EP3904762A1 - System for counting objects - Google Patents

Abstract

Object counting system for detecting the number of visitors and / or the filling level of people in a closed room such as a building, a shop or the like, with a plurality of system components which comprise an optical object detection device and a data processing unit connected to it, characterized in that the object counting system has connection means by means of which the object counting system can be mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the infrastructure of a light strip extending essentially in a longitudinal direction.

Description

The invention is based on an object counting system, in particular for detecting the number of visitors and / or the fill level of people in a closed room such as a building, a shop or the like, or for detecting objects in a logistics or production area, with a plurality of system components that include an optical object detection device and a data processing unit connected thereto. Such an object counting system is known, for example, from DE 10 2016 107 675 A1 .

Object counting systems are being used more and more, for example in airports, trade fair buildings, shops, etc. On the basis of the object or visitor counting data determined, business decisions such as personnel deployment planning or product availability can be made more efficiently. A problem with object counting systems, however, is often the accommodation or arrangement of the system, which must be located in a passage area for entering and leaving the closed space in order to accurately record the number of people and visitor frequency. Entrance areas are, however, often already occupied by other facilities such as vestibules, barriers or the like and should also give the visitor an aesthetic impression. In addition, visitors or customers may find that they are obviously being monitored and are rejected. There is therefore a need for a visually appealing or inconspicuous object counting system that can be installed at the same time without great effort.

It is therefore the objectively technical object of the invention to improve an object counting system in such a way that it can be installed easily and blends in with its surroundings in an optically inconspicuous manner.

The object is achieved by an object counting system with the features of claim 1. The subordinate claim 11 relates to a corresponding light strip and the subordinate claim 14 relates to a corresponding strip of light. The dependent claims each relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, it is provided that the object counting system has connection means by means of which the object counting system can be mechanically coupled to the infrastructure and / or to a current and / or data-carrying system of the infrastructure of a light strip extending essentially in a longitudinal direction. The overall system is used to count objects or people and can be implemented in the form of a modular and / or expandable LED light bar and a 3D people counter. In order to integrate the object counting system easily and completely without tools into existing light installations, the system components can be designed in such a way that they can be detachably clipped into the light strips.

The connection means can comprise at least one fastening adapter on which the system components are mounted, the fastening adapter having fastening means for detachable fastening to a component receiving profile of the light strip.

Furthermore, the fastening means can have at least two latching lugs for fastening, in particular latching, of the fastening adapter to fixing projections of the component receiving profile which are opposite in the transverse direction of the light strip. The locking lugs can, for example, be introduced vertically into the component receiving profile from above. The component receiving profile can also be open on its long sides. The latching lugs can therefore alternatively be pushed onto the fixing projections via one of the longitudinal openings as far as their destination.

In addition, each of the system components can have a separate fastening adapter with separate fastening means. The data processing unit can, for example, be fastened, for example screwed or glued, to a fastening adapter designed as a holding frame. The holding frame can have a rectangular body with, in particular four, fastening arms each protruding in the longitudinal direction from the corners of the body. Latching lugs for engaging behind the fixing projections formed in the component receiving profile can be arranged at the ends of the fastening arms. The data processing unit can be fixed on the holding frame so that the fastening arms protrude beyond the data processing unit in the longitudinal direction of the light bar. At the same time, the component receiving profile can have lateral recesses in the area of the data processing unit in that the legs of the profile are cut out there. This makes it possible to ensure good accessibility to the data processing unit. At the same time, a secure attachment of the data processing unit to the Component receiving profile ensured by the fact that the fastening arms protrude beyond the recesses and there engage behind the fixing projections.

In addition, the fastening adapter of the object detection device can have a U-shaped bracket spanning the object detection device in the longitudinal direction of the light bar, which has cross struts each having fastening means on both sides of the object detection device for engaging behind the opposing fixing projections of the component receiving profile. The object detection device can be screwed to the U-bracket. The cross struts can be designed as clip-in metal clips and screwed to fastening straps that are bent perpendicularly from the U-bracket. In the transverse direction of the light strip, the metal clips can each have edges or latching lugs protruding at the end for engaging behind the fixing projections.

Furthermore, the component receiving profile can have an essentially U-shaped cross section, between the legs of which the system components can be received, wherein the fixing projections can be arranged on the legs and point towards the inside of the essentially U-shaped profile. The fixing projections can be designed as a fold over the legs of the component receiving profile, which is directed towards the inside. The folds do not take place up to the base of the U-profile, so that the fixing projections can be formed undercut as a result. When inserting the fastening adapters from the top of the legs of the profile, they must be pressed down over the fixing projections while applying a slight tension so that they snap into the undercuts below after overcoming the fixing projections. The fastening adapters can easily be released again from the component receiving profile by bending the legs of the profile apart and / or by pressing down the fixing projections onto the associated leg.

The connection means can furthermore comprise a contact plug for electrically coupling the object counting system to the power supply of the light strip. The connection to the existing infrastructure of the light strip can thus be made by clicking the contact plug into the supply lines arranged in the mounting rail when the component receiving profile is attached to an associated mounting rail. The supply lines can be a power line via which a data connection to a network can be set up.

The connection means can be coupled without tools for the purpose of electrically and / or mechanically coupling the object counting system to the infrastructure of the light strip. This means that the object counting system can be installed in a particularly simple manner. For example, existing light bar systems can also be converted without any problems.

The system components of the object counting system can also include a power line network adapter, via which the object counting system can be connected to a network via the power supply of the light strip. Here, the person detection unit, in particular a 3D person recognition sensor, can be connected to electricity as well as D-Lan, i.e. a network carried over the power line, via two wires. If two further lines are available, these can also be used as a dedicated D-Lan connection. This enables greater distances to be bridged in terms of cable length and higher transfer rates in network communication. Furthermore, the number and selection of system components can be selected modularly depending on the application. For example, additional sensors of any kind can also be integrated into the object counting system and attached to the component receiving profile using appropriate attachment adapters. For example, sensors for determining the air quality, thermal sensors, multifunctional sensors or Bluetooth beacons, which can also be connected to the data processing unit via a power and data connection, are conceivable.

Furthermore, the power line network adapter can have a power supply unit for converting the voltage of the power supply of the light strip to the voltage of the object counting system. The data processing unit can be supplied with power via the power supply unit and in turn supply the person detection unit with power, in particular by means of a USB 3.0 cable. Both the power supply unit for the computer unit and the power line network adapter can be supplied with power via the 230V power lines. Optionally, an isolated network signal can be connected via two additional wires. The power line network adapter and the power supply unit can be housed together in a housing that can be easily clipped into the light bar. In order to make this possible, the housing has four fastening arms at its corners in the longitudinal direction of the light strip, on which locking lugs are arranged at the ends. This allows the locking lugs to slide behind the edged fixing projections of the component receiving profile and thus fix the housing. To remove the housing, the ends of the flexible mounting arms can be bent slightly inwards so that the corners loosen.

The invention also relates to a light strip with an object counting system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light strip can comprise a component receiving profile with the system components of the object counting system received therein. For example, the component receiving profile can be attached directly to a building structure, in particular suspended. In this alternative, the power supply can be guided directly in the component receiving profile. A power and / or data connection to the data processing unit can be established by inserting the fastening adapter provided for the data processing unit into the component receiving profile. In this case, contacts of the fastening adapter engage in the component receiving profile designed as a busbar, which in turn is electrically connected to the data processing unit. The light bar can furthermore have a mounting rail for fastening the light bar to a building structure, wherein the component receiving profile can be fastened to the mounting rail via fixing means. With this alternative, the power supply can be guided in the mounting rail. The fixing means can be a retaining spring which has a base section for mounting on the component receiving profile and two retaining sections extending vertically away from the base section. A holding projection can be provided on each of the holding sections, the holding sections opposite one another in the transverse direction of the light strip being movable towards one another in the transverse direction starting from an initial position against a spring force acting in the transverse direction. The support rail can also have an essentially U-shaped profile which, after the component receiving profile has been installed, encloses an interior space with it. The support rail can also have fastening projections on the legs of the U-profile, which are designed such that the fastening projection of one side wall extends in the transverse direction towards the respective opposite side wall. When the component receiving profile is mounted on the mounting rail, the component receiving profile is thus moved vertically towards the mounting rail. The retaining sections of the retaining springs each have a connection to the base section that is resilient in the transverse direction, so that the retaining sections can be deflected in the transverse direction when they are inserted past the fastening projection into the support rail, the retaining projections of the retaining sections after vertically passing the fastening projections on the side walls snap into the mounting rail behind these fastening projections, whereby the component receiving profile is fixed to the mounting rail.

The contact plug fixed on the component receiving profile can be inserted into a complementary contact plug receptacle arranged in the mounting rail by fastening the component receiving profile on the mounting rail, so that the object counting system with a current and / or data-carrying system housed in the mounting rail Light bar is contacted. For this purpose, the contact plug can have plug-in contacts which point vertically upwards in accordance with the assembly direction of the component receiving profile.

The optical person detection unit can be aligned to a detection area below the light bar through at least one opening in the component receiving profile. The lightweight strip can in particular have three openings, which can each be assigned to an optical element of the person detection unit.

The invention further relates to a light strip with a plurality of light strips connected in the longitudinal direction, at least one of which has an object counting system according to one of Claims 1 to 10. Light strips are used, for example, in warehouses, production halls or supermarkets. So that these lights can be used in a correspondingly wide range of applications, these lights can have a modular structure. For this purpose, a plurality of support rails can be attached to a room ceiling in the longitudinal direction adjacent to one another in such a way that the open end of the cross section of the support rails points away from the ceiling towards the room. To implement the elongated lights or light strips, the mounting rails can be arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction and connected to one another via a connector, so that the mounting rails are fixed in their relative position to one another by the connector.

With the light strip, all connected light strips can be coupled to one another via the same power and / or data-carrying system.

• Fig. 1 eine Ausführungsform eines Objektzählsystems in perspektivischer Darstellung;
• Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Kontaktbereichs einer Ausführungsform eines Objektzählsystems in perspektivischer Darstellung;
• Fig. 3 eine Detailansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Netzteil- bzw. Netzwerkadaptergehäuses in Explosionsdarstellung;
• Fig. 4 eine vergrößerte Ansicht einer Objekterfassungseinrichtung einer Ausführungsform eines Objektzählsystems in perspektivischer Darstellung;
• Fig. 5a/b eine Detailansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Befestigungsadapters für die Objekterfassungseinrichtung;
• Fig. 6 eine Detailansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Datenverarbeitungseinheit eines Objektzählsystems in perspektivischer Darstellung;
• Fig. 7 eine Ansicht einer Unterseite eines Komponentenaufnahmeprofils in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the following figures. It shows:

• Fig. 1 an embodiment of an object counting system in a perspective view;
• Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the contact area of an embodiment of an object counting system in a perspective illustration;
• Fig. 3 a detailed view of an embodiment of a power supply or network adapter housing in an exploded view;
• Fig. 4 an enlarged view of an object detection device of an embodiment of an object counting system in a perspective illustration;
• Figure 5a / b a detailed view of an embodiment of a fastening adapter for the object detection device;
• Fig. 6 a detailed view of an embodiment of a data processing unit of an object counting system in a perspective illustration;
• Fig. 7 a view of an underside of a component receiving profile in a perspective illustration.

In Figure 1 an object counting system 1 is shown, which is mounted in a component receiving profile 6 of a light strip 3. The object counting system has a power supply unit 9 and a power line network adapter 10 as system components 2, which are housed together in a housing and are electrically connected to a contact plug 8 mounted adjacent in the component receiving profile 6. The object counting system 1 also has, as system components 2, an optical object detection device 7, which is a 3D person recognition sensor, and a data processing unit 11, which is designed as a single-board computer and is electrically connected to the power supply unit 9 and via a data line to the power line network adapter 10. The person registration unit is also electrically coupled to the data processing unit 7 via a USB connection and for data transmission. The fastening adapter of the object detection device 7 has a U-shaped retaining bracket 23 spanning the object detection device 7 in the longitudinal direction, to which the object detection device 7 is fastened by means of fastening screws 26. The component receiving profile 6 has a U-shaped cross section, in the interior 18 of which the system components 2 and the contact plug 8 are received. The legs 16 of the component receiving profile 6 are folded inward and thereby form opposing fixing projections 17 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the component receiving profile 6 and to which the system components 2 are attached via fastening adapters 12. Furthermore, retaining springs 20 are mounted on the component receiving profile 6, which allow the component receiving profile 6 to be mounted on a mounting rail 5 without tools.

Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the contact plug 8, which is a connection means 4 of the object counting system 1, as well as that which is electrically connected to the contact plug 8 Power supply 9 or power line network adapter 10. It can be seen that the intended plug-in direction of the contact plug 8 points vertically upwards, so that when the component receiving profile 6, which is equipped with the object counting system 1, is installed on a mounting rail 5, the contact plug 8 automatically is plugged in. As a result, only one movement is necessary to connect the object counting system 1 to the existing infrastructure of a light strip 3. The infrastructure includes in particular the mechanical connection and the connection to the power supply of the light strip 3 or the connection to a data connection routed via the power supply. The retaining springs 20 which snap into the support rail 5 also permit tool-free assembly.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the housing for accommodating the power supply unit 9 and the power line network adapter 10. This has an upper housing part 25 and a lower housing part 19, which are screwed together. The housing is formed integrally with the fastening adapter 12 provided for the system components 2, power supply unit 9 and power line network adapter 10. For this purpose, fastening means 13 are formed on the underside of the housing 19, which as fastening arms extend away from the housing in the longitudinal direction at the outer edges of the housing and each have latching lugs 14 at the ends of the fastening arms. The latching lugs 14 are formed as corners which are molded onto the fastening arms and point outward in the transverse direction. When the housing is inserted into the component receiving profile 6, these locking lugs 14 engage behind the fixing projections 17 and thereby fix the housing in the component receiving profile 6 will.

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the person detection unit 7, which is fastened to a U-shaped bracket 23 by means of fastening screws 26. The U-bracket spans the person detection unit 7, which is directed with its detection sensors to the underside of the component receiving profile 6, which has corresponding openings 21. In the longitudinal direction on the outer sides of the U-shaped bracket 23, this has horizontally beveled fastening tabs 27, to which transverse struts 24 are screwed, which in turn are fixed by means of locking lugs 14 on the fixing projections 17 on both sides. the Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the components realizing the fastening adapter 12 for the object detection device 7, on the one hand the U-shaped bracket 23 with horizontally folded fastening tabs 27 and on the other hand the fastening tabs 27 on both sides Screwed cross struts 24. The cross struts 24 have a flat fastening section on which a bore 28 is provided for fixing to the fastening tabs 27 and latching sections which are canted upward on both sides in the transverse direction and on each of which two latching lugs 14 are formed for engaging behind the fixing projections 17. Furthermore, prestressing sections are bent downward on both sides of the fastening section in the longitudinal direction, which are dimensioned such that the person detection unit 7 is held in the component receiving profile 6 with the prestressing required for fixing.

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a data processing unit 11 mounted on a fastening adapter 12, which has four USB connections 29 and a connection 30 for a network plug. The fastening adapter 12 comprises a frame for carrying the data processing unit 11 and, in the same way as in the case of the power supply unit 9 or the power line network adapter 10, fastening arms 13 which extend in the longitudinal direction and which have latching lugs 14 at their ends that point outwards in the transverse direction for fixing of the data processing unit 11 in the component receiving profile 6.

Figure 7 shows the rear side of the component receiving profile 6 with system components 2 mounted therein including the object detection device 7. The component receiving profile 6 has openings 21 assigned to the optical detection means of the object detection device 7, through which the object detection device can be aligned to an area below the mounted light bar.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential for realizing the invention both individually and in any combination.

List of reference symbols

1.

Object counting system

2.

System components

3.

Light bar

4th

Connection means

5.

Mounting rail

6th

Component receiving profile

7th

Object detection device

8th.

Contact plug

9.

power adapter

10.

Powerline network adapter

11.

Data processing unit

12th

Mounting adapter

13th

Fasteners

14th

Locking lug

15th

Click connector

16.

leg

17th

Fixing protrusion

18th

Inside component mounting profile

19th

Housing bottom

20th

fixer

21.

opening

22nd

Light band

23

U-shaped bracket

24.

Cross braces

25th

Housing top

26th

Fastening screw

27

Fastening tab

28.

drilling

29

USB connection

30th

Network connection

Claims (15)

Object counting system (1), in particular for detecting the number of visitors and / or the filling level of people in a closed room such as a building, a shop or the like, or for detecting objects in a logistics or production area, with a plurality of system components (2) which have an optical object detection device (7) and a data processing unit (11) connected to it, characterized in that the object counting system (1) has connection means (4) by means of which the object counting system (1) is mechanically connected to the infrastructure and / or to a current and / or data-carrying system of the infrastructure of a light strip (3) extending essentially in a longitudinal direction can be coupled. Object counting system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connection means (4) comprise at least one fastening adapter (12) on which the system components (2) are mounted, the fastening adapter (12) fastening means (13) for detachable fastening to a component receiving profile (6 ) the light bar (3). Object counting system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the fastening means (13) have at least two latching lugs (14) for fastening, in particular latching, the fastening adapter (12) to fixing projections (17) of the component receiving profile (6) opposite in the transverse direction of the light strip (3) . Object counting system (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, each of the system components (2) having a separate fastening adapter (12) with separate fastening means (13). Object counting system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fastening adapter (12) of the object detection device (7) has a U-shaped bracket (23) spanning the object detection device (7) in the longitudinal direction of the light strip (3) and which is on both sides of the object detection device (7) Fastening means (13) having cross struts (24) for engaging behind the opposing fixing projections (17) of the component receiving profile (6). Object counting system (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, the component receiving profile (6) having an essentially U-shaped cross section, between the legs (16) of which the system components (2) can be received are, wherein the fixing projections (17) are arranged on the legs (16) and point to the inside (18) of the essentially U-shaped profile (6). Object counting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means (4) comprise a contact plug (8) for coupling the object counting system (1) to a current and / or data-carrying system of the light strip (3). Object counting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connection means (4) for coupling the object counting system (1) to the infrastructure of the light strip (3) can be coupled without tools. Object counting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system components (2) of the object counting system (1) further comprise a power line network adapter (10) via which the object counting system (1) can be connected to a network via the power supply of the light strip (3) is. Object counting system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the power line network adapter (10) has a power supply unit (9) for converting the voltage of the power supply of the light strip (3) to the voltage of the object counting system (1). Light bar (3) with an object counting system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light bar (3) comprises a component receiving profile (6) with the system components (2) of the object counting system (1) received therein. Light bar according to Claim 11, which further comprises a support rail (5) for fastening the light bar (3) to a building structure, the component receiving profile (6) being fastened to the support rail (5) via fixing means (20). Light bar (3) according to claim 12, wherein the contact plug (8) fixed on the component receiving profile (6) is inserted into a complementary contact plug receptacle arranged in the support rail (5) by fastening the component receiving profile (6) to the support rail (5), so that the The object counting system (1) is in contact with a current-carrying and / or data-carrying system of the light strip (3) accommodated in the mounting rail (5). Light strip (22) with a plurality of light strips (3) connected in the longitudinal direction, at least one of which has an object counting system (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10. Light strip (22) according to claim 14, wherein all connected light strips (3) are coupled to one another via the same current and / or data-carrying system.

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