We used a mix of pressure and temperature sensors to design a wireless seat monitoring device that will be able to detect a person in a seat. The sensors are connected to a microcontroller PIC that performs ADC conversion. A transmitter then takes this information and wirelessly transfers this data to a wireless receiver that is connected to a server that will have the ability to determine which seats are full .
Our goal was to design a system that would make seat monitoring more convenient. We used a combination of temperature and pressure sensors to detect if a person is sitting on the seat or not. The sensors are connected to a microcontroller PIC that performs ADC conversion. A transmitter then takes the information and wirelessly transfers this data to a wireless receiver that is connected to a server that will have the ability to determine which seats are full. Our system would be useful in a variety of applications such as the library, lecture hall, movie theatre, or airplane (just to name a few.) In a lecture hall setting, the seat detection information will help people make decisions such as lowering or raising the number of copies to make for distribution. In a library setting, students could first check and determine whether they should make a trip into the library. If used in a movie theatre, a screen could be implemented outside the theatre gates so customers could see what seats were open and thus not have to wander around aimlessly in the dark looking for seats. If implemented on an airplane, flight attendants would not have to take the time to make sure the passengers are seated during takeoff or landing (note: the system could also be modified to also check if seat belts are fastened.)