What is Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)?

ANPR cameras or Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras - are part of an advanced system designed to accurately read vehicle number plates without the need for human intervention. A highly accurate system, Automatic Number Plate Recognition is extensively relied upon in the implementation of security and safety measures, while also improving the efficiency of transport and vehicle-related infrastructure. Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology plays a pivotal role in bolstering the security and safety of the public.

Fixed Systems

Fixed Systems are stationary installations that are permanently mounted in specific locations such as highways, toll booths, parking lots, and the entrances and exits of premises. These systems are designed to automatically record the licence plate information of passing vehicles. Fixed ANPR cameras are often integrated with databases that store information about wanted vehicles, stolen vehicles, or vehicles linked to specific crimes. The captured data can be used for various purposes, including traffic enforcement, security surveillance, and access control.

Mobile Systems

Mobile Systems are portable or vehicle-mounted units that can be moved and deployed in any location as required. These mobile systems are typically used by law enforcement agencies, parking enforcement officers, or mobile surveillance teams. Mobile ANPR cameras can be installed on police vehicles, motorcycles, or handheld devices, allowing for flexible and portable licence plate recognition. They are useful for real-time monitoring, vehicle identification, and rapid deployment in areas where fixed installations are not available or practical.

Uses of ANPR Camera for Law Enforcement

Once an ANPR camera has accurately identified and recorded the licence plate information of a vehicle that’s been involved in criminal activity, this information can then be cross-referenced with a database of vehicles - stolen or otherwise - that may be linked to specific crimes.

ANPR cameras can also provide valuable surveillance data, allowing law enforcement agencies to track the movement of vehicles associated with criminal activities. This information can be used to establish patterns, identify suspects, and gather evidence that may be beneficial, or even crucial, to ongoing investigations. The ANPR systems can even be set up to generate automated alerts when a vehicle of interest is detected, allowing law enforcement officers to take immediate action, which may prove vital in locating or apprehending a known perpetrator or a person of interest.

As such, the mere presence of ANPR cameras can act as a deterrent to potential criminals who are aware of the system's ability to capture licence plate information. This can discourage criminal activities, as perpetrators are aware that their vehicles can be easily identified and linked to the crime; this provides law enforcement agencies with a powerful tool for detecting and deterring crime, which in turn enhances public safety, and facilitate efficient law enforcement efforts. 

Uses of ANPR Camera for Traffic Control

Since its implantation, Automatic Number Plate Recognition has become an essential component of daily traffic control. 

• ANPR cameras can monitor and document the flow of traffic to gather data and optimise traffic management.

• They can implement section control to measure average vehicle speed over longer distances for enforcement and traffic planning purposes.

• ANPR systems can enhance security and identification at border crossings by automatically capturing and processing licence plate information.

• ANPR cameras can be used to analyse people’s travel data, such as route choice and origin-destination patterns, to inform transportation planning and infrastructure development.

• ANPR cameras can promote road safety and assist move-over laws (the traffic regulations that require drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles on the side of the road) by detecting and recording driving violations.

Uses of ANPR for Car Parks

ANPR systems are widely used in car parks for various purposes, and they can enable ticketless parking by automatically capturing and reading licence plates, eliminating the need for physical tickets.

An ANPR set-up can control access, allowing only authorised vehicles to enter and exit, and can contribute to security by monitoring and capturing licence plate information for surveillance purposes. It can also identify vehicles that violate regulations, and enable automated enforcement actions. ANPR cameras can also provide valuable data for analysing parking usage patterns, which can help optimise both space and operational efficiency.

Uses of ANPR Camera for Security

ANPR cameras have become instrumental in the security field, enhancing security measures and providing valuable data for surveillance and enforcement purposes. They can assist visitor management systems by recognizing and logging guest vehicles, thereby enhancing monitoring and access control in secured areas, and they can capture the licence information of thieves and other perpetrators, ie. motorists who drive away without paying for their fuel. 

NPR - Number Plate Recognition

NPR stands for Number Plate Recognition, which refers to the technology and process of recognizing and reading vehicle number plates.

ALPR - Automatic License Plate Recognition

Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) refers to the automated system that detects and reads the vehicle licence plates, sometimes via Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

LPR - License Plate Recognition

Not dissimilar to ALPR, Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) is the system used to automatically recognize and capture licence plate information.

AVI - Automatic Vehicle Identification

AVI stands for Automatic Vehicle Identification and denotes the technology that enables the automatic identification and tracking of vehicles based on their unique identifiers, such as licence plates.

CPR - Car Plate Recognition

Outside of the emergency medical procedure, CPR stands for Car Plate Recognition, which is the process of using specialised camera systems and software algorithms to identify car licence plates.

The GPCL-1240MA4GN is a top-of-the-range motorised outdoor infrared camera that combines multiple features into one unit. It utilises a 3.19MP Global Shutter CMOS image sensor, which offers exceptional performance in low light conditions owing to its high sensitivity. This state-of-the-art camera supports simultaneous video compression using H.265, H.264, and MJPEG, resulting in reduced storage space and network bandwidth requirements. It delivers high-quality 3MP video (2048x1536) in progressive mode, capturing 30 frames per second.

The GPCL-1240MA4GN utilises the Ambarellaplatform; designed to deliver high-performance video processing capabilities, this tech provides a comprehensive set of hardware and software solutions for video processing, encoding, and compression, and ensuring a secure operation without backdoor issues.

Equipped with a 1/1.8" 3.19MP Sony IMX265 Global Shutter CMOS sensor, the GPCL-1240MA4GN also features a strobe-driven power LED with 16 LEDs. It comes with a motorised auto-focus lens with IR correction, ranging from 12mm to 40mm, and supports TripleStream technology that allows for simultaneous encoding and transmission of video in three different compression formats. Designed with IP68 grade waterproofing and nitrogen-filled housing, and compliant with the OnVIF (Profile S) standard, the GPCL-1240MA4GN also offers shutter limit settings so as handle strong backlight or IR reflection.

You can have a closer look at the specs of the GPCL-1240MA4GN here, and check out the full Tekdis range of high-performance Vehicle IP Cameras & computers here. Haven’t quite found what you’re looking for? If you need some assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable staff here, and they can point you in the right direction. Easy!