Pressure-Sensing Floor Mat for Low-Cost Pedestrian Data Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for capturing and managing passer-by information, such as mats or doormats, face challenges in refining data collection and require high investment, limiting their effectiveness and applicability in business management.
Innovation Solution
A system using a mat or doormat with a stratified mechanical compression sensing device composed of a metal bar structure and conductive polymer ribbons, which captures and processes information on passer-by footprints, direction, and estimated weight, transmitting data through IoT connectivity for centralized processing and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video technologies are used to capture passer-by information, then data collection capability is improved, but investment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex video technologies with a simple mechanical pressure sensing mat composed of conductive polymer ribbons and metal bars. This mechanical system detects footstep pressure, direction, and duration to generate passer-by data, eliminating the need for expensive video cameras and complex image processing while maintaining useful data collection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses inexpensive conductive polymer ribbons and simple metal bar structures that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The mat employs basic electrical resistance measurement principles rather than expensive sensors, making the system cost-effective and suitable for widespread deployment in commercial establishments
2Quantity of substance
If simple devices are used to capture passer-by information, then investment cost is reduced, but data refinement capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is divided into multiple conductive polymer ribbons arranged in parallel, each corresponding to different pressure zones. By measuring the electrical resistance of each ribbon individually, the system can determine foot position, direction of travel, and pressure distribution, thereby extracting refined data from simple mechanical measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The simple pressure mat performs multiple functions: counting passers-by, determining direction of travel, estimating foot size, and measuring pressure magnitude. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified sensing mechanism that captures various aspects of footstep interaction with the mat, providing comprehensive data without requiring multiple specialized devices
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
Enables efficient data collection and management of passer-by information, allowing activation of connected devices and providing customizable solutions by estimating foot size and weight, with broad applicability and functionality across multiple environments.
Implementation Method 1
a stratified mechanical compression sensing device, such as a mat or doormat, which allows activating and controlling devices remotely
Implementation Method 2
detect, by the morphology of their footprint, the direction of their displacement, estimating the size of that footprint and the resulting weight applied over such device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for capturing and processing information from passers-by walking over a device equipped with stratified mechanical compression sensing, such as a mat or doormat, which is made up of a metal structure supporting a set of bars made of conductive polymer superimposed on the metal structure; such system is capable of managing a plurality of devices together.