License Plate Recognition Camera captures images of vehicle license plates and catalog the characters seen by the camera. LPRs are often paired with ANPR software, which is OPTIONAL, to identify and record vehicle license numbers.
When purchasing an LPR, choose one with searchable logs that make it easy to find footage when investigating incidents.
A license plate recognition camera requires high sensitivity to be able to detect the reflective paint on a vehicle’s plate. It must also be able to capture a clear image of the car in low-light conditions without washing out the license plate or exposing the interior of the vehicle. The camera’s sensitivity is determined by the type of light used, the lens type, and the shutter speed. It’s recommended that the max exposure time should not be more than 1/250 sec to avoid blurrred images.
These specialized cameras are incredibly precise at digitizing and reading license plates, allowing stakeholders to control access to their property with ease. They can scan a vehicle’s entire registration number in less than 20 milliseconds and are commonly used to monitor gates at gated communities. They can be linked to other security systems to reduce unauthorized entry into private properties, as well as provide valuable information on traffic patterns and hot spots for law enforcement agencies.
The sensitivity of the camera’s lens is an important factor for detecting license plates in low-light conditions, especially at night. A standard megapixel camera may be able to read a plate during the day, but it will not perform well at night when glare from headlights and street lamps is present. To improve the performance of the camera, a wide dynamic range (WDR) lens should be selected. WDR technology helps to bring out details that are hidden in shadows and prevent the camera from being blinded by strong light. However, it is important to note that this feature can cause motion artifacts in images of moving vehicles.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the camera is mounted in a place that is not affected by ambient light. For example, the cameras should not be mounted in the corner of a building because the reflected light can wash out the plate.
Wide dynamic range (WDR)
Capturing video in a highly backlit environment is a challenge for most cameras. To compensate, some cameras employ WDR technology, which is designed to improve visibility by balancing the contrast between dark and bright areas in an image. This can also help reduce glare from headlights on cars and illuminated signage. Some cameras are even able to capture license plate numbers from moving vehicles in low-light conditions. This feature is important for businesses in dense urban areas, especially those that use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems to track vehicle movement and monitor parking spaces.
To use WDR, a camera’s sensor can take two images at different speeds and light levels and then combine them to create a single image. This allows the camera to see more detail in the brightest and darkest areas of a scene. However, it is important to note that not all WDR cameras are created equal. Look for a model that offers true wide dynamic range, which is more effective at combating glare and other lighting issues.
Whether your business uses a license plate recognition system to identify cars, or you simply want to record a license plate, it’s essential to get the best possible camera for your environment. This includes choosing the right frame rate for your setup. Faster-moving vehicles will require a higher frame rate, while slower cars can be recorded at lower rates.
The best license plate cameras use high-resolution sensors and have a variety of lens options for various viewing angles. They are also compatible with most VMS and analytics software. Additionally, they can be used with IR illumination for night-time operation. Moreover, these cameras are easy to install and integrate into your existing security infrastructure.
Low-reflective ambient light
License plate recognition (LPR) cameras are pivotal security system integration technologies, elevating perimeter protection by enabling automatic entry for authorized vehicles while streamlining parking and automotive management operations. These specialized devices also support law enforcement and other security initiatives by identifying stolen vehicles or persons of interest.
To get the best image quality, the camera’s optics must be able to capture the license plate in low-reflective ambient light. This requires cameras with high-light sensitivity and wide dynamic range (WDR). In addition, they must be able to compensate for headlight glare. The following video demonstrates how Viewtron LPR-IP7 captures vehicle license plates at night using its advanced camera technology.
LPR cameras capture photographic images of license plates and convert them into digital data in real time. These data can then be analyzed for associated information such as lane identification and date/time. Standalone LPR systems perform this entire process on-site, while networked LPR cameras send the captured data to a remote computer for further analysis.
The best locations for LPR cameras are choke points, where vehicles pass at a low speed. They can be located on property gates, in parking lots, or even attached to police squad cars. Some of these systems are fixed, while others are mobile and can be moved to problem areas.
Retail businesses can enhance loss prevention efforts by deploying license plate recognition (LPR) cameras in key locations. The cameras will identify vehicles that are parked outside the store, loitering around the parking lot, and even entering or exiting the premises without authorization. This helps businesses to prevent thefts and fraud, while improving customer service.
Shutter speed
A good ANPR camera requires high resolution and a narrow field of view, as well as an adjustable shutter speed to make license plate text visible in low-light conditions. It also needs to be able to distinguish between different characters on the plate, as some letters look similar and might cause mix-ups. The system should be able to compensate for these differences with a fuzzy search algorithm, so that it can recognize the correct letter even if it is not the first one to appear on the camera image.
In addition to these technical requirements, a good ANPR camera should be able to operate in an environment with low ambient light, such as a tunnel. To reduce ambient light, the camera should be fitted with a filter or shutter to block out infrared (IR) light. It should also be positioned to avoid any reflections on the vehicle body, which can reduce the accuracy of the recognition process.
To maximize the quality of an ANPR image, it is important to use a high-quality camera with an adjustable shutter speed and WDR technology. It is also recommended to use a constant bitrate when streaming the video to minimize loss of quality.
The height of the camera should be chosen carefully, as it affects how close to a car it can capture. It is best to mount the camera at a slight elevation (38 ft) and face vehicles directly from the front. This will ensure that the camera is able to capture license plates at a distance without being blinded by headlights. The camera should also be positioned to avoid a vertical angle of more than 20 degrees, as this will reduce the ability of the camera to read license plates.
Angle of view
The most important factor when setting up a License Plate Recognition Camera is the angle of view. If the camera isn’t properly positioned, it will miss a large percentage of vehicles. A camera should be mounted at an optimal angle to avoid direct sunlight or light reflection from nearby objects such as trees and buildings. In addition, the camera should be angled so that vehicles pass directly in front of the lens, without any significant movement away or toward the camera. This will ensure that the cameras are able to see and read the license plate of every vehicle that passes by.
In order for a license plate reader to be accurate, it must be able to see the entire image of a vehicle’s license plate. A narrower field of view is generally better for ANPR text recognition, as it allows the camera to zoom in on the license plate while still maintaining good image quality. A wide-angle camera, on the other hand, will only be able to capture a tiny portion of the vehicle’s license plate, and it will require much more zooming in order for ANPR text recognition to be accurate.
The Montavue MTB4-ANPR-VF License Plate Recognition Camera has a 2MP image sensor and a motorized zoom lens with up to 5x magnification, which provides a field of view that starts at 40 degrees and narrows down to 17 degrees when fully zoomed in. This allows the camera to detect a license plate up to 133 ft and to recognize vehicle human faces up to 233 ft. Its specialized adjustments and angular corrections help the camera to focus on the license plate, and ignore the surrounding images that may not be relevant.