Nodal Configuration

 

Nodes can be assigned to define areas of interest for people counting.  By using key traffic passage points as nodes, the data produced by the CrowdCounter Overhead People Counters can yield both real time detailed data as well as recorded detailed data.  Let’s use as an example, a small super market with a restaurant within:

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      Floor Plan of a Small Supermarket

 

1)      There are two entrances, E1 and E2.  We install People Counters above these  passages and assign the Entry direction as shown in the diagram by arrows.

2)      There are three aisles of products, A, B, and C.  We install 3 pairs of People counters, each pair at the two ends of each aisle, assigning these A1, A2 for aisle A,  B1 and B2 for aisle B,  and C1 and C2 for aisle C.  The Entry directions are assigned as shown by the arrows.

3)      The Restaurant area,  shown as R, has two entrances, and People Counters R1 and R2 are installed above them as shown.

 

The Data Results

 

In both the real-time and recorded data, the output of EACH set of people counters is given in a format of:  Time; Number Entered; Number Exited.  For each pair of sensors, eg. A, the serial data link gives the sum of the pair: thus the format for A  is:  Time;   Entry Total (of A1 + A2) ; Exit Total (of A1 + A2).

 

This data is provided in a spread sheet compatible format, so that the following calculations are automatically called up as a spread sheet column(s)

 

1)                  The total number of people in the whole store at any time = E

2)                  The total number of people in Aisle A = A

3)                  The total number of people in Aisle B = B

4)                  The total number of people in Aisle C = C

5)                  The total number of people in the Restaurant  = R

6)                  The total number of people in the whole store but NOT shopping = E – R

7)                  People shopping in the General Area, but not in the produce area aisles, is = E – A – B – C – R

 

Thus any area of interest can be mathematically expressed.

 

 

Another Example

 

Let’s see another example, such as a Museum, which has rooms with flow-through traffic:

 

A Small Museum Layout

 

Here, we have three Exhibit Halls, E1, E2, E3, a Gift Shop, GS, and a Lobby, L.

Overhead Counters are installed at: the Main Entrance, M, and the entry directions shown for doorways A,B,C,D, and F

 

1)                  The total Number of persons in the Museum at any time = M

2)                  The total Number of persons in Exhibit E1 = A – B

3)                  The total Number of persons in Exhibit E2 = B – C

4)                  The total Number of persons in Exhibit E3 = C – D

5)                  The total Number of persons in the Gift Shop = D – F

6)                  The total Number of persons in the Lobby = M – A + F

 

Obviously, if  there is no interest in breaking down the detail to each exhibit hall, then fewer sensors would be required.

 

These examples show how two types of layouts are handled.  Any layout, including stairways, elevators, etc, can be fully monitored using a minimum of sensors at key nodal points.