Method for detecting movement patterns and passage detection system

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for contactless monitoring of at least one movement sequence having a plurality of movement states with a passage detection system, having a floor edge, in particular for placement on a floor of a passage area to be monitored, at least one first sensor bar running along a vertical vector and having a plurality of sensors for detecting movement states within a detection range of the sensors, a computer unit for evaluating the movement states and / or the movement sequence.

[0002] Methods are known in the prior art that use detection units to detect movement sequences, particularly the passage of persons through, into, and / or out of detection zones. Turnstiles, pedestrian gates, or barriers are used at the entrances and exits of buildings or areas, particularly restricted-access areas, for targeted entry and exit control.

[0003] A disadvantage of the existing solutions is that person detection is not carried out reliably enough, especially when several people are moving closely together. Another disadvantage is that the process requires a significant extension of the pedestrian detection system.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and / or a passage detection system, wherein the passage detection system enables the detection of individual movement sequences with high reliability and / or with a short distance between two consecutive persons or other moving objects.

[0005] The object is achieved by independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the method are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Furthermore, the object is also achieved by a computer-implemented method according to claim 12 and / or a passage detection system according to claim 13. Advantageous developments of the computer-implemented method and the passage detection system are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] Features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention also apply in connection with the computer-implemented method according to the invention and the passage detection system according to the invention, and vice versa. The features mentioned in the description and in the claims may be essential to the invention individually or in combination.

[0007] In particular, a passage detection system is protected with which the method according to the invention, in particular the method according to one of claims 1 to 12, can be carried out, as well as a method which can be carried out with the passage detection system according to the invention according to one of claims 13 to 15.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for contactless monitoring of at least one movement sequence comprising multiple movement states using a passage detection system is provided, comprising a floor edge, in particular for placement on the floor of a passage area to be monitored, at least one first sensor strip extending along a vertical vector and comprising multiple sensors for detecting movement states within a detection range of the sensors, and a computer unit for evaluating the movement states and / or the movement sequence. The method comprises the following steps: Reporting the respective sensor of the sensor bar as active when this sensor detects something within its detection range and reporting the respective sensor of the sensor bar as passive when this sensor detects nothing within its detection range, Detection of at least one first movement state and at least one second movement state by at least the first sensor bar by means of the sensor reports, wherein the first movement state and the second movement state are detected at directly or indirectly successive discrete points in time, Transmission of the movement states to the computer unit, Recognition of at least one movement sequence on the basis of the transmitted movement states by the computer unit, wherein the first sensor bar in its installed state extends to a maximum height of 1300 mm, preferably 1200 mm, particularly preferably 1100 mm, most particularly preferably 1000 mm,extending from the floor edge of the passage detection system.

[0009] In particular, the first sensor bar can extend to a maximum height of 950 mm, in particular 900 mm, in particular 850 mm, in particular 800 mm, starting from the floor edge of the passage detection system.

[0010] In particular, the first sensor bar can extend from a minimum height of 1 mm, in particular 5 mm, in particular 10 mm, in particular 15 mm, in particular 20 mm, in particular 25 mm, in particular 30 mm, and a maximum height of up to the specified height starting from the bottom edge of the passage detection system.

[0011] The floor edge of the passage detection system refers to the lowest point of the passage detection system, which is placed on the floor of the passage area. In other words, the first sensor strip, in its installed state, extends to a maximum height of 1300 mm, in particular 1200 mm, in particular 1100 mm, in particular 1000 mm, in particular 900 mm, in particular 850 mm, in particular 800 mm, starting from the floor of the passage area to be monitored. In particular, the floor edge forms the floor-side termination of the passage detection system. In particular, the floor edge can be the lowest point of a support base of the passage detection system.

[0012] A movement sequence is a walking through and / or passing through the detection area of ​​at least the first sensor bar. In the context of the invention, a movement state is to be understood as a snapshot of the detected passing area by at least the first sensor bar. A movement state thus indicates, in clear terms, which sensors detect something at which position, for example in the form of a newly detected object and / or a person in the respective detection area at a discrete point in time. A movement sequence can be recognized in particular from the temporal comparison of several movement states. In particular, when additional sensor bars are arranged, an individual movement state can also include the snapshot of the additional sensor bar at the same point in time as the snapshot of the first sensor bar.

[0013] The first movement state does not necessarily have to be the very first movement state of the respective movement sequence. What matters is that the second movement state is recorded chronologically after the first movement state.

[0014] If a particular sensor is reported as active and another sensor is not, the other sensor can automatically be reported as passive, and vice versa. In other words, the report can be understood as the status of the respective sensor. In particular, the report can be provided within the context of a data set, specifically 0 or 1, or within the context of an applied and / or non-applied voltage with respect to the respective sensor, depending on whether the respective sensor is detecting something or not.

[0015] Of course, the first movement state detected by at least the first sensor strip can be transmitted to the computer unit after the first movement state has been detected, after which the second movement state is detected and subsequently transmitted to the computer unit. It is therefore not necessary for several movement states to be detected first and only transmitted to the computer unit afterwards, but rather each individual movement state can be detected and transmitted. In particular, a movement state that does not deviate from the immediately preceding movement state with regard to the sensor messages can be filtered out. This means that in this case such a movement state would not be transmitted to the computer unit or would not be taken into account by the computer unit.

[0016] According to the invention, the passage detection system can be designed to be half-height due to the maximum height of the sensor bar and does not have to be man-high. The passage detection system can thus have an overall height corresponding to the maximum height of the sensor bar. In this way, the passage detection system can extend to a maximum height of 1300 mm, preferably 1200 mm, particularly preferably 1100 mm, very particularly preferably 1000 mm, in particular 900 mm, in particular 850 mm, in particular 800 mm, starting from the floor edge. The method nevertheless enables reliable detection of movement sequences. This can particularly improve visibility in the area of ​​systems designed in this way. Furthermore, it makes it possible to meet design requirements that favor a half-height design for such systems. In addition, people passing by feel more comfortable when passing because they feel less constricted.A method according to the invention designed in this way advantageously enables recognition of the respective movement sequence with high reliability and even when there is a small distance between two consecutive persons or other moving objects.

[0017] In particular, the detection range of the first sensor strip can extend from a minimum height of 1 mm, in particular 5 mm, in particular 10 mm, in particular 15 mm, in particular 20 mm, in particular 25 mm, in particular 30 mm, and a maximum height of 1300 mm, preferably 1200 mm, preferably 1100 mm, preferably 1000 mm, particularly preferably 900 mm, particularly preferably 850 mm, particularly preferably 800 mm, starting from the bottom edge of the passage detection system. In particular, the beams of the sensor strip can run perpendicular to the vertical vector.

[0018] The arrangement of the sensors along a vertical vector means that the sensors are arranged along a line, wherein the line has at least one vertical component. Preferably, the sensors are arranged along the vertical vector, wherein the vertical component of the vector accounts for at least 80, in particular 90, in particular 95, in particular 99 percent of the vector. In particular, the sensors of the first sensor strip can be arranged on a vertically extending plane or offset along the vertical vector.

[0019] The passage detection system can comprise additional components, in particular a housing into which the sensor strip is integrated, and / or an identification reader and / or a ticket reader and / or a particularly mechanically operated lock and / or door. A housing is understood to be a component that can house one or more elements of the passage detection system. However, the housing does not necessarily have to be sealed off from the outside, but can rather comprise at least one or more openings and / or apertures.

[0020] An identification reader and / or a ticket reader may be required, particularly when conducting access control. In particular, it may generally be necessary to permit access only to a single person, possibly with one or more objects, upon successful completion of a single access control, and / or to document any violations of this rule.

[0021] Alternatively or cumulatively, however, the invention can also be used solely to count persons and / or objects passing through the passage area.

[0022] The computer unit can control the sensors, in particular with regard to the operating frequency. The computer unit can, in particular, have a transmitter for transmitting the at least one detected movement state and / or a receiver for receiving the detected movement states and / or an evaluation unit for detecting the movement sequence and / or a provision unit and / or a provision unit and / or a display for displaying the at least one movement state and / or the movement sequence.

[0023] A single sensor can have at least one source and at least one receiver for its detection and / or can detect its detection range by reflection. In particular, a single sensor can be designed as an optical and / or optoelectronic and / or photoelectric sensor. Cameras, in particular still cameras and / or video cameras, can be excluded as sensors. A single sensor can be designed as a light barrier and / or through-beam light barrier and / or reflective light barrier and / or infrared light barrier.

[0024] A sensor strip can be designed as a unit comprising several assembled and / or interconnected sensors, in particular on a circuit board. Alternatively, a sensor strip can be formed from several individual sensors, in particular each with its own cable and / or data channel, wherein the individual sensors extend along the vertical vector in their installed state.

[0025] The distance between the sensors of the sensor strip can always be the same or vary from sensor to sensor. At least one distance, in particular any distance, between two sensors can be between 5 mm and 50 mm, in particular between 10 mm and 45 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 35 mm, in particular between 25 mm and 30 mm.

[0026] In particular, the movement states can be transmitted via a bus, in particular a CAN bus. In particular, the movement states can be transmitted to the computer unit serially and / or digitally and / or wirelessly.

[0027] In particular, the first sensor strip can have from 2 to 60, in particular from 5 to 50, in particular from 10 to 40, in particular from 15 to 30, in particular 20 to 25 sensors, in particular 24 sensors, in particular 28 sensors.

[0028] According to a further development of the present invention, at least the first sensor strip has at least one, in particular several, strip heads comprising the upper sensors and a strip body comprising at least one sensor, in particular several sensors, below the strip head.

[0029] The strip head and / or the strip body can each be designed as a unit comprising several assembled and / or interconnected sensors. Alternatively, the strip head and / or the strip body can be formed from several individual sensors, each with its own cable and / or data channel, wherein the strip head and the strip body extend along the vertical vector in the installed state.

[0030] In particular, the strip head can extend from a minimum height of 600 mm, in particular 650 mm, in particular 700 mm, in particular 800 mm, in particular 850 mm, in particular 900 mm, and / or a maximum height of 1300 mm, in particular 1200 mm, in particular 1100 mm, in particular 1000 mm, in particular 900 mm, in particular 850 mm, in particular 800 mm, starting from the bottom edge of the passage detection system.

[0031] In particular, the inguinal head and / or the inguinal body can each comprise a plurality of sensors. In particular, the inguinal head can comprise from 2 to 30, in particular from 4 to 25, in particular from 5 to 20, in particular from 10 to 15, in particular 3, sensors. In particular, the inguinal body can comprise from 2 to 60, in particular from 5 to 50, in particular from 10 to 40, in particular from 15 to 30, in particular from 20 to 25, in particular 20, in particular 24, sensors.

[0032] Preferably, the detection of the movement sequence comprises a direction detection of the movement sequence and / or a turn detection with the aid of a second sensor bar having at least one sensor, in particular a plurality of sensors, wherein the second sensor bar is arranged next to the first sensor bar, in particular parallel to the first sensor bar.

[0033] This refers to the detection range of the sensors next to the first sensor bar. This means that the detection ranges of the two sensor bars are adjacent to each other. In particular, the two sensor bars can be arranged on a virtual plane. In particular, the second sensor bar can run along a vertical vector.

[0034] The direction detection can be carried out in that during a movement sequence in the direction of the first sensor bar in a first movement state the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors, of the second sensor bar are actively reported and subsequently in a second movement state the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors of the bar head, of the first sensor bar are actively reported.

[0035] In particular, during a passage, in a further subsequent movement state, first the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors, of the second sensor bar are passively reported and then, in a still further subsequent movement state, the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors of the bar head, of the first sensor bar are passively reported.In contrast to a passage, when turning within the detection range of the sensor strips, which corresponds to an abort of the passage, in the further following movement state the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors of the strip head of the first sensor strip are passively reported first and then in the further following movement state the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors, of the second sensor strip are passively reported.

[0036] This applies in reverse when moving in the direction of the second sensor bar.

[0037] This allows the direction and / or turn of the movement sequence to be reliably detected. Therefore, the passage detection system can be designed to be passable in both directions.

[0038] In particular, the second sensor bar can comprise from 2 to 30, in particular from 3 to 25, in particular from 4 to 20, in particular from 5 to 15, in particular from 8 to 10, sensors. In particular, the second sensor bar can also extend along a vertical vector whose vertical component accounts for from 80 to 100, in particular from 90 to 95, percent of the vector.

[0039] In particular, the second sensor strip can extend from the floor edge to a minimum height of 5 mm, in particular 10 mm, in particular 100 mm, in particular 400 mm, in particular 800 mm, and / or a maximum height of the first sensor strip. Preferably, the second sensor strip can extend at least over the height of the sensor head of the first sensor strip.

[0040] The previously described options for the design of a sensor bar and its individual sensors, in particular with regard to the detection and / or design and / or distance and / or transmission of the movement states, apply accordingly to the second sensor bar.

[0041] Preferably, the detection of the at least one movement state comprises determining a number of actively reported and / or passively reported sensors, in particular within the first sensor strip, in particular within the strip head and / or the strip body of the first sensor strip, and / or within the second sensor strip. Such a determination represents useful information for the reliable detection of the movement sequence. In particular, such detection can occur within each movement state.

[0042] Preferably, the movement sequence is assigned to at least one person and / or at least one object. This enables counting of passing persons and / or objects. An object is understood to be an item.

[0043] Preferably, the movement sequence is assigned to at least one person if, within the first movement state, all sensors of the head of the first sensor bar and / or all sensors of the second sensor bar are actively reported. It is assumed that only one person can actively report all sensors at the height of the head of the first sensor bar and / or the second sensor bar within a single movement state.

[0044] Preferably, the movement sequence is assigned to at least one person if, within the movement sequence, each individual sensor of the first sensor bar or each individual sensor of the groin of the first sensor bar is actively reported at least once. This provides reliable person recognition.

[0045] This means that in all movement states of the individual movement sequence, each individual sensor of the first sensor bar or each individual sensor of the groin torso is actively reported at least once, whereby it is irrelevant when this occurred in the course of the movement sequence.

[0046] It is assumed that a person triggers an active signal from each individual sensor at least once during their movement sequence. This does not have to happen within a single movement state, but rather within a single movement sequence with all its movement states within it.

[0047] In particular, the movement sequence can be assigned to at least one person if, within a single movement state, each individual sensor of the first sensor bar or each individual sensor of the groin torso is actively reported.

[0048] In particular, the movement sequence can be assigned to at least one person if, within the first movement state, at least the uppermost sensor of the first sensor bar and / or the uppermost sensor of the groin torso and, within the second movement state, at least the lowermost sensor of the sensor bar and / or the lowermost sensor of the groin torso are actively reported, wherein, within the individual movement sequence, each individual sensor of the first sensor bar or each individual sensor of the groin torso is actively reported at least once.

[0049] In particular, the movement sequence can be assigned to at least one person if, within the first movement state, at least the lowest sensor of the first sensor bar and / or the lowest sensor of the groin torso and, within the second movement state, at least the uppermost sensor of the sensor bar and / or the uppermost sensor of the groin torso are actively reported, wherein, within the movement sequence, each individual sensor of the first sensor bar or each individual sensor of the groin torso is actively reported at least once.

[0050] Preferably, the movement sequence is assigned to at least one person if, with regard to the number of sensors actively reported by the first sensor bar, in particular by the groin of the first sensor bar, within a single movement state, at least once a positive difference and / or at least once a negative difference between the movement states, in particular between movement states that follow one another directly or indirectly in time, is determined within the movement sequence.

[0051] It is assumed that, within the movement sequence, a person causes the number of active sensors of the first sensor bar, in particular the groin of the first sensor bar, to increase at least once over time and / or decrease at least once over time. This enables reliable detection of a person's typical step.

[0052] In contrast, a trolley case carried upright typically results in a constant number of active sensors over time. This means that trolleys carried upright cannot be reliably detected as people.

[0053] Preferably, the detection of the movement sequence comprises a differentiation of the movement sequence from another movement sequence based on a separation criterion. This makes it possible to distinguish a passing person and / or a passing object from the next person and / or the next object and thus to count the people and / or objects.

[0054] Preferably, the detection of the movement sequence comprises a demarcation of the movement sequence from a further movement sequence on the basis of a separation criterion, wherein the separation criterion intervenes when a certain difference is determined between the number of actively reported sensors of the first sensor strip, in particular of the strip head, in particular of the strip body, within the first movement state and the number of actively reported sensors of the first sensor strip, in particular of the strip head, in particular of the strip body, within the second movement state.

[0055] The intervention of the separation criterion is understood as the demarcation of one movement sequence from another. In particular, the second movement state can already be considered as at least one of the movement states of the subsequent movement sequence.

[0056] In particular, the separation criterion can intervene when there is a difference of at least two to twenty, in particular three to fifteen, in particular four to twelve, in particular five to ten, active sensors.

[0057] Preferably, the detection of the movement sequence comprises a subdivision of the movement sequence from a further movement sequence on the basis of a separation criterion, wherein the separation criterion intervenes when, within an individual movement state, a certain difference is determined between the number of actively reported sensors of the first sensor bar, in particular of the bar head, and the number of actively reported sensors of the second sensor bar.

[0058] In particular, the separation criterion can intervene when there is a difference of at least two to ten, in particular three, in particular four, in particular five, active sensors.

[0059] Such a separation criterion enables reliable separation between the movement patterns of individual people or objects. In particular, it enables reliable separation of people even when people are following one another closely.

[0060] Alternatively or cumulatively, the detection of the movement sequence can comprise a demarcation of the movement sequence from a further movement sequence on the basis of a separation criterion, wherein the separation criterion intervenes if, within the first movement state, at least one of the sensors, in particular a certain number of the sensors, in particular all sensors, of the inguinal head and / or the inguinal torso is actively reported, wherein, within the second movement state, at least one of the sensors, in particular a certain number of the sensors, in particular all sensors, of the inguinal head and / or the inguinal torso is passively reported.

[0061] In particular, the first movement state can be filtered if the first movement state has a number of up to three, preferably two, particularly preferably one, actively reported sensors of the sensor strip, in particular of the first sensor strip, in particular within the strip body, and in one or more immediately subsequent movement states, this number of actively reported sensors increases by less than three, in particular two. Such filtering reduces the amount of data flow.

[0062] This means that such a motion state is not used to detect a movement sequence. Such motion states are caused, for example, by narrow objects such as bag straps or tilted telescopic tubes of trolleys and can be neglected in the process.

[0063] Alternatively or cumulatively, individual motion states that do not change compared to the immediately following point in time can be filtered.

[0064] According to a further aspect of the invention, the method according to the invention is carried out in a computer-implemented manner, wherein the computer is formed by the computer unit and / or by an additional computer.

[0065] In particular, a computer program on a data storage medium can be used to carry out the method. In particular, at least one step, in particular several steps, in particular all steps of the method can be executed using an algorithm running on the computer.

[0066] According to the invention, a passage detection system for carrying out the described method is provided, comprising a floor edge, in particular for setting up on a floor of a passage area to be monitored, at least one first sensor bar running along a vertical vector and having a plurality of sensors, a computer unit, wherein the sensor bar in its installed state extends up to a maximum height of 1300 mm, in particular 1200 mm, in particular 1100 mm, in particular 1000 mm, particularly preferably 900 mm, particularly preferably 850 mm, particularly preferably 800 mm, starting from the floor edge of the passage detection system.

[0067] The implementation options described with regard to the procedure apply accordingly to the passage detection system.

[0068] Such passerby detection systems can be used, for example, at airport checkpoints or in office control areas.

[0069] The passage detection system preferably comprises a second sensor bar having at least one sensor, in particular a plurality of sensors, wherein the second sensor bar is arranged next to the first sensor bar, in particular parallel to the first sensor bar, wherein the second sensor bar has fewer sensors than the first sensor bar and / or wherein the second sensor bar is shorter than the first sensor bar and / or wherein the second sensor bar extends over the height of the bar head of the first sensor bar. The height of the bar head refers to the height of the bar head in its installed state, starting from the floor edge.

[0070] Preferably, a third sensor bar is arranged, in particular below the first sensor bar, along a horizontal vector and having at least one sensor, in particular at least two sensors.

[0071] The arrangement of the sensors along the horizontal vector means that the sensors are arranged along a line, wherein the line has at least one horizontal component. Preferably, the sensors are arranged along the horizontal vector, wherein the horizontal component accounts for at least 80 to 99 percent, in particular 85 to 95 percent, of the vector. In particular, the sensors of the first sensor strip can be arranged offset on a vertical plane or along the horizontal vector.

[0072] In particular, the third sensor bar can be arranged at a height of 3 to 250 mm, in particular 5 to 200 mm, in particular 15 to 165 mm, in particular 25 to 150 mm, in particular 30 to 100 mm, in particular 40 to 50 mm, starting from the floor edge of the passage detection system and / or starting from the floor of the passage area. In particular, the third sensor bar can comprise from 2 to 50, from 3 to 40, from 5 to 30, from 10 to 21 sensors.

[0073] In particular, a person's foot can be detected using the third sensor bar. In particular, the detection of the movement sequence can comprise a person's foot detection, wherein the movement sequence is assigned to a person's foot if, at a specific discrete point in time, a specific number of sensors, in particular the lower sensors, of the groin torso of the first sensor bar are actively reported and, at the same time, at least one sensor, in particular the at least two sensors, of the third sensor bar are actively reported, wherein the at least one sensor of the third sensor bar is arranged behind the first sensor bar in the direction of the movement sequence.

[0074] In particular, the first sensor bar, in its installed state, can extend to a maximum height of 600 mm, preferably 500 mm, particularly preferably 400 mm, and most particularly preferably 300 mm, starting from the floor edge of the pedestrian detection system. Even with such a low design of the first sensor bar, the movement states can still be sufficient for detecting a person's foot, since only the lower area of ​​the person's leg is relevant for this.

[0075] In particular, the movement sequence can be assigned to a person if the movement sequence is assigned to a person's foot.

[0076] The third sensor bar can be used alternatively or cumulatively to the second sensor bar to detect the direction of the movement.

[0077] In particular, the detection of the direction of movement of the movement sequence can be carried out in such a way that at least a first sensor of the third sensor bar and a second sensor of the third sensor bar are arranged in the direction of movement next to the first sensor and are actively reported within the movement sequence, wherein the second sensor is actively reported at a later time than the first sensor.

[0078] The previously described options for the design of a sensor bar and its individual sensors, in particular with regard to the detection and / or design and / or distance and / or transmission of the movement states, apply accordingly to the third sensor bar.

[0079] In particular, the passage detection system may have at least one mechanical barrier for blocking the passage area.

[0080] Particularly when a mechanical barrier is installed, the third sensor strip can extend across a passage area before and / or after the barrier. This allows for reliable determination of whether a person and / or object has actually passed through the barrier.

[0081] In particular, the motion states can be converted by means of a conversion unit before and / or after transmission to the computer unit.

[0082] In particular, the movement states can be displayed by means of a display of the computer unit and / or an additional display of the passage detection system.

[0083] In particular, the passage recognition system may comprise a device, in particular a camera, for biometric recognition, in particular facial recognition.

[0084] In particular, the passage detection system can have at least one head sensor for detecting a detection area, wherein the detection area of ​​the head sensor lies above a housing of the passage detection system. In other words, the head sensor is designed and / or arranged such that it detects its detection area above the highest point of a housing of the passage detection system, starting from the bottom edge of the passage detection system. This means that the detection area of ​​the head sensor lies above a virtual horizontal plane, wherein the plane includes the highest point of the housing. This makes it possible to detect movement data above at least the housing using a low-height passage detection system. This can further improve the detection of the movement sequence.

[0085] In particular, the housing can be designed as a guide element, especially for guiding a person through the passage area. In particular, the housing can be limited at the top by a handrail as the upper housing part, in particular, wherein the head sensor can be arranged in or on the handrail.

[0086] In particular, the detection range of the head sensor can be at a height between 1000 mm and 2200 mm, in particular 1100 mm and 2100 mm, in particular 1150 mm and 2000 mm, in particular 1200 mm and 1900 mm, in particular 1250 mm and 1800 mm, in particular 1300 mm and 1700 mm, in particular 1350 mm and 1600 mm, in particular 1400 mm and 1500 mm, starting from the floor edge of the passage detection system. In particular, the detection direction of the head sensor can be oriented obliquely upwards.

[0087] In particular, the head sensor can detect its detection area through a region of the housing that is transparent to the head sensor. In particular, multiple head sensors can be arranged. In particular, the head sensors can be arranged along a horizontal vector, in particular next to one another, and / or along a vertical vector, in particular one above the other.

[0088] The previously described sensor design options, particularly with regard to the detection and / or construction and / or transmission of movement states, apply accordingly to the head sensor. In particular, the head sensor can be designed as a reflection sensor. As a reflection sensor, the head sensor detects its detection area by reflection. Thus, such a sensor does not require a two-part design consisting of a transmitter and receiver, but can be designed as a single piece. In particular, the head sensor can generate and / or transmit its message digitally or serially. In particular, the head sensor can be designed optoelectrically. In particular, the head sensor can be designed as an infrared sensor.

[0089] In particular, the movement sequence can be assigned to a person if the head sensor actively reports at least once, especially several times, within the movement sequence. It is assumed that only one person triggers an active report from the head sensor.

[0090] In particular, the passage detection system can comprise at least a first housing, wherein one or more elements of the passage detection system, in particular the first sensor bar and / or the second sensor bar and / or the third sensor bar and / or the head sensor and / or a scanner, are arranged in and / or on the first housing. In particular, the passage detection system can comprise at least a second housing, wherein one or more elements of the passage detection system, in particular the head sensor, are arranged in and / or on the second housing.

[0091] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments, some of which are shown schematically in the figures. Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of a passage detection system according to the invention with two sensor bars; Fig. 3a is a first representation of a movement sequence based on a plurality of detected movement states; Fig. 3b is a second representation of a movement sequence based on a plurality of detected movement states; Fig. 4a is a representation of a direction detection; Fig. 4b is a representation of a turn detection; Fig. 5 is a third representation based on a plurality of detected movement states; Fig. 6 is a fourth representation of a movement sequence based on a plurality of detected movement states; Fig. 7 is a view of a second embodiment of a passage detection system according to the invention.

[0092] The Fig. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention with a passage detection system 1 comprising a first sensor bar 10 with the sensors S11 to S18 for detecting movement states within a detection range E1 to E8, a transmitter 31 for transmitting the movement states, a computer unit 30 with a receiver 32 for receiving the movement states, with an evaluation unit 34 for evaluating the movement states, with a provision unit 36 ​​for providing the movement states 2, with a conversion unit 38 for converting the movement states 2 and with a display of a detected movement sequence.

[0093] The first sensor strip 10 runs along the vertical vector v, with its vertical component being 100 percent. The first sensor strip 10 is divided into a strip head 11 with the upper four sensors S11–S14 and an exemplary strip body 12 with the lower four sensors S15–S18.

[0094] In Fig. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a first passage detection system 1 according to the invention with the first sensor bar 10 and a second sensor bar 20 arranged next to and parallel to the first sensor bar 10 with its sensors S21 - S24, with a bottom edge 51 and a housing 50'. The bottom edge 51 is placed on the floor 70 of the passage area. The first sensor bar 10 extends up to a height h starting from the bottom edge 51. The first sensor bar 10 simultaneously extends up to a height h starting from the floor 70 of the passage area. Furthermore, a person and a suitcase guided in a standing position are shown, which are moving in direction D. The number of sensors, the length and the installation height of the second sensor bar 20 correspond to the bar head 11 of the first sensor bar 10. The housing 50' has an overall height H.

[0095] The second sensor strip 10 serves for an exemplary supplementary detection of movement states 2 in order to enable an evaluation of the direction of the detected movement sequences 4 by the computer unit 30. This is done using the Fig. 4a und Fig. 4b explained in more detail.

[0096] The Fig. 3a shows a variety of movement states 2 of a person, which according to Fig. 2 the passage detection system 1. Black squares represent actively reported sensors of the first sensor bar 10 with here deviating from Fig. 2 A total of 24 sensors. Squares that are not filled or are gray represent actively reported sensors of the second sensor strip 20 with a total of four sensors. The empty spaces represent passively reported sensors of the first sensor strip 10 and the second sensor strip 20. Each column represents a detected motion state 2. The multitude of columns results from a temporal progression of the detected motion states 2, each detected by the first sensor strip 10 and the second sensor strip 20, chronologically from left to right. Each row represents the detection of one sensor of the sensor strips 10, 20 over time from left to right. The top four rows 80 thus each show the detected motion states 2 of the sensors of the strip head 11 of the first sensor strip 10 and of the second sensor strip 20.The lower 20 lines each show the recorded movement states 2 of the sensors of the inguinal body 12 of the first sensor bar 10, whereby the inguinal body 12 deviates from . Fig. 2 has twenty sensors.

[0097] In a movement state 110, all sensors of the groin are reported as active at least once, with both the topmost sensor in 101 and the bottommost sensor in 102 being reported as active. Furthermore, a positive difference between the movement states over time within the movement sequence 4, i.e., a reduction in the number of active sensors of the groin 12, is subsequently determined, which is indicated by the arrow 111. In addition, a negative difference between the movement states, i.e., an increase in the number of active sensors of the groin 12 over time within the movement sequence 4, is subsequently determined, which is indicated by the arrow 112. Furthermore, an increase in the number of active sensors of the groin 12 is already determined prior to the movement state 110. This results in the movement sequence 4 being assigned to a person.

[0098] A region 60 further illustrates when a separation criterion intervenes according to the method according to the invention, thus delimiting one movement sequence 4 from another. In region 60, individual sensors of the inguinal head 11 and the second sensor strip 20, as well as individual sensors of the inguinal body 12, are passively reported. This leads to the separation criterion being applied, and the movement sequence 4 is therefore considered complete.

[0099] Unlike in Fig. 3a are in Fig. 3b Movement states of a standing suitcase according to Fig. 2 , right side. Here, in contrast to Fig. 3a No differences in the number of actively reported sensors in the groin 12 are detected between the movement states within the movement sequence over time. Therefore, this movement sequence is not assigned to a person, but rather, for example, to an object.

[0100] By means of the method according to the invention and the passage detection system according to the invention, a reliable detection of persons is thus possible while at the same time keeping the passage detection system 1 low in design.

[0101] In Fig. 4a is the time course of the number of active sensors in the top four rows 80 after Fig. 3a The curve 100 corresponds to the strip head 11 of the first sensor strip 10 and the curve 200 corresponds to the second sensor strip 20. In the first step, all four sensors of the second sensor strip 20 are actively reported and then all four sensors of the strip head 11. In the second step, all sensors of the second sensor strip 20 are passive and then all sensors of the strip head 11 of the first sensor strip 10. This leads to the direction D of the movement sequence as shown in Fig. 2 shown from right to left.

[0102] In contrast, in Fig. 4b A reversal of the movement sequence is shown, whereby, unlike what was previously described, in the second step, all sensors of the strip head 11 of the first sensor strip 10 are first passively reported, followed by all sensors of the second sensor strip 20. This results in a reversal of the movement sequence being detected.

[0103] The Fig. 5 shows a variety of movement states 2 of a person and another person following closely behind each other. The assignment of the movement sequence 4 as a person is essentially analogous to the Fig. 3a . All actively reported sensors of the inguinal torso 12 in 110, the reduction in the number of active sensors of the inguinal torso 12 according to arrow 111 and the increase in the number of active sensors of the inguinal torso 12 according to arrow 112 lead to the assignment of movement sequence 4 as a person. In area 60, both individual sensors of the inguinal head 11 and the second sensor strip 20 as well as individual sensors of the inguinal torso 12 are passively reported. This leads to the intervention of the separation criterion and movement sequence 4 is therefore considered completed, with the next movement sequence 4' beginning simultaneously. All actively reported sensors of the inguinal torso 12 in 120, the reduction in the number of active sensors of the inguinal torso 12 according to arrow 121 and the increase in the number of active sensors of the inguinal torso 12 according to arrow 122 lead to the assignment of movement sequence 4' as a person.

[0104] By means of the method according to the invention and the passage detection system according to the invention, a reliable detection of individual persons is thus possible with a simultaneously low design of the passage detection system 1 and with persons following one another closely.

[0105] The Fig. 6 shows a variety of movement states 2 of a person with a movement sequence from right to left according to Fig. 2 detected by a pass detection system 1 according to Fig. 2 , wherein the inguinal body 12 of the first sensor bar 10 has twenty-four sensors and, in addition, a third sensor bar is arranged horizontally below the first sensor bar 10. The area 150 thereby represents the movement state detected by the third sensor bar in the individual movement state 2'. In this movement state 2', the four lower sensors of the inguinal body 12, represented by area 130, are actively reported. At the same time, in the discrete time of the movement state 2', two sensors, represented by area 151, are actively reported, wherein one of these sensors is located locally below the first sensor bar 10 and the second of these is located behind the first sensor bar 10 in the direction of movement D. The direction of movement is determined analogously to the explanation of the Fig. 4a detected, so that it can be determined which of the sensors of the third sensor bar is located behind the first sensor bar 10. This assigns the movement sequence shown to a person's foot and thus to a person.

[0106] By means of the method according to the invention and the passage detection system according to the invention, a reliable detection of individual persons is thus possible with a simultaneously low design of the passage detection system 1 and with persons following one another closely.

[0107] The Fig. 7shows a view of a second embodiment of a passage detection system 1' according to the invention with a scanner 53, two movable doors 52, a passage status display 58, a schematically illustrated third sensor bar 25 and a head sensor 45 for detecting a detection area E45 above the first housing 50' and the second housing 50. The head sensor 45 is arranged in a handrail 55 arranged as the upper part of the housing 50 and detects its detection area E45 through a region 56 of the handrail 55 that is transparent to the head sensor 45. The arrow 450 represents the diagonally upward detection direction of the head sensor 45. The detection area E45 lies above the housings 50, 50' each with the height H and above 1200 mm starting from the floor 70 of the passage area.The first sensor bar 10 and the second sensor bar 20 are shown schematically and essentially correspond to the previous embodiments.

[0108] By means of such a passage detection system, reliable detection of persons is possible while simultaneously maintaining a low design of the housings 50, 50' and / or the passage detection system. List of reference symbols

[0109] DDirection of movement HHeight 1, 1'Passing detection system 2Motion state 4Movement sequence 10First sensor bar 11Bar head 12Bar body 20Second sensor bar 25Third sensor bar 30Computer unit 31Transmitter 32Receiver 34Evaluation unit 36Provision unit 38Conversion unit 40Display 45Head sensor 50Housing 51Floor edge 60Separation criterion 70Floor of the passing area 100Number of active sensors of the bar head 110Person detection 111Reduction in the number of active sensors 112Increase in the number of active sensors 200Number of active sensors of the second sensor bar S11 - S18Sensors of the first sensor bar S21 - S24Sensors of the second sensor bar E1 - E8, E45Detection areas

Claims

1. A method for contactless monitoring of at least one movement sequence (4) having a plurality of movement states (2) with a passage detection system (1), having a floor edge (51), in particular for installation on a floor (70) of a passage region to be monitored, at least one first sensor strip (10) running along a vertical vector (v) and having a plurality of sensors (S11 - S18) for detecting movement states (2) within a detection region (E1 - E8) of the sensors (S11 - S18), a computer unit (30) for evaluating the movement states (2) and / or the movement sequence (4), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Signalling the respective sensor (S11 - S18) of the sensor strip (10) as active if this sensor (S11 - S18) detects something within its detection region (E1 - E8) and signalling the respective sensor (S11 - S18) of the sensor strip (10) as passive if this sensor (S11 - S18) does not detect anything within its detection region (E1 - E8), - Detecting at least one first movement state (2) and at least one second movement state (2) by at least the first sensor strip (10) by means of the signals from the sensors (S11 - S18), wherein the first movement state (2) and the second movement state (2) are detected at discrete points in time which follow one another directly or indirectly, - Transmitting the movement states (2) to the computer unit (30), - Identifying at least one movement sequence (4) on the basis of the transmitted movement states (2) by the computer unit (30), wherein - the first sensor strip (10) in its installed state extends to a maximum height (h) of 1300 mm, preferably 1200 mm, particularly preferably 1100 mm, quite particularly preferably 1000 mm, starting from the floor edge (51) of the passage identification system (1); wherein the method provides that the individual sensors (S11 - S18) are each designed as a light barrier and / or a one-way light barrier and / or a reflection light barrier and / or an infrared light barrier.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that at least the first sensor strip (10) has a strip head (11) comprising at least one, in particular a plurality, of the upper sensors (S11 - S14) and a strip body (12) comprising at least one sensor (S15, S16, S17, S18), in particular a plurality of sensors (S15 - S18), below the strip head (11).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the identification of the movement sequence (4) by the computer unit (30) comprises a direction identification of the movement sequence (4) and / or a reversal identification with the aid of a second sensor strip (20) having at least one sensor (S21, S22, S23, S24), in particular a plurality of sensors (S21 - S24), wherein the second sensor strip is arranged next to the first sensor strip (10), in particular parallel to the first sensor strip (10), in particular wherein a reversal of the movement sequence (4) is identified when: - in the first movement state (2), the sensors (S21, S22, S23, S24), in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors, of the second sensor strip (20) are actively signalled and then, in the second movement state (2), the sensors (S11 - S18), in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors of the strip head, of the first sensor strip (10) are actively signalled and - in a further subsequent movement state (2), first the sensors (S11 - S18) in particular a certain number of sensors, in particular all sensors of the strip head of the first sensor strip (10) are passively signalled and then, in an even further subsequent movement state (2), the sensors, in particular a certain number of sensors (S21, S22, S23, S24), in particular all sensors, of the second sensor strip (2) are passively signalled.

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detection of the at least one movement state (2) comprises a determination of a number of actively signalled and / or passively signalled sensors, in particular within the first sensor strip (10), in particular within the strip head (11) and / or the strip body (12) of the first sensor strip (10), and / or within the second sensor strip (20).

5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement sequence (4) is assigned to at least one person or at least one object.

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement sequence (4) is assigned to at least one person if, within the first movement state (2), all sensors (S11 - S14) of the strip head (11) of the first sensor strip (10) and / or all sensors (S21 - S24) of the second sensor strip (20) are actively signalled.

7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement sequence (4) is assigned to at least one person if, within the movement sequence (4), each individual sensor (S11 - S18) of the first sensor strip (10) or each individual sensor (S15 - S18) of the strip body (12) of the first sensor strip (10) is actively signalled at least once.

8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the movement sequence (4) is assigned to at least one person if, with regard to the number of sensors actively signalled by the first sensor strip (10), in particular by the strip body (12) of the first sensor strip (10), a positive difference (112, 122) and / or a negative difference (111, 122) between the movement states (2), in particular directly or indirectly successive movement states in terms of time, is determined at least once within the movement sequence (4).

9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification of the movement sequence (4) comprises a delimitation of the movement sequence (4) from a further movement sequence (4') on the basis of a separation criterion (60).

10. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification of the movement sequence (4) comprises a delimitation of the movement sequence (4) from a further movement sequence (4') on the basis of a separation criterion (60), wherein the separation criterion (60) intervenes, when a certain difference between the number of actively signalled sensors of the first sensor strip (10), in particular of the strip head (11), in particular of the strip body (12), within the first movement state and the number of actively signalled sensors of the first sensor strip (10), in particular of the strip head (11), in particular of the strip body (12), is determined within the second movement state.

11. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification of the movement sequence (4) comprises a subdivision of the movement sequence (4) from a further movement sequence (4') on the basis of a separation criterion (60), wherein the separation criterion (60) intervenes, when a certain difference between the number of actively signalled sensors (S11 - S18) of the first sensor strip (10), in particular of the strip head (11), and the number of actively signalled sensors (S21 - S24) of the second sensor strip (20) is determined within an individual movement state (2).

12. The computer-implemented method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer is formed by the computer unit (30) and / or by an additional computer.

13. A passage detection system (1) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a floor edge (51), in particular for installation on a floor (70) of a passage region to be monitored, at least one first sensor strip (10) running along a vertical vector (v) and having a plurality of sensors (S11 - S18), a computer unit (30), wherein the first sensor strip (10) in its installed state extends to a maximum height (h) of 1300 mm, in particular 1200 mm, in particular 1100 mm, in particular 1000 mm, particularly preferably 900 mm, particularly preferably 850 mm, particularly preferably 800 mm, starting from the floor edge (51) of the passage detection system (1), wherein the individual sensors (S11 - S18) are each designed as a light barrier and / or a one-way light barrier and / or a reflection light barrier and / or an infrared light barrier.

14. The passage detection system (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that the passage detection system (1) comprises a second sensor strip (20) having at least one sensor (S21, S22, S23, S24), in particular a plurality of sensors (S21 - S24), wherein the second sensor strip (20) is arranged next to the first sensor strip (10), in particular parallel to the first sensor strip (10), wherein the second sensor strip (20) has fewer sensors than the first sensor strip (10) and / or wherein the second sensor strip (20) is shorter than the first sensor strip (10) and / or wherein the second sensor strip (20) extends over the height of the strip head (11) of the first sensor strip (10).

15. The passage detection system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a third sensor strip (25) running along a horizontal vector, in particular below the first sensor strip (10), is arranged with at least one sensor, in particular at least two sensors.