detecting a person using a person detector provided by a doorway

Abstract

A method for detecting a person is provided, which is performed by a person detector provided by a doorway. The method includes the following steps: receiving an open signal indicating that a door of the doorway is open; setting a person sensor of the person detector to an active mode based on the received open signal; detecting a person passing through the doorway using the person sensor; receiving a close signal indicating that a door of the doorway is closed; transmitting the result of the detection step, wherein the transmission step is performed based on the received close signal; and setting the person sensor to a power-saving mode based on the received close signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of human detection, and more particularly to human detection using a human detector provided by Gateway. Background Technology

[0002] Building automation is an area that has seen significant progress. Both commercial and residential properties are becoming increasingly automated. Automation can be used, for example, to control indoor climate, lighting, alarm systems, and more.

[0003] Various sensors and other input devices are used as inputs to control the functions of building automation systems. For example, CO2 (carbon dioxide) sensors are known to be used to indicate the presence of people in a physical space in order to control ventilation, cooling, lighting, and office utilization.

[0004] It would be highly beneficial if a method existed that could reliably determine the number of people in a physical space. Ideally, such a person detector should also use a limited amount of power so that it does not need to be connected to a wired power source. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective is to provide a person detector capable of reliably and with low power detecting people entering and leaving a room.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a method for detecting a person is provided, the method being performed by a person detector provided by a doorway. The method includes the steps of: receiving an opening signal indicating that a door of the doorway is open; setting a person sensor of the person detector to an active mode based on the received opening signal; detecting a person passing through the doorway using the person sensor; receiving a closing signal indicating that a door of the doorway is closed; transmitting a result of the detection step, wherein the transmission step is performed based on the received closing signal; and setting the person sensor to a power-saving mode based on the received closing signal.

[0007] The step of detecting when a person passes through a doorway may also include detecting the direction in which the person passes through the doorway.

[0008] The result may include a count of all incoming data and a count of all outgoing data since the last transmission.

[0009] Human sensors can include pulsed coherent radar.

[0010] According to a second aspect, a human detector for detecting people is provided. The human detector is configured to be provided by a doorway. The human detector includes: a processor; a human sensor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the human detector to: receive an open signal indicating that a door of the doorway is open; set the human sensor to an active mode based on receiving the open signal; detect a person passing through the doorway using the human sensor; receive a close signal indicating that a door of the doorway is closed; transmit the result of the detection step based on receiving the close signal; and set the human sensor to a power-saving mode based on receiving the close signal.

[0011] The human detector may also include an energy harvesting device for capturing energy when the door is opened and / or closed.

[0012] The instruction for detecting when a person passes through a doorway may also include the following instruction: when executed by the processor, this instruction causes the person detector to detect the direction in which the person passes through the doorway.

[0013] The result may include a count of all incoming data and a count of all outgoing data since the last transmission.

[0014] Human sensors can include pulsed coherent radar.

[0015] According to a third aspect, a door closer is provided, which includes a person detector according to a second aspect.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program for detecting a person is provided. The computer program includes computer program code that, when run on a person detector provided by a doorway, causes the person detector to perform the following steps: receiving an open signal indicating that a door of the doorway is open; setting a person sensor of the person detector to an active mode based on receiving the open signal; detecting a person passing through the doorway using the person sensor; receiving a close signal indicating that a door of the doorway is closed; transmitting the result of the detection steps based on receiving the close signal; and setting the person sensor to a power-saving mode based on receiving the close signal.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a computer program according to a fourth aspect and a computer-readable device for storing the computer program.

[0018] Generally, all terms used in the claims will be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless otherwise expressly defined herein. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to “a / an / element, device, component, means, step, etc.” shall be interpreted as referring to at least one instance of an element, device, component, means, step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless expressly stated otherwise. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Now, with reference to the accompanying drawings, aspects and implementation methods will be described by way of example, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which the embodiments proposed herein can be applied;

[0021] Figure 2 It's a diagram. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an implementation of a person detector 1 in a door closer;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an implementation method for detecting people;

[0023] Figure 4 It's a diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the components of the human detector;

[0024] Figure 5 An example of a computer program product that includes a computer-readable device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Various aspects of this disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated. However, these aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and so as to fully convey the scope of all aspects of the invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which the embodiments proposed herein can be applied. Access between the first physical space 14 and the second physical space 15 is restricted by a door 6 that can be closed or opened. The door 6 can be any type of door (e.g., a hinged door, a sliding door, a roller shutter door) and is located in a doorway 5 between the first physical space 14 and the second physical space 15. To control access in one or both directions between the physical spaces 14, 15, a locking device (not shown) can be provided to selectively unlock and lock the door 6. Alternatively, the state of the door 6, such as open or closed, can be detected by a door sensor (not shown) as known in the art itself.

[0027] A person detector 1 is provided by doorway 5. The person detector includes a person sensor 2, which is designed to detect anyone passing through doorway 5. In this way, the person detector can detect when someone enters the first physical space 14 from the second physical space 15, and when someone enters the second physical space 15 from the first physical space 14. The person sensor 2 can be, for example, a pulsed coherent radar. By pulsedifying the radar, the amount of power used by the person sensor 2 is reduced. By making the radar coherent, high accuracy can be achieved. Alternatively, the person sensor can be based on any other suitable technology, such as infrared radar, ultrasonic signals, thermal cameras, infrared cameras, and / or conventional cameras.

[0028] Therefore, the human sensor 2 of the human detector 1 can detect when a person 7 moves from the second physical space 15 to the first physical space 14 (and vice versa). The number of people passing through can also be detected. This can be used when an intruder attempts to enter a restricted physical space by following someone with legitimate access—a process also known as tailing. Optionally, the human sensor can also detect the size of the person 7 moving between physical spaces 15 and 16. This size can indicate age, where at least children and adults can be distinguished.

[0029] The detection of person 7 by person sensor 2, and optionally the detection of direction of movement, is recorded by person detector 1, and person detector 1 can transmit this information to external device 8. External device 8 can be an alarm system, a building automation system, or any other suitable device. External device 8 can be located at the same location as person detector 1, or it can be located at a distance. External device 8 can use the person detection information to determine, for example, how many people are in the first physical space 14 and / or the second physical space 15. External device 8 can use this information to, for example, control ventilation, heating, cooling, and / or lighting. Alternatively or additionally, in the event of an emergency, this information can be used to know where people are and how many people are there. When a physical space (e.g., a room, office, or residence) has only one doorway, the person detector can therefore be used to count how many people are in that physical space at any given time. When a physical space has multiple doorways, each doorway can be equipped with a person detector. This allows the external device to track the number of people in the physical space by detecting each person entering or leaving through any doorway in the doorway.

[0030] A physical space (where the number of people in the physical space is tracked) can be any type of space in which people are present. Therefore, a physical space can be a room, a group of rooms (e.g., an office), a residence, a shop, an arena, a theme park, or any other commercial or residential space, or more.

[0031] Optionally, the physical spaces are arranged hierarchically, such that several physical spaces are collectively represented by access areas, such as access areas in an office environment. In this way, the external device 8 can track the number of people in each physical space (e.g., a room) and also track the number of people in the combined access areas. The number of people in each access area (based on person counting) can be compared with the number of people who have entered using the access control system, which can then be used to detect tailgating.

[0032] Figure 2 It's a diagram. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the person detector 1 in the door closer 10. The door closer 10 is any suitable device for damping the closing of the door 6 or otherwise controlling the closing of the door 6. The door closer 10 may also be included in a device that also includes a door opening function. The location of the door closer 10 in the doorway 5 is ideal for placing the person detector 1 and its person sensor 2, because anyone passing through the doorway needs to pass under the door closer 10. The door closer 10 is hereby disposed in a fixed structure around the door, such as fixed to the door frame or a part of the door frame or fixed above the door frame.

[0033] Furthermore, the human detector 1 may include an energy harvesting module 4, which converts mechanical energy from door power (e.g., door opening / closing) into electrical energy stored in a battery within the human detector 1. In this way, the human detector 1 requires less (or even no) energy from an external source, such as a powered battery or mains power supply.

[0034] When the person detector 1 is implemented in the door closer 10, the operation of the door closer 10 can be controlled based on the sensing of people. For example, in one case, if everyone leaves the room (e.g., a meeting room), the door closer can be set to remain open to improve ventilation in the room.

[0035] In one scenario, if the throughput rate—defined as the number of people passing through the door per unit time—exceeds a threshold, the door closer can be configured to remain open to allow for smoother passage. Alternatively, the door closer can be configured to close at a slower speed in this situation. Once the throughput rate drops below the threshold (or below a second, even lower threshold), the door closer can be reset to a normal (faster) closing speed. The threshold is configurable.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an implementation of a method for detecting people. The method is performed in a person detector provided by or within a doorway.

[0037] In step 40, which receives an open signal, the person detector receives an open signal indicating that the door in the doorway has been opened. The open signal may be received, for example, from a door status sensor or the door's electronic lock.

[0038] In step 42, activating the human sensor, the human detector sets the human sensor of the human detector to an active mode. This step is performed based on receiving an on signal. In other words, this step is triggered when an on signal is received in step 40. The active mode can be a mode in which the human sensor is activated, such as a mode opposite to a power-saving mode, also known as a sleep mode.

[0039] In step 44, the person detector detects a person as they pass through the doorway. This is done using a person sensor. As mentioned above, the person sensor may include a pulse coherent radar. In one embodiment, this step detects the direction of movement of the person through the doorway. This step may continue to detect people until a closing signal is detected in the next step. When multiple entries and / or exits are detected, the number of entries and exits is counted and stored as part of the result.

[0040] In step 46, which receives a closing signal, the person detector receives a closing signal indicating that the door of the passageway is closed. The closing signal may be received, for example, from a door status sensor or the door's electronic lock. As described above, the closing signal serves as a trigger to end the person count because the door is closed and no one is entering or leaving.

[0041] In step 47, the person detector transmits the result of the detection step to an external device. This result could be, for example, the number of people who have entered or left the door. This transmission is performed based on the receipt of a closing signal. In other words, the closing signal is a trigger for transmitting the result. In one embodiment, the transmitted result includes a count of all entries and a count of all exits since the last transmission. In other words, once the door is closed, the results of all entries and exits through the doorway are accumulated and transmitted separately. This makes communication with the external device efficient, as only one signal needs to be transmitted to convey the detection of multiple people entering and / or leaving through the door. Alternatively, the result can be transmitted regardless of the door's state, for example, periodically or whenever a person passes by.

[0042] In step 48, where the human sensor is set to a power-saving mode, the human detector sets the sensor to a power-saving mode, such as an idle or sleep state, which significantly reduces power consumption. This step is performed based on receiving a shutdown signal. In other words, when a shutdown signal is received, it triggers the human sensor to be set to a power-saving mode.

[0043] Using the implementation methods presented herein, the number of people passing through a doorway can be counted, and the direction in which the passage occurs can also be detected. Movement speed and throughput can be detected. Additionally, the time from when the door begins to open until a person passes through can be detected.

[0044] By controlling the power state of the human sensor based on open / close signals, the power requirements for the human detector are significantly reduced. Specifically, if the door is properly closed, this will cause the human sensor to shut down. This is a significant difference in power consumption compared to situations where the human device would be continuously active. Furthermore, setting the human sensor to a power-saving state when the door is closed does not reduce accuracy, as the door needs to be open for the person to pass through, and the human sensor is activated when the door is open. By conserving this amount of power, the human detector can be powered solely by a battery, optionally combined with energy harvesting as described above.

[0045] By providing a person detector in the doorway, the person sensor only needs to monitor the limited space of the doorway, since people cannot pass through the structures surrounding the doorway. This person sensor has significantly lower requirements compared to other human sensors in existing technologies that are used in larger spaces. Low-power, low-cost motion-tuned radar can be used, thus reducing cost and complexity while providing high accuracy.

[0046] Figure 4 For illustration Figures 1 to 2 A schematic diagram of the components of the human detector. It should be noted that, as... Figure 2 As shown, when the person detector 1 is implemented in the door closer, one or more of the mentioned components can be shared with the door closer. The processor 60 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions 67 stored in memory 64, thus the memory 64 can be a computer program product. Alternatively, the processor 60 can be implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processor 60 can be configured to execute the above-mentioned references. Figure 3 The method described.

[0047] The memory 64 may be any combination of random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM). The memory 64 also includes a permanent storage device, which may be, for example, any single or combination of magnetic storage, optical storage, solid-state storage, or even remotely mounted storage.

[0048] A data memory 66 is also provided for reading and / or storing data during the execution of software instructions in the processor 60. The data memory 66 can be any combination of RAM and / or ROM.

[0049] The human detector 1 also includes an I / O interface 62 for communicating with external and / or internal entities. Optionally, the I / O interface 62 also includes a user interface.

[0050] Other components of the human detector 1 have been omitted to avoid confusing the concept presented herein.

[0051] Figure 5 An example of a computer program product 90 including a computer-readable device is shown. A computer program 91 can be stored on this computer-readable device, which can cause a processor to execute methods according to the embodiments described herein. In this example, the computer program product is an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or Blu-ray disc. As described above, it can also be stored in the device's memory, such as... Figure 4 The computer program product 64 embodies the computer program product. Although the computer program 91 is schematically shown herein as a track on the depicted optical disc, the computer program may be stored in any manner suitable for the computer program product, such as removable solid-state memory, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive.

[0052] What follows here is a list of implementation methods from another perspective, presented in Roman numerals.

[0053] i. A method for detecting a person, the method being performed by a person detector provided through a doorway, the method comprising the steps of:

[0054] Receive an opening signal indicating that the door of the passageway has been opened;

[0055] Based on receiving the opening signal, the human sensor of the human detector is set to be in active mode;

[0056] The human sensor is used to detect when a person passes through the doorway;

[0057] Receive a closing signal indicating that the door of the passageway is closed; and

[0058] The human sensor is set to power-saving mode based on the received shutdown signal.

[0059] ii. The method according to embodiment i further includes the following steps:

[0060] The results of the transmission detection steps.

[0061] iii. According to the method described in embodiment ii, the transmission step is performed based on receiving the shutdown signal.

[0062] iv. The method according to any one of embodiments i to iii, wherein the human sensor comprises pulse coherent radar.

[0063] According to the method described in any of the foregoing embodiments, the step of detecting when a person passes through the doorway further includes detecting the direction in which the person passes through the doorway.

[0064] vi A person detector for detecting people, the person detector being configured to be provided by a gate, the person detector comprising:

[0065] processor;

[0066] Human sensors; and

[0067] A memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the human detector to perform the following steps:

[0068] Receive an opening signal indicating that the door of the passageway has been opened;

[0069] Based on the received activation signal, the human sensor is set to an active mode;

[0070] The human sensor is used to detect when a person passes through the doorway;

[0071] Receive a closing signal indicating that the door of the passageway is closed; and

[0072] The human sensor is set to power-saving mode based on the received shutdown signal.

[0073] vii The human detector according to embodiment vii also includes an energy harvesting device for capturing energy from when the door is opened and / or when the door is closed.

[0074] viii According to embodiment vi or vii, the human detector further includes the following instruction: when executed by the processor, the instruction causes the human detector to transmit the detection result.

[0075] The human detector according to any one of embodiments vi to viii further includes an instruction that, when executed by the processor, causes the human detector to perform the instruction to transmit based on receiving the shutdown signal.

[0076] x. A human detector according to any one of embodiments vi to ix, wherein the human sensor comprises pulse coherent radar.

[0077] According to any one of the embodiments vi to x, the human detector, wherein the instruction to detect when a person passes through the doorway further includes the following instruction: when executed by the processor, the instruction causes the human detector to detect the direction in which the person passes through the doorway.

[0078] xii. A door closer comprising a human detector according to any one of embodiments vi to xi.

[0079] xiii. A computer program for detecting a person, the computer program comprising computer program code that, when run on a person detector provided by the gateway, causes the person detector to perform the following steps:

[0080] Receive an opening signal indicating that the door of the passageway has been opened;

[0081] Based on receiving the opening signal, the human sensor of the human detector is set to be in active mode;

[0082] The human sensor is used to detect when a person passes through the doorway;

[0083] Receive a closing signal indicating that the door of the passageway is closed; and

[0084] The human sensor is set to power-saving mode based on the received shutdown signal.

[0085] xiv. A computer program product comprising the computer program according to embodiment xiii and a computer-readable means for storing the computer program.

[0086] The foregoing has primarily described various aspects of this disclosure with reference to several embodiments. However, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments besides those disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting, wherein the true scope and spirit are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a person, the method being performed by a person detector (1) provided by a doorway (5), wherein, The human detector (1) comprises an energy harvesting device (4) for harvesting energy from door opening and / or door closing, the method comprising the steps of: converting mechanical energy from door motion into electrical energy stored in a battery of the human detector using the energy harvesting device; receiving (40) an opening signal indicating that a door (6) of the doorway (5) is opened; setting (42) a human sensor (2) of the human detector (1) into an active mode based on receiving the opening signal; detecting (44) a person passing through the doorway using the human sensor (2); receiving (46) a closing signal indicating that the door (6) of the doorway (5) is closed; transmitting (47) a result of the detecting step, wherein the step of transmitting (47) is performed based on receiving the closing signal; and setting (48) the human sensor (2) into a power saving mode based on receiving the closing signal, wherein the step of detecting (44) a person passing through the doorway further comprises detecting a direction of a person passing through the doorway, wherein the result contains a count of all entries and a count of all exits since the last transmission of a result; and wherein in the step of detecting (44) a person passing through the doorway, the human sensor (2) continues to detect a person until the closing signal is received, when multiple entries and / or exits are detected, the number of entries and exits are counted and stored as part of the result.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The human sensor (2) comprises a pulsed coherent radar.

3. A human detector (1) for detecting humans, the human detector (1) configured to be provided by a doorway (5), the human detector (1) comprising: a processor (60); a human sensor (2); an energy harvesting device (4) for harvesting energy from door opening and / or door closing; and a memory (64) storing instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the human detector (1) to: receive an opening signal indicating that a door (6) of the doorway (5) is opened; set the human sensor (2) into an active mode based on receiving the opening signal; detect a person passing through the doorway using the human sensor (2); receive a closing signal indicating that the door (6) of the doorway (5) is closed; transmit a result of the detecting step based on receiving the closing signal; and set the human sensor (2) into a power saving mode based on receiving the closing signal, wherein the instructions for detecting a person passing through the doorway further comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the human detector (1) to detect a direction of a person passing through the doorway, wherein the result contains a count of all entries and a count of all exits since the last transmission of a result; and wherein the result contains a count of all entries and a count of all exits since the last transmission of a result. wherein in the step of detecting a person passing the doorway, the person sensor (2) continues to detect a person until the closing signal is received, when multiple entries and / or exits are detected, the number of entries and the number of exits are counted and stored as part of the result.

4. The person detector (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein The person sensor (2) comprises a pulsed coherent radar.

5. A door closer (10) comprising a person detector (1) according to any of claims 3-4.

6. A computer program (67, 91) for detecting a person, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when run on a person detector (1) comprising an energy harvesting device (4) for harvesting energy from a door opening and / or a door closing, the person detector (1) being provided by a doorway (5), causes the person detector (1) to: convert mechanical energy from door motion into electrical energy stored in a battery of the person detector using the energy harvesting device; receive an opening signal indicating that a door (6) of the doorway (5) is opened; set a person sensor (2) of the person detector (1) in an active mode based on receiving the opening signal; detect a person passing the doorway using the person sensor (2); receive a closing signal indicating that the door (6) of the doorway (5) is closed; transmit a result of the detecting step based on receiving the closing signal; and set the person sensor (2) in a power saving mode based on receiving the closing signal, wherein detecting a person passing the doorway comprises detecting a direction of a person passing the doorway, wherein the result contains a count of all entries and a count of all exits since the last result was transmitted; and wherein in the step of detecting a person passing the doorway, the person sensor (2) continues to detect a person until the closing signal is received, when multiple entries and / or exits are detected, the number of entries and the number of exits are counted and stored as part of the result.

7. A computer program product (64, 90) comprising a computer program according to claim 6 and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.

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