Traffic Violation Camera License Plate Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing traffic violation detection systems struggle to reliably capture and display vehicle license plates of violating vehicles across multiple lanes, as the images are often distorted due to different distances and angles, making it difficult to identify the registration number, especially in convoy traffic where immediate intervention is required.

Innovation Solution

A method where the camera captures images of violating vehicles at a specified photo line, with the image section adjusted based on the photo point to ensure the license plate is displayed at a consistent size, allowing for clear identification and immediate action, using a combination of strip sensors, radar, or laser sensors to determine the photo point and align the camera axis for accurate image recording.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the camera captures images of violating vehicles at a specified photo line across multiple lanes, then the ability to detect and record traffic violations is improved, but the license plate becomes distorted and difficult to read due to different distances and angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelicense plate recognition accuracyVSAvoidimage distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively capturing and displaying only the specific region containing the license plate at enlarged size, rather than capturing the entire vehicle image. The camera is positioned and oriented such that the photo line intersects the roadway at a specific point, and the image processing system identifies and enlarges the license plate region from the captured image, ensuring it appears at a consistent, readable size regardless of the vehicle's position in different lanes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the camera is positioned to capture vehicles in multiple lanes, then the coverage area is improved, but the image quality and license plate visibility deteriorate due to varying distances and angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroadway coverage areaVSAvoidimage quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the roadway into multiple lanes and defines a photo line that extends across all lanes. The camera captures images at this photo line, and the system then segments the captured image to identify and extract the specific license plate region from each lane's vehicle. This segmentation allows the system to maintain image quality consistency by processing each lane's vehicle independently, adjusting for distance and angle variations specific to each lane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the photo line is positioned to capture vehicles at optimal angles, then the image quality is improved, but the ability to capture vehicles from all lanes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmulti-lane capture capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional approach (camera positioned at a fixed location capturing a specific angle) to a three-dimensional approach. The photo line is defined as extending across the roadway in one dimension, while the camera captures images from a position that can accommodate vehicles in multiple lanes. The image processing system then analyzes the three-dimensional geometry of the captured images to identify and extract license plates from vehicles in different lanes, maintaining optimal image quality while capturing all lanes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 method ensures that vehicle registration numbers are readable and recognizable, enabling immediate enforcement of traffic violations by ensuring the license plate is displayed at a consistent size across multiple lanes, enhancing the educational effect and compliance with traffic rules.

Implementation Method 1

the camera (5) creates an image (7) of the current traffic scene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotography: Photography

Implementation Method 2

A violating vehicle (4) running over a strip sensor (3.1, 3.2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoresistive Effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 3

Doppler radar systems are among the most widely used measuring systems for determining speed violations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler Effect: Doppler Effect

Implementation Method 4

laser sensors or permanently installed sensors in or on the road surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2483882B1Method for immediate penalisation of a traffic offense
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 JENOPTIK ROBOT GMBH
  • EP2483882B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2483882B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2483882B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for penalizing for traffic violations, wherein on a roadway (1) having several lanes (2.1, 2.2), a traffic violation is detected by measurement using a measuring device and the acquisition of an image (7) of the violator vehicle (4) is carried out by means of a camera (5) as soon as the front of the vehicle in the event of oncoming traffic or the rear of the vehicle in the event of departing traffic passes a specified photo line (FL). In the image acquisition (7), an image section (8) in which the vehicle license plate of the violator vehicle (4) is depicted is selected, enlarged to a specified size, and displayed, wherein a photo point (FP) is detected depending on the location at which the violator vehicle (4) passed the photo line (FL) and the image section (8) is selected in regard to position and size relative to said photo point (FP). The image section (8) can also be used as evidence that the vehicle depicted there is the violator vehicle.