Design and Construction of a Bidirectional Visitors Counter Using a Microcontroller
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this project are basically to:
- Design a bi-directional visitor counter controlled by the microcontroller which will display its statistical output on an LCD screen
- Ensure that the system functions effectively, using an 8 bit microcontroller, IRLED phototransistor circuits and is powered by a 9V PP3 battery.
- Ensure that the project fulfill all requirements for the award of an Higher National Diploma in Computer Engineering.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The preceding chapter provided an overview of this project and identified the research problem and contribution. This chapter provides a review of the research related to the bi-directional visitor counter system and the research problem and is organized into sections in accordance with the theoretical framework necessary. The chapter also present detail information’s about the tools used and rough overview of the project covering the features of all devices and softwaresutilised in this thesis.
COUNTER
A counter is a device used to measure the number and direction of people traversing a certain passage or entrance, often used at buildings, so that the total number of visitors can be recorded (Kangaset al., 1998).
TYPES of counter
BEAM COUNTERS
The simplest form of counter is a single, horizontal infrared beam across an entrance which is typically linked to a small LCD display unit at the side of the doorway. Such a beam counts a ‘tick’ when the beam is broken, therefore it is normal to divide the ‘ticks’ by two to get the exact visitor’s numbers. Beam counters usually require a receiver or a reflector mounted opposite the unit with a typical range from 2.5metres to 6 metres. Despite its limitations, IR counters are widely used, primarily due to its low cost and simplicity of installation.
Disadvantages of a beam counter include:
- Non- directional counts
- Cannot discern people walking side- by- side
- Can be blocked by people standing at the entrance.
- Thermal Counting
Thermal imaging systems use array sensors which detect heat sources. These systems are typically implemented using embedded technology and are mounted overhead for high accuracy. A well- tuned thermal counter can achieve accuracy exceeding 98 % (Paul and Joseph, 1976). Thermal systems may be preferable where privacy concerns are applicable, since they do not capture any identifiable images for counting purposes.
Disadvantages of the thermal counter include:
- Cannot differentiate people based on height
- May have difficulty detecting stationary people
- Video Counter
Computer visions carry out its processes inside an embedded device. This reduces network bandwidth requirements as only counting data has to be sent over the network. Robust and adaptive algorithms have been developed to provide excellent counting accuracy for both outdoor and indoor counting using computer vision. Multilayer Background Subtraction, based on colors and textures, is considered the most robust algorithm available for varying shadows and lighting conditions. With the advances in image processing, video count can achieve 98 % in various lighting environments. The use of artificial intelligence and pattern recognition functions can further enhance its accuracy.
Stereoscopic vision can help to identify the height of the person coming into the store, e.g. child or pets. Whilst there is no evidence that stereoscopic vision improves the accuracy of the counter. It is often used in queue counting and studying consumer behaviours inside the shop (Dillon, 2015).
Disadvantages of using Video counter include:
- Cannot count accurately in dark environments such as night clubs
- May have difficulty differentiating between people and object under certain conditions.
- Networked Counter + Wi- Fi counting
The Wi- Fi counter uses Wi- Fi receiver to pick up unique Wi- Fi management frames emitted from smartphones with a range of up to 100 metres. While not all people carry smartphone, Wi- Fi counting can produce statistically significant metrics due to the large size available. Apple IOS8 attempts to randomize MAC address, however it is making little impact on the effectiveness of Wi- Fi counting (Zebra, 2015). Wi- Fi gained popularity in the retail industry due to the additional business metrics it could offer to retailers which include store front conversion, visit duration, returning customers and cross shopping. However, its future is uncertain due to new anonymity measures being adopted by smart phone vendors.
MICRO- CONTROLLER
A micro-controller is a highly integrated chip which performs controlling functions. A microcontroller, or embedded controller, is similar to a microprocessor as used in a personal computer. PIC microcontroller is a processor with built in memory and RAM and can be used to control the input and output of the project. Microcontrollers are microprocessors integrated with peripherals on a single integrated circuit. The microcontroller is essentially a microprocessor adapted for control type applications. They are compact in size and yet retain the computational power of traditional microprocessors, allowing them to be used in a multitude of applications. The evolution of microprocessors into complex instruments and machines has led to sophisticated, fast real-time control capability. Microprocessors of 16 or 32 bit capability with associated interrupt handler chips, programmable timer chips, ROM and RAM chips, have been replaced in many control function instances by single chip I/O microcontrollers with all peripherals embedded on the same chip with the microcontroller. Microcontrollers differ from microprocessors in many ways. Microcontrollers are independently programmable and can have a great deal of additional functionality combined on the same integrated circuit. A typical microprocessor can access from a megabyte to a gigabyte of memory, and is capable of processing 16, 32, or 64 bits of information or more with a single instruction. In this project, microcontroller is preferred because of it flexibility rather than gate logic. If gate logic been use, this system is difficult to modified or improved. By using microcontroller, the coding can be varied and replaced if new improvement required.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY, COMPONENT ANALYSIS AND CIRCUIT IMPLEMENTATION
INTRODUCTION
The thesis methodology, component analysis, software implementation and hardware implementation are explained in detail through this chapter. The software implementation discussed include the program design through flowchart, writing and testing the program. The hardware methodology is divided into two parts. The first part discussed the methodological usage of the microcontroller independently. The second part discussed the implementation by combined sensor and relay simultaneously. Basic knowledge on the design and high level language is acquired.
Block diagrams
- Transmitter:The Person counter module is was implemented using 2 transmitters and 2receivers. The Infra-Red transmitters was used because infrared beams are not visible to humaneyes. Transmitters used are IR LEDs
- Receiver:The Infrared receiver was also utilised. It is an active low device and this signifies that it gives lowoutput when it receives the Infrared rays.
- Microcontroller:This is the CPU (central processing unit) of our project. This system utilises microcontroller of the 18F452 family. The various functions of the microcontroller are:
- Reading the digital input from two infrared receivers and calculating the number of persons from them.
- Sending this data to LCD so that the person operating this project should read the number of persons inside the room
- LCD:The 16×2 alphanumeric Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) was used which means it can display alphabets along with numbers on 2 lines each containing 16 characters.
METHODOLOGY
As a result of references and researches carried out, we surveyed the present market and through internet researches, we discovered that there is a need for invention to guarantee suitability and reduce efforts and stress to be encounteredduring the construction of digital bi- directional visitor counter using microcontroller. We started by defining our project specification. We then proceed to creating schedule for the project that will manage the project successfully.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter focuses on two major aspects which are the microcontroller as an independent unit and the whole circuit itself. The performance and the ability of this system are noted and reported in this section. The microcontroller functionality is explained and observations was made on the whole system functionality also. The system worked as proposed and the desired output was obtained after a few re-testing and re-calibration was done. The level of achievement and the successful in achieving the project objective as mentioned in the first chapter was determined.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter gives a comprehensive review of the objectives of this thesis and how far we have been able to achieve these objectives. Few suggestions were also made on the improvement of the system’s accuracy, stability and extra functions for future inventions and innovations.
CONCLUSION
This project successfully achieved its objective. Counter System using Microcontroller for Visitor was successfully designed and implemented using SK40C and PIC 18F452 as the main controller. Microcontroller is able to differentiate the visitor whether they are entering or exiting the room. The system displays the total visitor present in rooms via the Liquid Crystal Display. A program to count ‘up and down’ visitor traversing a certain passage or entrance was successfully executed.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENT
For further study about the counter system, there is a need to pay attention to the challenges of distance sensors. Calibration and bright LED for sensors can be introduced to increase the accuracy of the distance sensor. In addition, there is a need for more studies on the system programing. This will lead to a more flexible system being designed. This system can be upgradedsuch that both sensors can differentiate the direction of occupant after they stand between the sensors that caused an error.
Other than that, the negative value of the system can be eliminated in further works. It should be ensured that the system will not count to the negative even when we have sensor or microcontroller error. On further research, the idea to calculate height of visitor also can be incorporated. This will make the system more reliable and accurate. Moreover, any idea to design a system that can save power energy in a building would be necessary to reduce power consumption and electricity bill. This can avoid energy wasting when it not in use, therefore efforts should be made to incorporate an energy- saving design in this system such that the system will be able to control and coordinate the automatic lighting of a room.
REFERENCES
- Engineer Garage, 2012. Automatic bidirectional visitor counter using 8051 microcontroller (AT89C51).http://www.engineersgarage.com/microcontroller/8051projects/Bidirectional-visitor-counter-AT89C51-circuit
- Erdem, H, 2002. “Design and implementation of data acquisition for fuzzy logic controller ‘Industrial Technology. IEEE ICIT ’02. 2002 IEEE International Conference’ Page(s):199 – 204vol.1.
- Erkkonen, J. &Sievänen, T., 2002. Standardisation of Visitor Surveys – experiences from Finland. (In this proceedings).
- Eshore technologies, 2012. USB ICSP PIC PROGRAMMER V2010 (UIC00B). http://www.e-shore.com.my/homepage/eshop/development-tools/programmer/usb-icsp-pic-programmer-uic00b
- Farina Binti Kamal, 2011. Sensor Application on Vehicle Following System. UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia: Thesis B. Electrical Engineering (Instrument and Control).
- Jan Axelson, 1994. Published, The Microcontroller Idea Book, Circuits, Programs, & Applications featuring the 8052-BASIC Microcontroller (Lakeview Research)
- Kuchta, R.; Stefan, P.; Barton, Z.; Vrba, R.; Sveda, M, 2005. “Wireless temperature data logger”, ‘Sensors and the International Conference on new Techniques in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research. Asian Conference’ Page(s):208 – 212.
