License Plate Detection and Obscuring for Mobile Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in accurately detecting and processing license plate information from images captured by mobile devices due to varying angles, distances, and the presence of other objects, and they lack efficient methods for obscuring or confirming license plate data, especially in unsecure environments.

Innovation Solution

A mobile apparatus equipped with an image sensor and a license plate detector that processes electrical signals to recover license plate information, applies filters based on color temperature and motion, and automatically obscures or replaces the plate to prevent dissemination, while utilizing ancillary image data for confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If license plate information is made accessible for various vehicle activities, then user ability to gather valuable information is improved, but personal information security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to gather vehicle informationVSAvoidpersonal information security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary license plate information from the image while leaving the rest of the image intact and unobscured. This allows users to access the specific data needed for vehicle activities without compromising the entire image or exposing unnecessary personal information, thus resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The obscuring mechanism applies locally only to the license plate region identified in the image, rather than obscuring the entire image. This localized approach maintains the usability of the image for vehicle-related activities while protecting the specific sensitive information (license plate) that could compromise personal security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If manual installation and configuration of traffic cameras is used, then accurate license plate image collection is ensured, but scalability to mobile apparatus is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelicense plate image accuracyVSAvoidscalability to mobile devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and identifies license plates in images captured by mobile devices without requiring manual configuration or calibration. The automated detection algorithm adapts to different angles, distances, and lighting conditions, enabling accurate license plate collection across diverse mobile imaging scenarios without manual setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts detection parameters based on the characteristics of each captured image, such as angle, distance, and lighting conditions. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain measurement precision across varying mobile imaging conditions, making it scalable from fixed cameras to mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple license issuers are present, then comprehensive vehicle identification is enabled, but identification accuracy and confirmation efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification of multiple license issuersVSAvoidplate identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the license plate detection process into distinct stages: detecting the license plate region, identifying the issuing authority, and confirming the plate information. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple license issuers systematically, improving both adaptability to different jurisdictions and the precision of identification through staged verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where detected license plate information is verified and confirmed through multiple checks. This feedback loop ensures that identification accuracy is maintained even when multiple license issuers are present, as the system cross-validates findings before final confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables accurate detection and processing of license plate information from diverse angles and distances, ensures secure handling of plate data by obscuring or replacing it, and improves identification accuracy through redundant data verification.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10540564B2Method and apparatus for identifying vehicle information from an image

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 BLINKER INC

AI summary

Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image.