When using DISPL’s AI analytics, one common question is how the system determines whether a returning face is the same person or a new visitor. This process is governed by the concept of Session Time. Here’s a quick guide to how it works, why it matters, and what to expect in real-world scenarios.
1. What Is Session Time?
Session Time is the configurable duration during which the system remembers a Person ID. If the same individual reappears within this set time window, DISPL resumes tracking them under the same ID. If too much time passes, the system treats them as a new visitor.
2. How It Works (Step by Step)
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Initial Detection
- When someone is first recognized by the camera, DISPL assigns them a Person ID and starts a session timer.
- By default, this session timer is 3 hours (though it can be adjusted in your platform settings).
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Returning Within Session Time
- If the person re-enters the camera view before the session time expires, the system sees them as the same visitor.
- Important: The timer resets to another full session duration (e.g., another 3 hours) from the most recent moment they were detected.
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Exceeding the Session Time
- If enough time passes that the session timer ends (e.g., the person returns the next day), the system no longer ties them to the old ID.
- They are logged as a new or unique visitor with a fresh Person ID.
Example Scenario
- Session Time: 3 hours
- Visit 1: User appears at 12:00 PM → new Person ID assigned; session countdown starts.
- Visit 2: Same user reappears at 2:00 PM → recognized under same Person ID; session extends 3 hours from 2:00 PM (now expiring at 5:00 PM).
- Visit 3: They return at 5:30 PM → more than 3 hours since 2:00 PM, so a new Person ID is assigned.
3. Why It Matters
- Accurate Dwell & Re-Entry Metrics: By grouping multiple appearances of the same person into one session, you get clearer data on that individual’s behavior over a set timeframe.
- Flexible Configuration: For certain use cases (e.g., staff monitoring or kiosk usage), you might shorten or lengthen the default session time based on how likely it is for visitors to re-appear quickly or after many hours.
4. Best Practices and Considerations
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Choose a Session Time That Makes Sense
- 3 hours is the typical default. If your environment sees frequent return visits within a short window (e.g., staff members passing by), you might reduce it. If visitors might return after longer breaks (e.g., employees on shifts), you might increase it—though large session windows can delay when data appears in dashboards.
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Watch for Edge Cases
- If a device frequently goes offline or syncs late, session closures can happen at unexpected times. Data might arrive “late” to the server, which affects how sessions are displayed in reports.
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Pair Session Time with Good Camera Placement
- Even with a well-chosen session time, clear face detection remains crucial—poor angles or half-face views can disrupt continuity between visits. Refer back to our articles on camera placement and pitfalls to ensure the system consistently captures quality data.
5. Common Questions
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What If Someone Leaves for a Short Time and Comes Back?
- The session timer resets from their most recent detection, so it’s still counted as the same visitor.
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What Happens If the User Leaves for Longer Than the Session Time?
- Once the session time elapses, the system sees them as new the next time they appear.
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Can We Extend Session Time to 24 Hours?
- It’s technically possible, but keep in mind that your analytics or reporting might delay showing a user’s data until that extended session closes. It’s often best to match the session length to your typical visitor patterns.
Conclusion
Session Time is a powerful feature for accurately identifying repeat visitors and understanding store or venue traffic. By defaulting to three hours, DISPL captures a practical window for the majority of use cases. Adjusting this value can help tune the system for unique scenarios—such as long-shift employees, multi-visit shoppers, or specialized event spaces—while still maintaining accurate, real-time insights.
If you have further questions on changing session times or dealing with edge cases, feel free to reach out to DISPL Support. We’re here to help you configure the system to your exact needs!
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