Train Crowdedness Estimation Using Mobile Terminal Motion Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing train crowdedness monitoring systems require significant initial investments for infrastructure, such as installing sensors in each car, which is costly and burdensome for service providers.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and system that utilizes terminal devices carried by users to extract and transmit position and motion detection data, allowing for the estimation of train passenger distribution without the need for extensive infrastructure, by extracting detection information based on position and motion data and generating crowdedness information maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed in each train car to monitor crowdedness, then accurate real-time crowdedness information can be obtained, but the initial investment cost becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sensors in train cars with virtual sensors implemented as software applications on users' mobile terminals. Each terminal device copies the sensing functionality, using its accelerometer to detect train motion characteristics and infer crowdedness information. This eliminates the need for expensive physical sensor installations while maintaining measurement capability through data aggregation from multiple user terminals.
2Loss of information
If sensors are installed in each train car to monitor crowdedness, then real-time passenger distribution data can be collected, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms passive sensor installations into active user participation. Users' terminal devices automatically detect their own motion patterns, process the data locally through the application, and contribute to the collective crowdedness information. The system leverages the self-service capability of user devices to perform detection and initial processing, reducing the burden on centralized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes ordinary mobile terminal devices perform multiple functions: they serve as position sensors, motion detectors, and data transmission nodes. The same terminal device that users carry for communication purposes is also utilized for train crowdedness detection, eliminating the need for dedicated sensing infrastructure and reducing system complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional sensor systems are deployed in train cars, then crowdedness monitoring is achieved, but the deployment and maintenance burden on service providers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static sensor installation system to a dynamic, software-based solution that can be easily deployed and updated. The monitoring capability is implemented as a flexible software application that can be distributed to users' terminals, allowing for rapid deployment without physical installation and easy updates without hardware replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an extraction section which extracts, out of pieces of detection information each including position information and motion detection data acquired by terminal devices of respective users, detection information of a user on a specific train, based on the position information, and an estimation section which estimates distribution of people on the train based on the motion detection data included in the detection information extracted by the extraction section.