Vehicle Information Capture Using Targeted White Light Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ALPR systems struggle with reading non-reflective license plates and distinguishing vehicle characteristics due to reliance on NIR or IR illumination, which results in monochromatic images and limited information capture.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes NIR or IR images to determine a target illumination zone, followed by a brief pulse of white light to capture color images of license plates and additional vehicle features, minimizing driver distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If NIR or IR light is used to illuminate and capture license plates, then driver distraction is avoided and continuous capture is enabled, but the captured images are monochromatic and cannot distinguish vehicle characteristics such as color, make, and model
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination and capture process is divided into two distinct phases: (1) continuous NIR/IR illumination for tracking and monitoring without driver distraction, and (2) targeted white light illumination for capturing color and characteristic information. This segmentation allows each phase to serve its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic NIR/IR capture to track vehicle position and speed, then triggers white light illumination at specific intervals when a vehicle enters the target zone. This periodic action pattern ensures driver safety while capturing necessary information at appropriate moments.
2Loss of information
If a broad flood of white light is used to illuminate license plates, then color and vehicle characteristics can be captured, but driver distraction and unsafe conditions are caused
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of broad flood illumination, the system uses targeted white light directed specifically at the license plate and vehicle characteristics in the target zone. This local quality approach illuminates only the necessary area for information capture without creating driver distraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tracking using NIR/IR to determine when a vehicle enters the target illumination zone, then triggers white light illumination at the optimal moment. This preliminary action ensures white light is applied only when needed and positioned correctly.
3Measurement precision
If conventional ALPR systems use reflective license plates with NIR or IR illumination, then license plate numbers can be read, but non-reflective or altered plates cannot be read and additional vehicle characteristics cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple illumination types (NIR/IR and white light) in a single ALPR system, enabling it to perform multiple functions: reading license plate numbers on reflective plates, reading plates with reduced reflectivity, and distinguishing vehicle characteristics such as color, make, and model.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite illumination approach, combining NIR/IR illumination for tracking and white light for color capture. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each illumination type to overcome the limitations of using either type alone.
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 the ability to read license plate numbers and identify vehicle characteristics like state, make, and color while ensuring driver safety by using targeted white light illumination.
Implementation Method 1
ALPR systems generally utilize near infrared (NIR) or infrared (IR) light to read a license plate
Implementation Method 2
a broad flood of NIR or IR light is generated and reflected images of license plates illuminated thereby are captured by a camera
Implementation Method 3
A targeted pulse or beam of white light will be generated and directed toward the target illumination zone
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for vehicle information capture using white light are disclosed. In embodiments, the method may include capturing two or more near-infrared (NIR) or infrared (IR) images of a license plate of a vehicle. The method may include, in response to a determination that the license plate was captured, determining if images containing contiguous images of the license plate were captured. The method may include, in response to a determination that images containing contiguous images of the license plate were captured, determining a target illumination zone and a time that the vehicle will pass through the target illumination zone. The method may include, in response to a determination that the vehicle is in a target illumination zone, initiating a pulse of a white light and capturing a white light image. The method may include determining a license plate number based on the white light image.