WO2017048148A1

WO2017048148A1 - Monitoring a flow of objects by a sim card detector

Info

Publication number: WO2017048148A1
Application number: PCT/RU2015/000587
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ivan Vladimirovich KOLCHIN
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2015-09-17
Filing date: 2015-09-17
Publication date: 2017-03-23

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for monitoring a flow of objects comprising at least one SIM card detector adapted to detect one or more SIM cards and an object monitoring system adapted to process data received from the SIM card detector. The SIM card detector detects at least one object of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card carried by the at least one object and provides data corresponding to the detected SIM card to the object monitoring system. The object monitoring system receives the data that comprises information about the detected SIM card, and processes the received data such that the detected object that carries a SIM card is identified and recognized by the system, i.e. the system can distinguish the detected SIM card from other SIM cards.

Description

MONITORING A FLOW OF OBJECTS BY A SIM CARD DETECTOR

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to monitoring a flow of objects, e.g. human beings, carrying SIM cards, particularly to effectively managing the flow of objects by determining a number of objects passing by one or more specified points, as well as for studying of specific routes of objects.

The monitoring of a passenger flow in areas like stations of public transport, e.g. railway stations, bus stations etc., is of increasing interest. First, it is essential for transportation agencies to collect information about passenger flow. Second, the population and flow of persons are critical aspects for public security.

Nowadays these problems are solved by using manual counting of persons, either on-board of, for example, a train or at the platform, ticket based counting, or automatic passenger counting. The automatic passenger counting might include two approaches, namely weighting of the load of the train or bus to estimate the number of passengers as well as utilizing infra-red sensors on each door to count the passengers, as disclosed in RU 2304809.

The specific problem of public security can be solved by manually checking of passports or other identification documents, by utilizing biometrical means like finger prints or retina scans, and by video surveillance systems with continuous control by men. Additionally, the video system can be equipped with motion sensors and/or face detectors and recognition systems. Moreover, metal detectors are used to increase public security.

In general, the existing ways of monitoring of a passengers flow that includes passenger counting and public security arrangements are complex, time consuming, costly and require continuous manual control.

In the light of the forgoing discussion, it is evident that there is a strong need of an efficient and inexpensive method and system for monitoring a passenger flow, especially in areas with flows of high density and/or in public areas, that would allow improving the process of flow management and increasing public security.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a more accurate and easy way of monitoring a flow of objects.

The object is solved by a system as defined in claim 1 and by a method as defined in claim 13.

Consequently, the present invention provides a system suitable for monitoring a flow of objects that has a plurality of components. The components comprise at least one SIM card detector, which is adapted to detect one or more SIM cards, for detecting at least one object of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card carried by the at least one object. The system also comprises an object monitoring system which is adapted to receive data which includes data from the SIM card detector, wherein the data comprises information about the detected SIM card. Moreover, the object monitoring system is adapted to process the received data such that the detected object that carries a SIM card is recognized by the system.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for monitoring a flow of objects by monitoring at least one object of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card carried by the at least one object. According to the method, initially a SIM card is detected by a SIM card detector. Then a data corresponding to the detected SIM card is provided by the SIM card detector and processed by the object monitoring system, such that every detected object that carries a SIM card is recognized. The data corresponding to the detected SIM card comprises a plurality of data elements and contains information about the detected SIM card.

The present invention is based on the insight that at present time almost every person carries a mobile device, e.g. a phone or other gadget, when moving in public areas, wherein the mobile device is typically equipped with a SIM card. Thus, a flow of persons can be evaluated with high accuracy by means of a SIM card detector. SIM card detectors are well known (e.g. CN 203221030 U "Automatic detection device for SIM card"). The data received by the SIM card detector can be used for different purposes such as planning and scheduling adjustments, providing alternative ways as well as improvements of service quality.

Such a system and method can be used in public areas like stations for public transport, e.g. railway stations, bus stations etc., shopping centres and other places, preferably with a limited number of access points, for example in case access to those areas is only through doors. Consequently, the system might be installed and the method would be used at such access points.

Thus, the invention can be used to effectively monitor a flow of people to make effective use of public infrastructure like public transport and other public places with large flows of visitors, clients, passengers such as airports, shopping centers, child care centres, stadiums, schools, cultural and entertainment facilities etc.

In addition this invention allows increasing the security level. Also this invention can be used for finding stolen objects as long as they are equipped with a SIM card, including mobile devices. The stolen object can be tracked using the proposed method and system such that it can be found easily.

Also this invention can be used as a part of pass-entry system to provide access to business centers, offices, schools, etc. A person wishing to enter such an entity can be recognized via detecting that person's SIM card. Access can be allowed according to predefined access rules based on matching the data received from the SIM card detector to the predefined list or database that are being stored inside or outside of the object monitoring system.

Further embodiments of the present invention are subject of the further sub- claims and of the following description, referring to the drawings.

In a possible embodiment the system can comprise at least one video camera for making visual representation of the flow of objects, when at least one SIM card is detected by the SIM card detector, wherein the visual representation is provided to the object monitoring system for further processing. This allows assigning the data corresponding to the detected SIM card and video records of an area around the SIM card detector at the moment in time when the SIM card is detected. The system can comprise of as many video cameras as needed to provide good video recording of sufficient area around the SIM card detector to make sure that the object carrying the detected SIM card is imaged on at least one of the visual representations provided by the video cameras.

In one embodiment such a visual representation can be a snap shot that is made when at least one SIM card is detected by the SIM card detector. The snap shot is further provided to the object monitoring system for assigning it to the data corresponding to the detected SIM card. This allows getting a photo of the flow of objects and further visual identification of the object that carries the SIM card.

In another embodiment the visual representation can be a video sequence that is made within the period of time before and after the moment when the SIM card was detected by the SIM card detector. A precondition for this would be that the video clip is recorded continuously. As soon as a SIM card is detected, the moment of the SIM card detection is pointed on the continuous video clip and a video sequence of a given duration is extracted from the continuous video clip is. The sequence covers a period of time before and after the pointed moment in time when the SIM card was detected. Therefore it allows receiving a more complete picture of what is happening in the monitored area.

In a possible embodiment the object monitoring system can be connected with an information system, which comprises further data related to SIM card holders and, in the ideal scenario, to a holder of the detected SIM card. Furthermore the object monitoring system is adapted to receive the further data from and/or to send the received data from the detected SIM card to the information system.

This allows arranging an exchange of information between the object monitoring system and other information systems such as databases of mobile operators, internet search engines, electronic ticketing systems, and other surveillance systems.

The further data that can be received by the object monitoring system can comprise different sort of information, for example data about an object that carries the detected SIM card, for example about a mobile device, about a holder of the detected SIM card, about preferences of a holder, etc.

In one embodiment such further data received from the information system can comprise data related to a holder of the detected SIM card, for example preferences of the holder, his tickets, rights to access different places, his purchases, medical information etc. This allows compiling a set of data related to the object with the detected SIM card for different purposes e.g. for public security, for providing targeted advertisement, for access controlling functions.

Furthermore the further data received from the information system can comprise personally identifiable information such that the holder of the detected SIM card can be identified, contacted, or located. The personally identifiable information can contain any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as a name, a social security number, date and place of birth, a mother's maiden name, or biometric records, and/or any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual, such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information, etc. By identifying distinctly a SIM card holder in public places the system can be used to increase public security in an effective way.

In another embodiment the object monitoring system is adapted to match the received data from the SIM card detector and/or the further data received from the information system with each other and/or with data from a data store of the object monitoring system. The benefit of this feature is the ability of the system not only to accumulate different types of data related to the SIM card, but also to analyze them and to create data profiles for each detected SIM card.

In a possible embodiment the information about the detected SIM card can contain a SIM card serial number of the detected SIM card that allows identifying a SIM card holder.

In a possible embodiment the system comprises more than one SIM card detector, wherein at least two of them that are located in different places. Each one of the detectors is adapted for detecting at least one object of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card carried by the at least one object. E.g. in case two or even more SIM card detectors which are located at different places recognize the same SIM card and object, respectively, the route of the object can be traced. Furthermore the object monitoring system is adapted to process the received data from these SIM card detectors such that every detected object that carries a SIM card is recognized and can be observed by the system over time. Therefore the flow of objects that carries at least one SIM card can be defined on every point where the SIM card detectors are installed and flows of the objects between every pair of SIM card detectors can be defined as well.

In one embodiment the method can comprise a step of matching the transferred data to the data filed in a data store. Results of such matching can be used for purposes of identification of a SIM card holder, of SIM card holder's preferences, or for identification of a mobile device declared as a stolen one etc. In addition matching the transferred data with the existing data allows determining the past location of the detected SIM card, therefore allows tracking and tracing this SIM card along its ways.

In one embodiment the method can comprise a step of making a visual representation of the flow of objects after a SIM card has been detected, wherein the visual representation is assigned to the data corresponding to the detected SIM card. Such visual representation can be of different types, e.g. a video sequence or a snapshot. It will allow creating a more complete picture about the objects that carries the detected SIM card and about the flow of objects at the moment of the SIM card detection.

In another embodiment the method can comprise a step of sending the data corresponding to the detected SIM card to an information system and/or a step of receiving further data from the information system. Sending data to an information system allows processing the data outside by third-party's systems. Receiving further data from the information systems allows compiling a more comprehensive data profile related to the detected SIM card.

Furthermore the further data received from the information system can comprise personally identifiable information such that a holder of the SIM card can be identified, contacted, or located. The personally identifiable information can contain any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as a name, a social security number, date and place of birth, a mother's maiden name, or biometric records, and/or any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual, such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information, etc. By identifying distinctly a SIM card holder in public places the method can be used to increase public security in an effective way.

In a possible embodiment the information system is an electronic ticketing system. The connection between the object monitoring system and an electronic ticketing system allows arranging a flow of objects in a more effective way, for example inside an airport, a railway station etc., using this method in conjunction with other information systems for example for the purposes of passenger registration. Especially this will work in conjunction with another embodiment of the method that comprises a step of matching the data corresponding to the detected SIM card with the further data received from the information system.

In a possible embodiment the method can comprise a step of generating a report when a match occurs. This embodiment allows generating different types of reports, for example alarming reports that are in great demand for security purposes especially in public places.

In another embodiment the method is based on SIM card detection by more than one SIM card detector, wherein at least two of them are located in different places. The data provided by the SIM card detectors are processed such that every detected object that carries a SIM card is recognized and observed over time. That allows not only monitoring of the flow of the objects, but tracing the objects by the system over time.

In a possible embodiment the method can comprise a step of determining flows of the objects that carry at least one SIM card, on every point where a SIM card detector is installed and flows of the objects between every pair of SIM card detectors. That allows calculating not only input and output flows for each particular point where a SIM card detector is installed, but also defining vectors of object flows. For example, these objects can be passengers or visitors or clients.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram of another embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practice without these specific details.

Fig.l illustrates a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system for monitoring a flow of objects that comprises a SIM car detector 1 and an object monitoring system 2.

The SIM card detector 1 is adapted to detect one or more SIM cards and detects at least one object 3 of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card 4 carried by the at least one object. The SIM card detector 1 is adapted to provide data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4, which comprises information about the detected SIM card 4. Such data provided by the SIM card detector 1 can contain, for example, a SIM card serial number of the detected SIM card 4. The data provided by the SIM car detector 1 is received by the object monitoring system 2.

The object monitoring system 2 receives the data that comprises information about the detected SIM card 4, and processes the received data such that the detected object 3 that carries a SIM card 4 is identified and recognized by the system, i.e. the system can distinguish the detected SIM card from other SIM cards.

The system shown in Fig.l works as follows: a person 3 carrying a SIM card 4, which can be, for example, the SIM card the person's 3 mobile phone, passes the SIM card detector 1 which might be located at the entrance of a metro station. Then the SIM card detector 1 detects the SIM card 4 by obtaining data that is contained on the detected SIM card 4, which might include a SIM card serial number. After that the SIM card detector 1 transfers the data, for example the serial number of the detected SIM card 4, to the object monitoring system 2, which can be, for example, a personal computer, for further processing, such as storing the received data, matching them with other data etc.

Fig.2 shows an enhanced, second embodiment in which the system comprises two SIM card detectors 1 , 5, both of them working as the SIM card detector 1 described with regard to Fig. l . This system works as follows: two SIM card detectors 1 , 5 are located in different places, for example, at entrances of two different metro stations. The person 3 carrying the SIM card 4 passes the first SIM card detector 1 , located on the one metro station. The first SIM card detector 1 provides data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4, such as the serial number of the detected SIM card 4, to the object monitoring system 2. The object monitoring system 2 processes the data provided by the first SIM card detector 1 data by storing them. The person 3 carrying the SIM card 4 passes the second SIM card detector 5. The second SIM card detector 5 provides the corresponding data of the detected SIM card 4 to the object monitoring system 2 as well. The object monitoring system 2 processes these data by storing them and matching them with the other data kept by the object monitoring system 2. In the matching step, the object monitoring system 2 recognizes that the detected SIM card 4 has earlier been detected by the first SIM card detector 1. Therefore after such processing the path of the person 3 is considered to be detected, in other words it is known on what stations the person got in and out of the metro.

In an enhanced embodiment, the system can comprise as many SIM card detectors as needed to provide accuracy of monitoring, all of those SIM card detectors working as the SIM card detectors 1, 5 described with regard to FIGs 1 , 2. The more

SIM card detectors 1, 5 are used in the system the more precisely the path of the object

3 can be described. For example, having SIM card detectors 1 , 5 on each metro station allows getting information not only about get in and out of the metro, but also information about what stations the person 3 used inside the metro, and what stations it used for transferring from one metro line to another.

Therefore, as soon as the system comprises two or more SIM card detectors 1, 5 the object monitoring system 2 is able not only to identify and recognize the detected object 3 that carries a SIM card 4, but also to recognize and observe the movements of such an object 3 over time. Therefore internal flows of objects with the SIM cards between stations are also known.

Fig.3 shows an enhanced, third embodiment in which, additionally to the embodiment shown in Fig.l, the system comprises a video camera 6 for making a visual representation of the flow of objects. The video camera 5 makes a visual representation of the flow of objects, when at least one SIM card 4 is detected by the

SIM card detector 1. The visual representation can be a video sequence or a snapshot.

The video camera 6 is positioned and oriented such that the visual representation gives an overview of the area in which the detected SIM card 4 was located at the moment when it was detected by the SIM card detector 1. In the ideal case, the visual representation also shows the object 3 which carries the detected SIM card 4.

The system can have as many video cameras 6 as needed to cover an area of interest around the SIM card detector 1. Of course, the one or more video cameras 5 can also be used in the embodiment of the system with two or even more SIM card detectors 1, 5 shown in Fig.2. The video cameras 6 can be installed in each area where a SIM card detector 1 , 5 is installed. Also two and more video cameras can be installed to cover an area around a SIM card detector 1 , 5. This system works the same way as it was described for the embodiments shown in FIGs 1 and 2, but additionally to that a video camera 6 that might be, for example, a part of a surveillance system provides a video sequence or a snap shot of a person 3, who carries a mobile phone with the detected SIM card 4, to the object monitoring system 2 when the SIM card 4 detected by the SIM card detector 1, 5.

In one embodiment, the visual representation can be a snap shot or a photo of the person 3 with the SIM card 4 passing the SIM card detector 2 is made, transferred to the object monitoring system 2, assigned to the data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4 and used for further processing, for example for further visual identification.

In another embodiment the visual representation can be a video sequence that represents the period of time before and after the moment when the SIM card 4 is detected by the SIM card detector 1 , 5. A precondition for this would be that a video clip is recorded continuously. As soon as the SIM card 4 is detected, the moment of the SIM card detection is pointed on the continuous video clip and a video sequence of a given duration is extracted from the continuous video clip. The video sequence covers the period of time before and after the pointed moment in time when the SIM card 4 was detected. Therefore on the video clip the picture of people that are in the metro entrance area is pointed.

In a less sophisticated embodiment, the video sequence only represents the period of time after the moment when the SIM card 4 is detected by the SIM card detector 1, 5. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a continuous video clip out of which the sequence of interest is extracted, but the start of the recording of the video is triggered by the detection of the SIM card 4. The length or duration of the video sequence might be predetermined, e.g. 1 minute.

Fig.4 shows an enhanced, fourth embodiment in which additionally to the embodiment shown in Fig.3 the object monitoring system 2 is connected to at least one information system 6, which comprise further data related to a holder of the detected SIM card 4.

The object monitoring system 2 can send the data received from the SIM card detector 1 and/or from a video camera 6 to such information system 7 for further processing. Also the object monitoring system 2 can receive data from such information system 6 for further processing inside the object monitoring system 2. Moreover the object monitoring system 2 and the information system 6 can exchange data simultaneously in both directions.

This system works in the same way as it was described for the embodiment shown in Fig.3, but additionally to that a personal computer on which the object monitoring system 2 operates is connected to the information system 7 which might be a mobile provider database. So the object monitoring system 2 sends a serial number of the detected SIM card 4 to the mobile provider 7 and receives back personal identifiable information of the SIM card holder such as a name, a passport number, an address, etc.

In addition to that the object monitoring system 2 might be connected to a police database of stolen mobile devices. Therefore the object monitoring system 2 can create an alarm report as soon as the serial number of the detected SIM card 4 matches the serial number of a SIM card from the list of stolen mobile devices, and additionally to that can send this alarm report and a photo of the metro entrance area made in the moment of the SIM card detection together with the data related to the detected SIM card 4 to the police.

In the ideal case exhaustive information about a person 3 passing the SIM card detector 1, 5 which includes his personal data, photo, video clip and his path are available in the object monitoring system 2.

Fig.5 shows a flow diagram of a method for monitoring a flow of objects by monitoring at least one object of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card 4 carried by at least one object 3 according to the present invention. The method comprises at least three steps. At step 8 at least one SIM card 4 is detected by the by a SIM card detector 1 . At step 9 the SIM card detector 1 provides the data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4 to the object monitoring system 2, wherein the data comprises information about the detected SIM card 4, for further processing. At step 10 the provided data are processed in the way such that every detected object 3 that carries a SIM card 4 is recognized.

Fig.6 shows a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method according to the present invention.

At step 8 at least one SIM card 4 is detected by the SIM card detector 1. At step 9 the data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4, wherein the data comprises information about the detected SIM card 4, is provided.

As soon as a SIM card has been detected at step 8, at step 1 1 a visual representation of the flow of objects is made and then assigned to the data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4.

In addition to that at step 12 the data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4 are sent to the information system 7 and/or the further data are received by the object monitoring system 2 from the information system 7. The further data received from the information system 7 can comprise personally identifiable information such that a holder of the SIM card 4 can be identified, contacted, or located.

At step 10 all data related to the detected SIM card 4, including the data received from the SIM card detector 1, the visual representations made by the video camera 6 and/or the further data received from the information system 7 is processed by the object monitoring system 2 in the way that the detected object 3 that carries the detected SIM card 4 is recognized.

In case the system contains at least two SIM card detectors 1, 5 located in two different places, at step 10 the provided data are processed such that the detected object 3 that carries a SIM card 4 is recognized and observed over time.

In case the system contains at least two SIM card detectors 1, 5 located in two different places, at step 15 the object 3 that carries at least one SIM card 4 on every point where the SIM card detectors 1, 5 are installed and a flow of the object 3 between every pair of SIM card detectors 1, 5 are being determined by the object monitoring system 2. The flows of passengers or visitors or clients can be determined by the method.

On the other hand at step 13 the data corresponding to the detected SIM card 4 with the further data received from the information system 7 can be matched to each other. As a result of such matching, at the step 14 a report is generated when a match occurs.

In all embodiments, the object monitoring system 2 can be embodied in a computer system, and especially as a computer program product or a non-transitory computer medium comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by a processor of a computer lead the processor and/or the computer system to execute the corresponding embodiment of the method according to the present invention. The system can be embodied as a portable monitoring set.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with the help of preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples. Other variations can be deducted by those skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a flow of objects, comprising:

at least a first SIM card detector (1) for detecting at least one object (3) of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card (4) carried by the at least one object (3), wherein the first SIM card detector (1) is adapted to provide data, which data comprises information about the detected SIM card (4);

an object monitoring system (2) which is adapted to receive data which data includes the data provided by the first SIM card detector (1) and to process the received data such that the detected object (3) that carries the detected SIM card (4) is identified and recognized by the system.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising at least one video camera (6) for making a visual representation of the flow of objects when at least one SIM card (4) is detected by the SIM card detector (1), wherein the visual representation is provided to the object monitoring system (2).

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the visual representation is a snap shot that is made when at least one SIM card (4) is detected by the first SIM card detector (1) and wherein the visual representation is further provided to the object monitoring system (2) for assigning it to the data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4).

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the visual representation is a video sequence to be provided to the object monitoring system (2) on which the moment when the SIM card (4) detected by the first SIM card detector (1) is pointed.

5. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the object monitoring system (2) is connected with an information system (7), which comprises further data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4), wherein the object monitoring system (2) is adapted to receive the further data from the information system (7) and/or to send the data received from the first SIM card detector (1) corresponding to the detected SIM card (4) to the information system (7).

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the further data comprises at least data related to a holder of the detected SIM card (4).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the further data related to the holder comprises personally identifiable information such that said holder can be identified, contacted, and/or located.

8. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 5, wherein the object monitoring system (2) is adapted to match the received data from the first SIM card detector (1) and/or the further data received from the information system (7) with each other and/or with data from a data store of the object monitoring system (2).

9. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 5, wherein the information about the detected

SIM card (4) contains a SIM card serial number of the detected SIM card (4).

10. The system of claim 1 or 2 or 5, wherein the system further comprises:

at least a second SIM card detector (5) for detecting at least one object (3) of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card (4) carried by the at least one object (3) wherein the second SIM card detector (5) is adapted to provide data, which data comprises information about the detected SIM card (4);

wherein the first and the second SIM card detectors (1, 5) are located in different places; the object monitoring system (2) is adapted to receive data which data includes the data provided by the second SIM card detector (5) and to process the received data provided by the second SIM card detector (5) such that the detected object (3) that carries the detected SIM card (4) is identified and recognized by the system;

and wherein the object monitoring system (2) is further adapted to process the data received from the first SIM card detector (1) and from the second SIM card detector (5) such that every detected object (3) that carries a SIM card (4) is recognized and observed by the system over time.

1 1. A method for monitoring a flow of objects by monitoring at least one object (3) of the flow of objects by detecting a SIM card (4) carried by at least one object (3), comprising steps of:

detecting a SIM card (4) by a first SIM card detector (1),

providing data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4), wherein the data comprises information about the detected SIM card (4),

processing the provided data, such that every detected object (3) that carries a SIM card (4) is identified and recognized.

12. The method of claim 1 1, further comprising a step of matching the provided data to data filed in a data store of the object monitoring system (2).

13. The method of claim 1 1 or 12, further comprising a step of making a visual representation of the flow of objects when a SIM card (4) has been detected, wherein the visual representation is assigned to the data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the visual representation is a video sequence or a snapshot.

15. The method of claim 1 1 or 12 or 13, further comprising a step of sending the data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4) to an information system (7) and/or a step of receiving data from the information system (7).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data received from the information system (7) comprises personally identifiable information such that a holder of the detected SIM card (4) can be identified, contacted, and/or located.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the information system (7) is an electronic ticketing system.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising a step of matching the data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4) with the further data received from the information system (7).

19. The method of claim 19, further comprising a step of generating a report when a match occurs.

20. The method of claim 1 1 or 13 or 15, wherein

the SIM card (4) is detected by at least the first SIM card detector (1) and a second SIM card detector (5), wherein the first and the second SIM card detectors (1, 5) are located in different places,

the first and the second SIM card detector (1, 5) provide data corresponding to the detected SIM card (4), wherein the data comprises information about the detected SIM card (4), the provided data is processed such that every detected object (3) that carries a SIM card (4) is recognized and observed over time.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step of determining the objects (3) that carries at least one SIM card (4) on every point where SIM card detectors (1, 5) are installed and flows of the objects (3) between every pair of SIM card detectors (1, 5).

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the objects are passengers or visitors or clients.