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your Windows® embedded community
Windows For Devices
your Windows® embedded community
While the system is understandably controversial, it provides an interesting computer science challenge and yet another application for Windows Embedded operating systems. As CitySync notes, CCTV cameras may be used for ANPR by simply transmitting images for processing remotely. Alternatively, it's said, cameras can perform onboard OCR by relying on small low-power DSPs (digital signal processors).
CitySync claims DSP-reliant cameras do not lend themselves to modification or addition of customized features, and cannot provide the processing power required for the best ANPR engines. The company says its JetCam devices are faster, more accurate, and flexible, since they contain Intel-based computers and video frame grabbers.
According to CitySync, the new JetCam Fox-i (above) has a "new generation" 1GHz processor running a Windows Embedded operating system with 512MB of DDR2 RAM and up to 64GB of flash memory. As a vehicle passes the camera, it snaps multiple stills, which then are aggregated to provide the best OCR performance, the company adds.
CitySync says imaging on the JetCam Fox-i has been upgraded to 1280 x 960 pixels, allowing deployment on wide or dual lanes, toll plaza, or site entrances wider than five meters (16 feet). An optional day/night color camera is available, allowing the camera to capture not only plate details, but also a contextual image of the event, the company adds.
It's said that with 64GB of flash storage, the camera can store data on up to 128 million plates locally, or over 1 million plates with full color overviews, encrypting the information as it does so to keep it secure. Details may also be transmitted to a remote server via Ethernet, Wi-Fi (optional), or an integrated 3G modem, says CitySync.
Additional features cited by the company for the JetCam Fox-i include a GPS receiver, plus the ability to upgrade a camera's software over the air.
Lawson Noble, CTO of CitySync, stated, "Unlike other popular intelligent ANPR cameras, the Fox-i runs the Jet ANPR engine at speed and can easily achieve very high recognition rates to NAAS [National Association of Chief Police Officers ANPR Standards] standard. This means that it can be deployed not only in ITS scenarios, but where extreme accuracy is also required."
More information
Pricing and availability for the JetCam Fox-i was not provided, but the camera appears to be on sale now. More information may be found on the CitySync website, here.
BBC figures cited in this story may be found on the broadcaster's website, here and here. A December 2009 City of London Police document on its ANPR cameras and related policy may be found in PDF format, here.
