Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is a technology used by cameras and scanners that reads vehicle registration/license plates to create location data. ANPR cameras have become critical for law enforcement purposes around the world for intelligence gathering and policing strategies. According to a 2012 report, 71% of police departments in the USA utilize ANPR technology, and this statistic has continued to grow year-over-year due to the technology’s significant benefits; this includes capturing information at a much more efficient rate and accuracy level than police forces could achieve. In fact, from 2022-2027, the ANPR camera market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9%.
Aside from law enforcement, ANPR cameras are also often used for traffic management, electronic toll collection, and parking management. It is used on highways to check the average speed of vehicles; timed images are compared between two locations to determine the speed of a car and issue any relevant fines. In parking lots, it makes easier payment processes, visibility of spaces, and ticketless systems possible; timed photographs from cameras at the entrance and exit give an accurate recording of how long a vehicle has used the facilities. It helps to control the flow of traffic by calculating journey times. And, at sites that require a higher level of security, the technology can work with pre-defined lists to deny or grant vehicles access depending on their registration/license plate.
Furthermore, ANPR technology can be used to recover stolen vehicles, identify wanted criminals, collect taxes or fines from delinquent persons, and monitor Amber alerts for missing children. It has the potential to be an invaluable tool that can maintain order in society as well as increase efficiency. As such, it is critical for the systems that this technology employs to use hardware and software of the highest quality, which is where SP Industrial can provide its superior solutions.
ANPR cameras differ from traditional surveillance systems in that they process data directly rather than send it back to a server for processing. As a result, high endurance is a significant factor for components in ANPR camera systems. SP Industrial’s SSD550RW series is equipped with pSLC technology and able to perform 30,000 PE cycles. This extremely high endurance allows this SSD series to take extended lengths of rapid burst photos without missing a single frame, as well as continuous video recording. It also pairs well with a camera’s auto detect and trigger function. For an ANPR camera system, endurance can mean the difference between capturing the necessary shot and missing it.
In order to provide traffic intelligence, collect toll fees, and more, ANPR cameras are placed outdoors and are therefore exposed to natural elements. Consequently, components in ANPR camera systems must be able to endure tough outdoor conditions. SP Industrial’s SSD350RW series and SSD550RW series are able to withstand wide temperatures ranging from -40°C to 85°C. With this level of resistance, both of these SSD series are able to be placed in ANPR camera systems in various outdoor environments from scorching desert heat to icy cold snowstorms. Advanced PFP technology provides further assurance in these extreme conditions to protect captured data.
In addition to products, SP Industrial also offers software analysis tools that provide meaningful insights into products used for surveillance applications, remotely. These tools monitor the health status of our products at all times, collecting relevant data and information to effectively prevent failures in advance and ensure that they are always working properly to record pertinent data 24/7 and not miss a single second.
SMART Embedded allows for seamless device integration. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Ubuntu OS systems, as well as different CPU platforms, including Intel x86 CPU, ARM-based CPU, and Raspberry Pi. SMART IoT Sphere is a cloud service with alarm and maintenance notifications that monitors the health and status of SP products inside connected devices. It can perform predictive analysis calculations to prevent or solve down-the-road problems. As ANPR camera systems are monitored remotely and periodically, these SMART analysis tools provide maximum efficiency by only needing to send out a maintenance person when necessary.
SP Industrial expects networks of ANPR cameras to continue to grow in size, especially with the increase of smart cities that are rapidly developing globally. This technology will effectively provide real time information to transport departments and commuters to reduce traffic delays, enforce the law, manage car parking lots, and promote safety and responsibility for individuals and society as a whole. We are ready to support the growing demand for this critical technology with our SSD solutions that focus on the key requirements for ANPR camera systems: high endurance, wide temperature resistance, and remote SMART software analysis tools.