected; and enable the next operation if disembarking is detected.

Images