Portable Device Crowd Estimation via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crowd estimation methods are limited in versatility, often requiring either closed or open loop systems and rely heavily on Bluetooth or mechanical means, which restricts their applicability across different environments like train stations and shopping malls.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a portable communication device with embedded sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS, along with proximity sensors, to detect and transmit data to a remote fusion server for crowd estimation, enabling both closed and open loop system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Bluetooth or mechanical means are used for crowd estimation, then measurement capability is provided, but versatility across different environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing portable communication devices perform multiple functions by integrating crowd estimation capabilities into the device's existing sensors and processors. The device uses its accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, and proximity sensor to detect crowd conditions, transforming a common communication device into a multi-functional tool that serves both communication and crowd monitoring purposes across various environments.
2Measurement precision
If specialized infrastructure is deployed for crowd estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing portable communication devices to serve themselves for crowd estimation by utilizing their built-in sensors and processing capabilities. No external specialized infrastructure is required - the devices independently detect crowd conditions using their own accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, and proximity sensor data, and transmit this information to the server, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying specialized physical infrastructure for crowd monitoring, the patent creates a virtual model of crowd conditions by collecting and processing data from the sensors already present in portable communication devices. The server reconstructs crowd estimation information from the digital signals transmitted by multiple devices, effectively copying the measurement function from physical specialized equipment to software-based processing of existing device data.
3Measurement precision
If portable communication devices with multiple sensors are used, then versatility and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the crowd estimation function with the existing operational framework of portable communication devices. Rather than adding a separate complex system, it integrates crowd detection using the device's already-present sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, proximity sensor) and combines this data with the device's normal communication functions, sharing processing resources and data pathways to minimize additional complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for determining crowdedness at a location, using a first portable communication device having a proximity sensor, wherein the location of a first user is determined using the first portable communication device having an application installed on a memory module thereof, wherein the application is configured to connect to a location sensor embedded in the first portable communication device. The method and system further comprises of sensing and identifying a second portable communication device in vicinity of the first user, followed by transmitting a media access control address (MAC address) of the identified second portable communication device to a remote fusion server. Further removing redundancies pertaining to the identified second portable communication device based on the MAC address received by the remote fusion server using a fusion algorithm to determine the crowdedness- at-the determined location.