Reference points for configuring object counters

Abstract

Example implementations include systems and methods for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display, where the GUI is operable to display a representation of a detection field of an object counting radar unit, where the GUI is operable to display a reference point, the reference point represents a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in a field of view of the object counting radar unit and rotated by a drive motor assembly.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 353,259, filed on June 17, 2022, entitled “Reference Point for Configuring Object Counters,” the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to object counting systems and methods, and more particularly to configuring object counters. Summary of the invention

[0004] A simplified summary of one or more aspects is presented below in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] Example embodiments include a system comprising: a rotatable object; and a drive motor assembly operable to rotate the rotatable object, wherein the rotatable object is detectable by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is within the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0006] Another example embodiment includes a system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories, each coupled to at least one of the one or more processors and each storing all or some portion of instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors, alone or in any combination, to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display, wherein the GUI is operable to display a representation of a detection field of an object counting radar unit, wherein the GUI is operable to display a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0007] Another example embodiment includes a method comprising: receiving data from an object counting radar unit; and based on the data, displaying on a graphical user interface (GUI) a representation of a detection field of the object counting radar unit, including displaying a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0008] Another example embodiment includes an apparatus comprising means for receiving data from an object counting radar unit; and means for displaying, based on the data, on a graphical user interface (GUI), a representation of a detection field of the object counting radar unit, including displaying a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0009] Another example embodiment includes one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions, alone or in combination, which when executed by one or more processors, alone or in combination, cause the one or more processors to receive data from an object counting radar unit; and based on the data, display a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit on a graphical user interface "GUI", including displaying a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0010] Some further aspects are provided below.

[0011] 1. A system, comprising:

[0012] Rotatable objects; and

[0013] A drive motor assembly is operable to rotate the rotatable object, wherein the rotatable object is detectable by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is within the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0014] 2. A system according to clause 1, wherein the rotatable object comprises a windmill or fan blade.

[0015] 3. A system according to clause 1 or 2, further comprising a safety cage at least partially covering the rotatable object.

[0016] 4. The system according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, further comprising a bracket supporting the rotatable object and the drive motor assembly.

[0017] 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the height of the bracket is adjustable.

[0018] 6. A system according to clause 4 or 5, wherein the support comprises a tripod.

[0019] 7. A system according to any of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising an object counting radar unit.

[0020] 8. A system according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) operable to display a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit.

[0021] 9. The system of clause 8, wherein the GUI is operable to display a reference point representing the rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit.

[0022] 10. A system according to clause 8 or 9, wherein the GUI is further operable to display a representation of a portal, an in-count line and an out-count line, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

[0023] 11. The system of clause 10, wherein the representation of the portal includes representations of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) pedestals.

[0024] 12. A system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the rotatable object provides a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

[0025] 13. A system, comprising:

[0026] one or more processors; and

[0027] one or more memories, each coupled to at least one of the one or more processors and each storing all or some portion of instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors, alone or in any combination, to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display, wherein the GUI is operable to display a representation of a detection field of an object counting radar unit, wherein the GUI is operable to display a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0028] 14. The system of clause 13, wherein the GUI is further operable to display a representation of a portal, an in-count line, and an out-count line, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

[0029] 15. The system of clause 13 or 14, wherein the representation of the portal includes representations of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) pedestals.

[0030] 16. A system according to any of clauses 13 to 15, wherein the rotatable object provides a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

[0031] 17. A method comprising:

[0032] receiving data from an object counting radar unit; and

[0033] Based on the data, a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit is displayed on a graphical user interface "GUI", including displaying a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0034] 18. The method of clause 17, further comprising displaying a representation of a portal, an in-count line, and an out-count line on the GUI, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

[0035] 19. The method of clause 17 or 18, wherein the representation of the portal includes a representation of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) pedestals.

[0036] 20. A method according to any of clauses 17 to 19, wherein the rotatable object provides a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

[0037] To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects include features fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative of only some of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system for configuring an object counter according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example graphical user interface (GUI) configured for configuring an object counter according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 3 It is possible to implement according to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 a block diagram of an example computing device of components in an example system; and

[0042] Figure 4is a flow chart of an example method of configuring an object counter according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known components may be shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0044] Various aspects of the present disclosure implement reference points for configuring object counters, such as, but not limited to, millimeter Wave (mmWave) radar people counters used, for example, at retail stores, to count the number of people passing through an entrance to a retail store, such as an entrance to a retail store monitored by a surveillance system of the retail store.

[0045] Turning now to the figures, example aspects are described with reference to one or more components described herein, where components in dashed lines may be optional.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one non-limiting aspect, the millimeter wave radar object counter 114 includes a millimeter wave high frequency radio frequency (RF) transceiver, such as a radar unit 102, which is typically mounted overhead, for example, on a ceiling 104 of the retail environment 100. As used herein, a millimeter wave signal is a short wavelength electromagnetic signal having a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm, or equivalently having a frequency between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. In one aspect, the radar unit 102 is configured to transmit millimeter wave signals and measure reflections of those signals reflected by people walking in an observation area 122 in the retail environment 100 in order to count the number of people walking within the observation area 122. In these aspects, the radar unit 102 filters out any non-moving objects.

[0047] In one aspect, for example, the observation area 122 of the radar unit 102 may include an entry delimiter, such as one or more electronic article surveillance (EAS) pedestals 116, as well as an “in” count line 118 and an “out” count line 120. The millimeter wave radar object counter 114 is configured to increase the count when a person successively crosses the “in” count line 118 and the “out” count line 120.

[0048] More specifically, for example, in one non-limiting aspect, based on signals transmitted and received by radar unit 102, millimeter wave radar object counter 114 can monitor the movement of objects in observation area 122. Based on the monitored movement, millimeter wave radar object counter 114 can determine whether a moving object that has crossed “in” count line 118 continues to cross “out” count line 120. If a moving object that has crossed “in” count line 118 continues to cross “out” count line 120, millimeter wave radar object counter 114 increases the count of people who have entered retail environment 100 from the entrance defined by EAS pedestal 116. Alternatively and / or additionally, based on the monitored movement, millimeter wave radar object counter 114 can determine whether a moving object that has crossed “out” count line 120 continues to cross “in” count line 118. If a moving object that has crossed the “out” count line 120 continues to cross the “in” count line 118 , the millimeter wave radar object counter 114 increments the count of persons that have exited the retail environment 100 from the entrance defined by the EAS pedestal 116 .

[0049] While some aspects of the invention include EAS pedestals 116, aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, and in some other aspects, millimeter wave radar object counter 114 may be used to count people in a retail environment that does not include or implement any pedestals.

[0050] Although some aspects of the present invention include a single millimeter wave radar object counter 114, aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and in some other aspects, more than one millimeter wave radar object counter may be used to cover a corresponding zone / area to count people in the retail environment 100. For example, more than one millimeter wave radar object counter may be used to cover a cumulative observation area that is the aggregate of the observation areas of each millimeter wave radar object counter.

[0051] Although some aspects of the invention include an object counter using millimeter wave radar technology, aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, and some other aspects may include an object counter using radar technology operating at a frequency other than millimeter waves, an object counter using sonar technology, an object counter using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology, and the like.

[0052] In some aspects, in order to count correctly / accurately, the millimeter wave radar object counter 114 needs to be calibrated to have accurate reference points for the EAS pedestal 116, the "in" count line 118, and / or the "out" count line 120. However, the XY coordinates of the EAS pedestal 116, the "in" count line 118, and the "out" count line 120 configured within the observation area 122 are prone to inaccuracy due to a number of reasons. First, the radar unit 102 may not be placed on the centerline of the EAS pedestal 116 and may be offset to the interior of the retail environment 100. In addition, without a laser tool, measuring the position of the EAS pedestal 116 relative to the radar unit 102 may not be accurate. Even if the position of the EAS pedestal 116 is accurately measured, the XY value is generally inaccurate when compared to the viewpoint of the radar unit 102. This may be due to the nature of high frequency propagation, such as impedance mismatch through the cover, impedance mismatch to air, and reflections. In addition, the offset of the radar unit 102 relative to the observation area 122 may cause differences in the measurement results.

[0053] In some aspects, when a person approaches the EAS pedestal 116 while another person is viewing the graphical user interface (GUI) 200 of the radar unit 102 ( Figure 2 ), a best estimate can be made to determine the location of the EAS base 116. However, this is not a static operation because one person is in motion. In addition, these aspects require two people to configure the millimeter wave radar object counter 114.

[0054] Some aspects of the present invention solve the above problems by providing an apparatus 124 that allows a single person to configure a millimeter wave radar object counter 114 in a static and deterministic manner. In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the apparatus 124 may include a drive motor assembly 110 and a rotatable object 108 attached to the drive motor assembly 110, which may include, for example, a direct current (DC) motor or an alternating current (AC) motor. The rotatable object 108 may be controlled / rotated by the drive motor assembly 110. The rotatable object 108 may be placed in the radar field of the radar unit 102, and when rotated by the drive motor assembly 110, the rotatable object 108 is an object detected by the radar unit 102 and provides a static reference point for configuring the radar unit 102.

[0055] In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the rotatable object 108 can be symmetrical and circular. In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the rotatable object 108 can include a fan with fan blades, a windmill, etc. In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the rotatable object 108 can be at least partially covered / surrounded by a safety ring / cage.

[0056] Optionally, the apparatus 124 may also include a stand that supports the rotatable object 108 and the drive motor assembly 110, such as a height-adjustable tripod 112. The height-adjustable tripod 112 may be placed on the floor 106 of the retail environment 100. In one non-limiting example, the height of the height-adjustable tripod 112 may be adjustable between 1 foot and 4 feet.

[0057] In some aspects, the drive motor assembly 110 is operable to rotate the rotatable object 108 at a speed sufficient to be detected by the radar unit 102. The speed may be different for different rotatable objects with different configurations, shapes, materials, etc. For safety reasons, the rotation speed is generally slower. In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the drive motor assembly 110 is operable to rotate the rotatable object 108 at a rate of 15 to 30 revolutions per minute (RPM), such as 18 RPM.

[0058] In some aspects, the drive motor assembly 110 can be powered by a wall power supply or a battery. In one non-limiting example, the drive motor assembly 110 can be controlled by an on / off switch and an optional rotation direction switch. Each switch can be in the form of a physical switch configured on the drive motor assembly 110 or a remote software switch implemented via wired or wireless communication, for example, a software switch controllable via the GUI 200. In some non-limiting aspects, the device 124 can also include a battery pack, and the on / off switch can be configured locally on the adjustable height tripod 112 to control the on / off operation of the drive motor assembly 110.

[0059] In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the height adjustable tripod 112 can be placed in an entrance away from walls and pedestals in the "open air". This reduces reflections from adjacent obstacles. In one non-limiting aspect, for example, the height adjustable tripod 112 can be configured / adjusted to keep the rotatable object 108 approximately 2 feet above the floor 106. In one non-limiting aspect, for example, a measurement can be made from the height adjustable tripod 112 to the EAS pedestal 116 to ensure that there is enough space between them. The drive motor assembly 110 is then turned on to rotate the rotatable object 108, and the user / technician can view a representation of the position of the rotatable object 108 on the GUI 200 or via the console data output. With the position of the detected rotatable object 108 as a known point observed from the viewpoint of the radar unit 102, other position values ​​in the observation area 122, such as the position of the EAS pedestal 116, the position of the “in” count line 118, the position of the “out” count line 120, and any other parameters that depend on the XY position can be set / configured for the personnel counted by the millimeter wave radar object counter 114.

[0060] While some aspects of the invention include a stand, such as a height-adjustable tripod 112, aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, and in some aspects, the rotatable object 108 may be placed directly on the floor 106 without the height-adjustable tripod 112, or may be placed on other objects that act as a stand.

[0061] Although some inventive aspects define two count lines for object counting by radar unit 102, inventive aspects are not limited thereto. For example, in some alternative aspects, a single count line may be defined for object counting by radar unit 102, while in some other alternative aspects, more than two count lines may be defined for object counting by a single radar unit 102.

[0062] For example, in some non-limiting aspects, the millimeter wave radar object counter 114 may be configured to increment a count when a mobile object crosses a single count line defined in an entrance of the retail environment 100 .

[0063] In some other non-limiting aspects, for example, two sets of in-count lines and out-count lines may be defined for object counting by a single radar unit 102. For example, in one non-limiting aspect, at the entrance of a retail store, a first EAS pedestal may be configured to be 2 meters away from a second EAS pedestal, which in turn is configured to be 2 meters away from a third EAS pedestal. In this case, a radar unit capable of covering a 4-meter wide viewing area may be implemented to perform object counting using two sets of count lines: a first set of count lines defined between the first EAS pedestal and the second EAS pedestal, and a second set of count lines defined between the second EAS pedestal and the third EAS pedestal. In this case, the GUI 200 may be configured to represent a corresponding icon for each EAS pedestal and each count line.

[0064] Although some aspects of the invention relate to using a rotatable object to configure millimeter wave radar object counter 114, aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, and some other aspects may use any reflective object of any reflective material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) detectable by radar unit 102 to configure millimeter wave radar object counter 114. For example, some alternative aspects may use a vibratable object or a flappable object instead of or in addition to rotatable object 108 for configuring millimeter wave radar object counter 114.

[0065] Furthermore, while the above example aspects relate to people counting in a retail environment, aspects of the present invention are not so limited and are applicable to any portal where radar is used for people counting and / or counting / tracking of objects other than people.

[0066] refer to Figure 2, a technician may use GUI 200 to perform on-screen configuration of the radar object counting field of radar unit 102. GUI 200 is provided / supported by mm-wave radar object counter 114. In various aspects, GUI 200 may be accessed, for example, via a computing device at a monitoring station, a virtual console, a web-based application running on a mobile device, a uniform resource locator (URL) reached via a web browser, etc.

[0067] In one aspect, when the rotatable object 108 is rotated by the drive motor assembly 110 within the viewing area 122 of the radar unit 102, the GUI 200 indicates a reference point icon 208 that represents the rotatable object 108 as interpreted from the viewpoint of the radar unit 102. The shape, color, size, or other visual characteristics of the reference point icon 208 may be predefined and / or may be configured via one or more input / selection fields in the GUI 200. The reference point icon 208 facilitates appropriate on-screen position adjustment of an exit endpoint, such as one or more entry icons 202 representing an EAS pedestal 116. The reference point icon 208 also facilitates appropriate on-screen position adjustment of an “in” count line icon 204 representing the “in” count line 118 and an “out” count line icon 206 representing the “out” count line 120.

[0068] For example, in some aspects, to properly represent the EAS pedestals 116 as interpreted from the viewpoint of the radar unit 102, the technician may place the rotatable object 108 next to one of the EAS pedestals 116 so that the reference point icon 208 indicates the location of the EAS pedestal 116 as interpreted from the viewpoint of the radar unit 102. The technician may then place the portal icon 202 over the on-screen location of the reference point icon 208 to represent the EAS pedestal 116 as interpreted from the viewpoint of the radar unit 102. This may be repeated for each EAS pedestal 116 and the “in” count line 118 and the “out” count line 120. Alternatively, once the portal icon 202 is placed on the GUI 200, the “in” count line icon 204 and the “out” count line icon 206 may be placed on the GUI 200 relative to the portal icon 202, either automatically or by the technician.

[0069] In some exemplary aspects where there are no EAS pedestals in the viewing area 122 of the radar unit 102 (e.g., where the viewing area 122 corresponds to an entrance without an EAS pedestal), the technician may appropriately position the “In” count line 118 on the GUI 200 by placing the rotatable object 108 on the “In” count line 118 and then placing the “In” count line icon 204 on the screen location of the reference point icon 208 to represent the “In” count line 118 as interpreted from the viewpoint of the radar unit 10. This may be repeated to position and represent the “Out” count line 120 on the GUI 200. Alternatively, once one of the “In” count line icon 204 or the “Out” count line icon 206 is positioned / placed on the GUI 200 using the rotatable object 108, the other count line may be placed on the GUI 200, either automatically or by the technician, relative to the already positioned count line.

[0070] In some non-limiting alternative or additional example aspects, the millimeter wave radar object counter 114 may be configured to automatically display the entry icon 202, the “in” count line icon 204, and the “out” count line icon 206 on the GUI 200 relative to the reference point icon 208. For example, the millimeter wave radar object counter 114 may be configured to identify the position of the detected rotatable object 108 as a known predefined position relative to one or more of the EAS pedestal 116, the “in” count line 118, and / or the “out” count line 120. For example, the known predefined position may be predefined as falling on one of the EAS pedestals 116, midway between the centers or ends of two opposing EAS pedestals 116, the middle or ends of the “in” count line 118, the middle or ends of the “out” count line 120, etc. Subsequently, the technician may place the rotatable object 108 at the known predefined position relative to the EAS pedestal 116, the “in” count line 118, and / or the “out” count line 120. When rotatable object 108 is detected and reference point icon 208 is indicated on GUI 200 to represent rotatable object 108 as interpreted from the viewpoint of radar unit 102, millimeter wave radar object counter 114 may automatically display entry icon 202, “in” count line icon 204, and / or “out” count line icon 206 on GUI 200 relative to reference point icon 208. Millimeter wave radar object counter 114 may be preconfigured to perform this automatic icon display based on an assumed position of rotatable object 108 (which is a known predefined position relative to EAS pedestal 116, “in” count line 118, and / or “out” count line 120) and based on an assumed size / configuration of EAS pedestal 116, “in” count line 118, and / or “out” count line 120 relative to each other.

[0071] In some optional aspects, each of the portal icon 202, the "in" count line icon 204, and the "out" count line icon 206 can be turned on or off via the GUI 200, such as by selecting a corresponding check box.

[0072] In some example aspects where there are no EAS pedestals in the observation area 122 of the radar unit 102 (e.g., where the observation area 122 corresponds to an entrance / portal without an EAS pedestal), a universal delimiter, such as a vertical line, may be displayed in place of the on-screen GUI pedestal icon. For example, in some aspects, the radar unit 102 may monitor up to two 2.4 meter zones. In the case where the radar unit 102 is monitoring a field of view without an EAS pedestal and is large enough to warrant subdivision into two zones, three delimiters (e.g., three vertical lines) may be placed on the screen of the GUI 200 to define the boundaries of the entrance. In some optional aspects, the universal delimiters may be turned off, such as by selecting a corresponding check box.

[0073] Aspects of the present invention allow for configuration of radar unit 102 using only one technician, as compared to a system where one technician walks through the radar field while another technician configures radar unit 102. Additionally, static placement of rotatable object 108 provides for faster configuration speed and better configuration accuracy than configuring radar unit 102 by one technician walking while another technician configures radar unit 102.

[0074] Figure 3 An example block diagram providing details of computing components in a computing device 300 that may implement the millimeter wave radar object counter 114, the radar unit 102, the GUI 200, or the like described above is illustrated. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The computing device 300 includes one or more processors 302, which may be configured to execute or implement software, hardware, and / or firmware modules for any of the functions described herein with reference to the following: the millimeter wave radar object counter 114, the radar unit 102, the GUI 200, or the referenced above Figure 1 and Figure 2 Any other components described.

[0075] As used herein, a processor, at least one processor, and / or one or more processors configured to perform or operable to perform multiple actions, individually or in combination, means at least two processors including different overlapping or non-overlapping subsets capable of performing multiple actions, or a single processor capable of performing all multiple actions. In a non-limiting example of multiple processors capable of performing different actions in a plurality of actions in combination, a description of a processor, at least one processor, and / or one or more processors configured or operable to perform actions X, Y, Z may include at least a first processor configured or operable to perform a first subset of X, Y, and Z (e.g., perform X) and at least a second processor configured or operable to perform a second subset of X, Y, and Z (e.g., perform Y and Z). Alternatively, a first processor, a second processor, and a third processor may be configured or operable to perform a corresponding one of actions X, Y, and Z, respectively. It should be understood that any combination of one or more processors may be configured or operable to perform any one or any combination of multiple actions, respectively.

[0076] The one or more processors 302 may include a microcontroller and / or may include a single or multiple processors or a multi-core processor. In addition, the one or more processors 302 may be implemented as an integrated processing system and / or a distributed processing system.

[0077] The computing device 300 may also include one or more memories 304, such as for storing local versions of applications executed by the one or more processors 302, related instructions, parameters, etc. The one or more memories 304 may include a type of memory that can be used by a computer, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), tape, disk, optical disk, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In addition, the one or more processors 302 and the one or more memories 304 may include and execute an operating system, one or more applications, a display driver, etc., executed on the one or more processors 302, and / or other components of the computing device 300.

[0078] As used herein, a memory, at least one memory, and / or one or more memories, individually or in combination, configured to store or have stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors for performing a plurality of actions means including at least two different memories capable of storing different overlapping or non-overlapping subsets of instructions for performing different overlapping or non-overlapping subsets of a plurality of actions, or a single memory capable of storing instructions for performing all of the plurality of actions. In a non-limiting example of one or more memories, individually or in combination, capable of storing different subsets of instructions for performing different actions in a plurality of actions, a description of a memory, at least one memory, and / or one or more memories configured or operable to store or have stored thereon instructions for performing actions X, Y, and Z may include: at least one first memory, the at least one first memory being configured or operable to store or have stored thereon a first subset of instructions for performing a first subset of X, Y, and Z (e.g., instructions for performing X); and at least one second memory, the at least one second memory being configured or operable to store or have stored thereon a second subset of instructions for performing a second subset of X, Y, and Z (e.g., instructions for performing Y and Z). Alternatively, the first memory, the second memory, and the third memory may be configured to store or have stored thereon a corresponding one of a first instruction subset for performing X, a second instruction subset for performing Y, and a third instruction subset for performing Z, respectively. It should be understood that any combination of one or more memories may each be configured or operable to store or have stored thereon any one or any combination of instructions executable by one or more processors to perform any one or any combination of a plurality of actions. In addition, one or more processors may each be coupled to at least one of the one or more memories and configured or operable to execute instructions to perform a plurality of actions. For example, in the above non-limiting example of different subsets of instructions for performing actions X, Y, and Z, a first processor may be coupled to a first memory storing instructions for performing action X, and at least a second processor may be coupled to at least a second memory storing instructions for performing actions Y and Z, and the first processor and the second processor may execute their respective instruction subsets in combination to complete the execution of actions X, Y, and Z. Alternatively, three processors may access one of three different memories, each storing one of the instructions for performing X, Y, or Z, and the three processors may execute in combination their respective subsets of instructions to complete performing actions X, Y, and Z. Alternatively, a single processor may execute instructions stored on a single memory or distributed across multiple memories to complete performing actions X, Y, and Z.

[0079] Additionally, computing device 300 may include a communication component 306 that provides for the use of hardware, software, and services to establish and maintain communications with one or more other devices, parties, entities, etc. Communication component 306 may facilitate communications between components on computing device 300, as well as communications between computing device 300 and external devices, such as devices located on a communications network and / or devices serially or locally connected to computing device 300. For example, communication component 306 may include one or more buses, and may also include transmit chain components and receive chain components associated with wireless or wired transmitters and receivers, respectively, that are operable to interface with external devices.

[0080] Additionally, computing device 300 may include data storage 308, which may be any suitable combination of hardware and / or software that provides mass storage of information, databases, and programs. For example, data storage 308 may be or may include a data repository for applications and / or related parameters that are not currently being executed by one or more processors 302. Additionally, data storage 308 may be a data repository for operating systems, applications, display drivers, etc. that are executed on one or more processors 302 and / or one or more other components of computing device 300.

[0081] The computing device 300 may also include a user interface component 310 that is operable to receive input from a user of the computing device 300 and further operable to generate output for presentation to the user (e.g., via a display interface to a display device). The user interface component 310 (e.g., implementing the GUI 200) may include one or more input devices, including but not limited to a keyboard, a numeric keypad, a mouse, a touch-sensitive display, navigation keys, function keys, a microphone, a speech recognition component, or any other mechanism capable of receiving input from a user, or any combination thereof. In addition, the user interface component 310 may include one or more output devices, including but not limited to a display interface, a speaker, a tactile feedback mechanism, a printer, any other mechanism capable of presenting output to a user, or any combination thereof.

[0082] Figure 4 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 for configuring an object counting radar unit such as the millimeter wave radar object counter 114. The method 400 may be implemented as described herein with reference to the above Figures 1 to 3 The functions described above may be implemented by one or more components of the computing device 300 and / or one or more components of the millimeter wave radar object counter 114, the radar unit 102, the GUI 200, or the like. Figures 1 to 3 Any other components described may be performed.

[0083] At 402, method 400 includes receiving data from an object counting radar unit. For example, in one aspect, one or more components of computing device 300, millimeter wave radar object counter 114, and / or GUI 200 may receive data from radar unit 102. Thus, one or more components of computing device 300, millimeter wave radar object counter 114, and / or GUI 200 may provide means for receiving data from an object counting radar unit.

[0084] At 404, method 400 includes displaying, on a graphical user interface "GUI," a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit based on the data, including displaying a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly. For example, one or more components of computing device 300, millimeter wave radar object counter 114, and / or GUI 200 may display, on GUI 200, a representation of the detection field of radar unit 102 based on the data received from radar unit 102, including displaying a reference point icon 208 representing a rotatable object 108 detected by radar unit 102 when the rotatable object 108 is located in the field of view of radar unit 102 and is rotated by drive motor assembly 110. Thus, one or more components of the computing device 300, the millimeter wave radar object counter 114, and / or the GUI 200 may provide means for displaying, based on the data, a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit on a graphical user interface "GUI", including displaying a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and rotated by the drive motor assembly.

[0085] Optionally, at 406, method 400 may further include displaying a representation of a portal, an in-count line, and an out-count line on the GUI, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit. For example, one or more components of computing device 300, millimeter wave radar object counter 114, and / or GUI 200 may display a representation of a portal on the GUI, such as a portal icon 202 representing EAS pedestal 116, an “in” count line icon 204 representing “in” count line 118, and an “out” count line icon 206 representing “out” count line 120, both of which are configured for object counting by radar unit 102. Thus, one or more components of computing device 300, millimeter wave radar object counter 114, and / or GUI 200 may provide a means for displaying a representation of a portal, an in-count line, and an out-count line on the GUI, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

[0086] In some optional embodiments, the representation of the portal may include representations of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance "EAS" pedestals.

[0087] In some optional embodiments, a rotatable object may provide a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

[0088] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but to conform to the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein the reference to the singular element is not intended to represent "one and only one", unless specifically stated as such, but to represent "one or more". The word "exemplary" used herein means "used as an example, example or illustration". Any aspect described as "exemplary" herein is not necessarily interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B and C" and "A, B, C or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may contain one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements throughout the various aspects described in the present disclosure that are known or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. Words such as "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," etc. cannot replace the word "component." Therefore, any claim element should not be interpreted as a device plus function unless the element is explicitly listed using the phrase "component for..."

Claims

1. A system, comprising: object counting radar unit; Rotatable objects; as well as A drive motor assembly is operable to rotate the rotatable object, wherein the rotatable object is detectable by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotatable object comprises a windmill or fan blade.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a safety cage at least partially covering the rotatable object.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bracket supporting the rotatable object and the drive motor assembly.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the height of the bracket is adjustable.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the support comprises a tripod.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) operable to display a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the GUI is operable to display reference points representing the rotatable objects detected by the object counting radar unit.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the GUI is further operable to display a representation of an entry, an in-count line, and an out-count line.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the count-in line and the count-out line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the representation of the portal includes representations of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) pedestals.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotatable object provides a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

13. A system, comprising: one or more processors; as well as one or more memories, each coupled to at least one of the one or more processors and each storing all or some portion of instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors, alone or in any combination, to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display, wherein the GUI is operable to display a representation of a detection field of an object counting radar unit, wherein the GUI is operable to display a reference point representing a rotatable object detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable object is located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and is rotated by the drive motor assembly.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the GUI is further operable to display a representation of a portal, an in-count line, and an out-count line, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the representation of the portal includes representations of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) pedestals.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the rotatable object provides a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

17. A method comprising: receiving data from an object counting radar unit; as well as Based on the data, a representation of the detection field of the object counting radar unit is displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI), including displaying reference points representing rotatable objects detected by the object counting radar unit when the rotatable objects are located in the field of view of the object counting radar unit and rotated by the drive motor assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying a representation of a portal, an in-count line, and an out-count line on the GUI, wherein the in-count line and the out-count line are configured for object counting by the object counting radar unit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the representation of the portal comprises a representation of one or more Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) pedestals.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the rotatable object provides a static reference point for configuring the object counting radar unit.

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