License Plate Recognition System (LPR) Development

Executive Summary

eInfochips explored expertise in the area of security and surveillance by developing advance license plate recognition system.



License number plate recognition system is a mass surveillance method that uses optical character recognition on images to read the license plates on vehicles. The license plate systems can scan number plates at around one per second on cars travelling up to 100 mph (160 km/h) which shows system’s efficiency.
eInfochips' developed a LPR system based on Windows XP and Linux which takes live video input and outputs a license plate number in ASCII/Unicode which can work in adverse weather conditions. eInfochips' LPR is optimized for all vehicle speeds. LPR can be placed at the side of a traffic lane or in any other location that requires automatic identification. It is used any various types of Security, Parking and Traffic applications.

The Challenge

  • We here in eInfochips decided to develop an advance security system to explore our expertise on various technologies to develop an advance security and surveillance solution. We had do develop product from scratch i.e. from idea development to project execution.
  • We had to make system efficient that it can capture and authenticate vehicle having speed up to 160km/h.
  • We decided to make system capable to support  2-3 vehicles’ authentication per second with field of view with standard lens - lane width 2.5 meters and detection ranges with standard lens- 2.0 -to 5.5 meters.

The Solution

Design & Development                

With various technologies such as Visual C/C++ 6.0, Visual Basic 6.0, Java, DLLs, ActiveX components, OCX files team eInfochips developed License Plate Recognition System.
Team eInfochips developed complete frame work and algorithms of imaging on windows platform. Also we developed project and algorithms of Imaging on Windows platform with Porting of framework and algorithms on TI DM6446 to enable system with following features, functionalities and applications.

Features

  • Image Capture: Capture and illumination profiles are optimized for each event
  • Identification: analyzes the images, detects the plate, recognizes the plate number, and verifies the results.
  • Authorized vehicle list management: add/find/edit/delete
  • Images: can save images of vehicle or driver face (optional); as BMP or compressed JPG files
  • Display: displays last "best" image per lane, lists a history of recognition results and system status

Functionalities and Performance

  • Recognition speed - 2-3 vehicles per second
  • Field of view with standard lens - lane width 2.5 meters
  • Detection ranges with standard lens- 2.0 -to 5.5 meters
  • Other Detection ranges: We can develop as per project requirements.
  • Multiple cameras can be monitored on single lane for increased reliability
  • Distance between camera unit and PC station: Up to 60 meters
  • Capable in operating in any whether condition.

Application Areas

  • Parking - the number plate is used to automatically enter pre-paid members and calculate parking fee for non-members (by comparing the exit and entry times).
  • Access Control - a gate automatically opens for authorized members in a secured area, thus replacing or assisting the security guard. The events are logged on a database and could be used to search the history of events.
  • Tolling - the car number is used to calculate the travel fee in a toll-road, or used to double-check the ticket.
  • Border Control - the car number is registered in the entry or exits to the Country, and used to monitor the border crossings. It can short the border crossing turnaround time and cut short the typical long lines.
  • Stolen cars - a list of stolen cars or unpaid fines is used to alert on a passing 'hot' cars. The 'black list' can be updated in real time and provide immediate alarm to the police force. The LPR system is deployed on the roadside, and performs a real-time match between the passing cars and the list. When a match is found a siren or display is activated and the police officer is notified with the detected car and the reasons for stopping the car.
  • Enforcement - the plate number is used to produce a violation fine on speed or red-light systems. The manual process of preparing a violation fine is replaced by an automated process which reduces the overhead and turnaround time. The fines can be viewed and paid on-line.
  • Traffic control - the vehicles can be directed to different lanes according to their entry permits (such as in University complex projects). The system effectively reduces traffic congestions and the number of attendants.
  • Travel - A number of LPR units are installed in different locations in city routes and the passing vehicle plate numbers are matched between the points. The average speed and travel time between these points can be calculated and presented in order to monitor municipal traffic loads. Additionally, the average speed may be used to issue a speeding ticket.
  • Airport Parking - In order to reduce ticket fraud or mistakes, the LPR unit is used to capture the plate number and image of the cars. The information may be used to calculate the parking time or provide a proof of parking in case of a lost ticket - a typical problem in airport parking which have relatively long (and expensive) parking durations. )

Technology

Platform: TI DaVinciTM processor DM6446, x86, Embedded Linux, Windows XP

Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP or Linux

Programming Languages:  Visual C/C++ 6.0, Visual Basic 6.0, Java

SDK for easy integration: DLLs, ActiveX components, OCX files

Image Input: Live video input

Trigger: Trigger is necessary for starting the recognition

Sample Processing Time: 250ms @ CPU 2GHz (768x576 pixels (PAL)

Processing Time Dependence:

Image quality (complexity, noise level etc.)
Image size
Processing power (CPU speed)
Parameter settings

Output:  

 Plate number in ASCII/UNICODE
Position of plate
Positions of characters
Confidence levels for each Character
Time information
Country ID (optional)

Documentation:  Reference Manual in electronic format

The Benefit

  • By exploring expertise in the area eInfochips opened up all together an new era for their existing and potential clients to get  advance security and surveillance solution like License Plate Recognition system,
  • Now we can have partnerships with you for development of solution like LPR and others as per your requirements and can save 35% of development time.
  • We can provide service from idea generation to project execution and can save your over 25% of project cost by leveraging this expertise.