INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

CHAPER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Infrared Object Counter

This is a simple object counter circuit. They count objects or products automatically and so
reduce human efforts. This infrared object counter can be installed at the entry gate to count
the total number of people entering any venue. For example, it can be used at the railway
stations or bus stands to count the people arriving per day or week. It is inexpensive, readily
available, and easy to use. Since it is compact, it could be carried anywhere. Therefore portable.

1.2 What makes it work?

The counter uses an infrared transmitter-receiver pair and a simple, low-cost calculator. It
works even in the presence of normal light. The maximum detection range is about 10 meters.
That means the transmitter and the receiver are to be installed (at the opposite pillars of the
gate) not more than 10 meters apart. No focusing lens is required. If an 8-digit calculator is
used the counter can count up to 99,999,999 easily, and if a 10-digit calculator is used the
counter can count up to 9,999,999,999.

Powered by a 9V battery, the transmitter circuit (see Fig. 1 in page 5) comprises IC 555 (IC1),
which is wired as an astable multivibrator with a center frequency of about 38 kHz, and two
infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The receiver circuit (see Fig. 2 in page 5) is powered by
a 5V regulated power supply built around transformer X1, bridge rectifier comprising diodes
D1 through D4 and regulator IC2. It uses an infrared receiver (IR) module
(RX1), optocoupler (IC3) and a simple calculator.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 1

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

CHAPTER 2: COMPONENTS

2.1 Components Required

SL. No. COMPONENTS QUANTITY
1. Transformer (230V to 9V 200mA) 01
2. Transistor (BC547) 01

3. Diode (1N4001) X4 01

4. IC 555 Timer 01

5. IC 7805 01

6. IC MCT2E 01

7. IR RX1 TSOP 1738 01

8. IR LED X2 01

9. 9V Battery 01

10. ON/OFF Switch X2 01

Resistors:
R1 = 4.7KΩ; R2 = 10KΩ;

11. R3 = 33Ω; 06
R4 = 100Ω; R5 = 470Ω;
R6 = 1KΩ;
12. Potentiometer – 10KΩ 01
Capacitors:
C1 = 10µF(25V); C2 = 0.001µF;
13. C3 = 0.01µF; 06
C4 = 1000µF (25V); C5 = 0.1µF;
C6 = 47µF (25V);
14. A Simple Calculator 01

15. Connecting wires As required

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 2

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

2.2 Component description

IC 7805

IC 7805 is a 5V Voltage Regulator that restricts the output voltage to 5V output for various
ranges of input voltage. It acts as an excellent component against input voltage fluctuations
for circuits and adds an additional safety to your circuitry. It is inexpensive, easily available
and very much commonly used.

IC MCT2E

MCT2E is a phototransistor Optocoupler, as the name “phototransistor” suggests it has a

transistor which is controlled based on light (photon). This IC is used to provide electrical
isolation between two circuits, one part of the circuit is connected to the IR LED and the
other to Phototransistor.

NE555 (IC 555)

IC 555 is a precision timing IC that provides time delays or oscillations. 555 Timer IC has
three modes of operation: Astable, Mono-stable and Bi-stable. In this project, we are going
to use the IC 555 in Bi-stable mode.

TRANSISTOR (BC547)

BC547 is a general purpose BJT NPN transistor mostly used in electronics hobbyists and
educational electronics projects. Besides these uses it can also be used in commercial
circuits. It comes in TO-92 packaging and the maximum output current this transistor can
handle is 100mA.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 3

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

IR LED

An infrared light-emitting diode (IR LED) is a solid-state light-emitting (SSL) device that
produces light in the infrared band or range of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. ... IR
LEDs are also useful in many types of electronics, such as remote controls for televisions and
numerous other electronics.

DIODE (1N4001)
Often used for reverse voltage protection, a staple for many powers, DC to DC step up, and
breadboard projects. 1N4001 is rated for up to 1A/50V. A diode allows electrical current to
flow in one direction -- from the anode to the cathode.

TRANSFORMER
Transformer has 230V primary winding and non-center tapped secondary winding.
The transformer has flying colored insulated connecting leads (Approx. 100mm long).
The Transformer acts as a step-down transformer reducing AC - 230V to AC - 9V. It gives
outputs of 9V and 0V.

RESISTOR
A resistor is a passive electrical component with the primary function to limit the flow of
electric current.

CAPACITOR
A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It is a passive electronic
component with two terminals. The effect of a capacitor is known as capacitance.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 4

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Circuit Diagram

Fig. 1: Infrared Object Counter: Transmitter circuit

Fig. 2: Infrared Object Counter: Receiver-cum-counter circuit

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 5

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

3.2 Circuit Design

Both the transmitter and the receiver can be assembled on any general-purpose PCB. Place the
transmitter and the receiver around one meter apart.

For calibration, press switches S1 and S2 followed by ‘on’ key of the calculator. Now press ‘1’
and ‘+’ keys sequentially to get ‘1’ on the screen of the calculator. Then, place a piece of
cardboard between the transmitter and the receiver to interrupt the IR rays two times. If the
calculator counts ‘2,’ the counter is working properly for that range. Repeat this procedure for
higher ranges as well. If there is any problem, adjust VR1.

3.3 Product Installation

For installation, switch off the transmitter, receiver and calculator, and mount the transmitter
and the receiver on the opposite pillars of the main entry gate such that they are properly
orientated towards each other. Mount the calculator where you can read it easily. Connect pins
4 and 5 of IC3 across ‘=’ key connections on the PCB of the calculator.

Now switch on the transmitter and the receiver by pressing switches S1 and S2, respectively.
Thereafter, switch on the calculator and press ‘1’ followed by ‘+’ key of the calculator to
initialize it. Now your counter is ready to count.

The calculator reads ‘1’ after one interruption, ‘2’ after second interruption and so on. The
counter reading limit varies from display to display.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 6

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

3.4 Working Principle

When switch S1 is in ‘on’ position, the transmitter circuit activates to produce a square wave
at its output pin 3. The two infrared LEDs (IR LED1 and IR LED2) connected at its output
transmit modulated IR beams at the same frequency (38 kHz). The oscillator frequency can
be adjusted using preset VR1.

In the receiver circuit, IR receiver module TSOP1738, which is commonly used in color
televisions for sensing the IR signals transmitted from the TV remote, is used as the sensor.

The IR beams transmitted by IR LED1 and LED2 fall on infrared receiver module IR RX1 of
the receiver circuit to produce a low output at its pin 2. This keeps transistor T1 in non-
conduction mode.

Now when anyone enters through the gate to interrupt the IR beam, the IR receiver module
produces a high output pulse at its pin 3. As a result, transistor T1 conducts to activate IC3 and
its internal transistor shorts key ‘=’ of the calculator to advance the count by one.

If an 8-digit calculator is used the counter can count up to 99,999,999 easily, and if a 10-digit
calculator is used the counter can count up to 9,999,999,999.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 7

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

CHAPTER 4: APPLICATIONS

4.1 Applications

1. It can be used at the railway stations or bus stands to count the number of people arriving
or leaving per day or for a given moment of time.

2. This infrared object counter can be installed at the entry gate of a compound to count the
total number of people entering any venue or at any exit points to note the number of people
leaving.

3. It can be used to track incoming shipments every moment by installing the sensors at the
entry bay.

4. As baggage or courier counters at airports/ Bus stations/ Railways to keep track of

passengers’ luggage.

5. By installing two sensors at the same location, we can estimate the number of people/things
entering/leaving the premises. If the 1st IR line breaks first, then the counter can be
incremented else if the 2nd IR line breaks first then the counter can be decremented. This
way we can keep track of things entering/leaving the premise at the same point.

6. It is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use. Since it is compact, it could be carried
anywhere. Therefore portable.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 8

P.A.C.E
 INFRARED OBJECT COUNTER

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION

5.1 Project Conclusion

The Infrared Object counter is a very useful tool in this modern world. It reduces very much
human efforts and saves time. It improves productivity by reducing unnecessary tiring small
tasks such as counting.

The components required for making the IR counter are cheap and readily available. It is
reliable and durable as it does not contain physical moving parts.
It improves workflow by reducing time spent on counting objects and helps us to focus more
on other important tasks. Thus, increasing productivity and hence more efficiency and financial
growth.

These counters are very compact and hence portable. The design can be overall improved to
make it even more compact and easy to use. It can be hooked to the internet to display Realtime
information on your Smartphones and computers so that managing things or people can be
made easier. Also, it increases the accessibility of the information to many people at once and
therefore work can be managed efficiently.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGG Page | 9

P.A.C.E