JPH03192499A - Lens diaphragm control method for automobile number recognizing device - Google Patents

Lens diaphragm control method for automobile number recognizing device

Info

Publication number
JPH03192499A
JPH03192499A JP33116789A JP33116789A JPH03192499A JP H03192499 A JPH03192499 A JP H03192499A JP 33116789 A JP33116789 A JP 33116789A JP 33116789 A JP33116789 A JP 33116789A JP H03192499 A JPH03192499 A JP H03192499A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
lens
number plate
diaphragm
license plate
aperture
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP33116789A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2641071B2 (en
Inventor
Moriyoshi Otsu
大津 守喜
Kazuhiro Morizaki
和裕 森崎
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Holdings Corp
Original Assignee
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd filed Critical Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Priority to JP33116789A priority Critical patent/JP2641071B2/en
Publication of JPH03192499A publication Critical patent/JPH03192499A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP2641071B2 publication Critical patent/JP2641071B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To pick up the image of a number plate on an automobile at all times with an optimum diaphragm value by controlling the diaphragm of a lens at a camera based on the average value of a binary level for the quantity of light in the character part of the number plate. CONSTITUTION:An automatic number plate recognizing part 3 calculates the average of the binary level for the quantity of light in the character parts of the number plates on the plural automobiles which images are picked up by a camera 1, outputs a diaphragm control signal according to whether difference from the average value is positive or negative, and opens or closes the diaphragm of a lens 2. The operation is continuously executed concerning passing vehicles. Thus, the image of the number plate on the passing vehicle can be stably picked up with the optimum diaphragm value regardless of temporary disturbance light or the change of brightness excepting for the number plate while following up an environmental change such as day and night or the change of weather, etc.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 (産業上の利用分野) 本発明は、カメラにより撮像された自動車のナンバープ
レートの文字を自動認識する装置に適用される自動車の
ナンバー認識装置におけるレンズの絞り制御方法に関す
る。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a lens aperture control method in a vehicle number recognition device that is applied to a device that automatically recognizes characters on a vehicle license plate imaged by a camera. .

(従来の技術) 第4図は従来のナンバー認識装置の概略構成を示す説明
図であり、20はカメラ、21はレンズ、22はレンズ
絞り制御用の光センサである。
(Prior Art) FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional number recognition device, in which 20 is a camera, 21 is a lens, and 22 is an optical sensor for controlling the lens aperture.

同図において絞り制御は、外界からは入ってくる光の明
るさをカメラ20のレンズ21近くに設けられたフォト
センサなどの光センサ22で検出し、検出した明るさに
応じてレンズ21の絞り制御を行っていた。
In the figure, aperture control is performed by detecting the brightness of light entering from the outside world with a light sensor 22 such as a photosensor installed near the lens 21 of a camera 20, and adjusting the aperture of the lens 21 according to the detected brightness. was in control.

(発明が解決しようとする課題) しかしながら、上記の従来のレンズの絞り制御では、自
動車のヘッドライトや太陽の直射光が光センサ22に入
るとナンバープレート部が暗いにもかかわらず、レンズ
21は絞り込まれ、自動車のナンバープレート部を適切
な明るさで撮像できないという問題があった。
(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional lens aperture control described above, when direct light from the headlights of a car or the sun enters the optical sensor 22, the lens 21 is There was a problem that the lens was narrowed down and the license plate part of the car could not be imaged with appropriate brightness.

本発明の目的は、常に最適な絞り値で自動車のナンバー
プレートを撮像することができる自動車のナンバー認識
装置におけるレンズの絞り制御方法を提供することにあ
る。
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lens aperture control method in a vehicle number recognition device that can always image a vehicle license plate at an optimal aperture value.

(課題を解決するための手段) 上記の目的を達成するため、本発明は、撮像された複数
台の自動車のナンバープレートにおける文字部分の光量
の2値レベルの平均値に基づいて、ナンバープレートを
撮像するカメラのレンズの絞りを制御することを特徴と
する。
(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention analyzes license plates based on the average value of the binary levels of the light intensity of the character portion of the imaged license plates of a plurality of vehicles. It is characterized by controlling the aperture of the lens of the camera that captures the image.

(作 用) 上記の手段を採用したため、撮像された複数台の自動車
のナンバープレートにおける文字部分の光量の2値レベ
ルの平均をとって、その平均値との差の正負により、カ
メラのレンズの絞りがオープン、クローズするように制
御され、−時的な外乱光やナンバープレート部以外の明
るさの変化に関係なく、適切な明るさでナンバープレー
トが撮像される。
(Function) Since the above method is adopted, the binary level of the light intensity of the character part of the imaged number plates of multiple cars is averaged, and the camera lens is adjusted based on the sign or negative of the difference from the average value. The aperture is controlled to open and close, and the license plate is imaged with appropriate brightness, regardless of temporal disturbance light or changes in brightness of areas other than the license plate area.

(実施例) 以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて説明する。(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

第2図は本発明の一実施例を採用したナンバー認識装置
の概略構成を示す説明図であり、1はカメラ、2はレン
ズ、3はナンバープレート自動認識部である。また、第
3図において、4はナンバープレート、5は一連番号と
称する4桁の数字である。
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a number recognition device employing an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a camera, 2 is a lens, and 3 is an automatic license plate recognition section. Further, in FIG. 3, 4 is a license plate, and 5 is a four-digit number called a serial number.

第1図は本発明の一実施例を採用したナンバー認識装置
の制御系を示すブロック図であり、撮像部6は、撮像素
子のCCD、電子シャッタなどを備えた前記カメラ1と
、レンズ2と、ストロボ照明部7と、制御部8とからな
り、ナンバープレート自動認識部3は、A/D(アナロ
グ/デジタル)変換部9と、画像メモリ10と、2値メ
モリ11と、文字認識部12と、プレート位置検出部1
3と、全体制御部14とからなっている。
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a number recognition device employing an embodiment of the present invention. , a strobe illumination section 7, and a control section 8. The automatic license plate recognition section 3 includes an A/D (analog/digital) conversion section 9, an image memory 10, a binary memory 11, and a character recognition section 12. and plate position detection section 1
3 and an overall control section 14.

第1図において、カメラ1で撮像した映像の映像信号は
ナンバープレート自動認識部3へ出力され、A/D変換
部9でA/D変換された後、画像メモリ10、文字認識
部12、プレート位置検出部13によりナンバープレー
ト4が探し出され、かつナンバープレート4内の一連番
号5を求めるべく2値レベルが求められる。
In FIG. 1, a video signal of an image captured by a camera 1 is output to an automatic license plate recognition section 3, and after being A/D converted by an A/D conversion section 9, it is transferred to an image memory 10, a character recognition section 12, and a plate. The position detection unit 13 locates the license plate 4 and determines the binary level to determine the serial number 5 in the license plate 4.

2値化とはA/D変換された画像を適切なスライスレベ
ルで白と黒にわけることであり、ナンバープレート4が
明るければ白の比率が増すので2値レベルもあがり、ナ
ンバープレート4が暗ければ黒の比率が増すので2値レ
ベルは下がる。
Binarization means dividing the A/D converted image into white and black at an appropriate slice level.If license plate 4 is bright, the ratio of white increases, so the binary level also increases, and if license plate 4 is dark. If so, the black ratio increases and the binary level decreases.

このナンバープレート自動認識部3内で求められた2値
レベルを2値メモリ11にメモリして、複数台の通過車
両の2値レベルの平均を求め、この平均値を基準値と比
較し、比較値との差が規定値以上になると、基準値との
差の正負により、全体制御部14から撮像部6の制御部
8へ絞り制御信号が出力され、レンズ2の絞りをオープ
ンあるいはクローズする。
The binary level determined in the automatic license plate recognition unit 3 is stored in the binary memory 11, the average of the binary levels of a plurality of passing vehicles is determined, and this average value is compared with a reference value. When the difference from the reference value exceeds the specified value, an aperture control signal is output from the overall control section 14 to the control section 8 of the imaging section 6 to open or close the aperture of the lens 2, depending on the sign of the difference from the reference value.

以上の動作を1通行車両について連続して行うことによ
り、通行車両のナンバープレート4を、昼夜、天候の変
動などの環境変化に追随して、また−時的な外乱光やナ
ンバープレート4以外の明るさの変化に関係なく、安定
して最適な絞り値で撮像することができる。
By performing the above operations continuously for one passing vehicle, the license plate 4 of the passing vehicle can be adjusted according to environmental changes such as day and night and weather fluctuations, and - Regardless of changes in brightness, images can be stably captured at the optimal aperture value.

このように本実施例では、レンズ2の絞り制御に、撮像
されたナンバープレート4内の一連番号5の切出し2値
レベルを使用しているので、ヘッドライトや太陽の直射
光に影響されずに、ナンバープレート4部分を最適な絞
り値で撮像できるという利点を有する。
In this way, in this embodiment, the binary level extracted from the serial number 5 in the imaged license plate 4 is used to control the aperture of the lens 2, so it is not affected by direct light from headlights or the sun. , it has the advantage that the license plate 4 portion can be imaged at an optimal aperture value.

そして、さらに通行車面について連続して上記の制御を
行うことにより、環境変化に追随して安定な絞りでナン
バープレート4を撮像することができるという効果を有
する。
Further, by continuously performing the above-mentioned control on the surface of passing vehicles, it is possible to follow environmental changes and image the license plate 4 with a stable aperture.

(発明の効果) 本発明によれば、ナンバープレートを撮像するカメラの
レンズの絞りを、ナンバープレート以外の明るさの変化
に影響されずに制御でき、常に最適な絞り値でナンバー
プレートの撮像ができ、信頼性の高い自動車のナンバー
認識装置におけるレンズの絞り制御方法を提供できる。
(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the aperture of the lens of the camera that images the license plate can be controlled without being affected by changes in brightness of objects other than the license plate, and the license plate can always be imaged at the optimal aperture value. It is possible to provide a method for controlling the aperture of a lens in a highly reliable automobile number recognition device.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第1図は本発明の自動車のナンバー認識装置におけるレ
ンズの絞り制御方法の一実施例を採用したナンバー認識
装置の制御系を示すブロック図、第2図は本発明の実施
例を採用したナンバー認識装置の概略構成を示す説明図
、第3図はナンバープレートの正面図、第4図は従来の
ナンバー認識装置の概略構成を示す説明図である。 1・・・カメラ、 2・・・レンズ、 3・・・ナンバ
ープレート自動認識部、 4・・・ナンバープレート、
 5・・・一連番号、 6・・・撮像部、7・・・スト
ロボ照明部、 8・・・制御部、 9・・・A/D交換
部、 10・・・画像メモリ、 11・・・2値メモリ
、 12・・・文字認識部、 13・・・プレート位置
検出部、 14・・・全体制御部。
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a number recognition device employing an embodiment of the lens aperture control method in a vehicle number recognition device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of a number recognition device employing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of a license plate, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional number recognition device. 1... Camera, 2... Lens, 3... Automatic license plate recognition unit, 4... License plate,
5... Serial number, 6... Imaging section, 7... Strobe illumination section, 8... Control section, 9... A/D exchange section, 10... Image memory, 11... Binary memory, 12... Character recognition section, 13... Plate position detection section, 14... Overall control section.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 撮像された複数台の自動車のナンバープレートにおける
文字部分の光量の2値レベルの平均値に基づいて、ナン
バープレートを撮像するカメラのレンズの絞りを制御す
ることを特徴とする自動車のナンバー認識装置における
レンズの絞り制御方法。
An automobile number recognition device characterized in that the aperture of a lens of a camera that images a license plate is controlled based on the average value of the binary level of the light intensity of the character part of the imaged license plates of a plurality of cars. How to control lens aperture.
JP33116789A 1989-12-22 1989-12-22 Aperture control method of lens in car number recognition device Expired - Fee Related JP2641071B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP33116789A JP2641071B2 (en) 1989-12-22 1989-12-22 Aperture control method of lens in car number recognition device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP33116789A JP2641071B2 (en) 1989-12-22 1989-12-22 Aperture control method of lens in car number recognition device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH03192499A true JPH03192499A (en) 1991-08-22
JP2641071B2 JP2641071B2 (en) 1997-08-13

Family

ID=18240634

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP33116789A Expired - Fee Related JP2641071B2 (en) 1989-12-22 1989-12-22 Aperture control method of lens in car number recognition device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2641071B2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5353021A (en) * 1991-09-04 1994-10-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Apparatus for measuring moving state of vehicle in tunnel

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5353021A (en) * 1991-09-04 1994-10-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Apparatus for measuring moving state of vehicle in tunnel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2641071B2 (en) 1997-08-13

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