DetectWORKS License Plate Recognition System. User Manual.

DetectWORKS License Plate Recognition System. User Manual.

Contents Overview...4 1. Installation Guide...5 1.1. Camera...5 1.1.1 Camera Model Choice...5 1.1.2 Camera mounting...5 1.1.3 Capture at night...6 1.2 2. 1.2.1 Standard LPR Solution...8 1.2.2 LPR Solution for controlling Barrier or Gates...14 DW LPR Server...18 2.1 3. Software installation and configuration...8 Configuration...18 2.1.1 Main...18 2.1.2 Cameras...20 2.1.3 Data Server...27 2.1.4 Advanced...28 2.1.5 License...29 2.2 Visual LPR Parameters...30 2.3 Motion Zones...32 2.4 Camera Options Control...33 DW LPR Client...34 3.1 Login Dialog...34 3.2 Main Screen...35 3.3 Configuration...36 3.3.1 3..1 4 Main...36 Plugins...36 DW LPR Data Server...36 4.1 Configuration...36 4.1.1 Server...37 4.1.2 Archive...38

4.1.3 Advanced...38 4.1.4 License...40 5 DetectWORKS Barrier Module...41 6 DetectWORKS Black List Module...42

Overview DetectWORKS LPR System Solutions are based on latest technologies and consist of several software components which linking together allow to build complete stable and robust License Plate recognition system. The modular architecture in conjunction with wide range of custom developed extensions allows to cover various types of ANPR Automation requirements. The following major components are used in typical LPR System: DWLPR Server. Major functional software component. Connects to cameras, data server, load additional Functional modules such as Black List Module or DWLPR Barrier module. Operate with external automation hardware. DWLPR Client. The Client application for working with collected LPR data through connection to DWLPR Data Server. DWLPR Data Server. Central data storage. Barrier Module. Additional installable module for building closed area management solutions Black List Module. Additional module for building real-time notification software

1. Installation Guide In the section below we summarize and describe the major operations necessary to successfully install License Plate Recognition System powered by DetectWORKS LPR Solution software. 1.1. Camera 1.1.1 Camera Model Choice To choose correct camera pay attention to the presence of the following features: 1) In case of Analog Cameras it should be with progressive scan 2) In case of capturing vehicles at motion it should be with adjustable shutter speed, gain and WDR (wide dynamic range). To operate correctly LPR System require qualified image from video stream. The picture should not contain motion or de-focusing blur. This mean that to capture vehicle at speed 60 kmh maximal acceptable shutter speed will be 1/1000 sec. 3) The camera should have IR mode to successfully capture license plates at night time. The ANPR system must also be equipped with IR illuminator to use self-reflection property of license plates. IR illuminator should be mounted near the camera and directed to the same point as the camera do. 4) Optical zoom play significant role and camera must have possibility to modify lens to achieve required vehicle size on picture: vehicle license plate on resulting image must be starting from 1620 pixels in height. 5) IP camera supported protocols are RTSP and MJPEG. 6) IP camera minimal recommended fps 10 1.1.2 Camera mounting Angle between camera view axis and road axis can be up to 45 degrees.

Minimal height from the ground level is 0.5 meter. Lower position will result in light-struck video frame images. Angle to the line of Horizon can be compensated by LPR settings. See Visual LPR Parameters->Rotate Angle. 1.1.3 Capture at night To capture vehicles at night camera should be switched into IR mode and additional IR illumination must be used in case vehicles are captured at motion. This will avoid motion blur effect. IR illuminator should be mounted near the camera and directed to the same point as camera.

Below is a typical image obtained by correctly configured camera equipped with IR illuminator.

1.2 Software installation and configuration 1.2.1 Standard LPR Solution In the section below we will demonstrate how to install and configure basic settings of standard LPR Solution. The standard LPR Solution is used for monitoring and storing recognized license plates in the Database. 1.2.1.1 Download and run latest version of DetwctWORKS LPR Solution from the following URL: http://www.detectworks.com/downloads/dwlprsetup.exe. 1.2.1.2 During installation uncheck optional Barrier Module and Blacklist Module

1.2.1.3 After setup complete run LPR Data Server Manager. Ensure that LPR Data Server status is Running as shown in the screen shot below. The default user/password is admin/admin. For complete list of Configuration parameters see DW LPR Data Server

1.2.1.4 Run LPR Server. This is a core System application performing recognition. Go to Setup -> Cameras. And add new camera record and specify camera model, IP address in case of IP camera as well as other necessary parameters. - Choose model from list or keep Other. - Choose IP camera Protocol. It can be either HTTP for JPEG and MJPEG video streams or RTSP for RTSP/H264 or RTSP/MPEG4 streams - Enable Day/Night controls switch based on Sunrise/Sunset time. When checked the Camera use GPS position information to calculate sunrise and sunset time and automatically switch camera to night or to day mode. This option switch between Day and Night Presets available for known

IP camera models. For information about Camera Day/Night Presets see DW LPR Server Camera Options Control 1.2.1.5 Go to LPR Settings to configure License plate recognition engine - Choose expected plate type used in your country or territory. - Specify country code of your country - Specify Recognition accuracy level. Choose High in case vehicle with license plate on it is present on video at least within 0.5 sec and video stream fps is 20 or higher. - Specify Precise mode as Mode3 in case of MJPEG IP camera otherwise keep it Normal.

- Check Perform Recognition on motion zones triggering if your camera is statically mounted and it is possible to define motion zone on video. See Motion Zones Setup. - Check Enable Day/Night precise mode switch based on Sunrise/Sunset time to force License plate recognition engine to use advanced recognition techniques for night images. For list of all parameters see DW LPR Server Camera Configuration 1.2.1.6 Press OK to save configuration. You should see video from your camera. 1.2.1.7 Press Visual LPR Parameters button in the right top corner of the camera screen to switch to Visual LPR Parameters adjustment mode. This mode allow to modify Recognition zone if required and adjust Minimal and Maximal expected license plate height on the image. It also allow to modify rotation angle and deviation angle of expected license plates. - Recognition Zone and Polygon are optional. For instructions how to setup Rectangular Recognition zone or Polygonal motion zone see DW LPR Server Visual LPR Parameters 1.2.1.8 Press Motion Zones button in the right top corner of the camera screen to switch to Motion Zones adjustment mode. Motion zone will trigger recognition if Perform Recognition on Motion zones triggering option is checked in LPR Settings Tab

Pay attention to correctly specify Sensitivity and Delay. Lower sensitivity allow to react on smaller object. Delay parameter specify how long will motion zone remain in triggered state after vehicle leave it. This is necessary for correct License plate recognition when more than one video frame is used for recognition/validation. For Complete description of motion zones see DW LPR Server Motion Zones

1.2.2 LPR Solution for controlling Barrier or Gates 1.2.2.1 Setup required Hardware to control Barrier or Gate external device. The DetectWORKS LPR Solution can operate with Velleman VM110N USB Controller Board connected to VellemanVM129 (K8055) Relay board as well as with other Relay board manufacturers. Below we demonstrate how to connect and setup Velleman VM110N USB board. 1.2.2.2 Download and run latest version of DetwctWORKS LPR Solution from the following URL: http://www.detectworks.com/downloads/dwlprsetup.exe.

1.2.2.3 During installation check Barrier Module item 1.2.2.4 Follow steps 1.2.1.2-1.2.1.8 described for Standard LPR Solution setup 1.2.2.5 Connect VM110N to USB port. 1.2.2.6 Go to Setup->Advanced -> Sensor Board ->Add and select K8055.dll. The name should be Velleman K8055 board. Press OK to complete. 1.2.2.7 Run DW LPR Server. In the right side of the Camera Video you should see a Barrier Module panel. If it is not present check that Barrier module is registered. Setup->Advanced->Modules

1.2.2.8 Run Barrier module Setup - >General In the screens below we demonstrate sample configuration for system where Camera 1 is installed to observe entrance area before Barrier; Camera 2 is installed to observe exit area behind Barrier; Digital input pin #1 of Velleman USB Sensor Board is connected to the photosensor mounted on the Barrier; Digital input pin #2 is connected to the sensor located in the barrier itself and is ON when Barrier closed and OFF when Barrier is opened; Digital Output Pin # 1 is connected to the relay on VM129 which is connected to Barrier Open connectors; Digital Output Pin # 2 is connected to the relay on VM129 which is connected to Barrier Close connectors - Name: Give a Name of Barrier like South Entrance or Backyard

- Barrier Control->Open Gate: Specify Digital Output Pin of Sensor Board which will be triggered when Barrier module give command to open Barrier. Once specified you should be able to open Barrier from program by pressing Open Barrier button. - Barrier Control->Close Gate: Specify Digital Output Pin of Sensor Board which will be triggered when Barrier module give command to open Barrier. Once specified you should be able to close Barrier from program by pressing Open Barrier button. - Start Automatically: check to automatically start DetectWORKS Barrier each time the DetectWORKS LPR Server starts or restarts. 1.2.2.9 Run Barrier module Setup -> Events. - Direction A->Open On Camera: specify camera which observe Entrance area in front of the Barrier; - Direction A->Close On Sensor: specify Digital Input pin number which change it s state when car leave Entrance area. Most commonly the Digital input should be connected to photosensor mounted on the Barrier of magnetic contour mounted under asphalt. - Direction B->Open On Camera: specify camera which observe Exit area behind the Barrier; - Direction B->Close On Sensor: specify Digital Input pin number which change it s state when car leave Entrance area. Most commonly the Digital input should be connected to photosensor mounted on the Barrier of magnetic contour mounted under asphalt.

- Close Indicator is a Digital Input Pin Number on Sensor Board which triggers when Barrier is opened. What physical device is closed when Barrier is opened is dependent on the Barrier model. - Open Indicator is a Digital Input Pin Number on Sensor Board which triggers when Barrier is opened. What physical device is closed when Barrier is opened is dependent on the Barrier model. 1.2.2.10 Press Access Table button in the DetectWORKS Barrier Control panel. Enter license plates which will have rights to drive in/drive out. 1.2.2.11 Press Start to run the Barrier Module 2. DW LPR Server Core component for license plate recognition from multiple cameras. Recognized license plates information are stored in the DW LPR Data Server. To view collected license plates use DWLPR Client tool.

2.1 Configuration 2.1.1 Main This tab contains general configuration parameters of the LPR Server. 2.1.1.1 Run a program automatically then Windows starts. Starts the LPR Server automatically after system restart. 2.1.1.2 Enable Automatic Windows Logon using the following credentials. Since LPR Server is a Desktop solution, it require that Windows system starts under user account. This option allow to specify credentials of one of the system registered users.

2.1.1.3 Display Settings. Cameras position mode. Specify how camera windows will appear on main panel. Horizontal camera windows will be placed horizontally, Vertical vertically. 2.1.1.4 Show information window. Show system messages and recognition results in bottom each Camera Window. 2.1.1.5 Maximum info items count. Limit of system messages in the list.

2.1.2 Cameras 2.1.2.1 - Add New Camera to the list of cameras 2.1.2.2 - Delete existing Camera from the list 2.1.2.3 - Change the order of configured cameras in the list

2.1.2.4 Camera Settings 2.1.2.4.1 Name. Specify the name of the Camera. The name will be shown in the title of the Camera Video Window 2.1.2.4.2 UID: Internal Camera UID used within DetectWORKS Solution as unique identifier 2.1.2.4.3 Enable LPR. Enable or Disable License plate recognition on this Camera video stream 2.1.2.4.4 Configuration. IP Camera. Configuration of the Camera device when Analog Camera type is selected Camera Type. IP Camera or Analog Camera. Model. IP camera property. When chosen one of known models form the list the DW LPR Server will show additional Camera Options Panel on the right side of Camera Video Window. Camera Options Panel give a possibility to configure camera properties such as Brightness, Sharpness, Shutter speed etc. for two separate presets: Day and Night.

Protocol. IP camera property. Video stream transfer protocol. DW LPR Server support JPEG, MJPEG and RTSP protocols. IP Address. IP camera property. IP address of the camera. Port. IP camera property. Remote Path. RTSP URL to access camera video stream. This URL is camera vendor/model specific. Consult your camera vendor for precise syntax. User name. IP camera user name Password. IP camera password Show Camera Options. When checked the Additional Camera options panel will be show on right side of Camera Video Window. The Camera Options Control allow to configure Brightness, Contrast, Shutter speed etc. for Day and Night presets. Available only for known model types Limit video rendering FPS. Option is useful when video rendering hardware acceleration is not available on the PC but only so called software rendering. This option allow to minimize CPU consumption by software rendering. Enable Day/Night controls switch based on Sunrise/Sunset time. This option allow to switch between Day and Night presets for known model types. This option allow to adjust camera differently for day and night conditions and thus increase the recognition accuracy. To calculate Sunrise and sunset time DW LPR Server use GPS position. To get your GPS position you can use maps.google.com or similar services. 2.1.2.4.5 Configuration. Analog Camera. Configuration of the Camera device when Analog Camera type is selected

Video Source Name. Name of the Capture device detected by Windows Camera Properties. Camera properties provided by this device driver. Output Properties. Output video properties provided by device driver 2.1.2.4.6 LPR Settings

Expected plate height in pixels. Minimal and maximal license plate height on video frame image. Both parameters are visually reflected when Camera is switched to Visual LPR Parameters mode (button in the right top corner above the Camera Video Window). Default values: 12 64. Plate number length in symbols. Minimal and maximal number of symbols allowed in the current country/area. Default values: 2 10. Expected plate types. Specify plate types used in your country. Dark symbols on light background, light symbols on dark background, both. Recognition accuracy level. This parameter define how many consequence video frames will be used for license plate confirmation. Lower accuracy can be used in case of video stream with low fps. Higher accuracy level can be used on video streams with high fps or in case vehicle completely stops in front of camera (gas station, barrier etc). Country Codes. Country code is used to validate recognition result based on license plate format rules used in specific country.

Save plates with country codes only. If disabled, the License plates which was not fit with any country code specified in Country Codes still will be stored in DB. Rotation Angle. When looking on video, the license plates are not always oriented horizontally due to perspective effect. Angle on video frame image to which license plate is rotated comparing to ideal horizontal position is called Rotation Angle. Use Visual LPR Parameters mode to adjust this parameter. Deviation Angle. The angle of each license plate on image is not strictly the same. It changes from vehicle to vehicle and even while vehicle pass camera view area. Deviation Angle is a low and high boundaries of such values (±). For example In case of rotation angle 10 and deviation angle 30 the Recognition engine will look for license plates on images rotated to the angle 10 ± 30. Contrast Level. This parameter specify how contras are video images obtained from camera. Precize Mode. - Normal Standard recognition engine mode. For video images with normal quality without noise and blurring. - Mode 3 - Is used to compensate JPEG encoding artifacts to keep recognition accuracy untouched. Used as an alternative to Normal mode. - Night - for night images captured with IR illuminator. Deinterlace. This option is necessary when Interlaced Analog camera is used as a video source. Deinterlaced source. This option is used when Interlaced Analog camera video stream is de-interlaced by capture device. Limit FPS. Maximal frequency of video frames passed to recognition. Frames which will come more often will be dropped. For example if video stream frequency is 25 fps and Limit FPS is set to 12, then only each second frame will be passed to recognition. This option allow to regulate CPU consumption. Useful when used with long standing vehicles on Gas station, parking etc Perform recognition on motion zones triggering. Use this option in conjunction with Motion Zones. Significantly decrease CPU consumption and increase recognition accuracy. Can be used when realtime recognition speed is not required.

2.1.2.4.7 Enable Day/Night precize mode switch based on Sunrise/Sunset time. This option allow to switch recognition engine to Day or Night mode based on sunrise/sunset information. To calculate Sunrise and sunset time DW LPR Server use GPS position. To get your GPS position you can use maps.google.com or similar services. Advanced. Minimum plate repeat time. If the same license plate was recognized multiple times because vehicle stops in front of the camera, the second recognition result will not be stored int the Database unless Minimun plate presence time elapse.

2.1.3 Data Server 2.1.3.1 Host Name. DNS Name or IP address of the Host where LPR Data Server runs and which will be used to collect recognition data. 2.1.3.2 Port. Listening port of the LPR Data Server. 2.1.3.3 User Name/Password. LPR Data Server registered User name and. Default: admin/admin is used.

2.1.4 Advanced 2.1.4.1 Sensor Board. Assign Sensor board interface used across the software to communicate with external equipment and devices. 2.1.4.2 Modules. Additional modules (plug-ins) which extend standard software functionality. To register appropriate module select it and press [Register>>]. To unregister select the appropriate module from right list of registered modules and press [<< Remove]

2.1.5 License This tab contains information about activated Licenses. To activate new purchased license enter license key and press [Activate]. To request trial key choose the Product, enter valid email address and press [Request Trial Key]. The key will be sent to email address you have specified. Activate it and restart the LPR Server.

2.2 Visual LPR Parameters To switch to Visual LPR Parameters mode press button in the right top corner of Camera window. This Camera mode allow to adjust image dependent LPR parameters visually presenting them on the screen. The following parameters are available: Recognition Zone. Rectangle. When selected allow to draw rectangular recognition zone. Only objects within this area will be passed to ANPR Engine for recognition. Recognition Zone. Polygon. When selected allow to draw polygonal recognition zone. Used in cases when it is important to exclude certain area from recognition process. For example, road sign etc. Expected plate height in pixels. Visible as 2 green strips. Minimal and maximal license plate height on video frame image.

Rotation Angle. Purple line. Angle to which license plate is rotated on image comparing to ideal horizontal alignment Deviation Angle. Violet area. Variations of rotation angle acceptable by ANPR.

2.3 Motion Zones To switch to Motion Zones mode press button in the right top corner of camera window. This Camera mode allow to adjust motion zones to catch motion objects. When motion zones are defined you are able to set LPR option Perform Recognition On Motion Zones Triggering. This will significantly decrease CPU consumption.

2.4 Camera Options Control Camera options control provide possibility to adjust camera properties significant for license plate recognition. Camera option control have two presets: Day and Night. It is possible to configure Camera to Automatically switch between Day and Night presets. Camera Options Control became available when one of predefined IP camera models are chosen.

3. DW LPR Client Main tool to view license plate archive. Use it as a primary tool to view and modify license plates archive. 3.1 Login Dialog 3.1.1 Server. Choose one of previously created server records or create new Server Record. 3.1.2 User Name/Password. User name and password of user registered at LPR Data Server. The default user name/password is admin/admin. 3.1.3 Remember password. Check to save last login information

3.2 Main Screen Main screen allow to specify various filtering parameters. 3.2.1 Plate Number. Specify full plate number to look for. Press [%] to search for partial keyword. For example, specifying parameter Plate number as 9 and triggering [%] will force LPR Server to return all records where license plate contain 9 at any position. 3.2.2 Camera. Return records from specific camera only 3.2.3 Country Code. Return only plates recognized with country code. 3.2.4 LPR Server. Show records collected by specific LPR Server. Useful in case of multiple LPR Servers connected to the central LRP Data Server. 3.2.5 Time Period. Choose one of predefined periods. Choosing custom will enable From: and To: diapason specification fields. 3.2.6 Show deleted records. Allow to review records marked as deleted. 3.2.7 Search. Request data based on specified filtering parameters. 3.2.8 Total records : Field showing how many records has been returned based on latest search request. The number in square branches show the maximal allowed number of records, which can be returned. The maximal allowed records number can be modified in LPR Data Server Manager.

3.3 Configuration 3.3.1 Main 3..1 Show status column. Show Additional Status field associated with each LP record Show Comments column. Show Comments field associated with each LP record Plugins Available plugins. List of Plugin modules which extend Client functionality. For example DetectWORKS Barrier Client plugin allow to manage Access table and apply additional filtering criteria to the results. 4 DW LPR Data Server Central storage of recognition information collected by one or multiple LPR Servers connected to DW LPR Data Server. The DW LPR Data Server runs as a Windows Service and do not have UI. To configure DW LPR Data Server use DW LPR Data Server Manager Utility

4.1 Configuration 4.1.1 Server 4.1.1.1 Server Name. Specify the name of server. 4.1.1.2 Listen port. The port on which the server is listening for client and LPR Server connections 4.1.1.3 User Accounts. Accounts which can be used by DW LPR Client and DW LPR Server to access Data Server

4.1.2 Archive 4.1.2.1 Image Storage Path. Path to local drive folder where Recognition images will be stored 4.1.2.2 Database File Path. Path to local drive folder where Database will be stored. 4.1.3 Advanced

4.1.3.1 Maximum query records count. Maximal records count returned to DW LPR Client. 4.1.3.2 Run program automatically when Windows starts. When Checked the Client Will be started automatically then Windows Starts 4.1.3.3 Export Data. Allow to export LPR Data Server records in csv file format. The export Directory will contain csv file with data and images associated with exported records. 4.1.3.3.1 Filter. Export filtering options 4.1.3.3.2 Output. Export file name and path to export folder.

4.1.4 License The DW LPR Data Server is licensed per concurrent connections. For example DW LPR Data Server license for 5 users allow to connect five client applications at the same time. 4.1.4.1 New License Key. Enter purchased license key and press [Set License Key]

5 DetectWORKS Barrier Module Additional module of DetectWORKS LPR Server to open/close barrier or other equipment based on recognized license plate information.

6 DetectWORKS Black List Module Additional DW LPR Server module to notify operator when vehicle with license plate from black list pass monitored camera.