Miniaturized visitor capture device

Abstract

The object of the present invention relates to a footfall detection device comprising a self-contained power source and / or a charging interface and / or an external power supply, said device being characterized in that: (a) it has a total mass of less than 2 kg, preferably less than or equal to 500 g, and (b) it comprises in a single housing: - at least one passage sensor, - a means for storing and / or transferring data, preferably in real time, and - a management and processing unit, adapted to count the number of passages in front of said sensor, to manage the operation of said sensor, and to manage said data storage and / or transfer. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Miniaturized attendance capture device

[0001] The subject of the present invention relates to a device for capturing attendance, its use, as well as a method for implementing this device in a passage space.

[0002] Counting devices, particularly for people, generally seek to obtain the greatest possible measurement accuracy. Thus, the state of the art is rich in lessons regarding the provision of means for determining the direction of passage of the entities counted, distinguishing the nature of the entity (living being, object, vehicle, etc.) in order to discriminate against unwanted entities. However, generally in the field, in order to avoid disrupting the passage, the introduction of narrowing necks which aim to organize the entities into a line that is easier to count is not desired. Indeed, this latter approach has the disadvantage of slowing down the passage. Generally speaking, to obtain the best results in terms of reliability, the state of the art has increased the number of counting means arranged over a passage space to "screen" the area in question.For example, a multitude of beams / sensors placed in a particular passage area makes it possible to study the movements of the entities considered and therefore to increment or not the count. This results in heavy infrastructures that are very difficult or even impossible to move. Patent documents WO0033261, EP0828233, WO9408258, FR2739203, WO9816801, US4278878, WO01 / 88858, US4000400, FR2644269, US2018046860 illustrate this type of embodiment.

[0003] In patent document FR2899003, the subject matter described relates to a device for counting and determining the direction of passage of living beings comprising two cells and a processing unit. However, the device described is not autonomous, is not connected and requires an additional counting device with a means for storing or transmitting the collected data. In addition, and in a very concrete manner, this type of device is of a relatively large size and weight for several reasons. On the one hand, the various electronic elements constituting this device as described are very energy-intensive, particularly for continuous use.Indeed, in an approach to measurement precision, which is what we are inherently looking for in this field, the sensors used require fairly large processing units (processors), in particular when the processing is continuous, which also implies relatively large energy supply means, all in a box which can. properly accommodate a significant weight load. Thus, this type of device easily reaches several kilograms, or even several dozen kilograms. The financial cost of such an installation is also proportional.

[0004] Thus, the state of the art does not really have a simple, light, discreet, small, inexpensive, reliable and robust automatic device, respectful of the law on the protection of private data for occasional use of counting up to a few thousand, or even tens of thousands of entities. In addition, such occasional use is part of a rental logic, where sending the device by mail, for it to be interesting and profitable, must be of a limited size and must not exceed one kilogram, or even a few kilograms. Thus, for example, on the day when the present invention was made, there was no low-cost passage sensor rental service for measuring public attendance at occasional events such as association forums, free thematic festivals (science weeks, Christmas markets, etc.).Furthermore, there is currently no device on the market that the customer can install quickly and easily themselves. As explained above, only fixed-site traffic sensors (shopping centers, museums, road traffic) and mobile outdoor sensors existed, which are heavy and bulky and therefore not very suitable for temporary rental for one-off public events, for example lasting a few days. In addition, such rental use requires ease and speed of implementation, possibly with a tracking system for the counting device, while allowing the user to see the count in almost real time (via a smartphone, for example). Such use also requires a certain robustness of the device. Such problems do not even seem to be addressed in the state of the art.

[0005] The object of the present invention proposes several points of innovation making it possible to provide a device meeting these specifications. Summary of the invention

[0006] The subject of the present invention relates to a traffic capture device comprising an autonomous energy source and / or a recharging interface and / or an external power supply means, said device being characterized in that: (a) it has a total mass of less than 2 kg, preferably less than or equal to 500 g, and (b) it includes in the same housing: - at least one passage sensor, - a means of storing and / or transferring data, preferably in real time, and - a management and processing unit, adapted to count the number of passages in front of said sensor, to manage the operation of said sensor, and to manage said storage and / or said transfer of data.

[0007] The subject of the present invention also relates to a magnetically operated switch, preferably adapted to the device as described herein, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one magnetically conductive element preferably in contact with the external environment, such as a housing fixing screw possibly extended by a screw insert, - at least one magnetic detector, for example Hall effect, arranged so as to be close to said magnetically conductive element, - optionally a second magnetic detector, for example Hall effect, arranged so as to be distant from said magnetically conductive element, and - optionally a magnetic element, for example a magnet adapted to stick magnetically to said at least one magnetically conductive element such as the housing fixing screw. It is understood that the magnetically conductive element may be arranged close to the location where the magnetic element, for example a magnet, is stuck, so as to conduct the magnetism towards the Hall effect sensor. The magnetic element, for example a magnet, may also be stuck close to the Hall effect sensor.

[0008] The subject of the present invention further relates to the use of the device as described herein for counting living beings and / or moving objects, said device being preferably used for rental.

[0009] The subject of the present invention further relates to a method for counting living beings and / or objects in transit in a passage space, characterized in that the method comprises at least one device as described herein, said passage space being preferentially segmented into passage plots to place several of said devices in the different plots thus delimited, so as to increase the counting precision.

[0010] DEFINITIONS

[0011] By "traffic capture device", the present invention includes a device for measuring the passage in a particular delimited area of ​​a number of entities, such as living beings, more particularly humans (men and / or women), or mobile objects, more particularly vehicles. By vehicle, is understood any vehicle for the locomotion of people, animals or freight, loaded or empty, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.

[0012] By "autonomous energy source", the present invention includes a means of supplying energy, such as electricity, which can be independent of any public network. Such an autonomous energy source may take the form of a battery, a battery or even a accumulator when this source is internal to the casing of the device according to the present invention. The term autonomous may also refer, in the context of the present invention, to means external to the casing for generating energy, such as solar panels.

[0013] By "passage sensor", the present invention includes an optoelectronic component for transforming an optical signal into an electrical signal, preferably of a digital nature. For example, the passage sensor has sensitivity to infrared and when an infrared signal is received, the sensor emits an electrical signal.

[0014] By “data storage means”, is included within the scope of the present invention any means making it possible to retrieve information, to keep it in memory, then to restore it.

[0015] By "data transfer means", is included within the scope of the present invention any means allowing data to be transmitted outside the device according to the invention. The transmission can be wired, or wireless, for example by electromagnetic waves.

[0016] By "means of transferring data in real time", the present invention includes a means of transferring data as defined above transferring the data as they are generated, making it possible, for example, to consult the data as they are collected, for example via a computer or a smartphone. This transfer is advantageously carried out automatically once the device is put into operation and then no longer requires human intervention for the transfer of data. This transfer can also be automatic, for example after a quantity of data of a determined size has been generated and / or after a time determined according to the capabilities of the device or simply the wishes of the user.For example, such a real-time data transfer may be characterized by a transfer whose execution frequency is less than or equal to two hours after its start-up, or even less than or equal to 1 hour, less than or equal to 45 minutes, less than or equal to 30 minutes, less than or equal to 35 minutes, less than or equal to 20 minutes, less than or equal to 15 minutes, less than or equal to 10 minutes, less than or equal to 5 minutes, less than or equal to 4 minutes, less than or equal to 3 minutes, less than or equal to 2 minutes, or even a transfer whose execution frequency is less than or equal to 1 minute.

[0017] By "management and processing unit", within the scope of the present invention is understood an element making it possible to manage the operation of the other elements included in the device according to the present invention. In addition, this unit makes it possible data processing, i.e. recovering the signals from the passage sensor, processing them to create data which can then be transmitted to the data storage and / or transfer means. The management and processing unit also advantageously performs its tasks in a time-organized manner by means of a clock (internal or external to said unit).

[0018] By "magnetically operated switch", the present invention includes a means for starting (i.e. capable of counting and storing and / or transmitting data) or stopping the device according to the present invention. The fact that the operation is magnetic, inherently implies the presence of a magnetic detector, for example a Hall effect detector, arranged to detect the presence or absence of a magnetic element, such as a magnetized part.

[0019] By "rental", it is understood within the scope of the present invention a provision of the device according to the present invention for a given period of time. This specificity of use implies particular technical characteristics (e.g. simplicity, robustness, ease of implementation, etc.) of the device according to the present invention.

[0020] By "passage space", it is understood within the scope of the present invention the area where the attendance (i.e. the passage of entities as defined above) is to be determined. This passage space can be segmented into several "passage plots". In each of these plots is then positioned a device according to the present invention, so that the passage takes place efficiently in front of the sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Device

[0022] The object of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that: - the device is autonomous, - the attendance is relative to living beings, such as humans, or to moving objects, such as cars, - the housing is waterproof, - the box is immobilized and locked at a fixed point, and / or - the internal energy source is a battery or accumulator with a power of less than 100 W / h, 80 W / h, 50 W / h, 40 W / h, 30 W / h, 20 W / h, 10 W / h, 5 W / h, or less than 2 W / h.

[0023] Preferably, the internal energy source such as a battery or accumulator has a power of between 2 W / h and 100 W / h, between 5 W / h and 80 W / h, between 10 W / h and 50 W / h, or between 20 W / h and 40 W / h. More preferably, the internal energy source such as a battery or accumulator, has a power between 2 W / h and 40 W / h, between 3 W / h and 20 W / h, between 4 W / h and 10 W / h, or between 4.2 W / h and 5 W / h, preferably 4.5 W / h (±0.5 W / h).

[0024] The object of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that the casing is made of an organic material, such as a plastic polymer, or of a metal or metal alloy.

[0025] The housing used in the device according to the present invention advantageously has a reduced size, for example being able to be inserted into a rectangular parallelepiped PR of length L1 less than 30 cm, width L2 equal to or less than 25 cm, height H equal to or equal to or less than 25 cm. Preferably, the rectangular parallelepiped PR has the following characteristics. - a length L1 equal to or less than 20 cm, a width L2 equal to or less than 15 cm, a height H equal to or less than 15 cm, - a length L1 equal to or less than 15 cm, a width L2 equal to or less than 10 cm, a height H equal to or less than 10 cm, - a length L1 equal to or less than 10 cm, a width L2 equal to or less than 8 cm, a height H equal to or less than 8 cm, or, - a length L1 equal to or less than 7 cm, a width L2 equal to or less than 5 cm, a height H equal to or less than 5 cm.

[0026] Preferably, the housing according to the present invention can be inscribed in a rectangular parallelepiped PR having the following characteristics: a length L1 equal to or less than 10 cm, a width L2 less than 8 cm, a height H less than 4 cm.

[0027] The subject of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that it has a total mass less than or equal to 4 kg, 3 kg, 2.5 kg, 2 kg, 1.5 kg, 1 kg, 900 g, 800 g, 700 g, 600 g, 500 g, 400 g, 300 g, 200 g, or even less than or equal to 150 g.

[0028] The internal energy source may be a battery or a rechargeable battery. Any type of battery or rechargeable battery may be used as long as it can be included in the device according to the present invention. For example, a CR 123 NiMnO2 battery delivering a voltage of 3V and with a capacity announced at 1500mAHrs can allow use of up to 4 weeks in the field. Lithium-polymer batteries are also entirely suitable for the device according to the present invention. Advantageously, the operation of the device according to the present invention is at a voltage lower than 24V, for example between 1 and 12 volts, between 2 and 10 volts, between 2.5 and 8 volts, between 2.8 and 5 volts, preferably between 3 and 4 volts, for example 3.5 volts ± 0.4 volts. Preferably, the operation of the device according to the present invention is at a voltage of 3.2 volts ± 0.3 volts.

[0029] The management and processing unit may further comprise a battery management system (BMS).

[0030] The device as described herein may be characterized in that said at least one passage sensor is a digital sensor, such as a digital optical sensor or a digital bus thermal sensor, preferably associated with a Fresnel lens, and said at least one sensor may optionally be associated with at least one second precision sensor adapted to operate on a signal from the first passage sensor.

[0031] Indeed, two types of sensors can be used in the context of the present invention: electrical sensors and / or digital sensors. Electrical sensors are also commonly called analog sensors. However, advantageously, digital sensors make it possible to significantly reduce the electrical consumption of the device according to the present invention. Indeed, the signal from such digital sensors is much simpler to process and does not require the use of filters to obtain a usable signal. Thus, the general consumption of the device with such a digital sensor is reduced compared to the consumption of the same device, but equipped with an electrical (analog) sensor and a signal filtering means instead of the digital sensor.

[0032] Thus, even if an optical sensor can be used, the digital bus thermal sensor, such as a digital bus infrared sensor, is the preferred sensor for the device according to the present invention, for reasons of cost, efficiency, power consumption and / or ease of implementation. These thermal infrared sensors also have the particularity of being only very slightly sensitive to wind and rain.

[0033] In order to limit the electrical consumption, it may be entirely possible to envisage adding several sensors in the same device. Thus, a first sensor with very low consumption, but very low precision, can be used when passing in front of said device to send an active operation signal to one or more other sensors which are much more sensitive and precise in their detection. The precise sensors then go from a standby state or even off to their full detection capacity, at least a sufficient capacity, to complement or even replace the data possibly obtained by the first sensor. Several types of sensors can therefore be used on the same device. For example, one (or more) first low-consumption sensors of the thermal type with a digital bus with a low number of pixels (egless than or equal to 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 or even 1 pixel) can be supplemented by a second, much more precise sensor, such as an optical or thermal sensor, with a much higher number of pixels (eg greater than or equal to 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 15000, 20000 or even 30000 pixels).

[0034] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the Fresnel lens is placed at a first end of a tube of suitable length so that at the second end of said tube is placed the passage sensor in the focal plane of the Fresnel lens.

[0035] The Fresnel lens used can be of the type commonly used in infrared digital thermometers. The sensor is positioned at the focal point of the Fresnel lens. Depending on the quality of the lens, and depending on the conditions at the time (for example thermal in the case of a thermal sensor), the range of passage detection can reach approximately 8 meters with standard polyethylene lenses.

[0036] For example, a thermal infrared sensor associated with a Fresnel lens makes it possible to target a thermal scene with a reduced surface area. This is an important condition for counting because a scene that is too large and, above all, heterogeneous would generate thermal signals that are difficult to analyze. To further limit the scene and protect the lens from direct stray illumination, a "telephoto" effect has been added by placing the lens at the end of a tube. For example, the diameter of the tube can be 9mm and a depth of 10mm.

[0037] The device as described herein may be characterized in that said at least one passage sensor is adapted to determine the direction of passage.

[0038] The device as described herein may be characterized in that said at least one passage sensor comprises at least three active detection units and at least one reference detection unit, said detection units being for example each at least one pixel of the matrix (eg thermal).

[0039] In order to address the problem of stagnation of entities / persons in front of the passage sensor, the device can also be configured to accommodate a counting algorithm defining that a passage is equivalent to a positive signal in front of the sensor (i.e. an entity appearing in front of the sensor which therefore emits a signal) followed by a negative signal (i.e. no entity in front of the sensor).

[0040] The subject of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that the charging interface is also a means of transferring data, such as a USB socket or a micro-USB socket.

[0041] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data transfer means uses a wired network, such as via a USB socket or a micro-USB socket.

[0042] Thus, the device as described herein may be characterized in that the charging interface is wired, such as a USB socket, a micro-USB socket, and / or a mains socket, and / or wireless such as a current-receiving induction plate.

[0043] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data transfer means comprises or consists of an electronic data transfer card. data possibly integrated into the management and processing unit, allowing for example the use of a wireless network such as a Bluetooth network, Wifi, a mobile telephone network and / or an IOT network (“Internet Of Things” in English) such as Sigfox or LoRa.

[0044] The Sigfox network is the first of the Internet of Things communication networks to have been set up. Preferably, the network used is the Sigfox network. This type of network is known to be particularly efficient in terms of radio data transmission energy.

[0045] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data transfer means uses a global computer network such as the Internet.

[0046] The subject of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that the data storage means is an SSD storage memory, such as a storage card of the SD card, micro-SD card, flash card type, or even a storage memory included in one of the elements of said device, for example in a management and processing unit.

[0047] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data storage means is adapted for automatic storage segmented over time, possibly implemented by the management and processing unit, for example stored in 15-minute increments. This storage may be adapted to the case in question, for example the data may be stored in increments of durations between 1 minute and 1 hour, 2 minutes and 50 minutes, 3 minutes and 40 minutes, 4 minutes and 30 minutes, 5 minutes and 20 minutes, or between 10 minutes and 15 minutes. The data thus stored may also be transmitted in real time at these same time intervals.

[0048] The subject of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that it further comprises a real-time RTC clock. Preferably, this real-time RTC clock is included on the management and processing unit.

[0049] The subject of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that the management and processing unit is associated with at least one LED, preferably two LEDs, to allow visual control of the counting, preferably from the outside of said device by means of, for example, a transparent window, advantageously sealed.

[0050] The device as described herein may be characterized in that: - said at least one passage sensor, - said data storage and / or transfer means, and - said management and processing unit, are each adapted to be in continuous or alternating operation with low electrical consumption

[0051] The subject of the present invention thus relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that each passage sensor has low electrical consumption, for example with a consumption in standby mode of less than 50 microamperes (pA), and in counting mode of less than 300 pA, preferably less than 100 pA.

[0052] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data transfer means is adapted to have an electrical consumption of less than 500 milliamperes (mA), 400 mA, 300 mA, 200 mA, 100 mA, 50 mA, 40 mA, 30 mA, 20 mA, 10 mA, 5 mA, 2 mA, or even less than 1 mA.

[0053] The device as described herein may further be characterized in that the management and processing unit is adapted for low power consumption operation, in particular with a standby mode. The device as described herein may, for example, have a consumption of between 60 pA (microamperes) and 1 mA (milliampere), between 120 pA and 500 pA, or between 150 pA and 250 pA. Preferably, the device as described herein has a consumption of less than or equal to 1 mA, less than or equal to 500 pA, less than or equal to 250 pA, less than or equal to 150 pA, less than or equal to 120 pA, less than or equal to 60 pA.

[0054] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data transfer means is suitable for intermittent operation, for example suitable for transmission every hour, every 45 minutes, every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes, every 10 minutes, every 5 minutes, or even every minute.

[0055] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the data transfer means is suitable for intermittent operation, for example suitable for transmission of less than 1 minute, 45 seconds, 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, or even less than 5 seconds.

[0056] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the management and processing unit comprises at least one of the following elements: - said means of storage (also called "memory") and / or data transfer, - a central unit (comprising a processor, also called "CPU") with management of a time base adapted to the scanning of said at least one passage sensor, - a counting unit possibly adapted for time-stamping of the data, and / or - a real-time RTC clock

[0057] The device as described herein may be characterized in that said device further comprises a GPS module (e.g. low consumption or intermittent operation) making it possible to increment the data generated and collected at a geographical location. The GPS also makes it possible to locate the device in the event of a malicious act.

[0058] The device as described herein may be characterized in that said device further comprises an operation start and / or operation stop switch, preferably with magnetic operation, comprising for example at least one Hall effect detector adapted to detect the presence or absence of artificial magnetic fields external to said device.

[0059] The presence of a switch on the device according to the present invention, for example a magnet fixed on one of the fixing screws of the housing, can allow the sensor to have a so-called "low consumption" mode guaranteeing it an extended minimum operating time, for example up to 6 months. This mode makes it possible not to have a non-functional battery at the time of counting, which would be linked to possible transport and / or storage times for the device.

[0060] In addition, a mobile viewing site on a network such as the Internet may be provided. The presence of a switch on the device according to the present invention, for example a magnet fixed to one of the fixing screws of the housing, may allow the sensor to transmit its data to the mobile viewing site only for the duration of the public event. This site may interact with the device to notify the user of a possible anomaly, or communicate to him the latest results obtained, or any other useful message.

[0061] Thus, the presence of a switch on the device according to the present invention, for example a magnet fixed on one of the fixing screws of the housing, in the context of a rental of the device, can allow the lessor (the one who offers the device for rental) to be automatically informed of the actions of the user (tenant) by sending specific information messages which make it possible to secure the rental process.

[0062] The presence of a switch on the device according to the present invention, for example a magnet fixed on one of the fixing screws of the housing, allows the customer to be able to check for a few minutes the correct functioning of the sensor using LED flashes before the system reduces its consumption.

[0063] The device as described herein may also be characterized in that the switch is accessible from outside the housing and is preferably sealed.

[0064] It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch specifically developed for the device according to the present invention. The applicant proposes a switch actuable by removing a magnet from the housing. By removing this magnet, the case goes from standby mode to active mode. In addition, the very simple use of a magnet (which can be powerful) attached to the case, to an element of the case, such as a structural element of the case for example a screw (eg via a screw head for example of a case fixing screw possibly extended by a screw insert), can allow greater reliability than the use of an ON / OFF button for the following reasons: - prevent the counting from being stopped by a third party who activates a visible switch; - improve the sealing of the case (the magnet fixed on a constituent element of the case does not create any new fragility in terms of sealing).

[0065] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the Hall effect detector is near the exterior of said device or is near a magnetically conductive element, such as a fixing screw of the housing, where at least a portion of said conductive element is also near the exterior of said device, so as to conduct at least one artificial magnetic field external to said device.

[0066] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the switch comprises: - at least one magnetically conductive element preferably in contact with the external environment, such as a screw for fixing the housing, possibly extended by a screw insert, - at least one first magnetic detector, for example Hall effect, arranged so as to be close (less than 5 cm or 1 cm for example) to said magnetically conductive element, - optionally at least one second magnetic detector, for example Hall effect, arranged so as to be distant from said magnetism-conducting element and distant from a magnetic (magnetized) element of the device, and - optionally a magnetic element, for example a magnet adapted to stick magnetically to said at least one magnetically conductive element such as said fixing screw of the housing possibly extended by a screw insert. Said at least one magnetic element can thus be positioned so as to be detected by said at least one first magnetic detector

[0067] Thus, in a particular embodiment, the presence of a second magnetic detector remote from said magnetism-conducting element makes it possible to act as a reference point with respect to the external environment, in the event that the device according to the present invention were to pass into an external magnetic field independent of the latter, involuntarily triggering the switch (in the absence of a reference point).

[0068] The subject of the present invention also relates to a device as described herein, characterized in that a single support internal to said device, such as a electronic circuit, includes both the management and processing unit, an energy source, the storage means, the data transfer means, and / or where appropriate a magnetically operated switch.

[0069] The device as described herein may be characterized in that the single support such as an electronic circuit described above is internal to the housing.

[0070] Thus, preferably, the subject of the present invention relates to a traffic capture device comprising an autonomous energy source and / or a recharging interface and / or an external power supply means, said device being characterized in that: (a) it has a total mass less than 500g, preferably less than or equal to 300g, and (b) it includes in the same box: - at least one passage sensor capable of detecting and characterizing the direction of passage, - a means of storing and / or transferring data, preferably in real time, for example in periods of 15 minutes, - a management and processing unit, adapted to count the number of passages in front of said sensor, to manage the operation of said sensor, and to manage said storage and / or said transfer of data, - a magnetic switch, preferably sealed, as described above, with a first magnetic detector and possibly a second reference magnetic detector, and - optionally a magnetic element positioned to be detected by said first magnetic detector.

[0071] Switch

[0072] The subject of the present invention also relates to a magnetic switch for the device according to the invention, the characteristics of which are given above in the context of said device.

[0073] Use

[0074] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the use of the device described herein for counting entities passing through the passage space.

[0075] Thus, the object of the present invention relates more precisely to the use of the device described herein for counting a number of people passing through a passageway.

[0076] Preferably, the present invention relates to the rental use of the device described herein for counting entities passing through a passage space.

[0077] Method

[0078] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method as described above, for counting living beings and / or objects in transit in a passage space.

[0079] Advantageously, the method according to the present invention can be characterized in that said passage space is segmented into passage plots to place several devices according to the present invention. This way of proceeding makes it possible to increase the measurement accuracy.

[0080] Furthermore, the method according to the present invention can be characterized in that said passage space or passage plots, where appropriate, is or are limited so as to channel the flow of living beings and / or moving objects into one or more single files.

[0081] Furthermore, the method according to the present invention can be characterized in that the space for passage of people or plots of passage of people is a private or public passage, placed at the entrance of a vehicle or a place of meeting(s) of people, such as during a public event, a private party, in a shopping center, or even in a business center. FIGURES

[0082] [Fig.l]: [Fig.l] represents the general counting principle. It can be seen that the device is placed here in a bottleneck allowing to count more reliably the number of people (P) and / or objects passing in the counting field (C). Figure 1A represents an example of a bottleneck where a device (D) according to the present invention is positioned. Figure 1B represents the illustration according to Figure 1A with a passage of two people (P) in the bottleneck.

[0083] [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] represents the device according to the present invention exploded into these different elements. Thus, it is represented the housing (1); an optional seal (2); a Fresnel lens (3), the assembly (4) of the sensor with the Fresnel lens placed at a first end of a tube of suitable length so that at the second end of said tube is placed the passage sensor (5) in the focal plane of the Fresnel lens; (6) transfer unit (card) (eg SiPy); (7) battery holder (eg CR123); (8) electronic card of the management and processing unit where the storage unit (not shown here) and / or transfer, and the battery holder (7) are also supported. [Fig.2] further represents the optional special case where two sensors (5, 9) are inserted in the same housing. The second sensor (9) is assembled in the same way as its counterpart (5) behind a second Fresnel lens (10).

[0084] [Fig.3]: [Fig.3] represents the magnet switch having been developed specifically within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it can be seen on [Fig.3]: the Hall effect sensor (CH), the communication card (CC), a representation of the magnetic field (CM) generating the Hall effect, the magnet (A). Thus, by removing (downward arrow in [Fig.3]) the magnet (A) attached to the housing by magnetism (for example to a structural screw head of the housing), the magnetic field moves away from the housing. The Hall effect sensor no longer detects the magnet and sends a signal to the management and processing unit. The latter can then exit a standby state and the counting begins, for example by an information message sent by the transfer unit, if applicable, and / or by sending a signal to an LED visible from outside the housing. By putting a magnet back on the housing (upward arrow in [Fig.3] in the case where magnet A is reused), the process is reversed and the management and processing unit can then switch to a standby mode, possibly combined with a final sending of signals by the transfer unit, if necessary. The other units (such as the transfer unit) can of course also switch to low-power standby mode.

[0085] EXAMPLES

[0086] Example 1: device _ created

[0087] A device according to the present invention has been created using the following parts: - Case: ABS case with dimensions 101 x 77 x 40 - Low CPU: card is built around the “MSP430F248®” microcontroller. - Digital matrix thermal sensor: mechanically installed independently on the electronic card; the connection to the card is made by a 3-wire wire connection. - Battery: CR123 NiMnO2, voltage of 3V, announced capacity of 1500 mAHrs - Sigfox transmission card: “SiPy®” cards (from the manufacturer PyCom®) - Internal storage of quarter-hour counting results: “I2C 24LC256®” memory - Switch: electronic card equipped at 2 ends with electromagnetic Hall effect sensors.

[0088] The assembly of the different elements listed above is simple to implement to obtain a device according to the present invention.

[0089] Example 2: device tested

[0090] Devices according to Example 1 were tested according to the following protocols:

[0091] Scripted tests of passage at 1 meter, 4 meters and 7 meters with passages single and double passages in both directions. Video sequences associated with algorithmic data measurements were recorded using KDLINK® software for replay and analysis. Algorithmic usage adjustments were made resulted in an accuracy of + / - 5% on single and group passage scenarios (excluding stagnation and masking).

[0092] Field tests were carried out repeatedly at the entrance / exit of the “Village Gaulois de Pleumeur-Bodou” (tourist park welcoming approximately 60,000 visitors per year), where a device according to example 1 was concealed and positioned at the entrance to the park. The figures obtained by the devices according to example 1 were compared to reference devices and to the number of paid entrances to the park.

[0093] Thus, on August 15, 2018, for 1192 paid entries, the device according to example 1 counted 1248 round trips. The next day, for 921 paid entries, the sensor counted 990 round trips. These figures are consistent with the fact that the sensor counts all trips and aims for an accuracy of + / - 10%.

Claims

Claims

1. Attendance capture device comprising an autonomous energy source and / or a recharging interface and / or an external power supply means, said device being characterized in that: (a) it has a total mass less than or equal to 900g, preferably less than or equal to 500g, and (b) it comprises in the same housing: - at least one passage sensor, - a means of storing and / or transferring data preferably in real time, and - a management and processing unit, adapted to count the number of passages in front of said sensor, to manage the operation of said sensor, and to manage said storage and / or said transfer of data.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the device is autonomous, - the attendance is relative to living beings, such as humans, or to moving objects, such as cars, - the housing is waterproof, - the housing is immobilized and locked at a fixed point, and / or - the internal energy source is a battery or accumulator whose power is less than 100 W / h, 80 W / h, 50 W / h, 40W / h, 30 W / h, 20 W / h, 10 W / h, 5 W / h, or even less than 2W / h.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - said at least one passage sensor, - said data storage and / or transfer means, and - said management and processing unit, are each adapted to be in continuous or alternating operation with low electrical consumption.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one passage sensor is a digital sensor such as a digital optical sensor or a digital bus thermal sensor, preferably associated with a Fresnel lens, and said at least one sensor can optionally be associated with at least one second precision sensor adapted to operate on a signal from the first passage sensor.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data transfer means comprises or consists of an electronic data transfer card possibly integrated into the management and processing unit, allowing for example the use of a wireless network such as a Bluetooth network, Wifi, a mobile telephone network and / or an IOT network such as Sigfox or LoRa.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the management and processing unit comprises at least one of the following elements: - said means for storing and / or transferring data, - a central unit with management of a time base adapted to the scanning of said at least one passage sensor, - a counting unit possibly adapted for time-stamping the data, and / or - a real-time RTC clock.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device further comprises an operation start and / or operation stop switch, preferably with magnetic operation, comprising for example at least one Hall effect detector adapted to detect the presence or absence of artificial magnetic fields external to said device.

8. Magnetically operated switch, preferably adapted to the device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one magnetically conductive element preferably in contact with the external environment, such as a housing fixing screw possibly extended by a screw insert, - at least one magnetic detector, for example Hall effect, arranged so as to be close to said magnetically conductive element, - optionally a second magnetic detector, for example Hall effect, arranged so as to be distant from said magnetically conductive element, and - optionally a magnetic element, for example a magnet adapted to stick magnetically to said at least one magnetically conductive element such as the housing fixing screw.

9. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for counting living beings and / or moving objects, said device being preferably used for rental.

10. Method for counting living beings and / or objects in transit in a passage space, characterized in that the method comprises at least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said passage space being preferentially segmented into passage plots to place several of said devices in the different plots thus delimited so as to increase the counting precision.

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