Mobile Device License Plate Recognition for Targeted Vehicle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating vehicles of interest, such as All-points bulletins, rely on manual identification by law enforcement and lack efficient technology for real-time detection and reporting of suspicious or targeted vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing mobile devices with image capture capabilities to process images for license plate recognition, comparing detected plates to a database of targeted vehicles, and initiating actions through a networked environment for notification and further investigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual identification methods like All-points bulletins are used to locate vehicles of interest, then law enforcement can broadcast vehicle descriptions to agencies, but the process lacks real-time detection capability and requires significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification processes with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Mobile devices capture images of license plates, and software automatically extracts and compares plate numbers against databases, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection and paperwork associated with traditional All-points bulletin methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service detection where mobile devices automatically capture license plate images, perform OCR processing, and compare results against targeted vehicle databases without requiring law enforcement personnel to manually initiate each search. The automated workflow continuously monitors and reports matches, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring constant human intervention.
2Measurement precision
If expensive customized hardware is used for license plate recognition, then detection accuracy can be improved, but the cost and complexity of deployment increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets instead of expensive dedicated license plate recognition hardware. These consumer-grade devices with built-in cameras and processors are sufficient for capturing license plate images and performing OCR, dramatically reducing system cost while maintaining acceptable accuracy for law enforcement applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal mobile devices that serve multiple functions - they can capture license plate images, process the images through OCR software, store data, communicate with databases, and provide user interfaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized single-purpose hardware, reducing complexity and deployment costs while achieving the required detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed are various systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for determining a vehicle is of interest, referred to as a targeted vehicle, based on an image capture of the car. A user may position a mobile computing device on the dash of his or her vehicle. While the user is driving, the mobile computing device may collect image frames of other vehicles and transmit them to a remote server. The remote server may identify a vehicle as a targeted vehicle and notify one or more users of the identification including details regarding why the vehicle is targeted.