The Problem of Manual Calculation

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 47 views

Introduction

The University of North Sumatra Library is one of the most visited places by students, lecturers, university employees, and the general public. However, the library often faces obstacles in getting accurate data about the number of visitors every day. The manual calculation that has been carried out has been proven ineffective. In fact, this data is very important as an indicator of visitor interest, benchmark satisfaction with library services, as well as to find out the capacity of visitors.

The Problem of Manual Calculation

Manual calculation of visitor numbers has been the traditional method used by libraries to track visitor data. However, this method has several limitations. Firstly, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring library staff to manually count visitors every day. Secondly, it is prone to errors, as staff may miscount or forget to record visitor numbers. Lastly, it does not provide real-time data, making it difficult for libraries to make informed decisions about their services.

Design of Integrated Visitor Counting System

To overcome the limitations of manual calculation, researchers designed an integrated visitor counting system that can detect the number of visitors who entered and exited simultaneously. This system is specifically designed for the University of North Sumatra Library with a door width of 180 cm and a height of 224 cm, which can be passed by four adults with an average shoulder width of 40 cm.

Components of the System

The integrated visitor counting system consists of several components, including:

LDR Sensor: This sensor has a resistance value that changes depending on the intensity of the light that hits it. It is used to detect the presence of visitors and track their movement.
Arduino Mega Microcontroller: This microcontroller processes the data read from the LDR sensor and displays it in real-time.
ESP 8266: This module is used to connect the system to the internet, allowing for real-time data transmission and analysis.

How the System Works

The integrated visitor counting system works as follows:

When a visitor enters or exits the library, the LDR sensor detects the change in light intensity and sends a signal to the Arduino Mega Microcontroller.
The microcontroller processes the signal and determines the direction of the visitor's movement (in or out).
The system then displays the visitor data in real-time, including the number of visitors who entered and exited.
The data is also transmitted to the internet via the ESP 8266 module, allowing for real-time analysis and reporting.

Advantages of the System

The integrated visitor counting system provides several advantages for the University of North Sumatra Library, including:

Accurate and Real-Time Data: The system provides accurate and real-time visitor data, allowing the library to get a clearer picture of the use of its facilities.
Increased Efficiency: The system automates the process of calculating visitors, freeing up library staff to focus on other more important tasks.
Better Decision Making: Accurate visitor data can help the library in making strategic decisions, such as scheduling services, spatial planning, and procurement of book collections.
More Effective Performance Evaluation: Data visitors can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of library programs and services, allowing for continuous improvement.

Implementation and Future Directions

The integrated visitor counting system is expected to be a solution for the library to improve service quality and provide a better experience for its visitors. In addition, this system can be implemented in various other public places, such as museums, art galleries, and shopping centers, to obtain more accurate and efficient visitor data.

Conclusion

The integrated visitor counting system is a innovative solution to the problem of manual calculation of visitor numbers. By providing accurate and real-time data, the system can help libraries make informed decisions about their services and improve the overall experience for their visitors. As the system continues to evolve and improve, it is expected to have a significant impact on the way libraries operate and provide services to their communities.

Recommendations for Future Research

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations for future research are proposed:

Implementation of the System in Other Public Places: The system can be implemented in various other public places, such as museums, art galleries, and shopping centers, to obtain more accurate and efficient visitor data.
Development of a Mobile App: A mobile app can be developed to allow visitors to access the visitor data and other library services on their mobile devices.
Integration with Other Library Systems: The system can be integrated with other library systems, such as the library's online catalog and circulation system, to provide a more comprehensive view of library services.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small Sample Size: The study was conducted on a small sample size, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Limited Data Collection: The study only collected data on visitor numbers and did not collect data on other variables, such as visitor demographics and behavior.
Limited Generalizability: The study was conducted in a specific library setting and may not be generalizable to other libraries or public places.

Q: What is the purpose of the integrated visitor counting system?

A: The integrated visitor counting system is designed to provide accurate and real-time data on the number of visitors who enter and exit the University of North Sumatra Library. This data can be used to improve the library's services and provide a better experience for its visitors.

Q: How does the system work?

A: The system uses an LDR sensor to detect the presence of visitors and track their movement. The sensor sends a signal to the Arduino Mega Microcontroller, which processes the data and displays it in real-time. The system also transmits the data to the internet via the ESP 8266 module.

Q: What are the advantages of the system?

A: The system provides several advantages, including accurate and real-time data, increased efficiency, better decision making, and more effective performance evaluation.

Q: Can the system be implemented in other public places?

A: Yes, the system can be implemented in various other public places, such as museums, art galleries, and shopping centers, to obtain more accurate and efficient visitor data.

Q: How accurate is the system?

A: The system has an accuracy of 80%, which means that it can accurately detect the presence of visitors 80% of the time.

Q: How long does it take for the system to detect a visitor?

A: The system can detect a visitor in an average of 3 seconds.

Q: Can the system be integrated with other library systems?

A: Yes, the system can be integrated with other library systems, such as the library's online catalog and circulation system, to provide a more comprehensive view of library services.

Q: What are the limitations of the system?

A: The system has several limitations, including a small sample size, limited data collection, and limited generalizability.

Q: Can the system be used to track visitor demographics and behavior?

A: No, the system is only designed to track visitor numbers and does not collect data on visitor demographics and behavior.

Q: How can the system be improved?

A: The system can be improved by increasing the accuracy of the LDR sensor, reducing the time it takes to detect a visitor, and integrating it with other library systems.

Q: What are the future directions of the system?

A: The system has several future directions, including implementation in other public places, development of a mobile app, and integration with other library systems.

Q: Can the system be used in other industries?

A: Yes, the system can be used in other industries, such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare, to track visitor numbers and improve services.

Q: What are the benefits of using the system?

A: The benefits of using the system include improved services, increased efficiency, and better decision making.

Q: How can the system be implemented in other industries?

A: The system can be implemented in other industries by adapting the hardware and software to meet the specific needs of the industry.

Q: What are the costs associated with implementing the system?

A: The costs associated with implementing the system include the cost of the hardware and software, as well as the cost of installation and maintenance.

Q: Can the system be used to track visitor behavior?

A: No, the system is only designed to track visitor numbers and does not collect data on visitor behavior.

Q: How can the system be used to improve services?

A: The system can be used to improve services by providing accurate and real-time data on visitor numbers, which can be used to make informed decisions about service delivery.

Q: What are the implications of using the system?

A: The implications of using the system include improved services, increased efficiency, and better decision making.

Q: Can the system be used to track visitor demographics?

A: No, the system is only designed to track visitor numbers and does not collect data on visitor demographics.

Q: How can the system be used to improve decision making?

A: The system can be used to improve decision making by providing accurate and real-time data on visitor numbers, which can be used to make informed decisions about service delivery.

Q: What are the benefits of using the system in other industries?

A: The benefits of using the system in other industries include improved services, increased efficiency, and better decision making.

Q: Can the system be used to track visitor behavior in other industries?

A: No, the system is only designed to track visitor numbers and does not collect data on visitor behavior in other industries.

Q: How can the system be used to improve services in other industries?

A: The system can be used to improve services in other industries by providing accurate and real-time data on visitor numbers, which can be used to make informed decisions about service delivery.

Q: What are the implications of using the system in other industries?

A: The implications of using the system in other industries include improved services, increased efficiency, and better decision making.