People Counting via Unique LAC Broadcast and IMSI Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for counting people in open or uncontrolled areas, such as streets or large public spaces, lack accuracy and automation, relying on manual counting or semi-automated estimates that are not guaranteed to be precise.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize standard cellular mechanisms to broadcast a unique Location Area Code (LAC) to mobile phones within a designated area, capturing IMSI numbers and calculating the number of people present using additional demographic information, allowing for continuous or pulse-mode counting and configuring coverage areas through transmission power and antenna radiation patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting methods are used to achieve accurate people counting, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to slow counting speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with an automated electronic system that uses mobile phone signals (IMSI numbers) to detect and count individuals. The system automatically captures, processes, and counts unique mobile phone identifiers within a target area, eliminating the need for manual observation and recording while maintaining high accuracy through automated duplicate detection algorithms.
2Productivity
If semi-automated estimation methods are used to improve productivity, then counting speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-guaranteed accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of individual identification data by capturing IMSI numbers from mobile phones. Instead of estimating based on visual samples, the system automatically captures exact digital identifiers of each person's mobile device, processes these copies through automated algorithms to eliminate duplicates, and produces an accurate count that maintains both speed and precision.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated handsets with short range wireless connection are used for counting, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because only specially prepared devices can be counted
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universal compatibility by utilizing the existing mobile phone infrastructure and standard cellular network protocols. Instead of requiring specialized counting devices, the system works with any mobile phone that has a SIM card and can communicate with cellular networks, making it applicable to the vast majority of mobile devices in use without requiring users to change their equipment.
4Ease of operation
If passive radio probes are used to detect mobile transmissions, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because only active communications can be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively initiating contact with mobile phones through location update requests rather than passively waiting for phones to transmit. When a mobile phone enters the coverage area, the system actively sends a location update request that triggers the phone to respond with its IMSI number, ensuring detection even when the phone is not actively communicating or transmitting signals.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method and system for automatically counting the number of people in an area, assuming said people are carrying a functioning mobile phone. The method comprises broadcasting a location identifier (LAC) different from any other LAC of the radio cells of the mobile network in the surroundings from at least one local unit (1,1',1"), within a coverage area (4,4',4"); establishing a Location Update dialogue with any mobile phone (3,3',3") answering to the LAC broadcast; obtaining from each answering mobile phone (3,3',3") its IMSI number; sending a Location Updating Reject message to each mobile phone (3,3',3") whose IMSI number has been obtained; counting the different IMSI numbers received; and calculating an estimated number of people in the coverage area (4,4',4") on the basis of this count and, optionally, the known prevalence of mobile telephone devices per person.