Multi-Wavelength Pattern Imaging for Weather-Obscured License Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices struggle to capture clear images of vehicle license plates and other patterns during extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, rain, or fog, which hinders effective law enforcement operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses multiple patterns, including a visible pattern and an invisible pattern under UV light, where the visible pattern is captured using visible light and the invisible pattern is captured using UV light, allowing for image enhancement and improved readability through pattern recognition algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible light is used to capture license plate patterns, then the pattern is visible to the naked eye and can be captured, but extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, rain, or fog prevent clear image capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light wavelength parameter from visible light to UV light for capturing patterns under extreme weather conditions. The imaging device switches between visible light and UV light wavelengths to capture patterns depending on weather conditions, thereby improving image capture reliability when visible light is blocked by snow, rain, or fog.
2Measurement precision
If UV light is used to capture invisible patterns, then clear images can be captured during extreme weather, but the pattern is colorless and invisible to the naked eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses UV light as an intermediary to capture patterns that are invisible to the naked eye. The imaging device captures UV-reflective patterns and then processes these images through pattern recognition algorithms to identify and extract meaningful information, effectively bridging the gap between invisible UV patterns and visible information.
3Device complexity
If a single imaging device is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot capture patterns under both visible and UV light wavelengths simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic imaging system that can switch between different light wavelengths based on environmental conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the imaging device's operating wavelength (visible or UV) and processing mode to adapt to varying weather conditions and pattern types, maximizing versatility without requiring permanently complex multi-device configurations.
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
Enhances image readability and accuracy in identifying vehicle license plates and other patterns by switching to UV light capture when visible light is unreliable, improving law enforcement operations.
Implementation Method 1
The second pattern may be identified using a barcode reader, QR code reader, and/or optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm. The imaging device may be adjusted to use the different light wavelength to capture the paired second pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
Image readability is improved via one or more patterns taken using different light wavelengths. A first pattern may include alphanumeric characters, barcodes, Quick Response (QR) codes, or a similar unique code that can be used to identify vehicle license plates, road signals, charts, placards, advertisements, or the like, using a light wavelength such as a visible light wavelength. A paired second pattern may include a copy of the first pattern or a different pattern but constructed with a different material that responds to a different light wavelength e.g., Ultra-Violet (UV) light wavelength. In one example, the paired second pattern may be identified and used as a reference for identifying the first pattern. This technique of using multi-patterns for identifying road signals, charts, placards, advertisements, and particularly the vehicle license plates during extreme weather conditions may improve law enforcement operations or other similar purposes.