EP1308905A1 - Passage detection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for detecting the passage of a person comprises a contact carpet (2), placed on the floor of passage zone to be monitored. The contact carpet comprises marking means (3) for detecting the positions of successive contact points of at least one person during their passage across the carpet. <??>An INDEPENDENT CLAMI is included for a device for counting the passage or persons across a threshold or passage.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for detecting passage as well as a people counting device equipped with at least and said passage detection device.

However, although more particularly developed for such applications, said passage detection device may also be used for other purposes, for example in intrusion alarm devices.

Numerous systems or devices are known which allow the detection of a person. These devices are generally classified in two categories; on the one hand, the “volumetric” detection devices, which allow the detection of a person in a given volume, let us quote among these devices by way of example of infrared detectors, and on the other hand, "punctual" detection devices allowing the detection of a person crossing a monitored point or line.

For the latter type of device, we know, for example, door open / close detection devices; these devices usually include two magnetic elements, one located for example at the door, detection being made when a person opens the door door and the elements move away from each other. We also know, in this type of device, the use of visible or invisible beams emitted by a transmitter and received by a receiver, detection being carried out when the beam is interrupted by the passage of a person.

These volumetric or point detection devices are particularly suitable for detecting people or their movements. However, these devices have various drawbacks and in particular they do not allow to know the direction of movement of people into a room. They also do not allow to know, so efficient and safe, the number of people entering or leaving the room, which would allow for example to know the number of people present at all the time, in a given place.

The object of the invention is to propose a detection device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and makes it possible to detect the presence and direction of movement of a person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a passage detection device easy to implement in any type of local and with a low rate of false detection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a passage detection device which gives an indication of the profile of the detected person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a people counting device, equipped with at least one aforementioned passage detection, which allows the counting of people in a room, especially regardless of the number of inputs and outputs of this last.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows which is given only as indicative and which is not intended to limit it.

According to the invention, the passage detection device comprises at least one contact mat arranged on the ground at a level passage area, said mat comprising locating means allowing detect the positions of successive contacts of at least one person during of its movement over all or part of the carpet so as to determine the presence and direction of movement of said at least one person.

The invention also relates to a device for counting people, in at least one room equipped with at least one said passage detection, said counting device comprising processing means able to record and compare data from said locating means at predetermined intervals so as to determine the flow and number of people as well as the time of presence of a person in said at least one room.

• la figure 1 illustre, selon une vue schématique, un exemple de réalisation du dispositif de détection de passages conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 illustre, de manière schématique, un exemple de réalisation du dispositif de comptage de personnes, équipé de deux dispositifs de détection de passages, conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 3 décrit selon une vue en coupe de côté, un exemple de réalisation du dispositif de détection de passages conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 4 illustre, de manière schématique, un dispositif de comptage de personnes, équipé de deux dispositifs de détection de passages, conforme à l'invention.

It will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the attached drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which:

• FIG. 1 illustrates, in a schematic view, an exemplary embodiment of the passage detection device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the people counting device, equipped with two passage detection devices, in accordance with the invention,
• FIG. 3 describes in a side sectional view, an exemplary embodiment of the passage detection device according to the invention,
• Figure 4 illustrates, schematically, a people counting device, equipped with two passage detection devices, according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a detection device passing through. It is, for example, a device intended to equip premises professionals, such as in particular medical offices or any public place or private. In this case, they will in particular be intended to indicate attendance of these premises and generally provide precise indications allowing reliable attendance or audience measurements.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the passage detection 1 comprises a contact mat 2. This contact mat 2 is arranged on the ground at a passage area.

The positioning of the mat is preferably chosen in a room at the level of the openings so that a person entering or outgoing must necessarily walk on the carpet. We can also arrange the mat at passageways such as cages stairs or stairs.

Said mat 2 comprises locating means 3 allowing detect the positions of successive contacts of at least one person during of its movement over all or part of the mat 2 so as in particular to determining the presence and the direction of movement of said at least one person.

According to the invention, said locating means 3 comprise at least two pressure sensitive sensors 4. These sensors 4 are arranged in such a way that contact between a person and the carpet 2, at level of said at least one sensor 4, generates a change of state of said sensor 4.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, it can be seen that said mat 2 comprises in particular 81 sensors 4 distributed in nine zones of contact A in matrix form. This distribution in contact zones adjacent allows when one of the sensors 4 of a contact zone changes status, modify the output signal for this entire zone.

However, in another alternative embodiment of the invention, a contact area may include only one sensor 4.

According to the invention, said contact mat 2 further comprises data transmission means 5 for entering the state of each sensor 4.

In the case where several sensors 4 form a zone of contact A, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the means for transmitting data 5 allow the entry of the state of contact zone A.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, said transmission means 5 are in the form of a wiring connecting each contact zone A to said data transmission means 5, in a matrix form, the various sensors 4 being, for their part, connected in parallel with each other.

However, referring to Figure 2, we see that two passage detection devices 1 are connected via said transmission means 5 to information processing means 8 received.

In particular, this figure 2 illustrates a counting device 7 people, in at least one room equipped with at least one device 1 of detection of passages as mentioned above. More specifically, here, the counting is equipped with two passage detection devices 1. This device is thus particularly suitable for counting people in a part having two openings, each said device occupying one.

Said processing means 8 are in particular capable of record and compare the data from said locating means 3 to predetermined intervals. Said processing means 8 thus allow to determine the presence, flow and number of people in said at minus one room, as well as a person's presence time, and from there to perform statistical measures of attendance and / or audience.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, said means of processing 8 include a transformation module 9. This module 9 allows data conversion at each detection device 1 it is in particular connected to said data transmission means 5 of each passage detection device 1. Said processing means 8 also include a central unit 10 for recording and processing of converted data.

However, according to another embodiment, it is entirely possible to use a single conversion module 9 for all of the passage detection devices 1, this conversion module 9 being in this case preferably integrated into said central unit 10.

In the event that said conversion module 9 is provided for level of each detection device 1, connection means are provided wired 11 or radio between the different conversion modules 9 and central unit 10.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, the device passage detection 1 operates in the following manner. The carpet contact 2 has an upper layer 12 and a lower layer 13 between which is placed an intermediate layer 14.

Said locating means 3 are constituted by sensors 4 arranged at the level of spaces provided in said layer intermediate 14.

These sensors 4 include two elements 15 and 15 ', in shape of a pellet, arranged respectively at the internal face of the upper layer 12 and on the inner face of the lower layer 13. These two elements 15 and 15 'placed opposite each other are not in contact when a pressure is not exerted on the belt 2 at the level of said sensor 4.

When a person walks on the mat 2 at one of the sensors 4, the two elements 15 and 15 'are brought into contact and the state of one or several sensor 4 is modified.

The sensors 4 are thus of the switch type and include two states corresponding respectively to a presence and a no pressure detection.

However, according to another embodiment of the device, we could choose piezoelectric type sensors, or other sensors in which the state of the sensor varies as a function of the pressure exerted at level of said contact mat 2.

Advantageously, said upper layer 12 and lower 13 are produced in a flexible film. Said elements 15 and 15 ' consist of a double-sided printed electrical circuit, one of the faces comprising the elements 15 is inserted between the intermediate layer 14 and the internal face of the upper layer 12 and the other face is inserted between said intermediate layer 14 and the internal face of the lower layer 13.

Furthermore, advantageously, depending on the nature soils and to facilitate the detection of low pressures exerted on the level said mat 2, a layer of foam 16 may be interposed between said mat 2 and the ground.

In a variant, the intermediate layer 14 is deformable, so that when a person walks on the carpet 2, said layer 14 is compressed which facilitates contact between the elements 15 and 15 '. In this variant, the detection of low pressures exerted on the belt 2 is facilitated even if said mat 2 is placed on a hard floor.

It can also be noted that said upper layer 12 can also serve as an advertising medium.

We will preferably choose the shape of the carpet according to the possible journeys for a person when they pass over said mat contact 2.

So, for example, when the part is shaped rectangular and has only one opening, the mat arranged at the opening will preferably be a rectangular carpet. It was found than a carpet 2 with an area of the order of a square meter and comprising 70 to 100 contact zones consisting of 1 to 6 sensor 4 was particularly suitable for a standard door.

Furthermore, in the case of a contact mat 2 disposed at the level of a landing, for example comprising several openings, it will be possible for example choose a carpet in the shape of a semicircle. That being said carpet 2 may also have any other type of shape, and in particular shapes fanciful.

The distribution of said locating means 3 at said level carpet 2 is also a function of the possible routes for a person moment when it passes over said mat 2.

Thus, said locating means 3 can be distributed over the entire contact mat 2 homogeneously or in other cases, said mat may consist of contact zones A comprising of numerous marking means 3 and other contact areas A containing a lower density of the locating means, for example at the level places that are more difficult for the person to access, such as ends of the carpet when it is located at a door step.

In a preferred embodiment, the space separating two sensors 4 is between 0.5 and 10 cm.

At this level, it may be interesting to note that if the density locating means 3 is high and for example less than a centimeter, we can completely consider calculating the size of the person's foot walking on said contact mat 2.

This information can be correlated in particular with the dimension of the steps of said person, which makes it possible to reconstruct the profile of the person, the characteristics of foot sizes, step size and also the way of setting the foot being indeed characteristics physiological which can be statistically associated in particular with different age groups.

In a variant of the invention, it is possible to insert between the different means for locating diodes 3, not shown in the attached drawings. These diodes have the function of preventing a sensor 4 changes state when one or more of the surrounding sensors 4 changes state, however without the first sensor 4 being subjected to an external pressure by means of said contact mat 2. For this purpose, the diodes can be provided at the level of the contact mat 2 and advantageously at the level of the printed circuit tracks.

However, it is also possible to offset the diodes to the level of said data transmission means 5.

When said person walks at the contact mat 2, different sensors 4 change state, the changes of state being transmitted via said data transmission means 5 to the means 8. The status of each sensor is monitored by said processing means 8 which check at predetermined intervals the all the states of each sensor 4.

Said processing means 8 then compare the assembly states of the different sensors 4 with all the states of the different 4 sensors recorded at previous time intervals and record all the changes of state of the sensors 4 during the interval of time separating two monitors.

From the changes of states of the different sensors 4 to at predetermined intervals, said processing means 8 can reconstruct the movement of one or more people on said mat contact 2. It is also possible to detect from the analysis of changes of state the existence of dead weights, that is to say of objects placed on said contact mat 2 so as to limit the number of bad detections.

Depending on the analysis of the status of the various sensors 4 on a certain number of intervals, it is also possible to detect whether said sensors 4 are still operating normally or if they are defective, it is thus possible to measure the wear of the carpet in order to determine for example the when it needs to be replaced.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a part 17 comprising two openings 18 and 19 at the level of which two are arranged contact mat 2. A first person enters through opening 18 and walks on the contact mat 2 at the contact zones 20 then 20 '. In depending on the triggering order of the contact zones and their position, the processing means 8 determine that it is an input and the device counting machine 7 equipped with two contact mats 2 records this person’s entry and increments the number of people by one present in the room. A second person enters through opening 18 and works successively at the contact zones 22, 22 'then 22 ", the device again increments the number of people present by one in the room. The first person then goes to opening 19 and walk on the contact mat 2 at the contact zones 23 then 23 'and 23 ". Depending on the triggering order of the contact zones and their position, the processing means 8 determine that it is an output and the people counting device 7 decreases by one the number of nobody in the room.

At this level, it is important to note that said device 7 can be coupled to program broadcasting means 21 and in particular advertising programs. To this end, said processing means 8 are linked to the broadcasting means 21 via a wired link or radio. Said processing means 8 comprise means to allow the audience measurement of each program by connecting the number of people present in the room at the time that said broadcast program.

In an alternative embodiment, said processing means 8 further comprise means for controlling the means for diffusing program 21 allowing in particular to start or stop the broadcasting of a program depending on the number of people present in the room.

We will now focus on describing a mode of preferred embodiment of the contact mat 2 according to the invention.

Said carpet consists of a laminate of seven sheets to which can optionally be added a sheet of foam in rubber according to the nature of the soil to improve the discrimination of different contact areas.

• une feuille adhésive anti-dérapante d'épaisseur voisine de 50 microns et réalisée de préférence en PVC,
• une feuille adhésive sérigraphiée d'épaisseur voisine de 80 microns et réalisée de préférence en PVC,
• une feuille en polyester PETG d'épaisseur voisine de 125 microns, ladite feuille étant sérigraphiée à l'encre conductrice,
• une feuille adhésive double face en polycarbonate d'épaisseur allant de 200 à 250 microns et découpée selon les zones de contact en alvéoles circulaires d'un diamètre voisin de 12 mm,
• une feuille en polyester PETG sérigraphiée à l'encre conductrice d'une épaisseur voisine de 125 microns,
• une feuille adhésive sérigraphiée d'épaisseur voisine de 80 microns et réalisée de préférence en PVC,
• une feuille adhésive anti-dérapante voisine de 50 microns et réalisée de préférence en PVC.

The seven sheets are distributed as follows:

• a non-slip adhesive sheet of thickness close to 50 microns and preferably made of PVC,
• a screen-printed adhesive sheet of thickness close to 80 microns and preferably made of PVC,
• a PETG polyester sheet with a thickness of around 125 microns, said sheet being screen-printed with conductive ink,
• a double-sided polycarbonate adhesive sheet of thickness ranging from 200 to 250 microns and cut according to the contact zones into circular cells with a diameter close to 12 mm,
• a PETG polyester sheet screen printed with conductive ink with a thickness close to 125 microns,
• a screen-printed adhesive sheet of thickness close to 80 microns and preferably made of PVC,
• a non-slip adhesive sheet close to 50 microns and preferably made of PVC.

The contact mat 2 thus produced has different advantages, among these, we can note that this carpet is completely reversible allowing it to be used in all cases of door opening. The transmission means 5 can indeed be arranged on the side opposite to that of the door hinges, thus leaving free the flapping of the latter whatever or the thickness of said transmission means 5.

The counter belt 2 thus produced has a thickness less than millimeter and preferably less than 0.76 mm which allows placing the contact mat 2 at the entrance to the doorways.

Naturally, many other embodiments, within reach skilled in the art, could have been considered without departing from the part of this application.

For example, said passage detection device 1 could be used as an anti-intrusion device.

Claims (12)

Passage detection device (1), characterized in that it comprises at least one contact mat (2), arranged on the ground at a passage zone, said contact mat (2) comprising means for marking (3) making it possible to detect the positions of successive contacts of at least one person during its movement over all or part of said contact mat (2), so as to determine the presence and the direction of movement of said at least one person. Passage detection device according to claim 1, wherein said locating means (3) comprise at least two pressure sensitive sensors (4) arranged so that a contact between a person and said mat (2), at said at least one sensor (4) generates a change of state of said sensor (4). Passage detection device according to claim 2 previous, wherein said contact mat (2) further comprises data transmission means (5) for entering the status of each sensor (4). Passage detection device according to one or other of the Claims 2 and 3, in which the state of each sensor (4) varies according to of the pressure exerted on said contact mat (2). Passage detection device according to one or other of the claims 2 and 3, wherein said at least two sensors (4) are of switch type and have two states each corresponding to a presence and absence of pressure detection at said mat contact (2). Passage detection device according to claim 2, in which the space separating two sensors (4) is between 0.5 and 10 cm. Passage detection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of said contact mat (2) and the distribution of said locating means (3) at the level of the mat (2) are depending on the possible routes for a person at the time they pass on said contact mat (2). Passage detection device according to claim 1, in which the thickness of said contact mat (2) is less than a millimeter. A passage detection device according to claim 1, in which said contact mat (2) consists of seven sheets, of which: a non-slip non-stick sheet, a screen-printed adhesive sheet, a screen-printed sheet with conductive ink, a double-sided adhesive sheet, a screen-printed sheet with conductive ink, a screen-printed adhesive sheet, a non-slip adhesive sheet. People counting device (7), in at least one room equipped with at least one passage detection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises suitable processing means (8) recording and comparing the data from said locating means (3) at predetermined intervals so as to determine the presence, the flow and the number of people as well as the time of presence of a person in said at least one room. People counting device (7) according to the claim 10, wherein said processing means (8) comprises a transformation module (9) allowing data conversion at level of each protection device (1) and a central unit (10) for recording and processing of converted data. People counting device (7) according to the claim 11, wherein said processing means (8) include in addition to radio link means between said conversion module (9) and said central unit (10).

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