3DScope II: Staff filtering kit quick guide

Explore staff exclusion with the 3DScope II Quick Guide: a clear, concise resource for optimal use.

Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Discover the innovative 3DScope II staff filtering kit, your ultimate solution for seamless staff filtering in retail and smart space environments. Engineered to enhance customer data accuracy by filtering staff movement from your traffic counts in T.M.A.S., this guide outlines everything you need to get started—ensuring your business leverages precise analytics for better decision-making.

    What You Need

    • 3Dscope II LC or HC: Indoor models only, with the necessary USB slot
    • 3DScope II staff filtering kit: 1 UWB USB Receiver and various UWB Tags
    • QI Certified Inductive Charging Station: To be purchased separately
      • The inductive charger must be QI-compatible
      • SMS tested various devices, this one - Triple Wireless Charger Pad - 15W Fast Charging Station -  being available for purchase from Amazon
      • If sourcing your own, look for a QI Certified or QI compatible charging station with multiple charging pads
    • License: Already included with your purchase of the 3DScope II counter (object classification)  
    • Firmware: version v2.6 or higher learn more about updating firmware on 3DScope II

    Setting Up for Success

    For the initial 3D scope installation, learn more here

    Hardware Installation
    1. Position the 3DScope II device appropriately (Maximum 4m high). Nothing in front of and behind the counting line should restrict the view
    2. Power OFF the 3DScope II  Counter by disconnecting the network cable or unplug the PoE Injector (if used)
    3. Insert the UWB USB receiver into the device
    4. Power ON the 3DScope II counter by connecting back the network cable or PoE Injector (if used)
    5. Ensure proper setup for optimal functionality (view configuration section of this article)

    3DScope II LC with surface Box

    If you are using a surface mount box for an 3DScope II LC, be sure to carefully, insert the device into the box with the UWB USB receiver. There is little space between the surface mount box and the UWB USB receiver.

     

     

    Configuration Essentials

    • Camera and Tag Positioning: Properly set your camera position and tag height to filter staff accurately
    • Staff Tag Carriage: Tags work best when worn on the upper front part of the body, and do not need to be visible,but position and visibility could still affect accuracy
    • Counting Line Configuration: Enable staff counting on your 3DScope II counters through the application settings - This data WON'T be transferred to T.M.A.S. in the current version

    Configuration

    Setting up the camera position and tag height for staff filtering

    Follow these steps to correctly set the staff filtering tag height, ensuring accurate detection and optimal system performance:

     

    1. Configure the 3DScope II counter as per usual set the [Camera Position], [Height Range], [Floor Area] and [Obstructions]Learn more
    2. Open the [Other Settings] page by clicking on the relevant option or button in your application interface
    3. Locate the section titled ‘Staff Detection Tag Height’
    4. (optional) specify the average carrying height of all tags
    5. Set the height using either of the following methods:
      • Spin Control: Use the spin control, which is represented as a numeric input box with up and down arrows - Click on the up or down arrow to increase or decrease the height incrementally by 10 cm (4 in)
      • Slider: Alternatively, you can use the slider to adjust the height - Drag the slider handle left or right to select your desired height
    6. The available height range for setting the staff detection tag height typically falls between 80 cm (31 in) and 140 cm (55 in)
      • If you need to revert to the last saved settings, you can click the 'Reset' button
    7.  Save the changes you've made, click the 'Save' button

    FAQ: Mastering UWB

     
    Q: What is Ultra-Wideband (UWB)?

    A: UWB is like a super-smart Wi-Fi that can tell exactly where things are and send data securely over short distances.

     

    More Technical: UWB is a wireless communication protocol known for its high bandwidth and precision in short-range applications, enabling accurate location tracking and secure data transmission. 

    Q: How does UWB differ from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

    A:  UWB sends data faster and more accurately than Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, especially when figuring out the location of something, like being able to find a needle in a haystack.

     

    More Technical: Unlike Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, UWB operates over a much wider frequency range, allowing for higher data transfer rates and more accurate location tracking, typically within a few centimeters / inches.

    Q: What are the common uses of UWB technology?

    A: UWB is great to know the exact spot of something without making a mistake—like finding your car in a huge parking lot, making sure people don't get too close to each other in crowded places, or opening doors without keys.

     

    More Technical: UWB is used for applications requiring precise location tracking, such as real-time location systems, contact tracing, and secure keyless entry systems in cars and smart locks.

    Q: Is UWB technology secure?

    A: Yes, it's very secure. Because it only works over short distances and in a unique way, it's hard for unwanted guests to intercept.

     

    More Technical: Yes, UWB's unique signal characteristics and short-range capabilities make it difficult to intercept, offering a more secure communication channel compared to other wireless technologies.

    Q: Can UWB technology work indoors?
    A: Yes, UWB is particularly effective for indoor use where its precision in location tracking is highly beneficial, such as in retail environments for staff monitoring or asset tracking.
    Q: Does UWB consume a lot of power?
    A: No, one of the advantages of UWB technology is its low power consumption, making it suitable for use in battery-operated devices + When UWB tags are NOT in the UWB USB range, the tags go in power saving mode.
    Q: How does UWB achieve precise location tracking?

    A: UWB measures how long it takes for a tiny radio wave to travel between your device and what you're trying to find, allowing it to pinpoint locations super accurately.

     

    More Technical: UWB achieves precision through its ability to measure the time of flight of radio waves with great accuracy, enabling it to pinpoint locations within a few centimeters.

    Q: Is UWB technology widely available in consumer devices?
    A: UWB technology is increasingly being integrated into various consumer electronics, such as smartphones and wearable devices, for applications like data transfer and precise location services.

     

    FAQ: Staff filtering and tag functionality

    Q: How should the tags be carried?
    A: The tags should best be worn on the upper front part of the body. Carrying the tag inside a pants pocket is possible. Note, this might reduce tracking accuracy in challenging installations. Under no circumstance should the tag be carried on the back side of the body.
    Q: Does the tag need to be visible?
    The tag does not need to be worn openly visible and can be covered by clothing, i.e. carried inside a jacket / pant pocket.
    Q: How many tags are needed for staff filtering to work?
    A: Every employee who may cross the counting lines should wear a tag for accurate staff filtering.
    Q: What if an employee forgets their tag at home?
    A: Employees are NOT supposed to take their tags at home. Provided you choose to deploy it that way though, it's useful to have spare tags in the store / location. Without a tag, an employee will generate one count when entering / leaving the store / location.
    Q: What happens if one employee accidentally switches with another team member?
    A: The tags are not linked to individual employees. Switching tags does not have any effect on the staff filtering feature.
    Q: Does SMS Storetraffic recommend a specific wireless inductive charging station?
    A: We have tested this device - Triple Wireless Charger Pad - 15W Fast Charging Station - available for purchase from Amazon and found it to be compatible. If sourcing your own, look for a QI Certified or QI compatible charging station with multiple charging pads.
    Q: What is the maximum battery life of the tag?
    The tags should last at least 250 working hours. When at rest (not worn), the tags go into a power saving mode.
    Q: What do the different flashing patterns of the tag LED symbolize?
    • Flashing twice a second: The tag is active and within a 5 m range of the receiver
    • Flashing once a second: The tag is active and outside a 5 m range of the receiver
    • Flashing once every two seconds: The tag is stationary and in power-save mode
    • Off (No Flash): No battery
    Q: When the tag is placed on the inductive charging station, what do the different flashing patterns of the tag LED symbolize?
    • Pulsing light: tag is charging
    • Steady light: charging complete
    Q: Will I get a notification when tag battery is low?
    A: Currently there is no warning for a low battery state. Tags should be charged at least once a week. 
    Q: How long does it take to charge each tag?
    A: Charging an empty battery with a 5 W charger will take approximately three hours.
    Q: How do we prevent detecting other UWB tags or devices within proximity (e.g. two stores next to each other using the same solution from HELLA, etc.)?
    A: Currently, any person wearing any of our tags will be classified as staff. 
    Q: What is the accuracy of staff exclusion?
    A: We have tested the staff exclusion in our labs and achieved high accuracy. An accuracy value will be calculated on the results of more live deployments in stores / locations.
    Q: Can you prevent false positives, i.e. object class “staff” to jump on a regular customer?
    A: Our mapping algorithm was designed to minimize false positives. Even though no system will be 100 % accurate, this should not happen in statistic relevant number.
    Q: What is the coverage per receiver?
    A: The maximum range of the tags is greater than 10 m / 33 ft. However, for power saving, the update frequency of the tags is reduced when they are not within close proximity to the receiver. To obtain best results, people should pass an area within a radius of 3 m / 10 ft around the receiver. In a future version, this distance constraint will be configurable.
    Q: Is there a maximum installation height for the 3D when using the staff filtering feature?
    A: For the reasons above, installations with the staff filtering kits should not be higher than 4 m / 13 ft.
    Q: Is it possible to use multiple receivers in a sensor array?
    A: Currently, only one receiver at the fusion host is supported. This might change in the future. As described above, people should pass an area of 3 m around the receiver.
    Q: Is a license required for staff filtering?
    A: Staff filtering requires the Object Classification license (included with purchase and installed on 3DScope II counters) and the UWB USB receiver and UWB tags.
    Q: What firmware version will be required?
    A: Staff filtering requires firmware version 2.6.0 or higher.
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