License Plate Bezel with Flash Sensor and Blanking Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle license plates are frequently photographed or videotaped without permission, violating individuals' privacy, as existing technologies lack effective means to prevent unauthorized monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A license plate assembly with embedded light sources that detect monitoring flashes and generate intense blanking flashes to saturate camera sensors, rendering the license plate unreadable by overloading the camera's light sensors during image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no anti-monitoring measures are implemented, then the license plate remains clearly visible and readable in monitoring images, but this violates the privacy of vehicle owners by allowing unauthorized recording of license plate information
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting monitoring flashes and preemptively activating blanking flashes that saturate the camera sensor before the actual image capture occurs. This preliminary saturation prevents the camera from recording clear license plate information, thereby protecting privacy before the harmful monitoring action can complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful monitoring flash into a beneficial trigger signal. The monitoring flash, which intends to illuminate the license plate for recording, is detected and repurposed as the activation signal for the blanking flash. This transforms the harmful monitoring action into the mechanism that triggers privacy protection.
2Loss of information
If a blanking flash is generated in response to monitoring flashes, then the license plate becomes unreadable by saturating camera sensors, but this requires additional light sources and control circuitry embedded in the bezel
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions into the single bezel structure: the bezel serves as both the decorative/protective frame for the license plate and as the housing for the light sources. By embedding the light-emitting elements directly into the bezel, the patent combines the structural component with the functional anti-monitoring component, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bezel is designed with multi-functionality, serving simultaneously as a structural frame, a protective element, and a carrier for the light sources. This universal design allows the same component to fulfill multiple roles, eliminating the need for separate housings or mounting structures for the light sources.
3Reliability
If multiple flash generating means are provided to handle simultaneous monitoring from multiple cameras, then the system can respond to all monitoring flashes, but this increases the quantity of light sources and charging circuitry required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic response by using a control circuit that actively monitors for the presence and timing of monitoring flashes. Rather than having all flash generators operate continuously or simultaneously, the control circuit dynamically activates only the specific flash generators needed based on the detected monitoring activity, optimizing resource usage while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the control circuit continuously monitors for monitoring flashes and uses this information to trigger appropriate blanking responses. The feedback loop ensures that the system adapts its response based on the actual monitoring conditions, activating the necessary number of flash generators only when and where monitoring is detected.
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
Effectively prevents unauthorized image capture of motor vehicle license plates by making the alphanumeric characters appear featureless or obscured, thus protecting privacy by ensuring the license plate is not recognizable in recorded images.
Implementation Method 1
a flash sensor arranged and constructed to sense one or more monitoring flashes
Implementation Method 2
four flash generators arranged to generate blanking flashes in the form of intense light beams
Data Source
AI summary
A license plate assembly includes a frame receiving a conventional license plate and at least one blanking flash generator arranged to generate a blanking flash at the license plate in response to a monitoring flash from an external monitoring device. The monitoring device is designed to take an image of the license plate and the blanking flash is obscuring the license plate to prevent or interfere with the taking of the image.