FR3053553A1 - DEVICE FOR RECOGNIZING A VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for recognizing a vehicle, the device comprising: - a road traffic control unit for acquiring at least one information on a license plate of the vehicle, and - a processing device in communication with the control unit on the one hand and a database relating to vehicles registered in a territory on which the control unit is located and / or on the other hand, the processing unit being arranged to receive the at least one information on the license plate of the vehicle of the control unit and to connect it with the database to at least one characteristic of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a recognition method comprising such a device.

Description

© Publication no .: 3,053,553 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 17 54036 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : H 04 L 29/02 (2017.01), G 06 F 17/30

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 09.05.17. © Applicant (s): SAFRAN IDENTITY & SECURITY © Priority: 30.06.16 FR 1656213. Simplified joint stock company - FR. (© Inventor (s): EID EID. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 05.01.18 Bulletin 18/01. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): SAFRAN IDENTITY & SECURITY related: Joint stock company. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): CABINET BOETTCHER.

Pty VEHICLE RECOGNITION DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD.

FR 3 053 553 - A1 (üp) The invention relates to a vehicle recognition device, the device comprising:

- a traffic violation control unit to acquire at least information on a vehicle registration plate, and

- a processing unit in communication with the control unit on the one hand and a database relating to vehicles registered in a territory on which the control unit is located and / or moves on the other hand, l the processing unit being arranged to receive at least one item of information on the vehicle license plate of the control unit and to link it with the aid of the database to at least one characteristic specific to the vehicle.

The invention also relates to a recognition method comprising such a device.

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The invention relates to a device for recognizing a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method of recognizing a vehicle using such a device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automatic radars are used to measure the speed of vehicles passing in front of them, thus making it possible to detect vehicles exceeding the authorized speeds and to verbalize the drivers accordingly.

The radars include an or image sensors 10 making it possible to photograph the vehicles in violation. From the registration number on the license plate visible in the photographs, it is possible to identify the owner of the vehicle photographed and therefore send the notice of violation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to propose a device for recognizing a vehicle which is more sophisticated than existing automatic radars :. An object of the invention is also to propose a method of recognizing a vehicle using such a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving this goal, a device for recognizing a vehicle is proposed, the device comprising:

a traffic violation control unit to acquire at least one piece of information on a vehicle registration plate, and

a processing unit in communication with the control unit on the one hand and a database relating to vehicles registered in a territory on which is located and / or is intended to move the control unit on the other hand, the processing unit being arranged to receive: at least one piece of information · on the vehicle license plate of the control unit and to link it using the database to the minus a characteristic specific to the vehicle.

Thus, even if the information provided by the control unit is not sufficient to fully recognize the license plate (i.e. mainly the series of alphanumeric characters appearing on the license plate and conventionally forming a registration number ·) of the vehicle ('for example because of the relative position between the vehicle and the control unit, of the bad state of the plate ...) ·, the coupling of the database with at least the information on the registration plate already provided by the control unit and other information provided) by the control unit (such as color, make of the vehicle, etc.) will make it possible to identify anyway the vehicle. The specific characteristic of the vehicle is in this case the total license plate of the vehicle.

In addition, when the license plate is readable from only the information transmitted by the control unit, the coupling of the database with the information on the license plate already provided by the control unit · allows to provide relatively easily and quickly other characteristics specific to the vehicle (vehicle color and / or make of the vehicle

5 and / or age · of the vehicle ... j to an operator. These specific characteristics can · for example 'be transmitted to the persons competent for the management of the territory in terms of its security, its environment, or even to commercial actors.

By "specific characteristic" is meant, within the meaning of the invention, a characteristic linked to the vehicle itself (such as, for example, the make of the vehicle, its license plate, the age of the vehicle, etc.) and not to the owner of the vehicle.

In particular, the control unit comprises an element for controlling a speed of a vehicle and at least one image sensor.

In particular, the image sensor is decoupled from the speed control element of a vehicle in order to acquire images on vehicles passing in front of the control unit even if said vehicles respect a limitation of speed.

In particular, the processing unit includes a program for processing images transmitted by the control unit to recover said at least one item of information on the information plate.

In particular, the data base is integrated into the processing unit.

In particular, the control unit is deported from the processing unit.

In particular, the control unit is arranged to acquire, on the one hand, information on a vehicle registration plate and, on the other hand, one or more information on aesthetic characteristics of the vehicle.

In particular, the specific characteristic determined by the processing unit is the complete license plate of the vehicle.

In particular, the specific characteristic determined by the processing unit is an aesthetic characteristic of the vehicle, relates to a level of pollution of the vehicle, is a technical characteristic of the vehicle, is a characteristic: administrative of the vehicle.

In particular: the device comprises several traffic control units for acquiring at least one piece of information on a vehicle registration plate, each control unit being connected to the same processing device of the device.

1 / invention also relates to a method of recognizing a vehicle using a device as described above comprising the successive steps of:

- acquire said at least one item of information on the vehicle license plate using the control unit, transmit said item of information to the processing unit,

- using the processing unit to link said information to at least one characteristic specific to the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device for recognizing a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a traffic violation control unit in order to acquire, on the one hand, information on a license plate. registration of the vehicle and, on the other hand, one of the several pieces of information on aesthetic characteristics of the vehicle such as the make of the vehicle, the color of the vehicle, the vehicle model, etc. It is noted that the expression "aesthetic characteristics" is here to be interpreted in a broad sense as · covering all the characteristics relating to the appearance of the vehicle and visible from the outside. The control unit is fixed here on the edge of a road.

The traffic violation control unit here includes a vehicle speed control element · and at least one image sensor.

The element for controlling a vehicle speed is here a speed camera.

The image sensor is here arranged to take one or more general images of the vehicle (and not · images of a particular area of the vehicle comprising the vehicle registration plate). The image sensor comprises for example a camera.

Preferably, the operation of the image sensor can be decoupled, permanently or temporarily, from that of the radar in order to acquire · images on the vehicles passing in front of the control unit even if these vehicles respect the limitation of speed.

The device further comprises a processing unit in communication with the control unit on the one hand and a database relating to vehicles registered in a territory on which the Control unit is located on the other hand.

The processing unit is here deported from the control unit and communicates remotely with said control unit. In particular, the control unit is content to transmit the images taken by the image sensor to one processing unit which processes the images in order to extract therefrom the desired information on the vehicle (namely here number of vehicle registration, color and make). Typically, the processing unit comprises an image processing program which enables it to detect at least the aforementioned information (registration number, color and make of the vehicle).

As for the database, it is for example integrated into the processing unit or then contained another medium (whether or not part of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention), communication medium - with the processing unit. The database typically includes a list of vehicles circulating on the territory on which the control unit is located (for example French territory), with each vehicle being associated with the registration number appearing on the license plate and other characteristics specific to the vehicle (including here at least the color and brand of the vehicle ·) ·.

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The processing unit is here arranged to receive the Images: transmitted by the control unit, to process them in order to extract the desired information therefrom and to link them using the database to the corresponding vehicle? all of this information.

This allows in particular to identify the vehicle when the registration number appearing on the registration plate cannot be? deduced from the only data provided by the control unit.

The processing unit can thus be traced back to the owner of the vehicle either ^ directly: by the database if the database contains such information or by another database connecting license plates registration and owner.

The corresponding identification method will now be described.

First, the image sensor acquires one or more general images of the vehicle ?. In particular, the? image sensor acquires a single image here? image of the vehicle, including information on the registration plate and the color and make? of the vehicle.

Then ?, this image ômp? Renant said information is transmitted by the control unit to the processing unit which deduces the information from this image by? image processing.

If the information on the plate is sufficient to fully deduce the registration number, the processing unit then goes up? directeffient to owner of vehicle ?. This allows you to verbalize if necessary? owner ?.

If the information on the plate? is not sufficient to fully deduct the registration number, the processing unit used? both said information and? the other information on the color and the make of the vehicle to find in the database the vehicle corresponding to all of this information and consequently the complete registration number of the vehicle (the characteristic characteristic of the vehicle sought is therefore here full registration number). The processing unit can then go back to the owner of the vehicle.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described.

In this second embodiment of the invention, the recognition device comprises a unit for controlling traffic offenses.

The control unit is fixed here on the edge of a road.

The traffic violation control unit here comprises an element for controlling a vehicle speed and at least one image sensor.

The element for controlling a vehicle speed is here a speed camera ·. The image sensor is here arranged to take one or more images of the vehicle. The image sensor comprises for example a camera.

Preferably, the operation of the image sensor can be; decoupled, permanently; or temporary, of the operation of the radar in order to acquire images on the vehicles passing in front of the control unit even if these vehicles respect the speed limit.

The device also comprises a processing unit in communication with the Control unit on the one hand and a database relating to; immatriGülés vehicles on; a territory on which the control unit is located on the other hand.

The processing unit is here deported from the control unit and communicates remotely with said control unit ·. In particular, the control unit · simply transmits the Images; taken by the; image sensor to the processing unit which processes the images in order to extract the desired information from the vehicle (here the number · appearing on the vehicle registration plate). Typically, the processing unit includes an image processing program which enables it to detect at least · the aforementioned information · (the number · appearing on the license plate).

As for the database, it is for example integrated into the processing unit or then contained on another · support (whether or not part of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention), support in communication with the treatment organ. The _; database · typically includes A list · of vehicles circulating on the territory on which the control unit is located · (for example the French territory), with each vehicle being associated the license plate and other characteristics · specific to the vehicle (here at least · the make and model of the vehicle).

The processing unit is here arranged to receive the images transmitted by the control unit, process them to extract the desired information and to link them using the database to the vehicle corresponding to the plate. of registration concerned.

This makes it possible to extract from the database characteristics specific to the vehicle, typically an aesthetic characteristic such as its brand, its model and / or its color.

The processing unit can then cross-check with other databases such as, for example, a police database.

The processing unit can thus establish a link between a vehicle X described in a testimony without: given on the license plate but with · data on the make, model and / or color of vehicle X and the vehicle photographed by the control unit and whose own characteristics deduced by the body corresponding to those (make, model and / or color) of treatment as mentioned above of vehicle X. It is thus possible to associate with the registration number appearing on the plate d registration of the vehicle photographed by the vehicle control unit X.

The processing unit can also establish a link between a vehicle declared stolen X and the vehicle photographed by the control unit and whose specific characteristics (make, model dedusted by the processing unit and / or color) as mentioned above , correspond to those of stolen vehicle X. It is thus possible to identify a stolen vehicle even if the license plate has been changed in the meantime. It is also possible to associate the new registration plate of the vehicle photographed by the control unit with the stolen vehicle X,

The device according to the second embodiment of the invention thus makes it possible to know relatively easily and quickly characteristics specific to a vehicle and to provide this information to the competent authorities for the management of the territory and in particular its safety.

A corresponding identification method will now be described.

First, the image sensor acquires one or more images of the vehicle. In particular, the image sensor here acquires a single image of the vehicle, an image thus comprising information on the information plate tri c u la t ion.

Then, this image comprising said information is transmitted by the control unit to the processing unit which deduces said information from this image by image processing.

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The processing unit then uses this information to find the corresponding * vehicle in the database and extract the make and / or model and / or color of said vehicle.

The processing unit can then carry out other * searches in other databases to trace one or more testimonies and / or theft reports corresponding to the level of the brand, model and / or color of the vehicle identified * by the processing unit.

A third embodiment * of the invention will now be described.

The recognition device is identical to that of the second embodiment with the difference * except that the processing unit is arranged so that from the information on the * license plate provided by * the unit cont role, the processing unit uses the * database to find the vehicle corresponding to the number * of the vehicle registration plate and to extract from it * vehicle-specific * characteristics * different from * those of the second embodiment * .

The processing unit thus extracts from the database one or more characteristics specific to the vehicle and relating to a level of pollution of the vehicle. Typically the processing unit extracted from the database as specific characteristics the fuel 'used * by the vehicle and / or the * type * of the vehicle engine (petrol, diesel, hybrid ...) and / or age of the vehicle and / or the type of particle filter used by the vehicle.

The processing unit can thus * e * xeffiple determine whether the vehicle is authorized to roll (due to its level of pollution linked to the aforementioned specific characteristics) at the level of the zone * where the control unit is arranged. The processing unit can then go back to the owner of the vehicle either directly through the database if the database includes such information or through another database linking registration plates and owner to verbalize the owner if necessary.

The device according to the third embodiment 5 of the invention thus makes it possible to identify ^: relatively easily and quickly characteristics specific to a vehicle and to provide this information to the authorities competent for the management of the territory and in particular its environment.

The corresponding identification method will now be described.

First, the image sensor acquires one or more general images of the vehicle. In particular, the image sensor here acquires a single image of the vehicle, imaged, thus comprising information on the license plate.

Then, this image comprising said information is transmitted by the unit; to the processing unit which deduces said information from this image by image processing.

The processing unit then uses this information to find the corresponding vehicle in the database and extract the fuel used by the vehicle and / or the age of the vehicle: and / or the type of particle filter used by the vehicle.

The processing unit can then: deduce whether the vehicle is authorized to roam at the control unit and whether the owner of the vehicle should be penalized.

A fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The recognition device is identical to that of the second embodiment with the difference that the processing member is arranged so that from

The information on the license plate provided by the control unit, the processing unit uses the database to find the vehicle corresponding to the license plate of the vehicle and to extract therefrom characteristics specific to the vehicle different from those of the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

The processing unit thus extracts from the database; one or more administrative characteristics specific to the vehicle. Typically the processing unit extracted from the database such as; Garacteristics; clean; a lack of insurance of the vehicle and / or A failure to pass the technical control.

The processing unit can thus for example; determine whether the vehicle is authorized to drive or not.

The processing unit can then go back to the owner of the vehicle, either directly through the database if the database includes; such information either through another database linking license plates and owner in order to verbalize the owner if necessary.

The device according to the fourth embodiment;

of the invention thus allows to know relatively easily and; quickly specific characteristics of a vehicle and provide this information to the competent authorities for the management of tetritoifé and in particular its safety.

The corresponding identification method will now be described.

First, the image sensor acquires one or more general images of the vehicle. In particular, the image sensor here acquires a single image of the vehicle, an image thus comprising information on the imraatr i cül at ion plate.

Then, this image comprising said information is transmitted by the Control unit to the processing unit which deduces said information from this image by image processing.

The processing unit then uses this information to find the corresponding vehicle in the database and extract therefrom a vehicle insurance defect and / or a failure to pass technical control.

The processing unit can then deduce whether the vehicle is authorized to tread at the level of the control unit and whether the owner of the vehicle should be punished.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the processing unit accesses several databases:

- from the same information, and / or

- in cascade, using at least one piece of information provided by one of the databases to access at least one other of the databases.

For example, the information relating to the license plate makes it possible to obtain from a first database the year of first entry into service of the vehicle. it is then possible to check whether the year of first entry into circulation is consistent with the vehicle model as it can be determined from the images,

The year of first circulation and the vehicle model (deduced from the images as previously indicated or, alternatively, obtained from the first database), makes it possible to obtain from a second database characteristics techniques such as the theoretical rate of carbon emission, the presence · of a particle filter, or even the existence of a manufacturer recall affecting the model in question, ..

It is therefore possible to have more information that we can cross to:

- ensure the accuracy of the information relating to the immatrieulation plate, corn too

- gather more complete information on the vehicle, · - its owner,. .

Of course, the invention is not limited to what has just been described, but on the contrary encompasses any variant coming within the framework defined by the claims.

In particular, the various embodiments described may be associated. For example, the device according to the first embodiment, in addition to allowing full recognition of the license plate, may make it possible to provide other information specific to the vehicle as in the second: embodiment *, the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment once recognition: total of the license plate carried out ·.

The control unit may be different from what has been described. The control unit could thus include an element for detecting the crossing of a red light, a relative position sensor: vehicles with respect to the unit: for controlling traffic offenses (for example for the study of a distance separating two vehicles, the study of the passing between two vehicles:, parking in areas located near the control unit, etc.), detection means: video of the port of the belt and / or the use of a mobile phone, a · surveillance video ... the control unit may also include a sensor for counting vehicles traveling too fast and / or vehicles passing in front of the unit control.

It could be envisaged that in a simplified version the control unit only comprises: an image sensor such as a surveillance camera.

Although here the processing unit is deported from the control unit, the processing unit may partly or entirely be arranged next to the control unit or integrated; to the control unit.

Although here the images acquired by the control unit are processed by the processing unit, in addition to or as a replacement, the control unit may itself include processing means for extracting information linked to the vehicle from the level of the control unit, information then directly transmitted; to the processing unit.

In addition to allowing the recognition of the vehicle and of the characteristics which are specific to it, the recognition device according to the invention can also be arranged to provide indications on several vehicles. For example, the control unit could be arranged to provide information on a number of vehicles passing in front of it over a given period. It could be either vehicles having exceeded the authorized speed or all vehicles having passed in front of the control unit all speeds combined.

In this way, the recognition device according to the invention will allow, over a given period · to provide both an indication of a number of vehicles and different characteristics specific to said vehicles. This will make it possible to establish statistics on, for example, the age of the vehicles circulating at the level of the control unit, the type of fuel used by the vehicles circulating at the level of the control unit,., Thus, the device according to the invention will make it possible even more to help the competent authorities for the management of the territory as its security or its environment thanks; in establishing these; statistics.

The control unit can of course be arranged so that it can be moved from a zone A to a zone B in order to be temporarily installed at the level of the zone A or at the level of the zone B. The control unit may also be mobile during operation and (be a vehicle, in particular for reconnaissance according to the control unit.

the authorized speed in different places from, for example, on board a police force, or even in a drone.

Although here the device

The invention comprises a single recognition device according to the invention may include several control units connected to the processing unit. The processing unit may be arranged to process the information coming from the different control units in a deferred or simultaneous manner. This will allow the processing unit to be associated with a network of control units, thereby making it possible to increase the possibilities of studies, compilation of statistics, etc. It will thus be possible to detect if the same vehicle exceeds different reprised in territories. We can also study the movement of a particular vehicle (such as that of a wanted vehicle) over a given area of the territory. We can also study the level of pollution of · vehicles traveling on a given area of the territory. Etc.

The recognition device according to the invention 25 will thus be able to rub shoulders in fields as varied as road traffic control and sanction, territorial security, traffic congestion management, pollution management, etc.

For this, the recognition device according to the invention will be based, as described above, on one or more characteristics specific to the Identified vehicles. The characteristics specific to the vehicles may be different from what has been described. The characteristics specific to the vehicles could in a nonlimiting way · be an authorization to circulate the vehicle, a country of registration of the vehicle, technical characteristics · of the vehicle such as the type of engine used for example, a make of the vehicle ·, A vehicle model, vehicle pollution level, vehicle status vis-à-vis the technical control, a declaration worth seizing the vehicle, a pledge of the vehicle, a declaration of immobilization of the vehicle, a suspension of Vehicle registration, vehicle destruction declaration, cancellation of

Vehicle immatriGulation ·, ..

The recognition device according to the invention may also make it possible to complete the database itself on the basis of the information provided by the control unit (such as, for example, information on the color of the vehicle if the latter is missing from the 'database).

Claims (14)

1. Device for recognizing a vehicle, the device comprising: 5 - a traffic violation control unit to acquire at least information on a vehicle registration plate, and - a processing unit in communication with the control unit, on the one hand, and a first database 10 relating to vehicles registered · on a territory on which is situated and / or is intended to move the control unit, on the other hand; the processing unit being arranged to receive at least one information on the license plate supplied by the control unit 15 and to link it using the database to an minus a characteristic specific to the vehicle. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the processing member is in communication with a second database. 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control unit comprises a control element · ri ⁷ a speed of a vehicle and at least an image sensor. 4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the 25 image sensor is) decoupled from the control element of a vehicle speed in order to acquire images on vehicles passing in front of the control unit even if said νθΐιίοηΐββ respect a speed limit. 3 ·. Device according to one of the claims 30 previous · in which the processing unit includes a program for processing images transmitted by the control unit to recover said at least one item of information on the license plate. 6. Device according to one of claims 35 above, in which the database is integrated into the processing unit. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control unit is: remote from the processing unit. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control unit is arranged to acquire, on the one hand, information on a vehicle license plate and, on the other hand, one or more information on aesthetic characteristics of the vehicle. ^{: t} S. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the specific characteristic determined by the processing unit is the complete license plate of the vehicle. 10. Device according to one of the preceding, in which the determination by the organ for resale of characteristic characteristic of the treatment - is an aesthetic characteristic of the vehicle, relates to a level of pollution of the vehicle, is a technical characteristic of the vehicle, is an administrative feature of the vehicle. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising several traffic control units for acquiring at least one item of information on a vehicle registration plate, each control unit being connected to the same processing device of the device. 12. Device according to the preceding, in which determined by the organ one of the claims the characteristic characteristic of treatment is an administrative characteristic of the vehicle. 13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit deduces whether the vehicle is authorized or not to roll. 14. Device according to one of the claims 12 or 13, in which the administrative characteristic is, a lack of insurance of the vehicle and Zou a failure to pass a technical control. 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic -propre, to the vehicle; relates to a level of pollution of the vehicle, the processing unit determining whether the vehicle is consequently authorized to roll. 16 ;. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the characteristic characteristic of the vehicle is an aesthetic characteristic, the processing member being in communication with a second database of stolen vehicles to identify a vehicle stolen from at least minus said aesthetic characteristic specific to the vehicle. 17. Process; recognition of a vehicle using a device; according to one of the preceding claims ;, comprising the successive steps of: - acquire said at least; information on the vehicle registration plate using the control unit, transmitting said information to the processing unit, - link, using the processing unit, said information to at least one characteristic; to the vehicle.