METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING SEQUENCES OF MOVEMENTS AND PASSING RECOGNITION SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for contactlessly recognizing at least one sequence of movements, including at least one sensor unit for detecting respectively at least one condition of movement within a detection area of the sensor unit, a transmitting unit for transferring the at least one detected condition of movement, and a computing unit with a receiving unit for receiving the at least one detected condition of movement. The method also includes an evaluating unit for evaluating the at least one detected condition of movement as well as with a supply unit for supplying the at least one evaluated condition of movement and/or the at least one recognized sequence of movements. Furthermore, a passing recognition system for performing the method is related.

Claims

1. A method for contactlessly recognizing at least one sequence of movements with a passing recognition system, including at least one first sensor unit for detecting respectively at least one condition of movement within a detection area of the sensor unit, a transmitting unit for transferring the at least one detected condition of movement, a computing unit with a receiving unit for receiving the at least one detected condition of movement and with an evaluating unit for evaluating the at least one detected condition of movement as well as with a supply unit for supplying the at least one evaluated condition of movement and/or the at least one recognized sequence of movements, the method including the following steps: detecting, with the at least one sensor unit, at least one first condition of movement and at least one second condition of movement within the detection area, wherein the first condition of movement and the second condition of movement are detected at different points in time, transferring, with the transmitting unit, the at least two detected conditions of movement to the receiving unit, receiving, by the receiving unit, the at least two detected conditions of movement, recognizing, with the evaluating unit, at least one sequence of movements on the basis of the at least two received conditions of movement, and supplying, with a supply unit of the computing unit, the at least two evaluated conditions of movement and/or the at least two recognized conditions of movement.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit recognizing the at least one sequence of movements comprises recognizing a direction of the at least one sequence of movements.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computing unit recognizing the at least one sequence of movements comprises recognizing a number of the at least one recognized sequence of movements.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the recognizing the number of the at least one sequence of movements is realized on the basis of a separation criterion.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the separation criterion includes at least one detected passive condition of movement temporally before or after a detected active condition of movement.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the separation criterion includes at least one detected passive condition of movement locally above or below a detected active condition of movement.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the evaluating unit of the computing unit supplying the at least two evaluated conditions of movement and/or the at least one sequence of movements comprises an output unit outputting a visual output, an acoustic output, and/or a motor-driven output.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor unit realizes detecting the at least two conditions of movement within a respectively essentially two-dimensional detection area.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission, the reception, and/or the evaluation of the at least two detected conditions of movement are performed only when detecting a change in at least one first condition of movement compared to at least one second condition of movement.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: a conversion unit of the computing unit converting the data of the at least two detected conditions of movement.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of converting the data further includes an addition of active sensors of the at least one sensor unit.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of converting the data deletes at least one detected condition of movement for the basis of recognizing the at least one sequence of movements.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: the computing unit determining a frontal profile line of an individual and/or of an object within the detection area on the basis of the at least one received condition of movement.

14. A passing recognition system for contactlessly recognizing at least one sequence of movements of an object on a surface, comprising at least one first sensor unit for detecting at least one condition of movement within a detection area of the at least one sensor unit, a transmitting unit for transferring the at least one detected condition of movement, and a computing unit comprising a receiving unit for receiving the at least one detected condition of movement, an evaluating unit for evaluating the at least one detected condition of movement, and a supply unit for supplying at least one of the at least one evaluated condition of movement and the at least one recognized sequence of movements.

15. The passing recognition system according to claim 14, further comprising: at least two sensor units for detecting at least one condition of movement within the detection area of the at least two sensor units.

16. The passing recognition system according to claim 14, further comprising: an output unit configured to provide at least one of visual, acoustic and motor-driven output on a basis of the supply unit supplying at least one of the at least one evaluated condition of movement and the at least one recognized sequence of movements.

17. The passing recognition system according to claim 14, further comprising: a conversion unit of the computing unit is configured for converting the data of the at least one detected condition of movement.

18. The passing recognition system according to claim 14, wherein the sensor unit is configured to extend perpendicularly to the surface.

19. The passing recognition system according to claim 14, wherein the sensor unit is configured to extend diagonally to the surface.

20. The passing recognition system according to claim 19, wherein the sensor unit is configured at a 45-degree angle with respect to a line extending perpendicular to the surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] An inventive method as well as an inventive passing recognition system as well as the further advantages thereof will be explained in more detail based on the drawings: In the FIGS. 1 to 5, the same reference numerals respectively identify elements having the same function and manner of operation.

[0034] It is diagrammatically shown in:

[0035] FIG. 1 a flowchart of an embodiment of an inventive method having a sensor unit, a transmitting unit, a computing unit with a receiving unit, an evaluating unit as well as a supply unit and a conversion unit and an output unit,

[0036] FIG. 2 a lateral view of an embodiment of an inventive passing recognition system having two sensor units,

[0037] FIG. 3 an illustration form of an inventive sequence of movements on the basis of a plurality of detected conditions of movement,

[0038] FIG. 4 a further illustration form of an inventive sequence of movements on the basis of a plurality of detected conditions of movement with a profile line, and

[0039] FIG. 5 a further illustration form of an inventive sequence of movements on the basis of a plurality of detected conditions of movement with a profile line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of an inventive method with a sensor unit 10 for detecting respectively at least one condition of movement 2 within a detection area 12 of the sensor unit 10. Furthermore, the method comprises a sensor unit 20 for transferring the at least one detected condition of movement 2, a computing unit 30 with a receiving unit 32 for receiving the at least one detected condition of movement 2, with an evaluating unit 34 for evaluating the at least one detected condition of movement 2 as well as with a supply unit 36 for supplying the at least one evaluated condition of movement 2 and/or the at least one recognized sequence of movements 4. Advantageously, with high precision and also at little distance between two individuals, vehicles or other mobile objects following each other such a configured inventive method allows for recognizing the at least one sequence of movement 4. The sensor unit 10 comprises a plurality of sensors, in order to allow for a vertically larger detection area 12. For this purpose, the sensor unit 10 is disposed vertically in an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, the sensor unit 10 extends vertically at a perpendicular angle to a surface upon which the individual is traversing. The vertical, e.g., perpendicular, configuration advantageously provides sensor readings extending to the mid-section of the individual thereby providing enhanced accuracy of sensor readings. For example, the mid-section of an individual is generally the largest body diameter and therefore provides a very good signal for a gap between successively moving individuals. The sensor unit 10 may also be disposed diagonally to the traversal surface, for example, between a perpendicular configuration and a configuration coplanar or parallel with the surface. In one embodiment, the sensor unit 10 may be positioned between 10 degrees and 80 degrees from vertical. In another embodiment, the sensor unit 10 may be positioned between 20 degrees and 70 degrees from vertical. In yet another embodiment, the sensor unit 10 may be positioned between 30 degrees and 60 degrees from vertical. In a still further embodiment, the sensor unit 10 may be positioned between 40 degrees and 50 degrees from vertical. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 10 may be positioned at a 45-degree angle from vertical.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of an embodiment of an inventive passing recognition system 1 with two sensor units 10. In this case in particular, the left sensor unit 10 is adapted for detecting the conditions of movement 2 for recognizing sequences of movements 4 (not shown). The right sensor unit 10 serves for an exemplary complementary detection of conditions of movement 2, in order to allow for the evaluating unit 34 of the computing unit 30 evaluating the direction of the recognized sequences of movements 4 (not shown).

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an illustration form of an inventive sequence of movements 4 on the basis of a plurality of detected conditions of movement 2, for example of a passing recognition system 1 according to FIG. 2. Filled squares represent an object a sensor of the sensor unit 10 recognized in the detection area 12. For example, when employing light barriers, the non-filled squares represent a single light array, in which an individual and/or an object have/has not interrupted the light beam. Thus, the sensor corresponding thereto is passive. Each column represents a detected condition of movement 2.

[0043] The plurality of columns results from a temporal course of the detected conditions of movement 2. Each line represents the detected conditions of movement 2 of respectively at least one sensor of the sensor units 10. The upper four lines show respectively the detected conditions of movement 2 of the sensors of two sensor units 10. The filled rectangles correspond to the sensors of the left sensor unit 10; the non-filled rectangles correspond to the sensors of the right sensor unit 10. The oldest detected conditions of movement 2 are illustrated on the right-hand side in FIG. 3. The newest detected conditions of movement 2 are illustrated on the left-hand side in FIG. 3. Thus, by way of example, FIG. 3 shows an entry of an individual from the left-hand side into the detection area 12. This is recognizable by the left sensor unit 10 at first detecting a condition of movement 2 (see FIG. 3 on the right, filled rectangles). The individual leaves the detection area 12 to the right (see FIG. 3, upper four lines, left, non-filled rectangles).

[0044] FIG. 4 shows an illustration form of an inventive sequence of movements 4 on the basis of a plurality of detected conditions of movement 2, for example of a passing recognition system 1 according to FIG. 2. Thus, by way of example, FIG. 4 shows two individuals passing, respectively in the scenario of the access control, a non-authorized second individual following from the left into and through the detection area 12. This is recognizable by at first the left sensor unit 10 (see FIG. 3 on the right, filled rectangles) detecting a condition of movement 2. The individual leaves the detection area 12 to the right (see FIG. 3, upper four lines, left, non-filled rectangles). An inventive method and an inventive passing recognition system 1 can recognize the two individuals following each other very closely. For this purpose, the detected conditions of movement 2 of the at least one sensor unit 10 are evaluated together. Advantageously, the at least one sensor unit 10, respectively the sensors are disposed at a level, at which is located the hip of an individual. According to an embodiment of the inventive method, recognizing the number of the at least one sequence of movements 4 can be realized on the basis of a separation criterion 50. In particular, when recognizing at least one sequence of movements 4 on the basis of the evaluating unit 34 having received at least two conditions of movement 2, a separation criterion represents a criterion based on which two sequences of movements 2 of two individuals can be distinguished. In FIG. 4, the separation criterion 50 is a hole, namely an area of passive sensors, which is surrounded by active sensors. Thus, the method can guarantee a reliable recognition, even with individuals following each other very closely, wherein no complete gap is created between them. On the basis of said separation criterion 50, it is compelling to assume that two individuals follow each other very closely or that a piece of luggage is being carried in front or behind them. This distinction can be differentiated in a further analysis of the inventive method and consequently it can be reliably recognized whether or not one or more individual/s has/have passed through the passing recognition system 1.

[0045] FIG. 4 likewise shows recognizing a profile line 60, in particular the frontal entry line of a profile, of an individual, or of an object. When passing through the detection area 12 of the at least one sensor unit 10, an individual has a specific profile line 60, for example, a frontal edge of the profile, which is different from the profile line 60 of an object. In particular, entering the detection area 12 of the at least one sensor unit 10 at first with a leg and/or a foot is characterizing for the frontal edge of the profile of a person.

[0046] Thus advantageously, in the inventive method, it is ensured that a bag of an individual will not be recognized as a following individual.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows an example for a special case, which will be excluded by a separation criterion 50. In the inventive method, for example, with a particularly tall individual having a high stride, obviously the legs are not to be detected as two individuals. For this purpose, the graphically generated triangle of passive sensors can be excluded from the separation criterion 50.