Dynamic Queue Spacing via Video Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing queue analysis technologies do not effectively address the spread of infectious diseases by not providing measures to maintain appropriate social distancing in queues, despite estimating the number of queuing persons and waiting times.
Innovation Solution
A queue analysis apparatus that acquires images of queues, detects persons, and controls the display of standby position indicators on the floor to maintain appropriate spacing based on the number of queuing persons and waiting times, adjusting the spacing to reduce infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of queuing persons is increased to handle peak usage periods, then productivity is improved, but the spacing between persons decreases leading to increased infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The queue indicator display configuration is made dynamic and adjustable based on real-time queue conditions. The control unit modifies the spacing between queue indicators according to the number of detected persons, allowing the system to adapt between dense configurations for high throughput and spaced configurations for infection prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing parameter of queue indicators is changed based on the detected number of persons. When fewer persons are detected, larger spacing is applied to prevent infection. When more persons are detected (peak usage), smaller spacing is applied to maintain productivity while still providing some social distancing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spacing between queue indicators is increased to prevent infection spread, then infection risk is reduced, but the queue length increases leading to longer waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing between queue indicators is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts spacing in real-time based on the number of persons detected in the queue, allowing the system to optimize between infection prevention and waiting time minimization according to current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing parameter is changed based on queue density. When the number of persons is low, larger spacing is applied to prevent infection. When the number of persons increases, the spacing is reduced to minimize queue length and waiting time while still maintaining some social distancing.
3Device complexity
If fixed spacing between queue indicators is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different queue conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The queue indicator display system transitions from a static fixed-spacing design to a dynamic adjustable-spacing design. The control unit enables the system to modify spacing configurations based on detected queue conditions, providing adaptability without requiring completely complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A queue analysis apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a first detection unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires an image of an area of a queue, which is captured by an imaging apparatus. The first detection unit detects persons from the image acquired by the acquisition unit. The control unit controls indications of standby positions of the queue so as to be displayed on a floor of the area of the queue so that a spacing between the indications of the standby positions of the queue is determined based on the persons detected by the first detection unit.