Portable counter and data storage system

• US 5,524,129 A
• Filed: 06/23/1994
• Issued: 06/04/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald K. Pettigrew
• Original Assignee: Ronald K. Pettigrew
• Inventors: Anderson, Bruce E., Pettigrew, Ronald K., Strickland, Raymond A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heyman, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/264,478
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 377/6, 377/53, 340/556
• US Class Current: 377/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 11/00 Counting of objects distributed at random, e.g. on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit

Abstract

A compact counting and data storage system includes control circuitry coupled with a detector and input selector to enable monitoring of traffic within a selected area for a selected count interval. The system also includes a readily removable data storage unit.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring traffic flow of individuals passing a selected location comprising:

a portable enclosure;

sensor means located at the selected area and coupled with the enclosure for detecting the presence of an individual passing into the selected area and for providing a first signal;

an input selector disposed on the portable enclosure for permitting the selection of a desired count interval;

a computing and control circuit contained within the enclosure and coupled with the sensor means and the input selector, the computing and control circuit receiving the first signal and providing count data corresponding to a count of individuals within the preset time interval and a date and time stamp; and

,

a data storage controller circuit contained within the enclosure and coupled with the computing and control circuit for writing the count data to a data storage device, the data storage device being selectively removable from the enclosure.

2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the data storage device is a floppy disk.

3. The invention as in claim 2 further comprising a display coupled with the processor for providing output information corresponding to the count data.

4. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the count data includes the date and time corresponding to the count and time interval.

5. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the sensor means is a reflective infrared detector.

6. A counting and data storage system for monitoring individuals passing a selected location comprising:

sensor means located at the selected area for detecting the presence of an individual passing into the selected area and for providing a first signal;

input selector means for permitting the selection of a desired count interval;

control means coupled with the sensor means and the input selector means, the control means receiving the first signal and for providing count data including a count of individuals within the preset time interval and a date and time stamp;

a transportable data storage device for storing the count data supplied by the control means; and

,

a portable enclosure housing the input selector means, the control means, and the data storage device, the enclosure permitting hand access and selective removal of the data storage device.

7. A counting and data storage system for monitoring individuals passing into a selected location comprising:

a sensing unit located at the selected location including a first sensor and a second sensor disposed proximate the first sensor, the first and second sensors detecting the presence of an individual passing into the selected area and providing first and second signals;

a portable enclosure;

a computing and control circuit disposed within the portable enclosure and coupled with the sensing unit receiving the first and second signals and for providing count data including a count of individuals entering the selected location within a preset time interval and date and time stamp; and

,

a data storage device selectively removable from the enclosure for storing the count data supplied by the computing and control circuit.