Traffic Enforcement Imaging With IR Classification and Selective Flash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traffic-enforcement machines fail to opportune image acquisition based on vehicle category and type, leading to unnecessary flash lighting use, increased power consumption, and discomfort glare, while infrared-only systems cannot meet legal requirements for color photographs.
Innovation Solution
An image-acquiring system for traffic-enforcement machines that includes infrared illumination, a camera sensitive to infrared radiation, a device for visible flash lighting, and data processing using classification algorithms to discriminate vehicle categories and behaviors, acquiring color images only when infringement criteria are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If flash lighting is used to illuminate vehicles for image acquisition, then image quality and visibility are improved, but power consumption increases and driver discomfort glare occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illumination from visible light to infrared radiation (700-1000 nm), allowing image acquisition without visible flash while maintaining illumination effectiveness for the sensor
Solution Approach 2:
An infrared-sensitive camera acts as an intermediary between the infrared illumination and the image recording system, converting infrared radiation into visible images that can be processed and displayed
2Reliability
If flash lighting is used for all vehicles, then all vehicles are adequately illuminated, but unnecessary flash use increases power consumption and causes discomfort glare
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses infrared wavelength parameter change to make illumination invisible to drivers while still effective for image sensing, eliminating discomfort glare
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary infrared imaging and classification before deciding whether visible flash is needed, avoiding unnecessary flash activation
3Illumination intensity
If infrared imaging is used instead of visible light imaging, then visibility under degraded light conditions is improved, but color information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging process into two stages: infrared imaging for detection and classification, then visible light imaging for color documentation when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by combining infrared sensing capabilities with visible light photography, allowing it to operate effectively in both degraded and normal light conditions while preserving color information when required
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
The system provides high-quality color images for legal evidence, reduces unnecessary flash use, and minimizes driver discomfort, adhering to varying traffic laws and regulations by categorizing vehicles and behaviors.
Implementation Method 1
a device for providing infrared illumination; a camera sensitive to infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
a camera sensitive to infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
a device for providing flash lighting in the visible
Data Source
AI summary
An image-acquiring system for a traffic-enforcement machine is configured to measure the path, position and speed of at least one vehicle using a device for tracking road vehicles; illuminate the vehicle using a device for providing infrared illumination; acquire, using a camera sensitive to infrared radiation, at least one infrared image of the vehicle illuminated by the device for providing infrared illumination; and process the infrared image of said vehicle using a data-processing device. The system is also configured to, when the speed of the vehicle, position of the vehicle, category of the vehicle, and/or a behavior of the driver meet/meets at least one infringement criterion, illuminate the vehicle using a device for providing lighting in the visible and acquire a color image of the illuminated vehicle using a photographic device for taking color photographs.