Video surveillance has progressed a lot in recent years. With newer video analytics being developed, more and more features are added to security cameras that improve security, provide more insights and help keep track of activity. One such development is the License Plate Recognition feature that has been seen on modern cameras. This blog talks about LPR cameras and their usage.
What are ANPR, ALPR, LPR camera?
ANPR, ALPR, and LPR cameras are all terms used for the same thing LPR camera that can read and detect license plates. Although they use different names and abbreviations, they all have the same technology. LPR cameras are Automatic Number Plate Recognition or Automatic License Plate Recognition cameras.
Regardless of the specific acronym used, the underlying technology remains the same. They all involve capturing images of license plates and using optical character recognition (OCR) software to extract and interpret the characters on the plates for various applications.
How do LPR camera work?
LPR camera systems are equipped with high definition cameras positioned and zoomed to where the vehicle license plate will be. These cameras are designed to work in various lighting conditions and at different angles.
Regardless of the specific acronym used, the underlying technology remains the same. They all involve capturing images of license plates and using optical character recognition (OCR) software to extract and interpret the characters on the plates for various applications.
Key Components of an LPR Camera System
An LPR system typically consists of the following components:
Types of LPR Cameras
LPR cameras can be classified into three types based on their mobility and installation:
Primary Purpose of LPR Camera Systems
LPR cameras can serve various purposes depending on the needs of the business or law enforcement. Some of these are:
Security Enforcement
LPR cameras are used by law enforcement to identify and track vehicles of interest. This can help solve crimes, and in ongoing investigations, specifically for car thefts and other associated criminal activity. They are also used by border patrol to track and monitor vehicles crossing over to identify threats based on an existing database.
Parking Management And Access Control
LPR cameras can improve the efficiency and convenience of parking operations by automating the entry and exit authorization of vehicles, enforcing parking rules and optimizing parking space utilization. They find applications in gated communities, corporate parks and other secure facilities.
Toll Collection
They are also used on highways and toll booths to automate toll collection without the need to stop for billing.
Environmental And Congestion Charging
Some LPR cameras are used to monitor traffic for congestion pricing and environmental zoning restrictions, where vehicles are charged based on emissions and traffic congestion levels.
Law Enforcement And Public Safety
LPR cameras can assist the law enforcement agencies in enforcing the traffic laws and regulations, identifying and locating wanted or stolen vehicles, and tracking and monitoring suspects or persons of interest.
Revenue Generation
LPR cameras can generate revenue for the owners or operators of a location by charging fees for parking, tolls, or fines, or by selling the data or insights to third parties.
Places Where LPR Cameras Are Used
LPR cameras can be used in a wide range of settings where license plate recognition is beneficial or necessary. Some of the common settings are:
Challenges with existing LPR camerasa
Some of the common challenges when deploying LPR cameras are the following:
Considerations For Implementing An LPR Camera System
LPR camera systems can vary in terms of features, capabilities, and quality. Therefore, it is important to look for the following aspects when buying or choosing an LPR camera system:
Image Quality
LPR camera systems should have high-resolution cameras that can capture clear and sharp images of the license plates, even in low-light, high-speed, or wide-angle situations. The cameras should also have features such as infrared illumination, wide dynamic range, or image stabilization, to enhance the image quality and accuracy.
OCR Accuracy
LPR camera systems should have advanced OCR software that can analyze and interpret the images and convert them into text, even in complex, noisy, or distorted situations. The software should also have features such as multiple plate reading, different format recognition, or different language support, to enhance the OCR accuracy and speed, to enhance the OCR performance and reliability.
Database Integration
LPR camera systems should have seamless integration with the database of license plates that the system compares the text with. The database should be updated, accurate, and secure, and the system should be able to access, query, and update the database in real time or near real time, depending on the application and network availability.
Fuzzy Matching
Some LPR camera systems fail to recognize characters correctly. It is better to look for cameras that return the best matches as opposed to exact ones even when an instance is not found in the database. Modern LPR systems “fuzzy match” characters to return the closest match even when characters are not recognized or captured properly.
Angle, Distance And Location
When installing LPR cameras, instead of having a large field of view, it is better to have a single “choke point”, which is a zoomed in area focused by the camera to return the highest quality image. This is specific to gated areas like parking lots, toll booths, drive-throughs where the vehicle passes through a specific pathway.
Cost-Effectiveness
LPR camera systems should have reasonable and affordable costs for the owners or operators of the system, considering the initial investment, operational expenses, and maintenance fees. The system should also have features such as cloud storage, wireless connectivity, or solar power, to reduce the costs and increase the efficiency of the system.
LPR Camera Systems In Canada
Looking to install LPR cameras in Canada? Spotter Security offers design, installation and maintenance for security camera systems to keep you secure. With over 20 years of experience and expertise in the security industry, Spotter Security knows your business and how to secure it. Contact Spotter Security today to get a security consultation to see how you can secure your business using LPR cameras.
Written by : Carlo Di Leo
At the age of 24, with no experience in the security industry or any money in the bank, Carlo quit his job and started Spotter Security from his parent's basement. Founded in 2004, Spotter grew from a single man operation into a multi-million dollar security system integrator that caters to businessess and construction sites across Canada.