CONVERTING DIGITALLY IMAGED LICENSE PLATES INTO READABLE ELECTRONIC TEXT
i³’s Sentinel License Plate Recognition (LPR) is a surveillance method that uses optical character recognition (OCR) on images to read the licence plates on vehicles. Using standard 480-line resolution CCTV cameras and a special recognition algorithm, Sentinel LPR software captures and identifies licence plate text in real time and with minimal latency.
Benefits of a Software-Based Solution
Unlike many other LPR solutions on the market, i³’s LPR technology is software, rather than camera-based. In addition to capturing and identifying licence plates, the software technology offers superior capabilities of storage and retrieval. In other words, all of that valuable plate information can be stored on a searchable database for later use and analysis. The software runs on standard PC hardware, is extremely easy to use and reliable, and can be linked to other applications or databases.
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License Plate Recognition
How the Technology works
Sentinel is a highly specialized, image-processing software allows the computer
to read photographs of vehicle licence plates taken by video surveillance cameras.
The cameras focus on the vehicle plates and, in a matter of seconds, the software
extracts, reads, and records the series of numbers and letters imprinted on the
plate.
Computer Vision Technology (CVT) is a new and rapidly growing field. While the process of converting digital images of vehicle plates into electronic text is extremely complex, it can be summarized in a few steps. First, CCTV cameras capture images of the vehicle. From that point, the software begins the following processes:
• Plate Localization Identifies precise location of licence plate
• Plate Extraction Extracts image of plate from background
• Character Transformation Transforms license plate into standardized format
• Character Segmentation Separates Individual characters from each other
• Character Interpretation Invokes special algorithm to “read” entire plate
Cost/Performance Benefits for Retail Industry
Most LPR systems rely on infrared illuminators (lighting) to allow the camera to take pictures at any time of the day or night. Pulsed infrared cameras can compensate for headlight glare, low sun, and reflections, making the LPR system more reliable at night and in adverse weather. Unfortunately, these speciality IR cameras are extremely expensive and many retailers are reluctant to invest in this kind of specialized technology.
The benefit of Sentinel is that our technology works with any standard, 480-line resolution camera. As such, retailers can perform quality automatic plate recognition without having to make a large upfront investment in IR camera-based technology. By making our system affordable and adaptive, i³ has ensured that retailers of all sizes can take advantage of the security and convenience provided by automated plate capture technology.
i3DVR’s Sentinel LPR software gives you quality data that can be easily stored, retrieved, and analyzed. The sophistication of LPR technology combined with the affordability of conventional cameras give it a high cost/performance ration, and make it one of the most efficient, cost-effective plate recognition solutions on the market.
Key Features
• Software-based system for trouble-free storage and quick retrieval
• High recognition confidence
• High recognition speed
• Operates on any standard PC
• Recognizes all vehicle types in less than one second
• Marks entrance and exit time of vehicles
• Adjustable to full or partial plate recognition
• Activates alarm when unauthorized plates are detected
• User-friendly -- system requires minimal setup
Interested in leaning more about how Sentinel can help in your particular application? Would you like a live demonstration? Contact our Customer Care department today at 1.866.840.0004 and we’ll be happy to help.