Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras and their benefits

What are automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR)?

Automatic number plate recognition cameras are used to detect and read license plates in a wide range of situations. They can go by many names

License Plate Recognition (LPR)
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)
Number Plate Recognition (NPR)

Generally, LPR is the term applied to describe the specialty cameras used to take the images. These cameras are capable of dealing with the difficulties involved in capturing images of reflective license plate material in fog, night vision (low light), and the high movement speeds of vehicles. ANPR is the software or AI that analyses the data from the LPR camera and then acts, by storing or uploading the information to a database and matching it to the other records. ANPR helps identify letters, symbols, and colours of vehicle registration plates to collect useful information such as vehicle number, location and travel patterns.

No matter what term you use, automatic number plate recognition cameras are an extremely powerful tool that offers great benefits to users when incorporated into their digital cctv camera systems. Voltec Services can upgrade your digital cctv camera systems with automatic number plate recognition cameras. Contact us today for a free quote!

What is the difference between automatic number plate recognition cameras and digital cctv camera systems?

Automatic number plate recognition cameras are significantly different to standard digital cctv camera systems due to both their hardware and software upgrades. An ANPR camera can extract license plates from a complex background, split up and identify each character on the plate, and reformat the plate information. In order to do this, it performs differently to standard CCTV, particularly in low light situations. Automatic number plate recognition cameras use infrared light to illuminate their subject without causing excessive reflections, allowing them to capture licence plates easily and at high speeds. This does mean however, that in low light conditions the images are all very dark – except for the licence plate it captured.

How does infrared light in automatic number plate recognition cameras work?

Infrared light is generally only used and seen by the ANPR cameras and provides light at a greater distance, a varying degree of invisibility and no light pollution, whereas the white light picked up by digital cctv camera systems illuminates the whole area and can act and a visual deterrent, but has large reflection qualities. Automatic number plate recognition cameras also use much higher frame rates to provide clear images of the information. Once they have captured and analysed the information it can be used for a variety of things

to check if a vehicle is registered
electronic toll collection
cataloguing the movements of traffic
used by law enforcement agencies

Some can even be set up to capture images of the driver and thanks to the infrared light they can be taken any time of the day or night.

Voltec services can provide and install digital cctv camera systems combined with automatic number plate recognition cameras to meet all your surveillance needs. Learn more about our digital cctv camera systems and installations at Voltec Services.

ANPR benefits and use

The versatility of automatic number plate recognition cameras means they can be used for a multitude of different situations and purposes. The most common situations include

Parking lots & garages
Monitored entry stations and gates
Drive-Throughs
Toll gates and booths
Car washes
Securing a restricted area
Enforcing parking laws, time limits, reserved spaces

ANPR benefits will vary depending upon their purpose but generally they will provide greater efficiency and reliability through data analysis, removal of human error and allowing systems and procedures to be set up so an employee may no longer be required. For example at a paid carpark entrance. By having an ANPR system in place, vehicles will automatically have access granted to enter sites, as the system can match the number plate of a vehicle onto the main system for electronic charging and remove the need for card readers, cash deposits or employees etc. It can also facilitate easier management of resources by monitoring employees and their vehicles when they enter and leave the premises, effectively managing a clock in and out time. ANPR systems give organisations peace of mind by relying on advanced technologies and 99% accuracy to spot unauthorised vehicles entering the premises. These systems run 24/7 meaning that management can be automated every single hour of every single day. Organisations can have access to historical data as well as live data and reporting that is useful for future reference and evidence should an incident or accident occur.

Why choose Voltec Services for your digital cctv camera systems and ANPR installation?

At Voltec Services we have taken the hard work away by providing a range of security products such as ANPR cameras and systems, digital CCTV camera systems, digital CCTV recorders. Furthermore, those products have been tested and selected to meet specific requirements. Above all, we have a range of quality supply partners, and we have absolute faith in their products. Therefore, you can be assured that all products used are carefully selected to achieve your unique requirements.

At Voltec services we are happy to discuss ANPR benefits and use of infrared light to obtain the best possible outcome for your surveillance needs. Contact us today to see how we can help you.