CRONOS Project (1994- 1996)..
Keywords: Industrial Control. Multiprocessing. Person counting device. GSM.

CRONOS aimed at the development of an automatic person counting device. The system was built around a mat sensor placed at the floor, which detected in real time the shadow of the persons stepping on the mat. The mat was composed of a set of optical sensors organised in a bidimensional arrangement that provided a short of low-resolution image. Using Computer Vision algorithms it was possible to identify individual steps running in two directions (in / out). The electronic components of the mat were covered by a weatherproof enclosure that made possible installation on different transport vehicles: bus, train, underground and also in static scenarios.

The system was able to count each passing person, detect if the person is coming in or out of the vehicle, assign temporal stamps to the data acquired and integrate the system whit a SAI system that made possible the assignment of the number of persons coming in and out to a specific stop of the vehicle. Statistical data based on the measurements taken are being used for exploitation and service planning at the transport companies. The system offers greater accuracy and real time operation, which was not possible using traditional techniques.

The complete system added a full-featured remote station with GSM data transfer and control capabilities, real time database, security back-up measures, etc. Extended versions were designed for instalment in department stores, railway stations, etc. The system was based on a parallel processing architecture composed of C40 DSPs and connected by means of high speed inter-processor and mat / processor links.

The system was successfully tested in a well-known coach company and currently it is being installed in RENFE (the Spanish public railway company). More than forty units are already in operation.