Monitoring arrangements

Abstract

A system for monitoring at least one person passing through an area includes a first monitor, a second monitor, and a receiver. The first monitor is configured to detect activity in a first zone and to obtain first data relating to detected activity in the first zone. The second monitor is configured to detect activity in a second zone and to obtain second data relating to detected activity in the second zone. In addition, the first monitor is in circuit communication with the second monitor and in wireless communication with the receiver. After obtaining the second data, the second monitor generates a second monitor signal that comprises the second data and sends the second monitor signal to the first monitor. The first monitor is configured to receive the second monitor signal and generate a combined data packet that comprises the first data and the second data. After the first monitor generates the combined data packet, the first monitor sends a combined signal to the receiver, in which the combined signal includes the combined data packet.

1 . A system for monitoring at least one person passing through a passageway, the system comprising:
 a plurality of monitors arranged in an array across an area;   each of the plurality of monitors monitoring a plurality of zones;   wherein the plurality of zones form a barrier across the area;   wherein one or more people entering the area must pass through the barrier;   wherein the plurality of monitors are configured to detect activity caused by movement of one or more people through at least one of the plurality of zones using an active sensor;   a first one of the plurality of monitors being a primary monitor;   wherein the primary monitor monitors a first zone of the plurality of zones;   a second of the plurality of monitors being a secondary monitor;   wherein the secondary monitor monitors a second zone of the plurality of zones;   wherein the secondary monitor has a communication path to the primary monitor; and   a receiver;   wherein only the primary monitor communicates with the receiver;   wherein the primary monitor receives a signal from the secondary monitor if the one or more people are detected in the second zone;   wherein the primary monitor transmits a communications signal to the receiver if one of the plurality of monitors detects a person in one of the plurality of zones; and   wherein the secondary monitor does not communicate with the receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor in circuit communication with the receiver, wherein the processor receives the communications signal and makes a determination of whether an opportunity to use a dispenser has occurred. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser and a device usage monitor, wherein the dispenser is in circuit communication with the device usage monitor, wherein the device usage monitor is in circuit communication with the receiver, and wherein the device usage monitor is configured to monitor data of the dispenser and send the data of the dispenser to the receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second secondary monitor configured to detect activity in a third zone of the plurality of zones; and wherein the second secondary monitor has a single communication path to the primary monitor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a third secondary monitor configured to detect activity in a fourth zone of the plurality of zones; and wherein the third secondary monitor has a single communication path to the primary monitor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the third secondary monitor communicates with the second secondary monitor and the second secondary monitor communicates with the primary monitor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a fourth secondary monitor configured to detect activity in a fifth zone of the plurality of zones; and wherein the fourth secondary monitor has a single communication path to the primary monitor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fourth secondary monitor communicates with the third secondary monitor and the third secondary monitor communicates with the second secondary monitor and the second secondary monitor communicates with the primary monitor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication signal transmitted from the primary monitor to the receiver is not indicative of a specific zone of the plurality of zones in which the one or more persons were detected. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary monitor wirelessly communicates with the receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first secondary monitor wirelessly communicates with the primary monitor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of monitors are hard wired to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary monitor wirelessly communicates with the receiver. 
     
     
         14 . A method for counting at least one person passing through an area, the method comprising:
 Providing a plurality of zones arranged in an array across an entry point to the area that form a barrier across the entry point, such that one or more people entering the area must pass through the barrier;   wherein there are no gaps in the barrier in which a person would not be detected when entering the area;   detecting activity caused by movement of one or more people through one of the plurality of zones using one of a plurality of monitors that have an active sensor;   wherein the plurality of monitors comprise a primary monitor and one or more secondary monitors;   wherein the primary monitor monitors a first zone and the one or more secondary monitor monitory one or more additional zones in the plurality of zones;   detecting activity caused by movement of one or more people through one of the first zone one of the one or more additional zones;   wherein if activity is detected in the one or more additional zones, the one or more secondary monitors that detected the movement transmits a signal indicating that movement was detected by the one or more secondary monitors to the primary monitor;   wherein if movement is detected by the one or more secondary monitors or the primary monitor, the primary monitor transmits a communication signal to a receiver;   wherein the one or more secondary monitors do not communicate with the receiver; and   wherein the receiver communicates the signal indicative of motion in one or more of the plurality of zones to a processor; and   wherein the processor determines wither the movement detected by the one or more of the plurality of monitors triggers an opportunity for use of a dispenser.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein there are at least three zones in the barrier. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein there are at least four zones in the barrier. 
     
     
         17 . A system for monitoring at least one person passing through an area, the system comprising:
 a first monitor configured to detect activity in a first zone and to obtain first data relating to the detected activity in the first zone; and   a second monitor configured to detect activity in a second zone and to obtain second data relating to the detected activity in the second zone;   a third monitor configured to detect activity in a third zone and to obtain third data relating to the detected activity in the third zone;   wherein the first zone, the second zone and the third zone form a continuous barrier, wherein a person cannot pass through the continuous barrier without being detected by at least one of the first monitor, the second monitor and the third monitor;   wherein the third monitor communicates with the second monitor and the second monitor communicates with the first monitor; and   a receiver in communication with the first monitor;   wherein the receiver is not in communication with the second monitor or the third monitor;   wherein, upon detection of one or more persons in one of the first zone, the second zone and the third zone causes the first monitor to transmit a signal indicative of one or more people passing through the continuous barrier.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a processor in circuit communication with the receiver, wherein the processor analyzes the signal to determine if an opportunity to use a dispenser has occurred. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a soap dispenser and a device usage monitor, wherein the soap dispenser is in circuit communication with the device usage monitor, wherein the device usage monitor is in circuit communication with the receiver, and wherein the device usage monitor is configured to monitor activity of the dispenser and send a signal to the receiver that the dispenser has dispensed a dose of fluid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a fourth monitor that monitors a fourth zone and the fourth zone forms part of the continuous barrier.