4 ms·

Show HN: PhilzScore – Real-time people count at Philz Coffee

28 points by bredfield 12y ago

jackhammons 12y ago
How do you get accurate head counts?
- andrewfarah 12y ago
  Corporate answer: big, hairy proprietary algorithms. Startup answer: straight magic, yo. Real answer: manual for this week. We're doing a couple things that don't scale to validate a concept. For accurate, autonomous counting, we use this little guy -- https://s3.amazonaws.com/screenshots.angel.co/73/340163/7982c9ae0ff6493c904eb57c3e53cab9-original.png https://s3.amazonaws.com/screenshots.angel.co/73/340163/7982... We're gunning for city-wide, real-time movement.
  - jackhammons 12y ago
    What is that "little guy" called?
    - andrewfarah 12y ago
      he has a couple names: "little guy; wall•e (unofficial); density nano" but what he's made of is two infrared distance sensors. measures ingress and egress.
      - joshrotenberg 12y ago
        Is the count for total occupancy or patrons in line? (I haven't been in that location so I don't know the layout).
      - andrewfarah 12y ago
        Total occupancy but larger spaces can be segmented however they might want (order line, dining, bathrooms, bar area, etc.) Just need to separate two sections with a sensor. 1 sensor... ingress = movement into one area out of an adjacent area. Simultaneously, that counts as an egress (that person having moved out of that adjacent area into the next).
        joshrotenberg 12y ago
        Really cool. Signed up to hear more.
jtriest 12y ago
cant wait for this info on all hot spots!
joshrotenberg 12y ago
Cool! If you end up doing the new 9th Street Berkeley location, consider another count next door at Donut Dolly to see how many donuts are still available.
- bredfield 12y ago
  If only DonutScore.com weren't taken ...
- andrewfarah 12y ago
  You got it. Consider it formally on the list. Friendly with any of the staff over there?
  - joshrotenberg 12y ago
    No, although I've chatted with Dolly herself the few times I've been in. Oh, you mean Philz ... also no. Really nice space, though.
    - andrewfarah 12y ago
      Dolly, I meant.
dave_chenell 12y ago
This is awesome. Love the simple execution of the door/proximity sensor.

28 points by bredfield 12y ago

jackhammons 12y ago

How do you get accurate head counts?

andrewfarah 12y ago
Corporate answer: big, hairy proprietary algorithms. Startup answer: straight magic, yo. Real answer: manual for this week. We're doing a couple things that don't scale to validate a concept. For accurate, autonomous counting, we use this little guy -- https://s3.amazonaws.com/screenshots.angel.co/73/340163/7982c9ae0ff6493c904eb57c3e53cab9-original.png https://s3.amazonaws.com/screenshots.angel.co/73/340163/7982... We're gunning for city-wide, real-time movement.
- jackhammons 12y ago
  What is that "little guy" called?
  - andrewfarah 12y ago
    he has a couple names: "little guy; wall•e (unofficial); density nano" but what he's made of is two infrared distance sensors. measures ingress and egress.
    - joshrotenberg 12y ago
      Is the count for total occupancy or patrons in line? (I haven't been in that location so I don't know the layout).
    - andrewfarah 12y ago
      Total occupancy but larger spaces can be segmented however they might want (order line, dining, bathrooms, bar area, etc.) Just need to separate two sections with a sensor. 1 sensor... ingress = movement into one area out of an adjacent area. Simultaneously, that counts as an egress (that person having moved out of that adjacent area into the next).
      - joshrotenberg 12y ago
        Really cool. Signed up to hear more.

jtriest 12y ago

cant wait for this info on all hot spots!

joshrotenberg 12y ago

Cool! If you end up doing the new 9th Street Berkeley location, consider another count next door at Donut Dolly to see how many donuts are still available.

bredfield 12y ago
If only DonutScore.com weren't taken ...
andrewfarah 12y ago
You got it. Consider it formally on the list. Friendly with any of the staff over there?
- joshrotenberg 12y ago
  No, although I've chatted with Dolly herself the few times I've been in. Oh, you mean Philz ... also no. Really nice space, though.
  - andrewfarah 12y ago
    Dolly, I meant.

dave_chenell 12y ago

This is awesome. Love the simple execution of the door/proximity sensor.