Wide-Angle Image Sensor for Tolling with Variable Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road tolling systems require multiple devices, including cameras and sensors, to capture and track vehicles, increasing costs and visual impact, and necessitate a tracking system to link images from different cameras.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pixel-based image sensor and a wide-angle optical system is arranged above a surveillance zone, capturing both front and rear views of vehicles using a refraction-based optical system that varies resolution, allowing a single image sensor to capture the entire surveillance zone with higher resolution at entry and exit points and lower resolution in the middle, reducing the number of pixels needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cameras and sensors are used to capture and track vehicles, then vehicle detection and tracking reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (front license plate capture, rear license plate capture, and vehicle tracking) into a single camera system. By positioning one camera at each end of the surveillance zone to capture images of vehicles entering and exiting, the system eliminates the need for multiple separate tracking devices while maintaining reliable vehicle identification through license plate recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system performs multiple functions: capturing front license plates at the entrance, capturing rear license plates at the exit, and tracking vehicle movement throughout the surveillance zone. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall number of devices needed while maintaining comprehensive vehicle detection and tracking capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If high resolution is maintained across the entire surveillance zone, then image quality is improved, but data processing requirements and storage needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different resolution qualities to different zones within the surveillance area. High-resolution imaging is concentrated on critical areas (license plates at entry and exit points), while other areas of the surveillance zone use lower resolution. This local differentiation maintains necessary image quality for identification purposes while significantly reducing overall data processing and storage requirements.
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 configuration reduces costs, data processing requirements, and visual impact while ensuring reliable vehicle identification and tracking, enabling efficient tolling without the need for multiple devices.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system (9) provided with a refraction which is arranged such relative said image sensor (2), that an image captured by said image sensor (2) comprises both said first and said second end zone
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to a device for tolling or telematics systems provided with a pixel based image sensor. The image sensor is adapted to be arranged above a surveillance zone provided on a road, wherein the surveillance zone has an extension along the direction of the road. The image sensor is adapted to be arranged in between a first and a second end zone of said surveillance zone. The image sensor is provided with a wide-angle optical system having a refraction and which is arranged such, relative said image sensor that an image captured by said image sensor comprises both said first and said second end zone.