DE102022000392A1 - System for determining a number of people in a surveillance area - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1), in particular for integration into a smart home system and/or a smart home system, preferably for buildings, for determining a number of people (2) in a monitored area (3) with at least a processing device (4) and at least two sensor areas (5) each having a plurality of sensors (6) for detecting at least one chemical and/or physical property for generating a sensor signal, the monitoring area (3) having at least one opening area (7), in particular a window or a door, through which the monitoring area (3) can be entered by a person (2), the sensor areas (5) being arranged in the floor area (8) of the monitoring area (3), each sensor area (5) having a is assigned to the opening area (7), the sensor areas (5) each having at least one transmission device (9), in particular a transmission cable, for transmitting the sensor signals detected by the sensors (6) of the sensor areas (5) to the processing device (4), the Sensors (6) of the sensor areas (5) are designed and arranged in the sensor areas (5) in such a way that the number of people (2) in the monitored area (3) is determined by processing the sensor signals sent to the processing device (4) in the processing device ( 4) is determinable.

Description

The present invention relates to a system, in particular for integration into a smart home system and/or a smart home system, preferably for buildings, for determining a number of people in a monitored area with at least one processing device.

In practice, different systems are known that can be used to identify people in a surveillance area. Thus, it is known to equip the monitoring area in the floor area with a sensor surface over the entire area.

Furthermore, the systems known in practice are only suitable for determining whether there is at least one person in the surveillance area. In addition, the known systems are associated with high costs, since a full-surface installation with a sensor surface is necessary.

The systems known in practice are associated with a large number of disadvantages.

The object of the present invention is now to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages or to substantially reduce them.

The above object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims which refer back to claim 1 .

According to the invention, a system, in particular for integration into a smart home system and/or a smart home system, preferably for buildings, for determining a number of people in a monitored area with at least one processing device and at least two, each having a plurality of sensors provided for detecting at least one chemical and/or physical property for generating a sensor signal having sensor areas. The monitored area has at least one opening area, in particular a door or a window, through which the monitored area can be entered by a person. The sensor areas are arranged in the floor area of the monitoring area. Each sensor area is assigned to an opening area. The sensor areas are preferably assigned to different opening areas.

According to the invention it can be provided that the number of sensor areas is matched to the number of opening areas. However, it can also be provided that there are opening areas to which no sensor area is assigned. For example, these opening areas may not be relevant to the number of people for various reasons. For example, no sensor area can be assigned to a roof hatch or the like, which also represents an opening area, since no person usually enters the monitored area via this roof hatch.

Each opening area through which a person can enter or leave the monitored area is preferably equipped with a sensor area or sensor areas are assigned to these opening areas.

The sensor areas each have at least one transmission device for transmitting the sensor signals detected by the sensors of the sensor areas to the processing device. The transmission device can have a transmission cable or can itself be designed as a transmission cable. However, it can also be provided that the transmission device is designed for wireless transmission of the sensor signals. For example, the transmission device can have an antenna with which the sensor signals can be transmitted, in particular by radio.

The transmission device itself can be coupled to the sensors of the sensor areas, in particular in a wireless or wired manner. Ultimately, the transmission device is designed and arranged in such a way that it can receive the sensor signals from the sensors of the sensor areas, which the transmission device can then transmit, preferably in analog form. In particular, the processing device and transmission device can have an analog/digital converter for converting analog sensor signals into digital sensor signals.

In a further alternative but preferred embodiment, the transmission device has an analog/digital converter, preferably so that the transmission device can transmit digital sensor signals to the processing device.

According to the invention, the sensors of the sensor areas are designed and arranged in the sensor areas in such a way that the number of people in the monitored area can be determined by processing the sensor signals sent to the processing device in the processing device.

In particular, the actual and/or exact number of persons located in the monitoring area can be sons to be determined. Because several sensor areas are provided, the number of people can also be determined in a more targeted and purposeful manner. The prior art only provides for a single sensor area to be present, which extends over the entire area of the room. According to the invention, it is possible to significantly improve the determination of the number of people by using two sensor areas that are independent of one another and/or autonomous of one another.

In particular, it is no longer necessary to lay the sensor area over the entire area of the monitoring area. Preferably, only the floor areas below or close to an opening area are equipped with the sensor areas. The sensor areas can be arranged and/or configured in the floor area in such a way that a person who enters or leaves the monitoring area via the opening area must at least partially touch or enter the sensor area with a high degree of probability.

In addition, the system is preferably advantageous in that the number of people in the monitored area can be determined at least essentially exactly, even if there are several opening areas in the monitored area.

Advantageously, the costs for monitoring the number of people in a monitoring area can be drastically reduced compared to the prior art due to the reduced area of individual small sensor areas, which also makes the use of the system according to the invention attractive from an economic point of view.

The more precise or precise determination of the number of people in a monitored area suggests the implementation or use of the system for a smart home system, since the number of people determined by the system according to the invention is now also used to initiate further functions can.

At least one sensor area or the sensor areas can be integrated in a floor covering and/or arranged below or above the floor covering. A carpet covering, a parquet floor, a laminate floor, a vinyl floor, a cork floor and/or a tiled floor can be provided as the floor covering.

In particular, the sensor area can be provided and preferably laid independently of the floor covering. For example, the sensor areas can first be assigned to the opening areas and laid on a subsurface in the floor area, with the floor covering then being able to be laid above the sensor areas (in a separate method step).

An arrangement of the sensor areas below the floor covering is preferably provided in order to protect the sensor areas from external damage and/or in order not to impair the visual appearance of the floor covering.

A “sensor-area-free” section or area is preferably present between the at least two sensor areas, which are each assigned to an opening area. Thus, the two sensor areas can be designed as sensor areas that can be handled independently of one another and that can preferably also be laid independently of one another.

The number of people can be determined in particular as a function of the movements, movement sequences and/or movement processes of the people located in the respective sensor area measured by the respective sensor areas.

In this context, provision can be made for the number of people to be determined initially in a non-specific manner—that is, in particular, no identification or the like is assigned to the people. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the number of people can be person-related, in particular by evaluating personal identification codes, which can be transmitted at least indirectly to the processing device by appropriate access control means or the like.

Alternatively or additionally, personal processing of the sensor signals can preferably be carried out by the processing device, in particular with a comparison of the sensor signals with person-specific assignment data stored in the processing device being able to be carried out. In particular, the weight determined by the processing device based on the sensor signals, the step length, the step speed, the gait and/or foot size or the like of the person can serve as personal assignment data.

The determined number of people in the monitored area can be used for different purposes. In particular, it can be used for statistical recording purposes - for example by determining how many people are at a certain time point in the surveillance area. The number of people determined can also be used to limit the number of people by specifying the maximum number of people who may be in a monitored area.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the determined number of people can be used to initiate functions that are related to the room or the building. This is explained below.

When determining the number of people in the processing device, the sensor signals detected “currently” or within a specific time interval can be used. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that older sensor signals are linked in the processing device with the currently detected sensor signals. At least intermediate storage of the sensor signals or the already processed sensor signals would then be provided in the processing device.

According to the invention, the presence of objects, in particular people, in a surveillance area, preferably in a room and/or building, with a plurality of openings or opening areas, which can be both entrances and exits, can be determined. The presence determination in this regard is also associated with low costs, since the sensor areas provided can have a comparatively small area compared to the entire monitoring area. The area of the sensor area is of course also related to the size of the opening area and/or the size of the monitoring area.

The sensor areas can preferably be exchanged and/or retrofitted without any problems. In particular, individual, separate sensor areas, preferably as sensor layers, can be added or removed. For example, if an additional entrance and exit is to be provided, this opening area can be equipped with its own sensor area.

In particular, there is also a high level of accuracy when detecting persons, since instead of larger sensor areas, which can only detect the movement of a person comparatively imprecisely, there is a better possibility due to the smaller sensor areas and/or the increased number of sensors in a sensor area is created to monitor the respective movement of the people.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the sensor area is designed as a sensor mat, which is arranged in particular underneath the floor covering.

Alternatively or additionally, however, the sensor area can also be designed as a functional layer that is preferably laminated to and/or attached to a floor covering and/or a covering element of the floor covering. The functional layer is preferably arranged on the top and/or bottom of the floor covering and/or in the layer structure of the floor covering or floor covering element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the system has or comprises a control device. The processing device can be designed to transmit information, in particular processed sensor signals, to the control device. The control device itself can be designed in such a way that it can be designed to initiate functions that can be carried out in particular by external devices. In particular, the functions can be initiated by the control device depending on the number of people in the monitored area determined by the processing device and transmitted to the control device.

Accordingly, the control device can transmit control signals to other devices, which in turn can then perform functions. In principle, the control device itself can also initiate functions depending on the determined number of people. The functions can be of different types - ie both internal processing functions or specifications and/or functions associated with the room and/or the building.

The processing device and/or the control device is/are preferably designed to determine specifications for functions to be initiated. The functions can be determined and/or determined by the control device and/or processing device depending on the specific or determined number of people in the monitoring area. For example, it can be provided that different functions can be initiated depending on the number of people. If, for example, a small number of people are detected, provision can be made for at least one first function (in particular switching on the light) to be carried out, whereas other function(s) (in particular special activation of a loudspeaker system for music) can be carried out.

In particular, it can be provided that the control device and the processing device are realized and/or implemented in a common component. However, two devices that can be operated independently of one another can also be provided. The control device can be connected to the processing device wirelessly or by wire for data exchange. In particular, the control device and the processing device can be connected to one another via a radio link or a cable link.

Particularly preferably, the processing device can be arranged in the monitored area, preferably in a room. In particular, the processing device can be arranged underneath the floor covering and/or in, behind and/or under the skirting board of the floor covering. Finally, the processing device can be arranged in a manner that is accessible to a user from the outside or can be concealed when in use. With the concealed arrangement, it makes sense to "hide" the processing device behind components laid in the room.

Provision is preferably made for the functions to be executable by other devices integrated in the system, preferably in the smart home system, and/or in a smart home system that can be coupled to the system. The additional devices can in particular be smart home devices which are designed in particular to receive control signals from the control device. In particular, the operation of the additional devices can be influenced, in particular controlled and/or regulated, by the control signals.

The additional devices can preferably include at least one heater, at least one lighting device, at least one entertainment device, in particular a loudspeaker device, and/or at least one blind system.

Accordingly, the processing device and/or the control device can be “docked” to a smart home system in different ways or assigned to this system. Different variants of smart home systems are possible in which further devices can be controlled, in particular depending on the number of people in the monitored area.

If the additional devices are/is connected to the control device and/or the processing device to the control device by cable, an Ethernet connection is preferably used.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that each opening area designed as a door and/or each opening area is assigned its own sensor area.

In this context, provision can be made for the monitoring area to have opening areas that do not necessarily require monitoring, such as windows that are arranged in the roof area or are small in size. In principle, these represent an opening area, but in particular no person can enter or leave the monitored area via this area. It is therefore not absolutely necessary to equip this opening area with a sensor area.

An opening area within the meaning of the present invention is understood in particular as an area that is designed in such a way that people can enter or leave the monitored area via it, in particular this opening area is actually intended as an entrance or exit to the monitored area within the meaning of the present invention. If this is the case, a sensor area is assigned to each of these opening areas.

The sensor areas are particularly preferably arranged or provided spatially separated from one another and, in particular, arranged at a distance from one another in the floor area.

According to the invention, it is not excluded that further measuring devices can be integrated into the system, in particular with which the number of people in the monitored area can be checked and/or validated. This can be cameras or the like, for example. However, it is particularly not necessary to provide these additional measuring devices in order to determine the number of people. Advantageously, the sensor areas arranged in the floor area can be sufficient to reliably determine the number of people in the monitored area.

In addition, the sensor layer may preferably have a substrate and, on the substrate, a plurality of sensor components that form the sensors. Two carrier layers are particularly preferably provided. The sensors or their sensor components can in particular be in the form of a grid and/or arranged in a matrix, preferably printed onto the carrier layer.

In particular, a sensor component and/or a sensor can be designed as a sensor pixel and/or sensor point. A sensor layer can preferably have a plurality of sensors, sensor points and/or sensor pixels. In particular, each sensor, sensor point and/or sensor pixel is composed of a number of sensor components.

In the sense of the present invention, sensor components are understood in particular as components of a sensor, sensor point and/or sensor pixel arranged on a carrier layer. A sensor, sensor point and/or sensor pixel can be composed of one, two or more sensor components. If a sensor, sensor point and/or sensor pixel is composed of two sensor components, these are preferably arranged in an overlapping manner.

A sensor component can be arranged on a first carrier layer, while a second sensor component can be arranged on a second carrier layer. The sensor components can in particular have what is known as a “Force Sensing Resistor” material (FSR material) and/or an electrically conductive material such as silver or copper.

The first and second substrates may each have a plurality of sensor components, wherein each of the first and second sensor components may be arranged such that when the substrates are placed one on top of the other, they overlap (i.e., a first sensor component is arranged at least partially overlapping a second sensor component). and thus each form a sensor.

In particular, the sensors and/or the sensor components of a carrier layer are spaced differently, in particular the distances being formed in such a way that the overlapping of the sensor components of two carrier layers is ensured in the installed state. In particular, the sensors and/or the sensor components. spaced differently from one another in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction, in particular of the sensor area. The longitudinal direction of the sensor area runs in particular in the direction of the greatest longitudinal extent of the sensor area, it being possible for the transverse direction to run orthogonally to the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, the distance between immediately adjacent sensor components in the longitudinal direction can be the same or different. The distance between immediately adjacent sensor components in the transverse direction can also be the same or different.

For example, it can be provided that there is a greater distance between adjacent lines in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction, or vice versa.

The sensor components can be connected to sensor lines, in particular embodied as printed conductor tracks, and/or can be arranged on sensor lines, in particular embodied as printed conductor tracks. In particular, the first sensor components are each connected to first sensor lines and the second sensor components are each connected to second sensor lines and/or are each arranged on these.

The first sensor lines can be arranged, preferably printed, on a first carrier layer and the second sensor lines on a second carrier layer. In particular, the sensor lines are supplied with electrical voltage and, together with the sensor components, preferably form piezoresistive sensors.

In principle, it can also be provided that the sensor lines are arranged, preferably printed, on a common carrier layer.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the first and/or second sensor lines are aligned at least essentially parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another, preferably equally. The first and the second sensor lines can preferably be aligned at least substantially orthogonally to one another.

At the crossing points of the first and second sensor lines, there is preferably a sensor in each case, which can be formed in particular by overlapping two sensor components.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least one sensor component, preferably both the first and second sensor component assigned to a sensor, can be arranged outside the first and/or second sensor lines and/or conductor tracks. In particular, in this case contact can be made between sensor components and/or the sensor lines and/or conductor tracks by at least one additional conductor track which is connected to the sensor component and/or the respective sensor line and/or conductor track. In such an embodiment, provision is preferably made for the crossing points of the sensor components to be electrically insulated from one another, in particular with the sensor lines and/or conductor tracks not making contact with one another.

Provision is preferably made for the first sensor lines and/or the second sensor lines not to make electrical contact with one another, in particular with them being able to be supplied with electrical energy in isolation from one another, preferably by a common energy supply device. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the first and/or the second sensor lines are connected to the energy supply device, in particular with the first or the second sensor lines not necessarily having to be supplied with energy and/or in particular with at least one sensor line and/or conductor track not is supplied with electrical energy from the energy supply device.

The sensor lines can also be designed in such a way that they consist in particular of an at least essentially cohesive material.

However, within the meaning of the present invention, sensor lines are also understood to mean an “imaginary” line that describes the grid-like or pattern-like arrangement of the sensor components in more detail. For example, a sensor line can result from the (imaginary) connection of adjacent sensor components.

This preferably results in a grid-like structure, in particular a lattice-like structure, of the sensor layer. The sensor components can preferably be arranged in the form of a point grid. A point of a point grid includes both at least essentially elliptical, rectangular and/or square cross-sectional shapes of the sensor.

The size of a sensor component, in particular each sensor component, is preferably greater than 16 mm ² , preferably approximately 16 mm ² . The sensor components are preferably arranged in a grid of the aforementioned order of magnitude. The sensor components can preferably be connected to the respective sensor line, in particular arranged along this sensor line.

Furthermore, each sensor component and/or at least one sensor component can have an overall height or a thickness of at least 0.001 mm, preferably between 0.001 and 0.1 mm, more preferably between 0.003 and 0.03 mm. The structural heights in the aforementioned orders of magnitude make it possible in particular for sensor components to be provided with a comparatively low structural height, which in particular do not significantly impair the layer thickness of the sensor layer. In particular due to the height of the sensor components or the sensors, there are no disturbing relief structures or the like on the floor covering that could otherwise appear in the floor covering—provided the sensor area is arranged above and/or below the floor covering.

The sensors of the sensor areas are preferably designed as piezoresistive sensors. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the sensor component has a non-poled piezo material as the material.

A sensor of the sensor area can be composed in particular of at least one sensor component, preferably of two sensor components. A sensor advantageously comprises two sensor components to form a piezoresistive sensor. This enables, in particular, a precise measurement and a design of the sensor areas associated with low production costs.

In a sensor, in particular, two components can be arranged on the two separate carrier layers and preferably aligned or arranged directly one above the other. The sensor should therefore preferably be viewed as an independent measuring point which, in particular, does not restrict the sensor structure.

A “sensor” can accordingly be composed in particular of two parts or sensor components, which are in particular arranged separately on two carrier layers. The carrier layers can in particular be arranged one above the other in contact with one another. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the two sensor components are arranged on a common carrier layer. If two carrier layers are provided, on each of which the sensor components are arranged, it can be provided that when the carrier layers are arranged one on top of the other, a corresponding material of the other sensor component is placed opposite the sensor component on the second carrier layer. A sensor component can in particular be an FSR material, in particular a semiconducting paste containing graphite.

As stated above, each sensor component of a sensor layer can thus be electrically contacted or electrically contacted by a respective electrical conductor track. Preferably, the first sensor lines are each formed by, preferably continuous, first conductor tracks. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that each first sensor line is contacted by a continuous first conductor track. In particular, every second sensor line can be contacted by a continuous second conductor track. in particular each first sensor component of a sensor is contacted by a first conductor track and the second sensor component of the respective sensor is contacted by a second conductor track that crosses the first conductor track but is electrically insulated from the first conductor track.

Preferably, the first sensor lines are part of first conductor tracks and the second sensor lines are part of second conductor tracks. The conductor tracks can in particular be designed as continuous, linear conductor tracks. The first and second conductor tracks are preferably arranged at a distance from one another and in particular in such a way that the first conductor tracks intersect with the second conductor tracks, but in particular are electrically insulated from one another.

Preferably, each first conductive line crosses every second conductive line. In particular, the first conductor tracks do not cross one another, in particular the second conductor tracks do not cross one another either.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that each first sensor line crosses each second sensor line, in particular with the first and second sensor lines being electrically insulated from one another and/or from one another. In particular, the first sensor lines do not cross one another, in particular the second sensor lines do not cross one another either.

The respective sensors can result or the respective overlapping sensor components can be arranged in or at the respective crossing points of the sensor lines and/or conductor tracks.

As explained above, at least one sensor area, in particular a sensor layer, can preferably have a first carrier layer and a plurality of first conductor tracks printed on the first carrier layer and made of a first electrically conductive material. The sensor area or the sensor layer can also have a second carrier layer and a plurality of second conductor tracks printed on the second carrier layer and made of a second electrically conductive material. The materials of the conductor tracks can be selected in such a way that a (piezo)resistive behavior of the sensor components can result.

The carrier layers can in particular be arranged one on top of the other in such a way that the first and second conductor tracks contact each other, preferably exclusively, in the sensors.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the carrier layers are arranged one on top of the other in such a way that the sensors result from the overlapping of a first and a second sensor component in each case.

The sensor signal can preferably be generated on the basis of a voltage difference and/or a voltage change on at least one sensor component and/or on a sensor. Accordingly, a piezoresistive behavior of the sensor area can be used.

The piezoresistive effect refers in particular to the change in the electrical resistance of a material as a result of mechanical stress. The mechanical stress can be caused in particular by a person entering the sensor area. The change in electrical resistance is then caused by the change in geometry and conductivity of the material. A sensor signal can thus be generated on the basis of the pressure exerted by the person on the sensor area.

An electrical voltage can preferably be supplied to the first and/or second conductor track(s) and in particular that electrical voltage can be “dissipated” again with the respective other conductor track. The relative change in resistance to the initial or original state can then be determined in the processing device based on the electrical voltage, in particular based on the discharged (received) voltage. A sensor signal can thus be generated at the sensors and/or the respective sensor components by determining the pressure change.

The sensors of the sensor areas can preferably detect the sensor signals independently of one another. Thus, in particular, each sensor or each sensor component can independently detect the sensor signals and in particular determine the pressure that is exerted by a person standing or walking on the sensor area. The fact that the sensor components and/or sensors can measure independently of one another creates the possibility, in addition to the "exclusive" detection of entering or leaving the sensor area, to also determine other parameters relating to the movement sequence of the respective person. For example, if the sensor surface were designed to be capacitive, it could only be determined whether a person entered the sensor area or not. The sensor components or sensors could not determine a pressure change independently of one another. According to the invention is now preferred made it possible to determine the movement sequence of the person located on the sensor area.

The sensor area can preferably have an area of at least 3000 cm ² , preferably at least 4000 cm ² , more preferably between 5000 and 100000 cm ² . Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the sensor area can have a, in particular maximum, length and/or width of at least 80 cm +/- 30%.

In particular, the sensor layer can have a predefined size or area, which makes it possible to detect at least two successive steps of the object or person, independently of the starting point of the object or person. In order to prevent taller people from stepping over the sensor layer, the size of the sensor layer is in particular (800 mm +/- 30%) x (1200 mm +/- 30%).

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the control device and/or the processing device has a storage device for storing sensor signals received from the transmission devices and, in particular, already processed in the processing device. The memory device can make it possible for the current sensor signals or those recorded in a specific time interval to be compared with older sensor signals lying outside of this time interval. This comparison can be used, for example, to detect people or to determine the number of people in the surveillance area. Alternatively or additionally, the stored, older data can also be used to compare movement sequences and/or movement patterns or the like with one another.

The memory device and/or the processing device is/are preferably designed in such a way that the sensor signals received from a sensor area are processed together over a period of time, in particular in an uninterrupted time interval and/or in a defined period of time for a continuous movement, in particular linked to one another in such a way be that motion sequences and/or motion parameters can be determined. Movement parameters can be, in particular, the direction of movement, the weight of the person, the step length, the type of step and/or gait and/or the speed of the person. The storage device and/or the processing device is/are preferably designed in such a way that the frequency of certain movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, preferably the direction of movement, can be determined to determine the number of people in the monitored area and that, more preferably, in the Processing device, the frequencies of movement processes, in particular movement sequences and / or movement parameters, are linked and / or offset.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the storage device is designed to store movement sequences, movement parameters and/or other processing specifications.

Thus, in addition to determining the number of people, it can also be determined how quickly or slowly the person enters or leaves the monitoring area and/or what gait or the like the person has. This additional information can be used in particular for later processing. This information can also be used to determine whether a specific person, who has a specific step type or a specific weight, for example, has already entered the monitoring area or not. This additional information can also be used to initiate the functions. Various other functions are conceivable in this context.

For example, the direction of movement of the person can initially be used to be able to distinguish between a person entering the monitored area and a person exiting the monitored area. The direction of movement of the person can then also preferably be used to switch on the light in a specific section of the surveillance area. For example, if the person turns to the right after entering the surveillance area, the light can be switched on in the right-hand area of the surveillance area. Other functions are also conceivable in this context.

Accordingly, directly and/or indirectly received sensor signals can be processed together in the processing device. Immediately received sensor signals are, in particular, those sensor signals that are transmitted directly from the sensor areas to the processing device. However, sensor signals received indirectly can also be linked to the directly received sensor signals in the processing device and/or in a memory device. In particular, at least partially or completely processed sensor signals can be understood as indirectly received sensor signals those that have been temporarily stored in the memory device, for example. The immediately received sensor signals can also be compared with unprocessed, older sensor signals that are stored in the memory device.

When processing the sensor signals received from a sensor area in a time interval, the spatial distances between the sensors generating the sensor signals can preferably be determined. The determination of the spatial distances can be used in particular to determine a direction of movement and/or a step length of an object or a person. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the spatial distances can be used to detect the presence of a plurality of people in a sensor area. For example, several people can be identified by the fact that a specified step length is exceeded or not reached - in a specified interval. For example, it can be determined according to the invention whether two people are entering a sensor area at the same time by both entering the monitoring area through the opening area at the same time. This is made possible by the fact that the sensors or the individual sensor components can detect the change in pressure or resistance independently of one another. A spatial assignment of the recorded pressure change can thus also be made possible. This further contributes to improving the accuracy of the measurement by the sensor section.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that in addition or as an alternative to the spatial distance of the sensors for determining a direction of movement and/or a step length of an object or a person and/or for detecting the presence of a plurality of people in a sensor area, the time intervals of the Sensor signals are taken into account by the processing device. In particular, both the spatial distances between the sensors or the sensor components that determine a pressure change and the time intervals are taken into account. In addition to determining the direction of movement and/or the step length, this can also be used to determine the walking speed and/or the gait. The movement sequences of the persons can be determined by processing in this regard in the processing device, which makes the monitoring of the monitored area more precise.

In particular, two loads caused by a person can be used to determine the direction of movement. Alternatively, it is also possible for only one load, in particular one step, to enable detection of the direction of movement, for example by detecting and determining the rolling of a foot through a corresponding, successive load on a number of adjacent sensors, in particular sensor components. The direction of movement can then also be determined from the shape of the foot.

In particular, spatial vectors can be determined in the processing device when processing the sensor signals in order to determine a possible distance between loaded and/or stressed sensor components, in particular in order to be able to distinguish one step from another step. Depending on the point in time of the detected sensor signal, the length of the vector can also be used to determine the speed.

In particular, the absolute length of the vector can also be used on the other side, particularly in the case of larger sensor areas, to check a step length. If, for example, the distance from an outer, loaded sensor component of a loading area to another, loaded sensor component is greater than a realistic step length - for example greater than 2 m - then the two loads are not a first and second step of an object, but as independent of each other Evaluate loads from at least two objects or people.

Alternatively or additionally, the time difference between the steps can be used. This can be used in particular to determine the speed of the movement.

Furthermore, the sensor areas can be part of a coherent sensor area, in particular with each sensor area forming a sensor cluster of the sensor area. Sensor clusters are to be understood in such a way that the sensor signals from sensors arranged in a sensor cluster can be processed together in the processing device—that is to say that the processing device accordingly knows that the sensor signal originates from a specific sensor cluster. The coherent sensor layer achieves the advantage that the sensor area can be relocated comparatively easily.

In particular, the sensors of the sensor areas can be designed and arranged in the sensor areas in such a way that the movements and/or the direction of movement of a person entering or leaving the monitored area can be processed by processing tion of the sensor signals sent to the processing device can be determined in the processing device. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the processing device is designed in such a way that the sensor signals transmitted by the at least two sensor areas arranged in the floor area can be processed centrally and/or jointly, preferably linked to one another and/or to one another and/or independently of the sensor areas. In particular, the number of people in the monitored area can be determined by the, preferably central, processing of the particularly linked sensor signals in the processing device, in particular with the number of people in the monitored area being determined by calculating the number of people entering and leaving the monitored area.

This enables a detailed breakdown of the movement sequences in the monitored area and thus, in particular, an exact determination of the people located in the monitored area. As explained above, the further personal information of the movement sequence can be used to initiate further functions and/or for storage (in particular for later evaluation, for example for market research purposes).

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive idea, it is provided that a personal identification can be assigned to the people, in particular wherein the personal identification can be determined by the processing device from the weight, step length, step type and/or speed of the person. The personal identification can preferably be determined by comparing the stress intensities of the sensor signals with personal identifications previously stored for the person in the processing device. For example, when detecting sensor signals, certain sensor signals can be assigned personal identifications—for example, a weight of 75 kg—whereby a comparison can be made with other personal identifications stored in the processing device. For example, it can be stored in the processing device that previously stored personal identifications are 100 kg and 90 kg. The person weighing 75 kg can therefore be a “new” person to whom a new personal identification can be assigned.

Ultimately, a specific personal identification can be established using determinable movement parameters and/or movement sequences. In particular, whether it is actually the same person can remain open. If such a comparison is to be carried out, further measuring devices, such as an RFID system and/or camera system or the like, can be used, for example, in order to be able to ensure reliable identification of the persons.

Furthermore, the system is preferably designed such that at a time t the control device for initiating functions and/or the processing device for determining the specification of functions to be initiated takes into account sensor signals stored in the storage device in addition to the sensor signals received from the transmission device at time t. Accordingly, the functions can be initiated depending on the "currently" detected sensor signals and on "older" sensor signals. In particular, sensor signals that have already been processed and/or other information stored in the memory device can also be taken into account in the memory device—specifically for initiating functions. For example, a function can only be initiated from a certain number of people. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to initiate a function when at least two specifications are met—for example, a specification that relates to the sensor signals currently recorded or recorded at a point in time t and to older sensor signals.

Accordingly, the information stored in the memory device can also influence the function initiation by the control device.

Furthermore, in a further preferred embodiment it is provided that at least one sensor area has a sub-processing device assigned to the sensor area, in particular integrated in the sensor area. The sub-processing device is coupled and/or connected to the transmission device of the sensor area for the purpose of transmitting the sensor signals processed by the sub-processing device to the processing device. For example, the processing device can then form what is known as a “master device” which can ensure the central processing of the sensor signals from different sensor areas for determining the presence of people in a surveillance area. The sub-processing device can then serve as a so-called “slave device” which, for example, provides the sensor signals in an appropriately processed manner.

In particular, the processing device can be at least partially cloud-based. Thus, processing steps of the sensor signals can be outsourced to a cloud. Preferably, the storage device can also be cloud-based, see above that in particular the data can be stored in the cloud, in particular where it is no longer necessary to provide the corresponding storage capacity "on site".

As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that the processing device is designed in such a way that it uses artificial intelligence to adapt and/or change the processing specifications of the sensor signals when processing the sensor signals. A self-learning system can thus be provided which, in particular, enables continuous improvement through the integration of artificial intelligence. This can contribute to the improved accuracy of determining the presence of people in a surveillance area.

The sensor signals transmitted to the processing device are preferably analog. If digital sensor signals are to be transmitted to the processing device, provision can be made for the transmission device to have an analog/digital converter. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the processing device has an analog/digital converter which is designed to convert the analog sensor signals into digital sensor signals for further processing in the processing device. In particular, the sensor signals are further processed in digital form in the processing device.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the sub-processing device has an energy device for supplying energy to the sub-processing device, in particular a chargeable battery. Accordingly, the energy supply can be significantly simplified and in particular the so-called “slave devices” can also be supplied with energy.

The processing device can preferably be connected to a control device designed as a smart home controller, in particular wirelessly, preferably via radio. This is preferably used to transmit the control specifications of the processing device for initiating the functions on the smart home controller. In particular, the smart home controller can initiate the functions by controlling the other devices depending on the control signals. Thus, the smart home controller can serve as a control device. The control signals can be determined and/or ascertained either in the control device or in the smart home controller and/or in the processing device. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the processing device is designed as a component part of a control device designed as a smart home controller and/or itself comprises a control device designed as a smart home controller.

Accordingly, analog and/or digital signals for determining the number of people or direct function specifications can be determined or determined by processing the number of people in the processing device.

1. A) Bereitstellen von wenigstens zwei Sensorbereichen an und/oder in der Nähe von Öffnungsbereichen eines Überwachungsbereiches und wenigstens einer Verarbeitungsvorrichtung;
2. B) Kopplung der Sensorbereiche mit der Verarbeitungsvorrichtung zur Übertragung der Sensorsignale von den Sensorbereichen an die Verarbeitungsvorrichtung;
3. C) Erfassung von Sensorsignalen durch wenigstens einen, bevorzugt wenigstens zwei, Sensorbereich(e);
4. D) Übertragung der erfassten Sensorsignale an die Verarbeitungsvorrichtung;
5. E) Verarbeitung, vorzugsweise zentrale und/oder von den Sensorbereichen unabhängige Verarbeitung von insbesondere miteinander und/oder zueinander verknüpften, Sensorsignalen von wenigstens zwei unterschiedlichen Sensorbereichen, der Sensorsignale in der Verarbeitungsvorrichtung zur Ermittlung einer Anzahl von Personen in einem Überwachungsbereich;
6. F) optional: Initiierung von Funktionen, insbesondere ausgeführt von weiteren Geräten, durch die Verarbeitungs- und/oder die Steuerungsvorrichtung, insbesondere mittels Übertragung von Steuerungssignalen an weitere Geräte zur Steuerung von weiteren Geräten zur Ausführung der Funktionen.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a system according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, the method comprising the following method steps, which are carried out in particular one after the other:

1. A) providing at least two sensor areas at and/or in the vicinity of opening areas of a monitoring area and at least one processing device;
2. B) coupling the sensor areas to the processing device for transmitting the sensor signals from the sensor areas to the processing device;
3. C) detection of sensor signals by at least one, preferably at least two, sensor area(s);
4. D) transmission of the detected sensor signals to the processing device;
5. E) processing, preferably central processing and/or processing independently of the sensor areas, of sensor signals from at least two different sensor areas that are in particular linked to one another and/or to one another, the sensor signals in the processing device for determining a number of people in a monitoring area;
6. F) optional: initiation of functions, in particular executed by other devices, by the processing and/or the control device, in particular by means of transmission of control signals to other devices for controlling other devices to carry out the functions.

With regard to advantages and preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, reference may be made to the advantages and preferred embodiments of the system already described, which also apply to the method in the same way. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is hereby expressly made to the above statements, which can also be transferred to the method according to the invention within the meaning of the present invention and apply accordingly to the method.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that the functions in step F) are selected, initiated or carried out depending on the determined number of people. In this way, the detection of the presence of people in the surveillance area can be linked directly to the functions to be initiated. In this context, it goes without saying that not every initiated function has to be related to the number of people, but can be related. For example, a number of functions can be initiated, only some of which are related to the number of people. In this context, the advantage of integration into a smart home system is particularly evident, since monitoring and/or control of further functions can take place there.

After step D), the received analog sensor signals can preferably be converted into digital sensor signals by the processing device. Alternatively, it would also be possible for a conversion into digital sensor signals to be carried out in the sub-processing device and/or the transmission device. In this context, the respective device is designed in such a way that the analog sensor signals can be converted into digital signals for later processing. In particular, the sensor signals recorded in step C) can be analog electrical voltage values, which are converted into digital sensor signals by the processing device.

To measure the sensor signals, provision can be made in particular for the sensor areas, in particular the first and/or the second conductor tracks of the sensor areas, to be supplied with electrical energy, in particular electrical voltage, before step B) and/or C).

This offers the advantage that in step C) the sensor signals can be detected by a resistance and/or voltage change(s) in the sensor areas, preferably on a sensor component. In this way, the piezoresistive behavior of the sensors can be exploited.

In particular, the processing device can detect changes in resistance by comparing the received voltage values, in particular with the determined changes in resistance each relating to a sensor component or each to a sensor and/or crossing point of the first and second conductor tracks.

The processing device preferably processes the sensor signals in step E) in such a way that a comparison is made with movement sequences stored in the processing device in order to determine a movement process. In particular, the comparison can be carried out in such a way that entering, exiting and/or the direction of movement of a person located in a sensor area is recorded. This can be determined by appropriate data comparison.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that the processing device processes the sensor signals in step E) in such a way that the movement processes, in particular movement processes and movement parameters, of different sensor areas determined in particular in the time interval Δt are linked with one another, so that the number of persons is detected in the surveillance area. The frequency of certain movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, preferably the direction of movement, is preferably determined in order to determine the number of people in the surveillance area. In a subsequent further processing step in the processing device, the frequencies of the movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, are preferably linked with one another and/or offset. This means that the movement processes can be processed comprehensively, which can be used to precisely determine the presence of people in the surveillance area.

In particular, the functions in step F) can be initiated with a time delay after the number of people has been determined.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that, in order to determine a direction of movement of a person, distances and/or distance vectors of loaded sensor components of a sensor area are determined in a time interval Δt, in particular with the determined distances and distance vectors being compared with a distance protocol, so that the movements can be exempted from another person. This has already been explained in connection with the system, so reference may be made to the previous argument.

Further features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing and the drawing itself Summary in the claims and their reference.

• 1 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungsbereichs,
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Sensorbereichs,
• 5 eine schematische Explosionsansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Sensorbereichs,
• 6 eine schematische perspektische Darstellung des in 5 gezeigten Sensorbereichs,
• 7 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Sensorbereichs,
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung von Teilen einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems,
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrensablaufs und
• 10 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Überwachungsbereichs.

It shows:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of a surveillance area according to the invention,
• 2 a schematic representation of a system according to the invention,
• 3 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a system according to the invention,
• 4 a schematic representation of a sensor area according to the invention,
• 5 a schematic exploded view of a further embodiment of a sensor area according to the invention,
• 6 a schematic perspective view of the in 5 shown sensor range,
• 7 a schematic perspective representation of a further embodiment of a sensor area according to the invention,
• 8th a schematic representation of parts of a further embodiment of a system according to the invention,
• 9 a schematic representation of a process flow and
• 10 a schematic perspective representation of a further embodiment of a surveillance area according to the invention.

1 shows a system 1 which is used in particular for integration into a smart home system or is designed as a smart home system. in the in 1 illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the system 1 is used for a building.

The 1 shows a plurality of people 2. The system 1 is designed in such a way that the number of people 2 located in a surveillance area 3 is determined or can be determined. Ultimately, the system 1 is used to determine a number of people 2 in a surveillance area 3.

2 shows that in the system 1 a processing device 4 is provided. The processing device 4 can be arranged in the surveillance area 3 or outside of the surveillance area 3 .

In 1 it is shown that at least two sensor areas 5 are provided. The sensor areas 5 can have a plurality of sensors 6, as shown in FIG 2 becomes evident. The sensors 6 can be designed to detect at least one chemical and/or physical property to generate a sensor signal. In particular, the sensors 6 are designed in such a way that they can detect a change in pressure due to a person 2 entering a sensor area 5 .

1 shows that the monitored area 3 has at least one opening area 7 . In 1 two opening areas 7 are shown. Out of 10 it follows that three opening areas 7 of a monitoring area 3 can be provided.

How out 1 As can be seen, each sensor area 5 is assigned to an opening area 7 . in the in 1 illustrated embodiment, each opening area 7 is monitored by a sensor area 5 or each sensor area 5 is arranged on and/or in the vicinity of an opening area 7 .

Ultimately, the sensor areas 5 are arranged in particular on and/or in the vicinity of the opening areas 7 in such a way that a person 2 who enters or leaves the monitoring area 3 via the respective opening area 7 must or must walk over the respective sensor area 5 assigned to the opening area 5 .

In 10 it is shown that other space opening areas 17 can also be provided, to which no sensor area 5 is assigned. For example, it is not possible to enter or exit a monitored area 3 via these room opening areas 17 . in the in 10 illustrated embodiment is, for example, the other room opening area 17 is a window, in particular a skylight.

In particular, opening areas 7 within the meaning of the present invention are areas through which a person 2 can enter and/or leave the monitored area 3 .

in the in 1 The illustrated exemplary embodiment also shows that the sensor areas 5 are spatially separated from one another or are arranged at a distance from one another in the monitoring area 3 . In particular, the sensor areas 5 can be laid and/or operated independently of one another and can in particular detect or transmit the sensor signals independently of one another.

In 1 is also shown that the sensor areas 5 in a bottom area 8 of the Monitoring area 3 are arranged. For example, the sensor areas 5 can be arranged below a floor covering, in particular below floor covering elements. However, it can also be provided that the sensor areas 5 can be arranged above and/or below a floor covering 8 and/or integrated in the floor covering.

2 shows that the sensor areas 5 each have at least one transmission device 9 . The transmission device 9 can be part of the sensor area 5 and/or assigned to the sensor area 5 . The transmission device 9 can be designed both for wired and alternatively or additionally for wireless transmission of the sensor signals to the processing device 4 .

The sensors 6 of the sensor areas 5 are designed and arranged in the sensor areas 5 in such a way that the number of people 2 in the monitored area 3 can be determined by processing the sensor signals sent to the processing device 4 in the processing device 4 .

The exact or exact number of people 2 can be determined or a number of people 2 that deviates only slightly from the number of people 2 actually located in the monitored area 3 .

In 3 it is shown that the system 1 comprises a control device 10 . The processing device 4 is designed to transmit information to the control device 10 . The control device 10 is in turn designed to initiate functions. These functions can be performed in particular by other devices 11 arranged in the system 1 . In principle, however, the functions could also be internal processing specifications in the processing device 4 and/or the control device 10 .

For example, the additional functions can be the control of a heater, switching on or dimming a light and the like. In the 3 The processing device 4 shown can be designed to determine at least one specification for functions to be initiated. The functions can be determined by the control device 10 and/or the processing device 4 depending on the specific number of people 2 in the monitoring area 3 . Ultimately, either the control device 10 and/or the processing device 4 can specify the functions to be initiated depending on the specific number of people 2 in the monitoring area 3 .

For example, with a specific number of people, a specific heating level of a heater and/or the operation of a ventilation system can be set to the corresponding number of people in the monitoring area 3 .

The control device 10 and the processing device 4 can be one component or components independent of one another. The control device 10 can also be connected to the processing device 4 by cable or wirelessly, in particular by radio.

It is not shown in detail that the processing device 4 can be arranged in the floor area 8 . In particular, the processing device 4 can be arranged in, behind and/or below a floor covering, a covering element and/or a skirting board. In particular, the processing device 4 is not readily accessible from the outside in the monitoring area 3 .

In further embodiments, the processing device 4 could be controllable, controllable and/or programmable via a further device, such as a smartphone, a tablet or the like.

The aforementioned functions can be performed by other devices 11 integrated into the system 1, which can either be coupled to the system 1 and/or are arranged in it. In particular, the devices 11 are so-called smart home devices, which are preferably connected to the control device 10 via a wireless connection and can preferably be controlled and/or regulated via the control device 10 . The additional devices 11 can include, for example, a heater, at least one lighting device, at least one entertainment device, in particular a loudspeaker device. The additional devices 11 can preferably be controlled via the control device 10 as a function of the number of persons 2 determined.

In 1 it is shown that each opening area 7 designed as a door is assigned its own sensor area 5 . In principle, each opening area 7 can be assigned its own sensor area 5 or at least those opening areas 7 which are designed in such a way that a person 2 can enter or leave the monitored area 3 via them.

As previously explained, the in 1 Sensor areas 5 shown are spatially separated from one another.

In 4 it is shown that in each case one sensor area 5 is provided on a coherent sensor layer. The plurality of sensors 6 can be arranged on, on and/or in the sensor layer. Accordingly, the sensor areas 5 can be designed as independently manageable and/or self-sufficient sensor layers, in particular sensor mats.

In 4 It is further shown that the sensor layer of a sensor area 5 has at least one carrier layer 12 . The sensors 6 are arranged on the carrier layer 12 in the form of a grid, grid and/or matrix. The sensors 6 can be designed as sensor components 18, 19 and/or sensor pixels.

In addition, the sensors 6 can also be printed onto the carrier layer 12 .

5 shows that two carrier layers 12, 20 are provided.

The 5 and 6 show schematically that two sensor components 18,19 are provided. The sensor components 18, 19 can be arranged, in particular printed, on different carrier layers 12, 20. The 5 shows that first sensor components 18 can be arranged on a first carrier layer 12 , while second sensor components 19 can be arranged on a further carrier layer 20 . The sensor components 18 , 19 can be arranged in such a way that when the carrier layers 12 , 20 are laid one on top of the other, a respective sensor 6 is formed by overlapping a first sensor component 18 with a second sensor component 19 . 5 shows an exploded view of the sensor area 5, while 6 the in 5 illustrated sensor area 5 shows in the connected state.

In this case, the first sensor component 18 can have a first conductive material and the second sensor component 19 can have a second conductive material. For example, the first sensor component 18 can be made of an FSR material (semiconductive paste containing graphite) and/or a silver material.

It is not shown in more detail that the sensor components 18, 19 and/or the sensors 6 can be arranged at different distances from one another in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction, in particular of the sensor area 5.

In 4 It is shown that the sensors 6 are aligned in sensor lines 13, 14 which are aligned at least essentially parallel to one another. In 4 is further shown that the sensor lines 13, 14 are intended in particular. The sensors 6 can each be arranged aligned on the first sensor lines 13 and second sensor lines 14 and/or connected to them.

Out of 5 it follows that the first and second sensor lines 13, 14 are actually continuous and not just imaginary lines, preferably made of an electrically conductive material, in particular conductor tracks.

5 shows that the first sensor lines 13 are designed as conductor tracks and are arranged on the first carrier layer 12, the first sensor lines each contacting a plurality of first sensor components 18 and being connected to them. Each first sensor component is only contacted by a first sensor line 13 . The first sensor lines 13 are electrically insulated from one another.

It is not shown in more detail that the first and second sensor lines are arranged on a common carrier layer.

Furthermore, it is not shown in detail that the sensors 6 and/or the sensor components 18, 19 are connected to the first and/or the second sensor line 13, 14 via supply lines.

Furthermore, it is not shown that the sensor components 18, 19 are connected to the first or second sensor lines 13, 14, but cannot be arranged directly on the first and second sensor lines 13, 14. The sensor components 18, 19 can be connected to the first or second sensor lines 13, 14 by supply lines, which are designed in particular as conductor tracks. A sensor component 18, 19 can be connected to a first or a second sensor line 13, 14 via a feed line

In particular, each first sensor line 13 can be formed by a continuous first conductor track, with each second sensor line 14 being able to be formed by a continuous second conductor track. The first and second sensor lines 13, 14 can therefore be part of the first and second conductor tracks.

5 shows that the first sensor lines 13 and the second sensor lines 14 are also electrically insulated from one another and from one another. By overlapping the first and second sensor components 18, 19 sensors 6 can be formed.

The sensor components 18, 19 according to the embodiments 5 and 6 are shown, piezoresistive sensors 6 can form.

The conductor tracks of the first and second sensor lines 13, 14 can be 5 shown embodiment are contacted indirectly via the first and second sensor components 18, 19 in each sensor 6 with each other to form the piezoresistive behavior of the sensors 6.

In 4 It is shown that the first and second sensor lines 13, 14 are arranged at least substantially orthogonally to one another. The first sensor lines 13 can be arranged parallel to one another, with the second sensor lines also being able to be arranged parallel to one another as an alternative or in addition. The first sensor lines 13 and/or the second sensor lines 14 are preferably spaced equally from one another. Basically, it is also possible that there are different distances between the first and second sensor lines 13, 14.

In the 4 Sensors 6 shown can in particular have a size of approximately 16 mm ² each.

It is not shown in detail that a sensor component 18, 19 and/or sensor 6 can have an overall height or a thickness of at least 0.001 mm and in particular between 0.003 and 0.03 mm.

The sensors 6 shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiments are in particular piezoresistive sensors 6 or have a non-poled piezo material as the material.

5 and 6 show that the electrical conductor tracks of the first and second sensor lines 13, 14 can be connected to a voltage or an energy supply device 21. Provision can also be made for only the first or only the second sensor lines/conductor tracks 13, 14 to be supplied with an electrical voltage. In 6 is shown schematically that the first sensor lines 13 electrical voltage is supplied via the energy supply device 21, which can be discharged again via the second sensor lines 14. If required, this can be used to determine a voltage difference, which in turn can be processed in the processing unit 4 .

The sensor signal of the in 6 The sensor area 5 shown can be generated on the basis of a voltage difference and/or a voltage change at a sensor 6 formed by overlapping a first and a second sensor component 18, 19.

The sensors 6 of the sensor areas 5 can, in particular, detect and/or transmit the respective sensor signals independently of one another.

It is not shown in more detail that a sensor area 5 can have an area of at least 3000 cm ² and in particular 8000 cm ² +/- 40%. The length of the sensor area 5 can vary as a function of the monitoring area 3 and in particular can be 80 cm +/- 30%.

Also not shown in detail is that the control device 10 and/or the processing device 4 has a memory device for storing the sensor signals received by the transmission devices 9 and in particular already processed. The memory device can be used to take the stored measurement data into account for a later evaluation and/or for the initiating functions.

Preferably, the memory device and/or the processing device 4 can be designed such that the sensor signals received from a sensor area 5 are processed together in a period of time, in particular an uninterrupted time interval and/or in a defined period of time for a continuous movement. In particular, the data can be linked to one another in such a way that movement sequences and/or movement parameters, in particular the direction of movement, weight, stride length, step type, gait and/or speed of a person can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the storage device is designed to store movement sequences, movement parameters and/or other processing specifications.

In 7 is shown schematically that the spatial distances 15 between two sensors 6, each experiencing a load, can be determined. It is also shown schematically that a direction of movement (symbolized by arrows) can be determined. For example, in 7 three different directions of movement are shown. The actual direction of movement can be determined in the processing device 4 on the basis of the processed measurement data and in particular taking into account measurement data stored in the storage device 7 illustrated embodiment represented by a solid line.

Accordingly, the processing device 4 can be designed in such a way that the spatial distances 15 of the sensors 6 emitting the sensor signals can be determined during the processing of the sensor signals received from a sensor area 5 in a time interval. This can for example serve to determine the direction of movement and/or the step length of a person 2. Alternatively or additionally, this can also be provided to establish the detection of the presence of a plurality of people 2 in a sensor area 5 . It is not shown in more detail that this determination can also be used to determine whether the stride length exceeds and/or falls below a specified interval. For example, it can be determined whether several people 2 enter a monitored area 3 via an opening area 7 at the same time. In 7 it is shown that the person 2 has two feet, with the distance 15 and thus also the step length 15 being able to be determined.

It is not shown in more detail that as an alternative or in addition to the spatial distance, in particular step length 15, of the sensors 6 for determining a direction of movement and/or a step length 15 of a person and/or for detecting the presence of a plurality of people 2 in a sensor area 5, the time intervals of the sensor signals can be taken into account by the processing device 4. The processing device 4 can thus determine the assignment of a movement sequence, a movement direction and/or the step length 15 of a person 2, in particular on the basis of the stored sensor signals and the time intervals between the sensor signals and in particular also on the basis of the spatial intervals of the sensor signals. The sensor data or sensor signals can be transmitted to the processing device 4 in such a way that they contain information about their spatial position. This can be done, for example, by transmitting a sensor identification code that is associated with the determined measurement data. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that each sensor 6 is identifiable by the combination of the first and second sensor lines 13, 14 connected to the sensor 6, which are in particular designed as conductor tracks, because each sensor 6 can have a different combination of the each have first and second conductor tracks or sensor lines 13, 14 connected to the sensor 6. The processing device 4 can also be designed in such a way that it can assign a position to the sensor signals itself. Ultimately, the position assignment can take place in the processing device 4 and/or the control device 10 .

Also not shown is that the sensor areas 5 are components of a connected sensor area and in particular each form a sensor cluster or sensor area.

In particular, the sensors 6 of the sensor areas 5 can be designed and arranged in the sensor areas 5 in such a way that the movements and/or the direction of movement of a person 2 entering or leaving the monitoring area 3 can be recorded by processing the sensor signals sent to the processing device 4 in the processing device 4 can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the processing device 4 is designed in such a way that the sensor signals transmitted by the at least two sensor areas 5 arranged in the floor area 8 are transmitted centrally and/or jointly, preferably linked to one another and/or to one another, and/or independently of the sensor areas 5 are processable. In particular, the number of persons 2 in the monitoring area 3 can be determined by the, preferably central, processing of the sensor signals, in particular linked to one another, in the processing device 4 .

The persons 2, as for example in 1 are shown, a personal identification can be assigned. The personal identification can be determined by the processing device 4 on the basis of the weight, the step length 15, the type of step and/or the speed of the person 2. The stress intensities or the sensor signals can also be compared with person identifications previously stored for the person 2 or for the persons 2 of the processing device 4 . It is not shown in more detail that the person can also be identified by reading out an allocation means, for example an RFID card.

At a point in time t, the control device 10 for initiating functions and/or the processing device 4 for determining the specification for functions to be initiated can take into account sensor signals stored in the storage device in addition to the sensor signals received from the transmission devices 9 from the point in time t.

In 8th it is shown that sub-processing devices 16 are provided, which can be assigned to the sensor areas 5 . In particular, the sub-processing devices 16 can serve as so-called “slave devices” and be integrated in the sensor area 5 . The sub-processing device 16 can have an analog-to-digital converter, for example, in order to convert the analog sensor signals of the sensor area 5 into digital sensor signals. A first processing of the sensor signals can also take place in the sub-processing device 16 . The sub-processing device 16 can have transmission devices 9, which can be designed to transmit the sensor signals processed by the sub-processing device 16 to the processing device 4, which can serve as the master device. In the ver processing device 4, in particular the central processing of the sensor signals can then be taken over and preferably the different sensor signals from different sensor areas 5 can also be linked to one another to determine the number of people in the monitored area 3, in particular to determine the presence and number of people 2 in a monitored area 3 despite separate sensor areas 5 to be able to determine.

It is not shown in detail that the processing device 4 can also be cloud-based. It is also not shown that the processing device 4 is designed in such a way that it can adapt and/or change the processing specifications of the sensor signals when processing the sensor signals using artificial intelligence or using a chip that enables the implementation of artificial intelligence.

The sensor signals transmitted to the processing device 4 can be digital or analog. If the sensor signals are digital, it can be provided that either the sub-processing device 16 and/or the transmission device 9 has an analog/digital converter which converts the analog sensor signals into digital sensor signals. If analog sensor signals are to be transmitted to the processing device 4 , the processing device 4 itself can have an analog/digital converter which can be designed to convert the analog sensor signals into digital sensor signals for further processing in the processing device 4 .

It is not shown that the sub-processing device 16 can have an energy device for supplying energy to the sub-processing device 16, in particular a chargeable battery.

In addition, it is not shown that the processing device 4 can be connected to a control device 10 embodied as a smart home controller, in particular wirelessly, preferably via radio. This can be used, for example, to transmit the control specifications to the processing device 4 for initiating the functions on the smart home controller. In particular, the smart home controller can cause the functions to be initiated when the other devices 11 are activated, depending on the control signals. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the processing device 4 is designed as a component of a control device 10 designed as a smart home controller and/or itself comprises a control device 10 designed as a smart home controller.

In 9 a method for operating a system 1 according to one of the preceding embodiments is shown. The process can comprise process steps A) to E) and the optional process step F).

In method step A), it can be provided that two sensor areas 5 are provided—specifically in and/or near the opening area(s) 7 of a monitoring area 3. In addition, at least one processing device 4 is provided. The processing device 4 can be arranged inside or outside the surveillance area 3 .

In step B), the sensor areas 5 are coupled to the processing device 4 . The sensor areas 5 are designed in such a way that they can ensure the transmission of the sensor signals from the sensors 6 of the sensor areas 5 to the processing device 4, preferably by means of transmission devices 9.

In step C), the sensor signals are detected by at least one, preferably at least two, sensor areas 5 . For example, an acquisition is shown schematically in 1 shown.

The detected sensor signals can then be transmitted to the processing device 4 in step D), for example via a transmission device 9 assigned to the respective sensor area 5. The sensor signals can be transmitted either in digital or analog form.

In step E), the sensor signals are then processed in the processing device 4 . The processing can in particular take place centrally and/or independently of the sensor areas 5 . In particular, the sensor signals can be linked to one another and/or to one another during the processing. Older sensor signals can also be used. The processing takes place in such a way that the number of people 2 in the surveillance area 3 is determined.

In step F), which can optionally be provided, functions are initiated in dependence on the determined number of people 2 in the monitoring area 3, which functions can be executed in particular by other devices 11. The functions can be initiated in particular by forwarding and/or transmitting control signals from a control device 10 to the other devices 11 . However, the control signals can also be transmitted from the processing device 4 to the other devices 11 . The functions to be initiated can be specified both by the processing device 4 and/or by the control device 10 .

In step F), the functions to be initiated can depend in particular on the number of persons 2 determined.

After step D), it can be provided that the received and analog sensor signals are converted by the processing device 4 into digital sensor signals. In particular, an analog-to-digital converter can be used for this. In particular, the sensor signals detected in step C) are analog electrical voltage values that are converted into digital sensor signals by the processing device 4 .

Before step B) and/or C), the sensor areas 5, in particular the first and/or second conductor tracks of the sensor areas 5, can be supplied with electrical energy, in particular with electrical voltage. In particular, a piezoresistive measuring behavior of the sensors 6 can be provided.

The sensor signals ascertained in step C) can thus be detected by a change in resistance and/or voltage in the sensor areas 5 . Such a change in resistance and/or voltage can be caused by the loading of the sensor area 5 by a person 2 or by the weight of a person 2 .

The processing device 4 can determine the change in resistance by comparing the received voltage values, in particular with the change in resistance being able to relate to a specific sensor 6 whose spatial position is known.

The processing device 4 can also process the sensor signals in step E) in such a way that a comparison is made with movement sequences stored in the processing device 4 in order to determine a movement process. In particular, this can be done in such a way that entering, exiting and/or the direction of movement of a person 2 located on the sensor area 5 is detected.

Finally, in a further preferred embodiment, the processing device 4 can process the sensor signals in step E) in such a way that the movement processes, in particular movement processes and/or movement parameters, of different sensor areas 5 determined in particular in the time interval Δt are linked to one another. This enables the number of people 2 in the surveillance area 3 to be determined. In this way, the frequency of certain movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or the movement parameters, preferably the direction of movement, can preferably be determined in order to determine the number of people 2 in the monitored area 3 . More preferably, in a subsequent further processing step in the processing device 4, the frequencies of the movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, can be linked with one another and/or offset with one another.

The functions in step F) can be initiated with a time delay after the number of people 2 has been determined.

In addition, to determine a direction of movement of a person 2, the distances and/or the distance vectors of loaded sensors 6 in a sensor area 5 can be determined in a time interval Δt. This serves in particular to compare the determined distances and/or the distance vectors with a distance log, so that the movements of another person 2 can be recorded. Alternatively or additionally, this can also be used to determine the step length 15 of a person 2 who is in a sensor area 5 .

Reference List

1

system

2

person

3

surveillance area

4

processing device

5

sensor area

6

sensor

7

opening area

8th

floor area

9

transmission facility

10

control device

11

more devices

12

backing layer

13

first sensor line

14

second sensor line

15

inseam

16

sub-processor

17

further space opening area

18

first sensor component

19

second sensor component

20

further carrier layer 21 energy supply device

Claims (36)

System (1), in particular for integration into a smart home system and/or a smart home system, preferably for buildings, for determining a number of people (2) in a monitored area (3) with at least one processing device (4 ) and at least two sensor areas (5) each having a plurality of sensors (6) for detecting at least one chemical and/or physical property for generating a sensor signal, wherein the monitored area (3) has at least one opening area (7), in particular a window or a door, through which the monitored area (3) can be entered by a person (2), wherein the sensor areas (5) are arranged in the floor area (8) of the monitoring area (3), each sensor area (5) being assigned to an opening area (7), wherein the sensor areas (5) each have at least one transmission device (9), in particular transmission cables, for transmitting the sensor signals detected by the sensors (6) of the sensor areas (5) to the processing device (4), wherein the sensors (6) of the sensor areas (5) are designed and arranged in the sensor areas (5) in such a way that the number of people (2) in the monitored area (3) is determined by processing the sensor signals sent to the processing device (4) in the Processing device (4) can be determined. system after claim 1 , characterized in that the system (1) comprises a control device (10), wherein the processing device (4) is designed to transmit information to the control device (10) and wherein the control device (10) is designed to initiate functions, in particular wherein the functions can be initiated by the control device (10) depending on the specific number of people (2) in the monitoring area (3) transmitted by the processing device (4) to the control device (10), and/or that the processing device (4) designed to determine at least one specification of functions to be initiated, in particular the functions being able to be determined by the control device (10) and/or processing device (4) as a function of the specific number of people (2) in the monitoring area (3). system after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the functions of other devices (11), in particular smart home devices, integrated in the system (1) and/or in a smart home system that can be coupled to the system (1), preferably at least one heater , at least one lighting device, at least one entertainment device, in particular a loudspeaker device, can be implemented, in particular so that the further devices (11) can be controlled via the control device (10) depending on the specific number of people (2). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each opening area (7) designed as a door and/or each opening area (7) is assigned its own sensor area (5). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor areas (5) are provided spatially separated from one another. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one sensor area (5) is provided on each connected sensor layer, the at least two sensor areas (5) being designed as sensor layers, in particular sensor mats, which can be handled independently and/or are self-sufficient. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor layer has at least one, preferably two, carrier layer(s) (12) and on the carrier layer (12) a plurality of, preferably arranged in a matrix form, in particular printed, sensor components (18, 19) for forming sensors (6), in particular the sensors (6) being spaced differently from one another in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction, in particular of the sensor area (5) and/or in particular the sensors (6) being in relation to one another first sensor lines (13) aligned at least essentially parallel and spaced apart, preferably equally, and second sensor lines (14) aligned at least essentially parallel to one another and spaced apart, preferably equally, with, preferably, the first and the second sensor lines (13, 14) are aligned at least substantially orthogonally to one another. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the size of at least one sensor component (18, 19) and/or sensor (6), preferably each sensor component, is approximately 16 mm ² and/or that at least one sensor component (18, 19) and/or sensor (6), preferably each sensor (6), has a construction height or a thickness of at least 0.001 mm, preferably between 0.001 and 0.1 mm, more preferably between 0.003 and 0.03 mm. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (6) of the sensor areas (5) are piezoresistive sensors and/or that a sensor component (18, 19) and/or sensor (6) has a non-poled piezo material as the material. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sensor (6) of a sensor layer can be electrically contacted by at least two electrical conductor tracks and/or that each first sensor line (13) is contacted by a continuous first conductor track and that every second sensor line (14 ) is contacted by a continuous second conductor track and/or that the first sensor lines (13) are part of first conductor tracks and the second sensor lines (14) are part of second conductor tracks and/or that the sensor layer has a first carrier layer (12) and a plurality has first sensor components (18) printed on the first carrier layer (12) made of a first conductive material and a second carrier layer (20) and a plurality of second sensor components (19) printed on the second carrier layer (20) made of a second conductive material, the two carrier layers (12, 20) being arranged one on top of the other in such a way that the first and second sensor components (18, 19) make contact to form the preferably piezoresistive sensors (6). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor signal can be generated on the basis of a voltage difference and/or a voltage change at a sensor (6). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (6) of the sensor areas (5) detect the sensor signals independently of one another. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor area (5) has an area of at least 3000 cm ² , preferably at least 4000 cm ² , more preferably between 5,000 and 100,000 cm ² , and/or that the sensor area (5) has a , in particular maximum, length and/or a, in particular maximum, width of at least 80 cm +/- 30%. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (10) and/or the processing device (4) has a memory device for storing sensor signals received from the transmission devices (9) and in particular already processed in the processing device (4). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage device and/or the processing device (4) is/are designed in such a way that the sensor signals received from a sensor area (5) are received within a period of time, in particular an uninterrupted time interval and/or a defined Period of time for a continuous movement, are processed together, in particular in such a way linked to one another that movement sequences and/or movement parameters, in particular the direction of movement, the weight, the step length (15), the step and/or gait and/or the speed of the Person (2) can be determined, and/or that the storage device is designed to store movement sequences, movement parameters and/or other processing specifications. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when processing the sensor signals received from a sensor area (5) in a time interval, the spatial distances between the sensors (6) generating the sensor signals can be determined, in particular for determining a direction of movement and/or step length ( 15) a person (2) and/or for detecting the presence of a plurality of people (2) in a sensor area (5), in particular when the step length (15) exceeds or falls below a predetermined interval. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition or as an alternative to the spatial distance of the sensors (6) for determining a direction of movement and/or step length (15) of a person (2) and/or for detecting the presence of a plurality of people ( 2) the time intervals between the sensor signals can be taken into account by the processing device (4) on a sensor area (5). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor areas (5) are part of a coherent sensor surface and in particular each form a sensor cluster of the sensor surface. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors of the sensor areas (5) are designed and arranged in the sensor areas (5) in such a way that the movements and/or the direction of movement of a person entering the monitoring area (3) or entering the monitoring area (3 ) leave the person (2) can be determined by processing the sensor signals sent to the processing device (4) in the processing device (4) and/or that the processing device (4) is designed in such a way that the at least two sensor areas arranged in the floor area (8) (5) transmitted sensor signals can be processed centrally and/or jointly, preferably with one another and/or linked to one another, and/or independently of the sensor areas (5), in particular the number of people (2) in the monitored area (3) being determined by the, preferably central processing of the sensor signals that are in particular linked to one another can be determined in the processing device (4), with the frequency of certain movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, preferably the direction of movement, being used to determine the number of people (2) in the monitored area ( 3) can be determined and wherein, more preferably, the frequencies of the movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, are linked to one another and/or can be offset in the processing device (4). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the persons (2) can be assigned a person identification, in particular the person identification by the weight, the step length (15), the step type and/or the speed of the person (2) from the processing device (4) can be determined, preferably by comparing the stress intensities of the sensor signals with person identifications previously stored for the persons (2) in the processing device (4). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a point in time t the control device (10) for initiating functions and/or the processing device (4) for determining the specification of functions to be initiated in addition to the sensor signals received from the transmission devices (9). sensor signals stored in the memory device from time t are taken into account. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sensor area (5) has a sub-processing device (16) assigned to the sensor area (5), in particular integrated in the sensor area (5), in particular the sub-processing device (16) having the transmission device (9) of the sensor area (5) for the transmission of the sensor signals processed by the sub-processing device (16) to the processing device (4). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (4) is cloud-based and/or that the processing device (4) is designed in such a way that, when processing the sensor signals by means of artificial intelligence, it is possible to adapt and/or change the processing specifications of the sensor signals. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor signals transmitted to the processing device (4) are analog, the processing device (4) having an analog-to-digital converter which is preferably used to convert the analog sensor signals into digital sensor signals for further processing is formed in the processing device (4). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sub-processing device (16) has an energy device for supplying energy to the sub-processing device (16), in particular a chargeable battery. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (4) can be connected to a control device (10) designed as a smart home controller, in particular wirelessly, preferably via radio, preferably for transmitting the control specifications of the processing device (4) for initiating the functions on the smart home controller, in particular with the smart home controller initiating the functions by controlling the other devices (11) depending on the control signals, and/or that the processing device (4) as part of a designed as a smart home controller control device (10) and / or itself designed as a smart home controller control device (10) comprises. Method for operating a system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following method steps, which are carried out in particular one after the other: A) Providing at least two sensor areas (5) at and/or in the vicinity of opening areas (7) a surveillance area (3) and at least one processing device (4); B) coupling the sensor areas (5) to the processing device (4) for transmitting the sensor signals from the sensor areas (5) to the processing device (4); C) Detection of sensor signals by at least one, preferably at least two, sensor area(s) (5); D) transmission of the detected sensor signals to the processing device (4); E) processing, preferably central processing and/or processing independently of the sensor areas (5), of sensor signals from at least two different sensor areas (5) linked to one another and/or to one another, the sensor signals in the processing device (4) in order to determine a number of persons ( 2) in a surveillance area (3); F) optional: initiation of functions, in particular executed by further devices (11), by the processing device (4) and/or the control device (10), in particular by means of transmission of control signals to further devices (11) for controlling further devices (11 ) to execute the functions. procedure after Claim 27 , characterized in that the functions in step F) are selected depending on the determined number of people (2). procedure after Claim 27 or 28 , characterized in that after step D) the received analog sensor signals are converted by the processing device (4) into digital sensor signals, in particular wherein the sensor signals detected in step C) are analog electrical voltage values which are converted by the processing device (4) into digital sensor signals being transformed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before step B) and/or C) the sensor areas (5), in particular the first and/or second conductor tracks of the sensor areas (5), are supplied with electrical energy, in particular electrical voltage become. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step C) the sensor signals are detected by a change in resistance and/or voltage in the sensor areas (5), preferably on a sensor (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (4) determines changes in resistance by comparing the received voltage values, in particular with the determined changes in resistance each relating to a sensor (6). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (4) processes the sensor signals in step E) in such a way that a comparison with movement sequences stored in the processing device (4) for determining a movement process takes place, in particular in such a way that stepping on , leaving and/or detecting the direction of movement of a person (2) located on a sensor area (5). procedure after Claim 33 , characterized in that the processing device (4) processes the sensor signals in step E) in such a way that the movement processes, in particular movement processes and/or movement parameters, of different sensor areas (5) determined, in particular in a time interval Δt, are linked with one another, so that the number of people (2) in the monitored area (3) is determined, with the frequency of certain movement processes, in particular movement sequences and/or movement parameters, preferably the direction of movement, being used to determine the number of people (2) in the monitored area (3) is determined and wherein, more preferably, in a subsequent further processing step in the processing device (4), the frequencies of the movement processes, in particular movement processes and/or movement parameters, are linked with one another and/or offset. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functions in step F) are initiated with a time delay after the number of people (2) has been determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to determine a direction of movement of a person (2), distances and/or distance vectors of loaded sensors (6) and/or sensors (6) of a sensor area (5) are determined in a time interval Δt, in particular wherein the determined distances and/or distance vectors are compared with a distance protocol, so that the movements of another person (2) can be excluded.

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