CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application 62/033,816, filed August 6, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to a collapsible smart fence and uses thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to a collapsible smart fence for effectively detecting and handling crowd behaviors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In planned crowded events, like festivals and parades, a high risk factor is that the event attracts too many people or that people are not distributed evenly enough around the event. This can lead to disasters such as the 2010 Love Parade where 21 people died and 510 people got injured as a result of a large crowd of people being led through a tunnel. It is challenging for operators in a command and control center to assess the crowdedness of an area, because available sensors such as cameras, microphones and social media might not be able to give a perfect picture of the situation.

[0004] Most crowd controlling fences are created with the goal of keeping people out under all circumstances. The fences are made of heavy materials such as steel to resist strong forces and are typically installed for permanent deployment. Since these fences are permanent fences, they do not facilitate the crowd to move to the buffer zone when necessary, especially during emergency.

[0005] A fence intuitively instructs people to keep out of an area. When conditions are normal, people are expected to respect these constraints and the fence will remain untouched. However, as more extreme conditions arise (e.g. an area gets overcrowded, people panic, or people get very drunk) people will start to ignore the constraint the fence imposes on them and will start jumping over the fence or breaking the fence down. The existing fences do not effectively detect such people and their behaviors.

[0006] Certain existing crowd analytics solutions rely on video analytics or audio analytics for extracting crowd relevant statistics that can be of use to an operator in a command and control center. These analytic operations are computationally expensive and have high memory requirements for processing.

[0007] Certain other existing smart fences use string wires in combination with sensors, motion detectors or general MEMS sensors to detect intrusion from cutting the wire fence or climbing over it. However, such fences are also designed with a fixed, permanently deployed fence in mind, intended to keep out intruders at all times.

[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved fence for effectively detecting and handling crowd behaviors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one aspect, the invention provides a collapsible fence comprising: one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is capable of sensing one or more parameters; a plurality of connecting mechanisms, wherein each connecting mechanism is capable of connecting a plurality of fence components when one or more of the sensed parameters do not breach a predetermined threshold limit and capable of disconnecting said plurality of fence components when one or more of the sensed parameters breach said predetermined threshold limit, and wherein said fence collapses when said plurality of fence components are disconnected.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention provides a collapsible fence system comprising: one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is capable of sensing one or more parameters; a plurality of connecting mechanisms, wherein each connecting mechanism is capable of connecting a plurality of fence components; an analysis unit, said analysis unit comprising a data receiving module that receives data associated with said one or more parameters from said sensor; a determining module that determines whether a predetermined threshold limit for said one or more parameters is breached; a triggering module that triggers one or more of said connecting mechanisms to disconnect their corresponding fence components, in response to a breach for said one or more parameters, thereby collapsing said fence.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for making a collapsible fence, the method comprising: providing one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is capable of sensing one or more parameters; providing a plurality of connecting mechanisms, wherein each connecting mechanism is capable of connecting a plurality of fence components when one or more of the sensed parameters do not breach a predetermined threshold limit and capable of disconnecting said plurality of fence components when one or more of the sensed parameters breach said predetermined threshold limit, and wherein said fence collapses when said plurality of fence components are disconnected.

[0012] In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for managing a crowd, the method comprising: providing a collapsible fence of the invention; receiving data associated with said one or more parameters from said sensor; determining whether said predetermined threshold limit for said one or more parameters is breached; when no breach occurs, keeping the connections of one or more of said plurality of connecting mechanisms, in order to connect with said plurality of components of said fence to provide an intact fence; and when breach occurs, turning off said one or more connecting mechanisms to disconnect the plurality of components, thereby triggering said fence to collapse.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description examples and figures. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1A shows an intact collapsible fence, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure IB shows a collapsed fence, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a collapsible fence system for effectively detecting and handling crowd behaviors, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 3 shows a process for effectively detecting and handling crowd behaviors using a collapsible fence system, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The invention provides a collapsible smart fence and uses thereof. Specifically, the invention provides a collapsible smart fence for effectively detecting and handling crowd behaviors. [0021] The inventor of the instant application has developed a fence that has one or more sensors capable of sensing one or more crowd related parameters, and collapses when one or more parameters breach a predetermined threshold limit.

[0022] Figure 1A shows an intact collapsible fence, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 1A, fence 10 may include a plurality of fence components, for example, but not limited to, one or more supporting posts 12, one or more rails 14, one or more pickets or stakes 16. Fence 10 may also include other suitable fence components known to one of skilled in the art, for example, but not limited to, one or more wires, or mesh. Fence 10 can be any type of fence, known to one of skilled in the art. As shown in Figure 1A, fence 10 includes one or more sensors 18 and one or more connecting mechanisms 20 connecting the fence components.

[0023] Fence 10 is a collapsible fence. Figure IB shows a collapsed fence, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, sensor 18 can be any type of sensor, known to one of skilled in the art, that can sense one or more parameters associated with crowd related behaviors. Examples of such parameters include, but not limited to, an individual' s leaning over fence 10, an individual's movement, an individual's crashing onto fence 10, an impact by an individual or object, angular position of fence 10, velocity of an object or individual impacting fence 10, a contact pressure, a contact force, or a combination thereof. Data associated with these parameters may require significantly less processing power and memory, relative to video image or audio data.

[0025] Examples of sensors include, for example, but not limited to, gyroscope, a speedometer, and an accelerometer. Other suitable sensors that can sense one or more parameters associated with crowd related behaviors can also be used.

[0026] In one embodiment, sensor 18 is capable of sensing an individual's leaning over fence 10. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is capable of sensing a movement of an individual or an object in the vicinity of fence 10. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is capable of sensing an individual' s crashing onto fence 10. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is capable of sensing an impact caused by an individual or an object on fence 10. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is a tilt sensor capable of sensing whether said fence is standing up straight, tilting, or lying on the floor. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is a velocity sensor that can sense a velocity of an object or an individual contacting fence 10. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is a force sensor that can sense a force of an object or an individual contacting fence 10. In another embodiment, sensor 18 is a contact sensors that can recognize a contact level based on the contact of one or more individuals or objects.

[0027] Fence 10 may include one or more connecting mechanisms 20 that can connect one fence component (e.g., supporting post 12) to another fence component (e.g., rail 14). Any suitable connecting mechanism, known to one of skilled in the art, can be used. In one embodiment, connecting mechanism 20 magnetically connects one fence component to another fence component. In another embodiment, connecting mechanism 20 mechanically connects one fence component to another fence component. In a particular embodiment, connecting mechanism 20 comprises an actuator.

[0028] Fence 10 may also include a geographic positioning system 36 that can facilitate determining the specific location of fence 10.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, fence 10 may include an analysis unit 26. In one embodiment, analysis unit 26 is present locally in fence 10. In another embodiment, analysis unit 26 is present in a remote processor or server.

[0030] Analysis unit 26 may include, for example, a data receiving module, a determining module, and a triggering module. The data receiving module can receive data associated with one or more crowd related parameters from sensor 10. The determining module can determine whether a predetermined threshold limit for one or more parameters is breached. The triggering module can trigger one or more of connecting mechanisms 20 to disconnect their corresponding fence components (e.g., 12, 14, and 16), in response to a breach for said one or more parameters, thereby collapsing fence 10.

[0031] Analysis unit 26 may include data fusion features and algorithmic model domains to receive, process, and analyze data associated with sensed parameters.

[0032] Using sensor 10 readings in an analytics unit 26 may require significantly less processing power and memory to inform an operator in a command and control center. Just like video analytic and audio analytic solutions can benefit from data fusion and temporal modeling, fusing the sensor data from multiple fence elements and modeling it in a temporal domain can improve the accuracy and robustness of the analytics. However, due to the reduced dimensionality of the data associated with sensed parameters, the same goal can be achieved with significantly less processing and memory requirements.

[0033] Referring back to Figure 2, a computerized implementation 50 of the present invention is shown. As depicted, implementation 50 includes computer system 22 deployed within a computer infrastructure.

[0034] As shown, computer system 22 may include a processing unit 28, a memory 24, and input/output (I/O) interfaces 30. Further, computer system 22 is shown in communication with external I/O devices/resources 38 and storage system 40. External devices 38 can comprise any devices (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, display, etc.) that enable a user to interact with computer system 22 and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) and enable computer system 22 to communicate with one or more other computing devices.

[0035] Computer infrastructure shown here is only illustrative of various types of computer infrastructures for implementing the invention. For example, in one embodiment, computer infrastructure may comprise two or more computing devices (e.g., a server cluster) that communicate over a network to perform the various process of the invention.

[0036] The present invention can be implemented in any suitable network environment (e.g., the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN), etc.), or on a stand-alone computer system.

[0037] The communication throughout the network can occur via any combination of various types of communications links, known to one of skilled in the art, for example, wired and/or wireless transmission methods.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a process for effectively detecting and handling crowd behaviors using a collapsible fence system. As shown in item 42, a collapsible fence 10 of the invention can be provided for crowd management. As shown in item 44, sensor 18 can sense one or more crowd related parameters and analysis unit 26 can receive data associated with the sensed one or more crowd related parameters. As shown in item 46, analysis unit 26 can analyze and determine whether a predetermined threshold limit is breached for the sensed one or more crowd related parameters (e.g., force, velocity, touch). A predetermined threshold limit can be a value determined by a user in a control center. The value may reflect the unruliness in the crowd. In one embodiment, the value can be a fixed number. In another embodiment, the value can be a range of numbers. [0039] As shown in items 48, 50, and 52, when breach occurs, analysis unit 26 can turn off one or more connecting mechanisms 20 to disconnect the plurality of fence components (e.g., 12, 14, and 16), thereby triggering fence 10 to collapse.

[0040] As shown in items 48, 56, and 60, when no breach occurs, analysis unit 26 can keep the connections alive for one or more of the plurality of connecting mechanisms 20, in order to continually connect with the plurality of fence components (e.g., 12, 14, and 16) of fence 10 to provide an intact fence 10.

[0041] In one example, fence 10 of the invention is meant for temporary deployment at a planned public event and can be used as a detector (to detect people climbing over the fence) and actuator (to collapse the fence and give people access to the buffer zone).

[0042] In another example, fence 10 is constructed with connectors at the base and sides (e.g. using magnets). These connectors make it possible to variably set the strength of the connection and make it possible for operators to fold down the fencing remotely. This makes the fence deployable in a wide range of scenarios, because it can be configured to suit the scenario at hand. In short, fence 10 serves the following multiple purposes: 1) fence 10 creates a buffer zone that gives crowds an escape if an area really becomes too populated, 2) fence 10 senses people pushing against it or jumping over it and can help assess a situational awareness picture.

[0043] In another example, fence 10 includes the following exemplary features: (1) adjustable collapseness (e.g., fence 10 collapses after a preset force has been reached); (2) sensing its interactions (e.g., sensing by accelerometers, tilt sensors and contact sensors that are installed in fence 10); fence analytics (e.g., sensor data can be processed to detect if people are climbing over the fence or pushed it over); and localization (e.g., the network topology of the fence allows it to detect where the fence broke down). [0044] Fence 10 can be built by any suitable material known to one of skilled in the art. Such materials may include, for example, metals, plastics, polymer materials, and wood. In a particular embodiment, fence 10 is made of material capable of resisting an individual standing on said fence.

[0045] The height of fence 10 may be of any suitable height known to one skilled in the art. In one example, the height of fence 10 ranges from about 2 feet to about 10 feet. Other heights are also within the scope of the invention. [0046] The term "breach," as used herein, may refer to exceeding a predetermined threshold limit or falling below a predetermined threshold limit, depending on a type of crowd related parameter.

[0047] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.