Patent Description:
That is, the present invention belongs to the ski sector and in particular to the sector of monitoring ski slopes in systems.

To date, it is particularly important to know the number of people in transit among the different ski slopes in order to properly plan the management of the systems themselves.

In order to achieve such a result, however, there are several methods which are imprecise or impractical.

A first method envisages an estimate which can be made based on the number of ski passes sold and used at the access to the ski lifts, detected by applying statistical methods to evaluate the use of the different ski lifts and thus which slopes are more crowded. However, such a method is not very precise as it does not allow to know the actual number of users who travel the ski slopes or the times or the number of times the slope has been travelled. Furthermore, a single ski lift can serve two or more ski slopes and therefore is not representative of the actual use of the individual slopes.

A further method envisages an estimate which can be based on the use of dedicated apps (software applications) installed on users' smartphones. However, such an estimate is not very effective because it is difficult to convince users to install and activate the app on their personal device in addition to the fact that the GPS signal is not always present along mountain slopes. Without a certain number of users with the app installed, it is in fact not possible to obtain an accurate estimate and further analyses would be necessary.

A further method envisages counting people by using optical sensors such as cameras. An optical sensor such as a camera has the disadvantage related to the strong impact of atmospheric conditions. For example, in the event of fog, ice formation on the camera or unfavourable daylight, the camera may not be able to obtain the data necessary for effectively counting people. Furthermore, problems related to the protection of personal data may arise.

Some examples of known systems or method for detecting users are disclosed in the documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

The technical task of the present invention is thus to provide a detection system and a method for detecting users in a ski area which are able to overcome the prior-art drawbacks which have emerged.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a detection system and method for detecting users in a ski area which allow for an effective counting of people on the ski slope.

A further object of the present invention is therefore to provide a system and a method for detecting users in a ski area which allow to improve the management of the ski area.

The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a system and a method for detecting users in a ski area comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

In particular, the specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a detection system for detecting users for a ski area comprising at least one ski slope and at least one ski lift. The detection system comprises at least one detection device for detecting people, preferably by means of wireless signals, emitted by user interface devices (smartphone, smartwatch and any other smart device), arranged along the ski slope and configured to generate and send a detection signal representative of the passage of a user interface device near the detection device itself at a given moment or time interval and a control unit configured to communicate with the detection device to receive the detection signals so as to define a database representative of a number of users who have used the ski slope in given moments or time intervals. Alternatively, the detection of people is performed by means of a light beam sensor which detects the passage of people when the light beam is interrupted.

In particular, the specified technical task and the specified objects are further achieved by a ski area comprising at least one ski slope, at least one ski lift and a detection system as described above.

Furthermore, the specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a method for detecting users in a ski area referred to above comprising the steps of detecting the passage of people by means of a detection device arranged along the ski slope, generating a detection signal representative of the passage of the user interface device near the detection device at a given moment or time interval, sending the detection signal to a control unit and defining by means of the control unit, and as a function of the people detected, a database representative of the number of users who have used the ski slope in given moments or time intervals.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a system and a method for detecting users in a ski area.

Such a description will be set out below with reference to the appended drawings, which are provided solely for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:.

With reference to the appended <FIG> denotes in its entirety a detection system for detecting users for a ski area <NUM>. The ski area <NUM> comprises at least one ski slope <NUM> and, possibly, at least one ski lift <NUM>. Preferably, the ski area <NUM> comprises a plurality of ski slopes <NUM> and a plurality of ski lifts <NUM>. Alternatively, the lifts may not be present, for example, in the case of a cross-country slope.

The system <NUM> comprises at least one detection device <NUM> for detecting users U which can be any known solution, but preferably a detection device <NUM> for detecting wireless signals or a light beam detection device which detects the passage of the users U when the light beam is interrupted.

In the first case, the detection device <NUM> for detecting wireless signals, emitted by user interface devices, is arranged along the at least one ski slope.

A user interface device can be understood as a smartphone or other similar analog terminal device owned by or entrusted to a user "U" who is using the services of the ski area <NUM>.

Preferably, the detection device <NUM> comprises a Bluetooth antenna.

In fact, Bluetooth communication is the interface standard of smartphones and smart devices (earphones, smart watches and the like). Bluetooth detection works without the installation of any dedicated APP. By virtue of the continuous and parallel scanning on Bluetooth frequency bands and on different Bluetooth protocols (BT <NUM> advertising, BT <NUM> inquiry) all the Bluetooth devices in the radio field of action of the Bluetooth antenna which have activated these protocol types are detected.

Alternatively or in addition, the detection device <NUM> comprises a WI-FI antenna.

The second standard which every smartphone supports is WI-FI. Every WI-FI connection is visible. Even without a connection, most smartphones periodically send a WI-FI signal. Also in this case, by virtue of the continuous and parallel scanning on the WI-FI frequency bands, all the devices with the WI-FI on in the field of action of the WI-FI antenna are detected.

Even more preferably, the detection device <NUM> comprises both a Bluetooth antenna and a WI-FI antenna so as to be able to ensure the detection of any user interface device in transit near the detection device <NUM> itself.

It should be noted that the field of action of the detection device <NUM> is sufficient for tracking the users in transit for the section of ski slope <NUM> where the detection device <NUM> is located.

The detection device <NUM> is configured to continuously scan said wireless signals in a predefined perimeter of the detection device <NUM> (range of action) and to generate and send to the control unit <NUM> at least one detection signal representative of the passage of a user interface device (or of the user "U" in possession of the user interface device) near the detection device itself in a given moment or time interval.

The term given moment (or time interval) means that the signal generated and sent by the detection device <NUM> keeps track as well as of the passage, of an indicative or precise time in which the passage of the user interface device occurred.

Preferably, the detection device <NUM> is made in the form of a small trellis or a pole.

Preferably, the detection device <NUM> is made in the form of a box-shaped body positionable on the edge of the slope or on a tree.

That is, the detection device <NUM> can be made in any form suitable for obtaining the best reading of the user interface devices or which impacts the landscape in which the ski area <NUM> is located as little as possible.

The detection device <NUM> can be advantageously mounted on a snow gun and use the connections of the snow gun to the central control unit of the snow guns to transmit the information related to the detection.

The system <NUM> further comprises a control unit <NUM> configured to communicate with the detection device <NUM> to receive the detection signals so as to define a database <NUM> representative of a number of users "U" who have used the ski slope <NUM> or a section thereof in given moments or time intervals. Advantageously, the database <NUM> can be viewed in real time or at any time by an operator who is therefore able to know which ski slopes <NUM> or sections of ski slope <NUM> have been used most.

That is, the control unit <NUM> has the function of processing the detection signals received from the detection device <NUM> in order to count the number of users "U". Furthermore, the possibility of associating a time to the passage of users allows to obtain information about the use of the ski slope <NUM> and therefore the need to intervene on the same slope due to continuous and massive use in order to adequately redistribute the snow on the slopes themselves.

Preferably, and as for example shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> comprises at least two detection devices <NUM> arranged along the ski slope <NUM>, for example downstream and upstream of the ski slope.

In such a configuration, the control unit <NUM> is configured to cross-reference the detection signals sent by each detection device <NUM> with a number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> in given moments in time. Such a number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> can for example be obtained through the number of ski passes sold or other similar methods.

Thereby, the control unit <NUM> is able to estimate a real number of users who have used the specific ski slope <NUM> and a possible residence time of the users "U" on the ski slope <NUM> so as to obtain a respective database <NUM>.

That is, an algorithm or software integrated in the control unit is configured to compare the detection signals of the detection devices <NUM> (or of the detection device in the case where only one is used) and to integrate them with the number of users who have used the ski lift <NUM> in order to apply corrective coefficients capable of estimating a real number of users who have used the specific ski slope <NUM>.

Preferably, if there are three or four detection devices <NUM> along the ski slope <NUM>, the cross-referencing of the respective detection signals with the number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> allows to precisely know the number of users "U" who have used the ski slope <NUM> in the different times and the time spent in the sections of the ski slope <NUM> between one detection device and the other <NUM> (or). Thereby, for example, if the ski lift <NUM> is provided with intermediate stations, it is possible to know when a user has left the ski lift and has entered the ski slope <NUM> and thus to know which sections of the ski slope <NUM> are the most crowded and thus more prone to need snowpack maintenance works.

The system <NUM> comprises a detection device <NUM> arranged in an entrance station 12a of the ski lift <NUM> and configured to generate and send a detection signal representative of the number of users "U" entering the ski lift and a detection device <NUM> arranged in an exit station 12b of the ski lift <NUM> and configured to generate and send a detection signal representative of the number of users "U" exiting the ski lift <NUM>.

In such a configuration, the control unit <NUM>, configured to receive the respective detection signals, is capable of estimating the aforesaid number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> at given moments in time. That is, without requiring methodologies such as counting ski passes sold, the system <NUM> is capable of knowing the number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> is capable of comparing such a number with the signals obtained from detection devices <NUM> in order to cross-reference them and obtain the real number of users "U" who have used the ski slope <NUM>, in which sections and for how long.

For example, if the ski lift <NUM> is used for two sections of the ski slope <NUM> (as for example shown in <FIG>), different counts (i.e., signals) will be obtained from the different detection devices <NUM>. For example, a first detection device <NUM> arranged along a first section of the ski slope <NUM> detects one hundred users "U" between <NUM> in the afternoon and <NUM> in the afternoon and a second detection device <NUM>, arranged along the second section of the ski slope <NUM>, detects two hundred users in the same time interval (or moment in time). The detection devices <NUM> arranged along the ski lift count six hundred users "U" in the interval between two and three in the afternoon.

At this point, the control unit <NUM> (i.e., the software or algorithm integrated therein) estimates the real number of users "U" concluding that two hundred users have used the first section of the ski slope <NUM> and four hundred users have used the second section of the ski slope.

Preferably, the system <NUM> can comprise a detection device <NUM> near an intermediate station 12c of the ski lift <NUM>. Thereby, the control unit <NUM> is capable of distinguishing the number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> in a first section and the number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> in a second section and capable of applying calculations similar to those described above in order to improve the estimate of the real number of users "U" who have used (or are using) the ski slope <NUM> and to make it more precise.

Preferably, the control unit <NUM> is configured to estimate a daily use of the ski slope <NUM> as a function of the number of users "U" who have used the ski slope <NUM> in the different time moments (or intervals) and to send a warning signal representative of the estimated daily use to an operator and/or to one or more machines for the emission of artificial snow (indicated singly with reference numeral <NUM> in <FIG>). Thereby, the system <NUM> is capable of effectively and quickly identifying the portions of ski slope <NUM> which need further coatings of snow to return to an optimal condition with the snowpack uniformly distributed by means of, for example, snow guns (not shown).

Preferably, the control unit <NUM> is configured to send an alarm signal to an operator or automatic vehicle which is representative of the presence of one or more users "U" on the ski slope.

Thereby, it is also possible to have a better estimate of the number of users "U" and important statistical functions related to the use index of the ski slope <NUM> and the peak times in which it is used.

It should also be noted that the control unit <NUM> is configured to connect to third-party software/hardware systems so as to receive external data which can be considered for the estimation, calculation and statistics functions.

For example, such systems can be any equipment for detecting the flow of skiers based on: weather forecast data and/or day of the week (calendar) and/or comparisons with historical data of the flow of skiers on the same day/period of the previous year(s) and/or tickets sold and/or other relevant information.

The present invention further relates to a ski area <NUM> comprising at least one ski slope <NUM>, at least one ski lift <NUM> and a system <NUM> as described above (according to one of the embodiments compatible with the needs of the owner of the ski lift and/or the environmental and weather conditions of the location where the ski area <NUM> is located).

The present invention further relates to a method for detecting users "U" in a ski area <NUM>. The term method is intended to mean a computer program, software or algorithm (or part thereof), installed or installable in the system <NUM>, the steps of which are performed by one or more of the components of the system <NUM> described above.

The method comprises the steps of detecting wireless signals emitted by a user interface device (smartphone) by means of a detection device <NUM> arranged along the ski slope <NUM>, generating a detection signal representative of the passage of the user interface device (or of the user "U") near the detection device <NUM> at a given moment (or time interval) and sending the detection signal to a control unit <NUM>.

The method further includes defining, by means of the control unit <NUM> and as a function of a plurality of detection signals, a database <NUM> representative of the number of users "U" who have used the ski slope <NUM> at given moments of time (or intervals).

Preferably, the method includes detecting wireless signals by means of a further detection device <NUM> arranged along the ski slope <NUM>, generating a further detection signal representative of the passage of the user interface device near the further detection device <NUM> at a given moment or time interval and sending the further detection signal to the control unit <NUM>. Preferably, the method further includes detecting a number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM> in given moments or time intervals, cross-referencing the detection signals with the number of users "U" who have used the ski lift <NUM>, and estimating a real number of users "U" who have used the ski slope <NUM> and a residence time of the users "U" on the ski slope <NUM>, and obtaining a respective database <NUM> which can also be consulted in real time by an operator.

Preferably, the method includes estimating a daily use of the ski slope <NUM> as a function of the number of users who have used the ski slope in the different moments or time intervals and to send a warning signal as a function of the estimated daily use to an operator and/or to one or more machines for the emission of artificial snow (indicated overall with the reference numeral <NUM>).

That is, the warning signal will be representative of the need to cover the ski slope <NUM> again and therefore, based on the use, it will be an alarm indicative of a low, medium or high severity of use and maintenance need of the ski slope <NUM>.

Advantageously, the present invention is capable of overcoming the drawbacks which have emerged from the prior art.

Claim 1:
A detection system (<NUM>) for detecting users (U) for a ski area (<NUM>) comprising at least one ski slope (<NUM>) and at least one ski lift (<NUM>), said detection system (<NUM>) comprising:
- at least one detection device (<NUM>) for detecting the passage of users (U) arranged along said at least one ski slope (<NUM>) and configured to:
- generate and send at least one detection signal representative of the passage of a user near said at least one detection device (<NUM>) itself at a given moment or time interval;
- a control unit (<NUM>) configured to communicate with said at least one detection device (<NUM>) to receive said detection signal and to count the number of passing users (U) so as to define a database (<NUM>) representative of a number of users who have passed at said at least one detection device (<NUM>) in such moments or time intervals: said control unit (<NUM>) being configured to:
- receive data related to the number of users (U) who have used the ski lift (<NUM>) in said moment or time interval;
characterised in that said control unit (<NUM>) is configured to:
- cross-reference said data related to the number of users (U) who have used the ski lift (<NUM>) with the count of the number of users who have passed at said at least one detection device (<NUM>);
- correct said count of the number of users who have passed at said at least one detection device (<NUM>) as a function of the received data related to the number of users (U) who have used the ski lift (<NUM>) by applying corrective coefficients so as to estimate a real number of users (U) who have used the ski slope (<NUM>) in said moments or time intervals.