Autofocus allows a plate to be detected and read with colour, black and white or infrared cameras

(15/12/2008)

A new advanced method of automatic number-plate recognition has been launched providing enhanced recognition features overcoming weaknesses in existing systems. Unlike existing systems Autofocus allows a plate to be detected and read with colour, B/W or infrared cameras. Removing the dependence on expensive specific video cameras designed for these ANPR applications

By advanced algorithms the systems is capable of dealing with significant flaws in the image caused by noise, luminosity, italics, rotation, size etc. greatly enhancing the reliability of the overall system.

Once the plate has been detected, each character must be isolated this is done by classic projection algorithms and the Autofocus own specific algorithms which enable it to process borderline cases (characters side-by-side, damaged characters, etc). The state of the art in optical character recognition recognizes three algorithms for character identification corrective, structural and neural all three are employed in this system order to maximise the advantages and minimise the weaknesses of each one.

Autofocus uses synthetic learning networks with which it is possible to make a neuronal network operational once a new character is known, without need for several samples. In this way, changes linked to the design of new plates can be rapidly integrated, an important factor in the addition of new countries. Certain characters are very similar (“1“ and “I”, “ 8 “ and “B”, “0” and “O” etc).

However, each country has a number plate syntax that can be used to tell whether a character should be numerical or alphabetical depending on its position in the sequence. Autofocus uses the results of the unrefined recognition in order to determine the most likely country of the plate under analysis and applies the syntax rules for this country in order to remove the possible ambiguities between similar characters. The performances observed on sites equipped with Autofocus technology usually have a success rate of between 95% and 100%.

This new systems offers users full EU coverage of all plates, including reading non-reflective, military, Belgium red plates, etc. This comprehensive system will ensure cost effective and the reliability now being demanded in the market place.

Related topics:  Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR   Detection systems   Surveillance 

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