Barrier Shaft Integrated License Plate Optical Reader
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle access control systems are costly and inefficient, particularly due to the need for user-provided badges and the inability to automatically detect shared usage, with existing automatic barriers being complex and expensive to implement.
Innovation Solution
An automatic license plate reading system integrated into a barrier, utilizing a digital camera, optical character recognition, and a database to control access based on license plate recognition, eliminating the need for user badges and simplifying installation by embedding the optical reader within the barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If badge-based access control is used, then user identification is possible, but system cost increases and shared usage detection becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical copying (imaging) of the license plate as a substitute for physical badges. The camera captures an image of the license plate, and the OCR system creates a digital copy of the plate number for identification purposes, eliminating the need for physical badges while maintaining reliable user identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical badge distribution and verification system with an optical-electronic system. Instead of physical badges being manually distributed and checked, the system uses a camera to optically capture license plate images and an OCR system to automatically extract and verify plate numbers, significantly reducing system complexity and cost.
2Extent of automation
If automatic barrier is equipped with optical reader, then license plate reading is automated, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical reader system directly into the barrier structure. The camera, lighting devices, and OCR processing are integrated as a unified system mounted on the barrier pole, combining multiple functions (barrier control, image capture, illumination, and plate recognition) into a single integrated installation, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the physical access control mechanism and the mounting structure for the optical reading system. The same barrier pole that controls vehicle access also supports the camera and lighting devices, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate installation structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable vehicle access control system that can automatically identify and manage vehicle access without the need for user-specific badges, facilitating easier installation and operation by leveraging license plate recognition technology.
Implementation Method 1
The optical reader 16 is configured for the automatic reading of number plates
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This automatic barrier controls vehicle access to an area. It comprises a shaft (10), a movable obstacle (12) mounted on the shaft (10) between a closed and an open position, and an optical reader (16) for automatically reading the license plates of vehicles approaching the barrier. The optical reader (16) is mounted inside the shaft (10).