Time-of-flight sensor user registration in passenger transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger transport systems, such as elevators and escalators, face challenges in accurately registering users, especially when they are tightly packed, due to the need for high-resolution sensors and significant computing power for image analysis.
Innovation Solution
A passenger transport system equipped with at least two time-of-flight sensors and a signal evaluation unit, allowing for the use of simple and inexpensive sensors that measure distance, enabling accurate user registration without the need for complex image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution sensors and image analysis are used to accurately register users, then user counting precision is improved, but device complexity and computing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex image analysis systems with time-of-flight distance measurement technology. Instead of using high-resolution cameras that require significant computing power for image processing, the system uses TOF sensors that directly measure distance to users. This substitution of measurement methodology achieves accurate user counting while dramatically reducing device complexity and computational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive time-of-flight sensors instead of expensive high-resolution camera systems. The TOF sensors provide sufficient measurement capability for user counting at a fraction of the cost and complexity of image analysis systems, making the solution economically viable while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution sensors are used to detect individual users, then user detection accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts inexpensive time-of-flight sensors that can accurately detect user presence and count individuals without requiring expensive high-resolution camera hardware. The TOF technology provides cost-effective user detection by measuring distance to objects in the detection area, eliminating the need for costly image capture and processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive camera-based detection with affordable distance measurement technology. By substituting image analysis with time-of-flight measurement, the patent achieves comparable or superior user detection accuracy at a significantly lower hardware cost.
3Measurement precision
If image analysis is performed to count users, then user registration accuracy is improved, but computing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces computationally intensive image analysis with simple time-of-flight distance measurements. Instead of processing images to identify and count users, the system uses TOF sensors to detect distance changes that indicate user presence and movement. This substitution reduces computing power requirements from high-performance processors to basic microcontrollers capable of handling simple distance data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for user counting (distance measurements) from the complex image data that would otherwise require significant processing. By taking out just the distance parameter and using it to infer user presence and count, the system achieves accurate registration with minimal computing resources.
4Quantity of substance
If sensors monitor users in high-density situations, then user detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to blurred boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces image-based detection that struggles with boundary definition in crowded conditions with time-of-flight distance measurement. TOF sensors detect users by measuring distance to their bodies, and by analyzing distance patterns across multiple sensor points or over time, the system can distinguish individual users even when they are closely spaced, maintaining measurement precision in high-density situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection area into multiple measurement zones or uses multiple TOF sensors positioned at different locations. By dividing the detection space and analyzing distance measurements from different segments, the system can resolve individual users even when they are tightly packed, preventing the blurring effect that plagues image analysis in crowded conditions.
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
The system achieves accurate user counting, even in high-density situations, with reduced computational requirements and lower costs compared to traditional high-resolution sensor systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor (25, 27) comprises at least one emitter (91) for emitting electromagnetic waves into a detection area (83) and a receiver (89), which is arranged adjacent to the emitter and serves for acquiring the electromagnetic waves that were emitted by the emitter and reflected from the detection area (83) of the sensor
Implementation Method 2
a receiver, which is arranged adjacent to the emitter and serves for acquiring the electromagnetic waves that were emitted by the emitter and reflected from the detection area of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger transport system has a device for registering users in a pass-through zone and the device includes at least two sensors, which sensors operate in accordance with the time-of-flight measurement principle, and a signal evaluation unit. Each sensor includes an emitter emitting electromagnetic waves into a detection area and a receiver, arranged adjacent to the emitter, that acquires the electromagnetic waves that were emitted by the emitter and reflected from the detection area, wherein the emitter and the receiver of each sensor are directed into the pass-through zone. At least one sensor of the device is respectively arranged on opposing sides of the pass-through zone and the principal direction axes of the detection areas of the sensors are arranged parallel to one another and orthogonal to the longitudinal extent of the pass-through zone.