Is it possible to create a visitor counter on one video camera?

Question

*nix-like systems

I would like to make a store visitor counter using one cheap D-Link video camera. I heard that zoneminder can remember zones and execute triggers if certain pixels are activated in one order or another.
1) What problems can I run into in zoneminder, does it know how to execute its triggers “outside”? Those. pass values ​​to other programs or to a file.
2) Will one camera be able to implement the functionality? It's clear that if two people go through, they will count only one, but this is not critical
3) Zone-minder works only in * nix, and I would not want to use cygwin, is there a cross-platform analogue?
Now visitor counters are made on two pairs of light-photodiode controllers that are triggered by opening the beam, perhaps, and is it even worth trying to do this with a video camera?

Answer 1

For accuracy, the camcorder needs face recognition - without this it is better to leave the beam. We had such a project at the institute - one camera can quite accurately count and save pictures of all those who enter. But there is also the question that the camera needs to have a normal resolution; without this, the analysis will often give false numbers.
Offhand, to clarify the current data, it is easiest to analyze the frame when crossing the beam - two people entered at the same time or one (in the first approximation, you can simply use the width of the silhouette).

Answer 2

I think it's quite possible :)

Answer 3

heh. It's time to prepare an article on modern methods and systems for counting visitors :-).
Let's get systematic.
1. Ceiling type and height? Since the camera will stand under the ceiling.
2. Aisle width?
3. Please rate the flow of people to the store. How many people per hour?
4. This is one store or chain.
0. What problem do you solve by installing such a system?

Answer 4

if it's not a secret, then what is the current error of the IR system?