Floor Mat Debris Detection for Crowd Traffic Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring crowd traffic in large facilities is a slow and error-prone process due to the difficulty in accurately detecting and estimating the number of objects entering and exiting through debris on floor mats.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a floor mat debris detection system that uses image capturing devices and computing systems to analyze images of debris on floor mats, estimating the quantity of objects based on debris patterns, and optionally utilizing containers with light sources and sensors to measure changes in liquid opaqueness to calculate object traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual monitoring methods are used to track crowd traffic, then the process is simple to implement, but it is slow and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with an automated optical detection system. Image capturing devices (cameras) automatically capture images of floor mats, and a computing system processes these images to detect debris and estimate object quantities, eliminating the need for manual observation and counting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies of the floor mat debris through imaging. Instead of directly observing and counting objects, the system captures images of the debris left by objects on floor mats, processes these image copies to detect debris patterns, and estimates object quantities from the visual information in the images.
2Productivity
If automated image analysis is used to detect debris, then monitoring speed improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system performs multiple functions: it receives images from capturing devices, processes the images to detect debris patterns, estimates object quantities, and can control cleaning devices. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to operate autonomously without requiring constant human intervention. The computing system automatically processes images, detects debris, estimates object quantities, and can trigger cleaning operations independently, making the system self-sufficient after initial deployment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple floor mats are deployed to improve detection accuracy, then object quantity estimation improves, but the area occupied by floor mats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring area into multiple floor mat segments positioned at different locations (entrance, exit, intermediate points). Each floor mat independently collects debris from objects passing through its zone, and the computing system aggregates data from multiple mats to improve overall object quantity estimation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single large floor mat that occupies extensive area, the system uses multiple smaller floor mats distributed across different spatial locations. This transforms a single-area problem into a multi-location sampling approach, improving measurement precision while minimizing total area occupied by distributing mats strategically throughout the facility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides a more efficient and accurate method for estimating crowd traffic by quantifying objects entering and exiting facilities, reducing errors and improving monitoring speed.
Implementation Method 1
The container can include a light source configured to illuminate the liquid in the container and a light sensor configured to detect a level of opaqueness of the liquid in the container
Data Source
AI summary
Described in detail herein are methods and systems for determining crowd traffic in a facility by detecting debris on floor mats. The system can include floor mats disposed in a facility to collect debris from objects passing over the floor mats. A computing system can detect and estimate the amount of objects causing the debris on the floor mat. The computing system can estimate the amount of objects entering and exiting the facility based on the quantity of objects passing over the floor mats.