Everyone has heard of number plate recognition. You know it from the entrances of car parks and garages, and probably also from speed cameras and toll gates abroad. How does this technology work exactly, what are its benefits, and how can you use it efficiently for your car park?
What is number plate recognition?
Number plate recognition, also known as licence plate recognition, is a technology that uses cameras and software to recognise vehicle number plates. The connected recognition software checks if the number plate is known. If it is, a follow-up action is carried out, such as opening a barrier or speed gate.
How does number plate recognition work in your car park?
Number plate recognition is often used at barriers for access control in car parks and garages. A number plate camera scans the vehicle’s number plate, then special software analyses the images and converts them into text. This is known as ANPR software. The text is then checked against a database of known number plates.
Accuracy and speed: the power of embedded camera systems
Within ANPR technology, there are two types of systems:
- Systems that process images in the cloud
- Camerasystemen where recognition takes place directly on the camera itself, such as those from AVUTEC.
The latter are known as embedded camera systems. Embedded systems are designed so that the hardware and software (like Toogethr Smart Parking) work seamlessly together. This ensures high recognition accuracy. An additional advantage is that an embedded system operates independently, without extra servers. This type of camera provides rapid recognition and uses minimal bandwidth because only the recognised images are transmitted. This makes embedded systems highly efficient and reliable.
The best projection for optimal recognition
Regardless of the type of number plate camera, it is essential to position the camera correctly. Walter Verbruggen, sales director at AVUTEC, explains:
“For optimal recognition, you start with the right projection. By making a projection calculation, you determine which camera model is suitable for your project, then the camera is carefully positioned during installation. It is essential that the number plate camera has the right pixel density for the desired recognition area. The more precise the adjustment, the better the recognition will be, capturing those last few percentage points.”
Number plate recognition combined with smart parking software
For a fully optimised parking process, it is important to combine number plate recognition with smart parking software. At Toogethr, we have been working with our partner AVUTEC for years.
De kentekencamera van AVUTEC verzamelt de data over het kenteken en het tijdstip waarop het voertuig aan komt rijden. Deze informatie wordt vervolgens naar de Smart Parking software van Toogethr verstuurd om te controleren of dit kenteken bekend is. Zo ja? Dan zorgt de parkeersoftware ervoor dat de slagboom of speedgate in minder dan 1.7 seconden open gaat.The AVUTEC number plate camera collects data about the number plate and the time the vehicle arrives. This information is then sent to Toogethr’s Smart Parking software to check if the number plate is recognised. If it is, the parking software ensures the barrier or speed gate opens in less than 1.7 seconds.
Additionally, Smart Parking software allows you to:
- let staff and visitors reserve a parking space
- add and remove number plates from the system at any time
- collect and analyse all your parking data in one place
The benefits of number plate recognition
Modern number plate recognition offers several advantages over a QR code or the traditional access card.
1. No more manual actions
By reserving in advance and entering based on number plate recognition, no manual actions are needed on-site. Parkers don’t need to open a window or press a button. The barrier doesn’t need to be manually opened either. This saves your reception or front office a lot of time.
2. Faster access
With the extremely low error rates of number plate cameras, vehicles can quickly enter and exit your car park. This prevents queues and unsafe situations at your barrier.
3. Camera images are stored
The images taken by an AVUTEC camera to recognise the number plate are temporarily stored. If an incident occurs on your site, you can easily review the footage.
Tip: read our detailed blog on the benefits of smart access control.
A fully automated and optimised parking process
Number plate recognition is an essential part of an optimised parking process. Thanks to the combination of number plate cameras and smart parking software, you no longer need to worry about who parks when and how your staff and visitors access your car park.
Curious about how Toogethr and AVUTEC can automate your parking process? Book a demo today or contact us.
About AVUTEC
AVUTEC is fabrikant van kentekencamera’s en produceert hier nu al ruim 7 jaar zowel de hardware als de software voor. AVUTEC is gevestigd in Breda en levert via haar internationale partnernetwerk kentekenherkenning aan eindgebruikers. De kentekencamera’s van AVUTEC staan bekend om hun snelheid, precisie en de mogelijkheid om met vrijwel alle software en hardware te koppelen. Een uitstekende remote management functionaliteit en professionele, persoonlijke begeleiding versterken de positie van AVUTEC als een betrouwbare partner voor het succesvol realiseren van elk kentekenherkenningsproject.has been manufacturing number plate cameras for over seven years, producing both the hardware and software. Based in Breda, AVUTEC supplies number plate recognition to end users through its international partner network. AVUTEC’s number plate cameras are known for their speed, precision, and compatibility with almost all software and hardware. Excellent remote management functionality and professional, personal support reinforce AVUTEC’s position as a reliable partner for successfully implementing any number plate recognition project.
