The Pros and Cons of an Image Processing-Based Sensor

Overhead image processing-based sensors are an excellent way to track your customers entering and moving about your retail stores. This data can help you chart shopping trends or determine your staffing needs based on the busiest times of day. Using image processing-based sensors can also enhance security and theft prevention.

The image processing-based Eclipse people counter uses advanced image recognition technology that records highly accurate data under a wide set of conditions, such as high traffic areas, variable lighting, and wide entrance areas.

The Advantages of Image Processing-Based People Counter

Consider these ways an image processing-based sensor for people counting can benefit your business:

• Using multiple units, you have the ability to cover wide areas, which is beneficial for larger stores and shopping malls.
• There is support for remote image processing capture when using an Internet-connected laptop or tablet.
• In the event of a power outage, data can be safely stored within the solution’s flash memory, saving up to 10 days’ worth of data.
• Image processing-based sensor counters can adjust quickly to changes in lighting and temperature.
• These solutions have the ability to filter carts, children, and strollers, providing you a more accurate count of actual shoppers versus total number of people in the store.
• It’s easy to upgrade these solutions so they are always running the latest software version.

When Image processing-Based People Counters May Not Be the Right Solution for You

Even though image processing-based people counters offer a wide variety of advantages, there are situations in which they may not be the optimal choice. Here are some additional facts to consider:

• Areas of your facility affected by shadows, complex backgrounds or varying light levels may impact the counting accuracy of an image processing-based counter.
• The capital investment and time and labor cost for installation is sometimes greater than for thermal sensor or infrared beam people counting systems.

Which System is Better?

Business owners and managers may question whether a image processing imaging or a thermal imaging people counter is the better choice. The fact is, both systems have their advantages. A thermal imaging counter system is superior for obtaining accurate counts, whereas overhead image processing-based sensors give you “eyes” to verify the numbers or filter to count only the demographics you are looking for. Speak an experienced people counting solution provider to determine which is the right system for your business.

Traf-Sys is dedicated to providing solutions that can meet the needs of any business or organization that needs reliable, accurate people counting data. Learn more about the Eclipse image processing-based sensor system here.