Technology Overview

WHAT ARE THE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS?

The most accurate way to measure behavior analytics is using stereo video. Brickstream combines the benefits of 3D with advanced algorithms to provide the industry’s most accurate and flexible data capture solution. No other technology comes close. The same device provides accurate analytics from the front door to the back wall. Learn more about our superior 3D technology.

In addition, Bricsktream distinguishes between adults and children; individuals and shopping units and can track across multiple devices to measure paths in aisle and entire stores/locations. Accurate data is the critical first step to understanding behavior in the space. Learn how FLIR Brickstream sensors go beyond accuracy to provide trusted and reliable data.

 

 People Counting at Entrances Queue and Service Management Full Store/Location Analytics (Track, Dwell) Ability to Detect People vs. Objects Ability to Achieve Accuracy in High Volume Traffic Tolerance for Variations in Environment (Light, Heat, Shadow) Ability to Detect Adults vs. Children Ability to Detect Behaviours of Interest Ability to Detect Direction of Travel

 Infrared Beam

 Yes

 No

 No

 Low

 Low

 None

 Low-Medium

 None

 None

 Monocular

 Yes

 Low

 No

 Low-Medium

 Low-Medium

 Low-Medium

 Low

 Medium

 High

 Thermal

 Yes

 Low

 No

 Low-Medium

 Low-Medium

 Medium

 Low

 Medium

 High

 3D Stereo Vision

 Yes

 Yes

 Yes

 High

 High

 High

 High

 High

 High

 Wireless (WiFi)

 Low

 Low

 Low

 High*

 Low*

 High

 No*

 Medium*

 Medium*

 *Only shoppers with phones

 

INFRARED BEAM

IR beams count retail traffic (or “footfall”) by tracking the number of times a horizontal beam of light is “broken” when a person crosses a store threshold. These units are usually placed on the sides of store entrances and are adjusted by height to help count only adults versus children. IR beams are declining in use for traffic counting. 

 

MONOCULAR (2D, SINGLE LENS)

Monocular sensors use a single camera to count footfall. These sensors are mounted on the ceiling, imaging from a top-down viewpoint. The Brickstream 2D is a monocular single lens device and is best suited for low traffic, well lighted environments for people counting. Learn more about the cost-effective Brickstream 2D sensor. 

 

THERMAL IMAGING

Sensors that use thermal imaging count people by detecting body heat. Units are hung or attached to the ceiling. Many thermal units come with an integrated regular camera for validation purposes. 

 

3D STEREO VISION

3D stereo vision sensors count and track people by calculating heights through 3D depth perception. Units are hung or attached to the ceiling. 3D stereo vision works in a similar way to 3D sensing in human vision. Each 3D sensor is equipped with 2 cameras allowing it to calculate 3D depth which greatly increases accuracy for both counting and tracking even in high traffic volume areas. Learn more about the Brickstream 3D Gen 2 sensors. 

 

WI-FI

Wi-Fi technology detects people and tracks them in a general area. It is dependant on people carrying a smart phone or another Wi-Fi enabled device. When a smart phone's Wi-Fi is enabled, the phone will broadcast a signal searching for Wi-Fi hotspots. This signal can be located with a moderate degree of accuracy and used to count store visits. 

 

BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE) / IBEACON

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is enabled by placing BLE "beacons" around your store. These beacons create a small wireless zone that broadcast a signal to trigger a response on an app on a users phone. A person must enable Bluetooth discoverability on their phone and, in many cases, install a specific mobile app to deliver content triggered by the BLE signal. 

Related Articles